Student Professional Development > Professional Certification

Certification in your professional field is important to your career, and is available in most areas of business. The College of Business at ASU actively supports student preparation for certification exams. Areas of certification are listed below, by the department of your major field:

DEPARTMENT of ACCOUNTING, FINANCE, and LAW

CPA…Certified Public Accountant… What do these three letters mean to the professional world? They mean you have received a broad-based education. They mean you have passed all parts of a very difficult exam. They mean you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to be a trusted business advisor to your clients or employer. They mean you feel comfortable with the latest technology. They mean you are an ethical individual who can provide an independent viewpoint.

See information about requirements for the CPA in Arkansas
Look at the website of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA).

CMA and CFM. The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and the Certified in Financial Management (CFM) Programs have been designed to recognize the unique qualifications and expertise of those professionals engaged in management accounting and financial management. These certifications provide distinction in today's economic climate and afford the opportunity to certify your expertise in the business areas that are critical to the decision-making process.

The Certification Programs have four objectives:

• To establish management accounting and financial management as recognized professions by identifying the role of the professional, the underlying body of knowledge, and a course of study by which such knowledge is acquired;
• To encourage higher educational standards in the management accounting and financial management fields;
• To establish an objective measure of an individual's knowledge and competence in the fields of management accounting and financial management; and
• To encourage continued professional development.

Programs have been designed to recognize the unique qualifications and expertise of those professionals engaged in management accounting and financial management. These certifications provide distinction in today's economic climate and afford the opportunity to certify your expertise in the business areas that are critical to the decision-making process.

For more information, go to the Institute of Management Accountants website.

CrFA. A Certified Forensic Accountant performs an orderly analysis, investigation, inquiry, test, inspection or examination to obtain evidence from which to establish an expert opinion. Since forensic accounting often involves legal issues, an accountant practicing forensics needs to have an understanding of and experience in the legal process. The forensic accountant may use the evidence from an investigation to help attorneys and give testimony as an expert witness.

The forensic accountant also must be extremely knowledgeable and experienced in areas such as corporate financial planning and management techniques. Advanced computer skills are required, including the ability to understand and apply various information technology and accounting systems. Finally, a forensic accountant needs to have strong communication skills, including the ability to interview and effectively elicit information from people who may not be willing to give truthful answers. This skill is often underestimated, even though it is crucial to being a successful forensic accountant.

CFA. The Chartered Financial Analyst Program is a globally recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of financial analysts. Three levels of examination measure a candidate’s ability to apply the fundamental knowledge of investment principles at a professional level. The CFA exam is administered annually in more than 70 nations worldwide. Want to see more?


DEPARTMENT of MARKETING and MANAGEMENT

PHR and SPHR. These are Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources respectively. Certification is earned through examination. Exams are given twice a year, in May and December, by the Human Resource Certification Institute. Although qualification for the exam normally requires an individual to hold an exempt-level HR position for at least two years, special accommodations are made for students. HRCI offers students and recent graduates the opportunity to take the PHR certification examination. To qualify under the student/recent graduate category, candidates must take the exam 12 months before their graduation date but no later than 12 months after their graduation date from a bachelor or graduate degree program. When applying to take the exam as a student/recent graduate, candidates must not already have the two-year exempt-level experience requirement needed as an HR professional.

Students/recent graduates who take and pass the examination may not use the "PHR" designation until they obtain the required work experience, provide proof of graduation, and pay the balance of the examination fee. Candidates qualifying to take the examination under this category are not eligible to take the SPHR certification exam. Students and recent grads are eligible for a special initial registration rate of $100.

Students/recent graduates have five years from the date of passing the exam to obtain two years of exempt-level HR work experience. The PHR certification will be awarded after students/recent graduate candidates:

• Obtain and document two years of exempt-level HR experience:
• Provide proof of graduation, and;
• Pay the balance of the examination fees.

DEPARTMENT of COMPUTER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

MIS coursework at ASU can prepare students to take a number of professional certification exams which are administered by the Computer and Information Technology Department including:

Successful completion of an exam entitles a student to receive the corresponding certification. These professional certifications are provided by the above firms to attest to the fact that the holders have demonstrated certain competency requirements regarding the area of specialization, as well as, the certifying firm’s software covering that area. Students interested in pursuing any of these certifications should contact the Computer and Information Technology Department.

Career Planning

Links and resources for career planning including The Official ASU Virtual Career Center.