Auditing
Examines the financial records of an entity to determine if they are reasonably accurate and in accordance to appropriate rules and regulations

Financial Accounting
Records business transactions and prepares financial statements

Managerial/Cost Accounting
Determines the cost of company products and services and makes business decisions

Tax Accounting
Prepares federal, state, and local tax returns

Talk with your adviser about course recommendations for each certification.

CPA – Certified Public Accountant
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential is a well-known and respected designation. CPAs work in public accounting, taxation, auditing, government accounting, compliance, finance, and other roles.

CPA candidates must complete 150 semester hours of college-level education, and Wartburg faculty will work with you to ensure your eligibility upon graduation. Wartburg’s normal 4-4-1 academic schedule allows students to earn at least 126 credit hours, with several options for earning the additional credits needed without requiring a fifth year of school. This mean you can begin earning sooner and avoid additional tuition charges, which can create a total savings of nearly $70,000!

More information relating to the CPA exam can be found at www.thiswaytocpa.com or www.nasba.org.

CMA – Certified Managerial Accountant
The Institute of Management Accountants awards the CMA certification, which demonstrates versatility with a dual focus on accounting and finance. Credentialed professionals can work in a range of industries, including corporate finance or accounting firms, government agencies, educational institutions, or large corporations, and can have roles such as financial analysts, accounting managers, controllers, and several other executive positions.

Students can qualify for an IMA scholarship that covers the full cost of preparing for and taking the CMA exam. Contact your adviser for more information.

CIA – Certified Internal Auditor
As the only globally recognized internal audit certification, becoming a Certified Internal Auditor® is the optimum way to communicate knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively carry out professional responsibilities for any internal audit, anywhere in the world

CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst
Chartered Finance Analyst certification demonstrates your knowledge and competence regarding principles of portfolio management, investment analysis, economics, and professional and ethical standards. Finance professionals who are or aim to become equity analysts, fund managers, or hedge fund managers will also find the CFA useful, as will anyone who hopes to reach the CFO or senior finance manager levels.

CGFM – Certified Government Financial Manager
Certified Government Financial Manager® is a professional certification awarded by the Association of Government Accountants that demonstrates competency in governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls, and budgeting at the federal, state, and local levels.

Students who are not able to take additional courses each term or who do not bring in college credit from high school are eligible for Wartburg’s Accounting Scholars Program. Recognizing that summer employment helps many students finance college, Wartburg will award summer school tuition scholarships for up to four classes the summer after the second academic year. Students must have been accepted into the Accounting Scholars Program and courses must be taken through Wartburg. Applicants must meet the current requirements for a Wartburg College Presidential Scholarship, including being in the top 25 percent of their high school class and having a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5. To remain eligible for the program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA through Winter Term of their second year with the completion of at least 17 course credits. To apply, contact Professor Eric Sommermeyer during your first three semesters at Wartburg.