Professional Certifications

The School of Accountancy prepares accounting graduates to apply and sit for the qualifying examinations of four of the most highly recognized professional accounting certifications: the CPA (Certified Public Accountant), the CMA (Certified Management Accountant), the CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), and the CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics credential). In addition, students in the Forensic Interviews and Interrogation course may earn their ACFI (Associate Certified Forensic Interviewer) credential during this course.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Although individual states regulate educational and experiential requirements for licensing public accountants, the AICPA (American Institute of Public Accountants) prepares the mandatory, comprehensive, four-part Uniform CPA Examination. In Georgia, students may first take the CPA Exam after having completed the 120 hours of education required for the BBA in Accounting degree; however, most students defer taking the CPA exam until they are completing their Master of Accountancy degree, which includes the additional accounting hours required for CPA license.

Although students entering any area of professional accounting may choose to hold the CPA designation, only those accounting professionals who express an opinion on an entity’s audited financial statements are required to be licensed as CPAs.

The School of Accountancy anticipates that graduates may seek the following professional state licenses or certifications:
CPA.

For required disclosures on whether its programs satisfy the license requirements of all states and territories for the CPA license or certificate, click https://nasba.org/stateboards/ to check the requirements of your state or territory.

The School of Accountancy has determined that the required classes and educational activities of the MAcc or WebMAcc programs, along with undergraduate requirements reaching 150 credit hours will qualify a graduate of these programs to take the exam for a CPA license in Georgia https://nasba.org/stateboards/#georgia or other jurisdictions https://nasba.org/stateboards/.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

The CMA designation, granted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), is meant for accountants and financial professionals in business. Requirements to become a CMA include being a member if the IMA; passing all four parts of the CMA Examination; having a four-year degree from an accredited college or university; and having a minimum of two years of professional experience. Students may take the CMA Exam during their undergraduate education in accounting or another field. The CMA credential is valuable in accounting and finance careers.

The School of Accountancy anticipates that graduates may seek the following professional state licenses or certifications:
CMA.

For required disclosures on whether its programs satisfy the license requirements of all states and territories for the CMA license or certificate, click here to check the requirements of your state or territory.

The School of Accountancy has determined that the required classes and educational activities of the BBA in accounting, along with  requirements of two years of work experience, will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for a CMA license in Georgia and other jurisdictions imanet.org/?ssopc=1.

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) administers the CFE Examination and grants the CFE credential. Students who complete the Fraud Examination Track are prepared to obtain the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. Students may sit for the CFE Exam prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Professionals who are involved with any aspect of detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud and white-collar crime within organizations find this credential to be invaluable.

The School of Accountancy anticipates that graduates may seek the following professional state licenses or certifications:
CFE

For required disclosures on whether its programs satisfy the license requirements of all states and territories for the CFE license or certificate, click acfe.com/become-cfe-qualifications.aspx to check the requirements of your state or territory.

The School of Accountancy has determined that the required classes and educational activities of the BBA in accounting, along with  requirements of two years of work experience, will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for a CFE license in Georgia and other jurisdictions imanet.org/?ssopc=1.

Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF)

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) established the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) credential exclusively for CPAs who demonstrate expertise in forensic accounting through their knowledge, skills, and experience. Students who complete the Forensic Accounting Track in our Master of Accountancy program are prepared to obtain the CFF credential. Students who desire careers with public accounting firms, law firms, forensic accounting firms, and litigation support consulting firms often pursue this credential.

The School of Accountancy anticipates that graduates may seek the following professional state licenses or certifications:
CFF.

For required disclosures on whether its programs satisfy the license requirements of all states and territories for the CFF license or certificate, click AICPA Membership Requirements to check the requirements of your state or territory.

The School of Accountancy has determined that the required classes and educational activities of the BBA in accounting, along with  requirements of two years of work experience, will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for a CFF license in Georgia and other jurisdictions aicpa.org/membership/join/credentials.html?tab-1=2.

Certified in Ethical Leadership

The Ethical Leadership Certification Program, administered by NASBA Center for Public Trust uses an online tool to teach students how to identify ethical issues, learn how to respond to ethical dilemmas, and enhance their ethical decision-making abilities.  The program requires that students complete 6 modules and score at least 80 percent on each test administered at the end of the modules.

The School of Accountancy anticipates that graduates may seek the following professional state licenses or certifications:
Ethical Leadership Certification.

For required disclosures on whether its programs satisfy the license requirements of all states and territories for the CFF license or certificate, click thecpt.org/ethical-leadership-certification-program/ to check the requirements of your state or territory.

Associate Certified Forensic Interviewer (ACFI)

The International Association of Interviewers (IAI) administers and grants the professional certification known as the ACFI.  Eligibility requirements were established for individuals with no professional interviewing or interrogation experience.   Students enrolled in Forensic Interviews and Interrogation (ACCT/LSTD 4633) in the Fraud Examination Certificate program, become Associate Members of the IAI.  Students obtain this certification during this course, which includes a 16 module educational program. 

Potential employers in fields specializing in accounting, law enforcement, loss prevention, human resources, litigation, and many other areas – find that this credential highlights our students in the hiring process.

The School of Accountancy anticipates that after graduation and gaining professional interviewing experience in their chosen career employment positions, graduates will seek the CFI professional certification.  There are no state licensing requirements.

Federal law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs.  These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.

For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.

Last updated: 3/12/2022