CPA Exam Preparation: Financial Accounting and Reporting

Effective: Spring 2020
Certificate of Proficiency Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

CPA Candidates must possess any Bachelor's degree. Additionally, the candidates must satisfy specific educational requirements (see the CalCPA website at http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/tip_sheet.pdf).

All of these educational requirements can be completed at a community college after the candidates complete their BA/BS degree. The classes within this certificate are counted towards the educational requirement for the CPA license. The certificate also prepares a candidate for one of the four parts of the CPA exam: Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR).

The certificate itself is neither required for the CPA exam nor guarantees the student's eligibility for the CPA exam. However, it provides a guideline on what classes best prepare the candidate for the CPA exam.


What can I do with this major?

This program focuses on the Financial Accounting & Reporting component of the CPA exam. It provides a guideline for CPA candidates on which courses will best prepare them for the exam. Future CPAs have amazing prospects in three main areas: public accounting, private accounting, and government/non-profit accounting. Current projections for the Bay Area (from the EDD website) for accountants and auditors are: 17.9% annual increase in the number of jobs, and the median salary of $79,258. The CPA license in general increases salaries for these jobs by 10-15%.


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Business, Economics & Information Technology

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

BUS 1A is the prerequisite course for each of the courses listed for this certificate. If you took BUS 1A (Financial Accounting) at a college other than Chabot or Las Positas, please see a counselor to obtain a prerequisite override. www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling

Required Core

11 units

BUS 2B
Intermediate Accounting II

4 units
Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to value assets, liabilities, and equity. Topics include analysis of current and long-term liabilities, leases, income taxes, pensions, equity, and the related revenues and expenses; preparation of the statement of cash flows. BUS 2A (Intermediate Accounting I) and BUS 2B (Intermediate Accounting II) can be taken in any sequence after the successful completion of BUS 1A (Financial Accounting).
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: BUS 1A

BUS 2A
Intermediate Accounting I

4 units
Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to value assets, liabilities, and equity. Topics include time value of money, income statement, balance sheet, analysis of cash, receivables, inventory, plant assets, intangible assets, and the related revenues and expenses. BUS 2A (Intermediate Accounting I) and BUS 2B (Intermediate Accounting II) can be taken in any sequence after the successful completion of BUS 1A (Financial Accounting).
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: BUS 1A

BUS 11
Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting

3 units
A study of accounting, budgeting, auditing, fiscal procedures and financial records of governmental agencies such as state, county and municipal governments, as well as universities and colleges, hospitals, and certain nonprofit organizations.
Course Details:
  1. Prerequisite: BUS 1A
    2. or
  2. Prerequisite: BUS 7
Total Units: 11 units
This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.