Those studying in the field of certified public accounting often learn the professional skills necessary to maintain financial records and prepare various, and sometimes complex, tax documents. Academic courses within the field of accounting may heavily focus on mathematics, business, management information systems and other accounting-specific requirements.

A certificate is a short scholastic program that helps provide students with the education and training they need to qualify for promotions at work or to supplement their existing academic records. These programs are usually completed in less than a year.