GMCTA · Certificate Program
Accounting Services
Develop strong, employer-ready accounting skills. Complete this certificate in ~1–3 months with 300 total hours covering financial accounting, payroll and taxes (overview), cost concepts, software workflows, internal controls, and financial reporting.
Program Overview
From entries to analysis, this program equips you to support accountants, controllers, and small-business owners. You’ll manage the accounting cycle end-to-end, prepare financial statements, assist with payroll and sales tax (overview), and use accounting software to streamline operations and reporting.
What You’ll Learn
- Financial Accounting: the full accounting cycle, adjusting/closing entries, trial balance.
- Financial Statements: income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows (intro), ratios.
- Receivables & Payables: invoicing, cash application, vendor payments, AP aging.
- Payroll (Overview): gross-to-net concepts, withholdings, postings, period-end reconciliations.
- Taxes (Overview): sales/use tax basics, 1099 awareness, compliance calendars.
- Cost Concepts: cost behavior, job/order vs. process (intro), break-even, contribution margin.
- Accounting Software: chart of accounts, bank feeds, rules, reconciliations, reporting.
- Internal Controls & Ethics: separation of duties, approvals, audit trails, documentation.
- Excel for Accounting: functions, pivot tables, imports/exports, data cleanup.
Sample Curriculum
| Module | Topics |
|---|---|
| Accounting Foundations | GAAP overview, accounts & normal balances, accounting cycle |
| Recording & Adjusting | Journals, ledgers, accruals/deferrals, closing entries |
| Cash, Banking & Controls | Reconciliations, cash controls, documentation, approvals |
| AR/AP Operations | Invoicing, collections basics, vendor bills, payments, 1099 awareness |
| Payroll & Taxes (Overview) | Gross-to-net, withholdings, filings calendar, sales/use tax basics |
| Cost & Managerial Concepts | Cost behavior, CVP, budgeting/variance (intro) |
| Software Labs | Chart setup, bank feeds, rules, reports, exports |
| Financial Reporting & Analysis | Statements, ratios, variance narratives, dashboards (intro) |
| Career & Professional Skills | Communication, ethics, resume, interview preparation |
FAQ
Is this fully online?
Yes—training includes guided modules, real-world practice sets, and software labs you can complete remotely.
Which software is used?
Exercises use common small-business accounting platforms and spreadsheets. Specific tools may vary; concepts transfer across systems.
Does this prepare me to file taxes for clients?
This program covers tax concepts at an overview level only. Preparing or advising on taxes may require additional credentials and compliance with state/federal regulations.