CPA Preparation

Students who wish to sit for the Illinois CPA exam can meet their accounting course requirements by completing the CPA Preparation certificate. This program includes two elective courses for specialized study and awards 9 units (equivalent to 24 semester hours). All courses are taught by CPAs who have extensive teaching and professional experience. For comprehensive information on applying for and taking the CPA Examination in Illinois, visit www.illinois-cpa-exam.com.

Required Courses

• ACCOUNT 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting
• ACCOUNT 202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
• ACCOUNT 208 Income Tax I
• ACCOUNT 210 Intermediate Accounting I
• ACCOUNT 211 Intermediate Accounting II
• ACCOUNT 310 Cost Accounting
• ACCOUNT 350 Auditing Principles and Procedures I

Elective Courses

• Two of the following:
  ACCOUNT 308 Income Tax II
  ACCOUNT 340 Government and Nonprofit Accounting
  ACCOUNT 360 Auditing Principles and Procedures II
  ACCOUNT 370 Advanced Accounting
  ACCOUNT 390 Topics in Accounting: Accounting Information Systems
  ACCOUNT 390 Topics in Accounting: International Accounting
  ACCOUNT 390 Topics in Accounting: Forensic Accounting

Note: Not all of the above courses are offered annually. Related courses may be substituted, with the approval of the Assistant Dean.

Business Courses for CPA

Along with 24 semester hours of accounting courses, students also need at least 24 semester hours of business credit. The School of Continuing Studies offers other courses that are acceptable areas of business credit (equivalent to 9 courses), such as Economics, Business Law, Marketing, and Finance as noted on the Illinois-cpa-exam.com webpage. For business study opportunities, please see our other Post-Baccalaureate certificates and Course Listings for a complete schedule of offered courses. If you would like to discuss options with an SCS adviser, call 312-503-1177 to schedule an appointment.

View all Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs

Post-Baccalaureate Admissions