Aquinas College will be closing applications to their certification program soon. The Accounting and Auditing Certification Program (AACP), offered through the Accounting Department at Aquinas, is designed to provide training to non-CPA professionals in a range of financial topics including financial accounting, accounting systems and auditing. The goal of the program is to improve the efficacy of audit teams within the public accounting space.
David G. Echelbarger, CPA, CGMA, and President of Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co., P.C., said of the program, "According to the AICPA, non-accounting graduates now comprise more than 30% of the new hires in public accounting. Many of these professionals are working with accounting and auditing teams implementing technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and data analysis. The Accounting Department at Aquinas College is in a unique position to offer a certification program for these professionals to be more effective in a short period of time."
Participants of the program speak highly of the Accounting Department at Aquinas, and especially the dedication of its educators. Former student Ricardo (Rico) Marin, EY Chicago – Assurance Services said of his time in the program, “Professors Burdick and Cantley bring valuable academic and professional experience to the classroom. Their instruction gave me a strong foundation in accounting and auditing principles, in addition to helping me develop the intangibles necessary to transition from being a college student to an audit professional. With the help of Professor Keunig and his years of relevant public and industry experience, I'm confident in this faculty's ability to help anyone looking to take the plunge into the auditing world.”
The AACP also helps to create a competitive advantage for those working in, or closely to, the accounting profession. Claire Albert (Theoret), Tax Staff at Plante Moran, a 2021 graduate of the Aquinas College AACP, adds, “The accounting department at Aquinas College creates an environment requiring dedication and hard work to succeed all while building strong relationships with colleagues and professors. Those who successfully complete this certificate program will have a unique experience setting them apart from others."
As the accounting profession becomes more in demand, now is the time to add a valuable knowledge set to your rotation. For those interested in deepening their understanding of public accounting or adding to the skillsets of their non-CPA staff there are still a few weeks left to apply for the 2021-22 Aquinas College AACP. The 10-week program begins on September 15, 2021.
Accounting and Auditing Certificate Program | Aquinas College