California Governmental Accounting Graduate Certificate

Program Information

Developed in partnership with the California State Controller’s Office, Golden Gate University’s Certificate in CA Governmental Accounting addresses the unique policies and procedures associated with governmental and nonprofit accounting. The curriculum includes an overview of basic accounting principles and stresses real-world content that prepares students to be knowledgeable governmental accounting professionals. Although this certificate is designed with California’s accounting system in mind, the concepts taught in these courses would be relevant to any governmental and non-profit agency.

See Certificate Program Admission Policies for admission requirements.

All courses must be completed at Golden Gate University with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (“B” average) or better in courses taken at Golden Gate University that are applicable to the program’s requirements. See Graduate Student Academic Standing Standards for more information.

Course prerequisites are indicated in the course description for each course and must be satisfied prior to enrolling in a given course. Prerequisites may be satisfied through transfer of equivalent coursework from external institutions or by taking the courses at GGU.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this certificate program will be able to:

Explain, prepare, and analyze basic financial statements including a balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, and retained earnings.
Prepare and adjust journal entries.
Understand basic accounting concepts required to report financial transactions and in the management of assets.
Understand and apply accounting standards specific to governmental and non-profit organizations.
Analyze the need for and application of accounting controls and performance standards.
Demonstrate a knowledge of budgeting, cost allocation, and audit issues.
Analyze the variance between projected financial outcomes and actual financial outcomes and understand how to perform a cost versus benefits analysis.

Required Courses - 6 units

ACCTG 1A Introductory Financial Accounting 3 unit(s)
ACCTG 304 Governmental and Managerial Accounting unit(s)