Professional Accountancy Advanced Certificate (ATC) is an Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) program offered by Lone Star College in Tomball, TX. The program takes 36 credit hours to complete, with a total tuition of $3,996.
Program Overview
- The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) awarded Lone Star College the designation to offer Qualifying Educational Credit for the CPA Examination. Fifteen of the accounting courses meet the TSBPA's definition of upper-division accounting courses required to take the CPA exam.
- Program Highlights
- The Qualifying Educational Credit designation allows individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from a Board recognized educational institution to earn 30 advanced accounting hours as well as 9 hours in upper-level related business courses to sit for the CPA exam in Texas.
- Additional upper-level college hours may be needed to fulfill the business and 150-hour educational requirements as designated by the TSBPA.
- To obtain the Advanced Technical Certificate in Professional Accountancy the individual should take no less than 24 semester hours of accounting and certain related business courses from LSC toward fulfilling the certificate requirements.
- Credentials and Careers
- Completion of the Professional Accountancy program will qualify the graduate to take the CPA exam in Texas. A licensed CPA can hold positions from staff accountant and financial analyst to CFO.
- Transferability
- Courses in the program are approved the TSBPA requirements only and may not be transferable to other CPA state boards or universities.
- Contact the CPA Program Chair at LSC-ATCProfessionalAccountancy@lonestar.edu for more specific information.
- Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.
Admission Requirements and Process
- A bachelor's degree (any field) is required for admission to the Advanced Technical Certificate program.
- ACCT2301 - Principles of Financial Accounting, or equivalent.
- ACCT2302 - Principles of Managerial Accounting, or equivalent.
- After LSC general admission, the CPA/ATC program requires that full-time accounting faculty provides academic advising and orientation about the certificate program in accounting to the student.
School Information
Campus Location
LSC-Tomball
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, TX 77375
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you are attending a school that has undergone a rigorous process that evaluates educational quality. It's not easy to become or remain an accredited institution. The rules and regulations are strict, precise and designed to protect students. Here are some of the benefits:
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Application Process
- 1Submit ApplicationComplete the online application form with your personal information and educational background.
- 2Submit TranscriptsProvide official high school transcripts or GED certificate. Some programs may require additional documentation.
- 3Financial AidComplete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review your options.Complete FAFSA Application
- 4EnrollmentOnce accepted, complete enrollment paperwork, register for classes, and attend orientation.
Program Schedule
- Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree
- This award requires 36 credit hours in total.
- Lone Star College reports 672 contact hours for this award.
- Where the course list shows "Choose N credit hours", those courses are the options for one elective slot, not additional requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Prepare financial statements in an appropriate U.S. GAAP format, including the following, income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, and statement of shareholders' equity.
- Identify the role and scope of financial and managerial accounting and use of accounting information in the decision-making process of managers.
- Prepare commonly filed federal tax documents and reports.
Licensure and Certification
- The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) lists licensure requirements on their website https://www.tsbpa.state.tx.us/ .
- Certificate requirements are listed on our website https://www.lonestar.edu/programs-of-study/accounting-cpa.htm .
Background Check
Background check required for licensure only. Any costs associated will be at the applicant's expense.
Program Accreditation
The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA)
Program Notes
- ACNT2345 - Technical Writing for Accountants meets the TSBPA's requirements for a discrete (standalone) course in accounting communications or business communications.
- ACNT2337 - International Financial Reporting meets the one hour requirement in accounting research and analysis for the state board.
- ACNT1393 - Special Topics in Taxation or ACNT2336 - Financial Statement Analysis meet the TSBPA's requirements for a discrete (stand-alone) course in accounting research and analysis.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Total Program Tuition
≈ $3,996
- Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 36 credit hours.
- Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($8,964.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($11,268.00).
- Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
- Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
- Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.
School Information
Campus Location
LSC-Tomball
30555 Tomball Parkway
Tomball, TX 77375
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you are attending a school that has undergone a rigorous process that evaluates educational quality. It's not easy to become or remain an accredited institution. The rules and regulations are strict, precise and designed to protect students. Here are some of the benefits:
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Ready to get started?
Apply to Professional Accountancy Advanced Certificate (ATC) at LSC-Tomball.