Graduate Certificate in California Governmental Accounting
Program at a Glance
Program
California Governmental Accounting
Format
Online, Hybrid
Total Units
6
Summer ’25 Final Application Deadline
April 13
Program Overview
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.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign (outside the US) institution, and provide official transcripts.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements.
- Certificate students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- To apply for certificate programs, students should submit an admission application and fee.
Important Note: Graduate certificate admission is limited to domestic students. Students that plan to study on an F or J Visa may apply to graduate programs only.
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.
