Successful businesses need professionals with a strong background in accounting and finance who can create innovative solutions to complex problems. By earning your Graduate Certificate in Accounting and Financial Decision Making—in just five or six courses—you'll build the skills necessary to analyze financial statements, identify the strategic implications, assess risk, and make informed decisions.

Program Overview

  • Program Structure: 5–6 courses
  • Class Schedule: Monday–Thursday evenings at 5:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Time to Complete: 8 months when studying full-time and 8 months to 3 years when studying part-time

Part-time Graduate Certificate | Typical program timeline

*Course offerings vary per semester. 
*Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.

Full-time Graduate Certificate for international students | Typical program timeline

*Course offerings vary per semester. 
*Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.

Unique Features

145+

countries represented by Northeastern students and faculty

12 or 15

credits may be applied toward a future MBA

Top 50

among national universities (U.S. News & World Report)

3

study options

The business learning you need

The business learning you need Opens in Modal
  • Increase your understanding of essential financial practices, including identifying and analyzing critical information in corporate financial reports
  • Develop your managerial skills by studying time-tested frameworks for decision-making
  • Specialize your studies with electives that are relevant to your goals   
  • Build applied financial experience by joining the student management team of the 360 Huntington Fund—a real fund in Northeastern's endowment—and researching and presenting your own stock recommendations to a panel of your peers
  • Access expert career guidance from an experienced counselor at Northeastern's office of Employer Engagement and Career Design
  • Build the foundation for a future master's degree from Northeastern—you may be able to apply your certificate credits toward an eligible master's program

Meet Some of Our Students

Admissions

  • Interview required? Upon request.
  • English language proficiency: English proficiency, both written and verbal, is necessary for success in D'Amore-McKim classrooms. For more information, review our admissions policies.
  • GMAT Required? No.
  • Where do I apply? Learn more here.
  • Eligible for International Student Visa? Yes. This program is F-1 visa compliant.

Full-Time Graduate Certificates (F-1 Visa Compliant)

Application DeadlinesDecision NotificationsClasses Begin
Oct. 5, 2023Rolling BasisJanuary
Nov. 9, 2023*Rolling BasisJanuary
Dec. 7, 2023Rolling BasisJanuary
Feb. 1, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
March 21, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
May 9, 2024**Rolling BasisSeptember
June 7, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
July 3, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
Aug. 1, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
*November 9, 2023 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa
**May 9, 2024 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa

Part-Time Graduate Certificates

Application DeadlinesDecision NotificationsClasses Begin
Oct. 4, 2023Rolling BasisJanuary
Nov. 9, 2023Rolling BasisJanuary
Dec. 7, 2023Rolling BasisJanuary
Feb. 1, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
March 21, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
May 9, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
June 7, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
July 3, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember
Aug. 1, 2024Rolling BasisSeptember

Tuition

Northeastern Student Financial Services publishes the tuition rates for Graduate Certificates. Under the “Graduate Programs” section, the cost per credit appears next to “D'Amore-McKim School of Business Programs.”

Financial Aid

Northeastern offers resources to help you finance your graduate education, and the Student Financial Services team will guide you through your options. Please visit the Graduate Financial Aid page.

Once you are a student, your financial aid advisor will work with you one-on-one to answer your questions, point you to resources and provide valuable insight as you navigate the financial commitments of your program.

Scholarships

Northeastern University has a variety of scholarships. As a graduate certificate applicant you may be eligible for the Full Circle Scholarship. You may also qualify for funding support as an alum, U.S. servicemember, or veteran.

Application Fee Waivers

D'Amore-McKim offers application fee waivers to applicants that meet specific criteria. You can review the policy on the Graduate Application FAQ web page.

The D'Amore-McKim School of Business community stands with our university and its leadership in our dedication to cultivating equity and inclusion for all humankind. Understanding and solving our problems requires constant interaction among people who bring their own diverse contexts and experiences to the conversation. Therefore, we must be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that values the uniqueness of its members, recognizes the power and importance of diversity in our own and surrounding communities, and ensures their engaged participation.

Graduate Student Clubs  

There are numerous university-wide and D'Amore-McKim-affiliated student groups that you may wish to join, and several are grounded in building inclusive communities and resiliency. Many of our graduate business students participate in the Graduate Students of Color Collective, Grad Q, and Out in Business.

Campus Resources

Participate in community-building programs, lectures, and events offered by Northeastern's cultural centers representing a range of affiliations and interests including the LGBTQA Resource Center, Latinx Student Cultural Center, Asian American Center, Office of Global Services, and many more.

Curriculum

You can study for your Graduate Certificate in Accounting and Financial Decision Making full-time or part-time.

In all formats, you'll learn from faculty—financial experts, consultants, and respected industry leaders—who belong to the #1 behavioral accounting research group in the country. You'll study alongside a diverse group of students with a mix of industry and academic backgrounds.

Your coursework will explore the essentials of financial strategy, financial reporting, and information analysis.  You'll dive into topics such as . . .

  • Financial statement preparation and analysis
  • Resource acquisition
  • Capital budgeting and structure
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Risk management
  • Information technology

Choose Your Format

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Full-Time & Part-Time advisor

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Upcoming Future Student Events

Mar 20

Get all of your application process questions answered and explore topics like financial aid, scholarships, and making your app stand out.

Mar 25

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Mar 27

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