Program Details
Certificate - Accounting Specialist
CertificateTidewater Community College
The Certificate in Accounting Specialist prepares students for entry-level employment in accounting or enhancement of existing skills for a more advanced position. In addition, this curriculum will also provide students with the accounting courses needed to meet the education requirements of the Virginia Board for Accountancy to sit for the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) examination (see the Virginia Board of Accountancy website for additional requirements and details at https://boa.virginia.gov/cpa-exam/requirements/).
Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree in Business from an accredited U.S. institution may be able to complete this certificate in one year. Please see an accounting faculty member for more information.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | Complete this program in as few as 4 semesters / 36-45 credits Accounting is more than just filing taxes. Expanding businesses, changing financial regulations and increased scrutiny of company finances have led to a growing demand for accounting and auditing clerks and new opportunities in governmental accounting, auditing, and consulting. At TCC, professors with real-life experience teach you the fundamentals of accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, management/cost accounting, taxation, and auditing on the latest accounting software. TCC had 12 graduates in 2020-21, 6 graduates in 2019-20, 9 graduates in 2018-19, 7 graduates in 2017-18, and 5 graduates in 2016-17 in the Certificate program in Accounting Specialist. |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

Cost To Complete

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