Apr 04, 2026  
2026-2027 Catalog [PREVIEW] 
    
2026-2027 Catalog [PREVIEW]

Planner for Financial Accounting (certificate)


Title of Certificate: Financial Accounting, Certificate 

Award: Certificate 

Code: CRT.BPA.FIN-ACCT  

Total Credit Hours: 51

About the Accounting Department

Purpose: Intended for students who already have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher and who wish to complete the individual course requirements to sit for the Maryland Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. 

CPA Exam Requirements 

Those initially applying to sit for the CPA exam in Maryland must qualify by (1) holding a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university; (2) completing 150 credit hours; and (3) completing a minimum of 51 credit hours in accounting and related business subjects, including certain required courses. 

Faculty Contact (webapps.aacc.edu/directory): Gretchen Mester

Courses to improve skills and prepare for college-level classes may be needed. It is best to see an advisor as you plan your education. 

All students must demonstrate eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A . Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements , “Certificate Requirements” for more information. 

Course/Advising Notes: ______________________________________________________________________________ 

Term 1

Course Name Credits Term Taken Grade
BPA 138 - Business and Professional Ethics  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
BPA 201 - Financial Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
Choose two in at least five of the following nine (9) subjects: statistics, economics, corporation or business finance, management, business law, marketing, quantitative methods, computer science/information systems, and business communication.
BPA 125 - Principles of Marketing  OR  BPA 127 - Digital Marketing and Analytics  
BPA 142 - Principles of Management  OR  BPA 190 - Organizational Behavior  
BPA 162 - Business Communications  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 256 - Introduction to Corporate Finance  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
CTA 100 - Computing and Information Technology  OR  CTS 107 - Cyber Essentials  picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
ECO 211 - Principles of Economics 1 
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite 
ECO 212 - Principles of Economics 2  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
ECO 232 - Business Statistics  OR  MAT 135 - Statistics  picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
ECO 233 - Data, Sampling, and Analytics  OR  MAT 235 - Introduction to Data Science  picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite 
LGS 254 - Business Law 2  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
6 credit hours    

Term 2

Course Name Credits Term Taken Grade
LGS 253 - Business Law 1   3 credit hours    
BPA 202 - Managerial Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
Choose three in at least five of the following nine (9) subjects: statistics, economics, corporation or business finance, management, business law, marketing, quantitative methods, computer science/information systems, and business communication.
BPA 125 - Principles of Marketing  OR  BPA 127 - Digital Marketing and Analytics  
BPA 142 - Principles of Management  OR  BPA 190 - Organizational Behavior  
BPA 162 - Business Communications  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 256 - Introduction to Corporate Finance  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
CTA 100 - Computing and Information Technology  OR  CTS 107 - Cyber Essentials  picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
ECO 211 - Principles of Economics 1 
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite 
ECO 212 - Principles of Economics 2  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
ECO 232 - Business Statistics  OR  MAT 135 - Statistics  picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
ECO 233 - Data, Sampling, and Analytics  OR  MAT 235 - Introduction to Data Science  picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite 
LGS 254 - Business Law 2  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
9 credit hours    

Term 3

Course Name Credits Term Taken Grade
BPA 241 - Intermediate Accounting 1  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
BPA 262 - Tax Accounting 
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
Choose two:
BPA 217 - Small Business Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 245 - Advanced Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 261 - Cost Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 264 - Advanced Tax Accounting 
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 264, Advanced Tax Accounting, is strongly recommended for sufficient coverage of material tested on the CPA examination.
6 credit hours    

Term 4

Course Name Credits Term Taken Grade
BPA 242 - Intermediate Accounting 2  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
BPA 255 - Accounting Information Systems  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
BPA 263 - Auditing  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
3 credit hours    
Choose one:   
BPA 217 - Small Business Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 245 - Advanced Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 261 - Cost Accounting  
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 264 - Advanced Tax Accounting 
picture of capital letter P for Prerequisite
BPA 264, Advanced Tax Accounting, is strongly recommended for sufficient coverage of material tested on the CPA examination.
3 credit hours    

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