From manufacturers and health systems to school districts and nonprofit organizations, employers throughout Harper College's district rely on accountants to keep their organizations running. As many veteran professionals near retirement, those employers are finding it increasingly difficult to fill accounting positions.
To help address that need, Harper is introducing the new Post-Baccalaureate Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Preparation Certificate.
Nationally, the challenge is expected to intensify. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants estimates that about 75% of accounting professionals are within 15 years of retirement, while fewer students are entering the profession.
Harper's new CMA preparation certificate is a 25-credit-hour program designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to build the accounting knowledge needed to prepare for the CMA exam and pursue careers in managerial accounting.
Unlike the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, which includes areas such as auditing, taxation and financial reporting, the CMA designation emphasizes internal business decision-making. As such, the CMA exam is more streamlined – two parts, compared to the four-part CPA exam.
CMA professionals often work in roles such as financial manager, accounting manager, controller, budget manager and director of finance, helping organizations analyze financial performance, improve efficiency and guide strategic decisions.
"There is tremendous demand for accounting professionals, who are the backbone of companies," said Dominique Svarc-Walling, professor of accounting at Harper College. "The CMA certificate provides another option for students who know they want to work inside organizations, using financial information to help businesses make better decisions."
The program is intended for career changers as well as graduates with bachelor's degrees in business or other disciplines who want to strengthen their accounting expertise. Someone with a background in biology or health care, for example, could build accounting skills and apply them in the financial operations of a hospital or health system.
The CMA certificate's curriculum includes courses in financial and managerial accounting, cost accounting, business law, finance and a new Accounting Data Analytics course that reflects the growing role technology plays in the profession. Students will learn how to use data to identify trends, support decision-making and solve business problems – skills that are becoming increasingly important as AI and advanced analytics reshape accounting workflows.
Svarc-Walling said those technological advances are changing the profession.
"Technology and AI are becoming powerful tools for accountants," she said. "Rather than replacing professionals, they're becoming a superpower for accountants, who can spend less time on routine tasks and more time analyzing information, solving problems and helping organizations make informed decisions."
Harper has offered a post-baccalaureate CPA Preparation Certificate for decades, giving students another option to prepare for professional certification. While the CPA remains the broadest accounting credential, Svarc-Walling said the new CMA certificate offers a more focused option for students interested in corporate finance and managerial accounting.
In addition to classroom instruction, students can participate in Harper's Accounting Club, which connects students with accounting alumni and employers through guest speakers, networking opportunities and career exploration.
Those who want to know more about the CMA and other accounting programs can attend information sessions this fall. And many introductory and intermediate courses are also offered as eight-week options, allowing for greater scheduling flexibility.
"We're proud to provide students with multiple pathways into the profession," she said. "Our faculty stay connected with the industry and continually evaluate how we can best prepare students for today's workforce. We work hard to make sure our students do well, are well-equipped and have a good experience."
Other Post-Baccalaureate Credentials
In addition to the new Accounting – CMA Preparation Certificate, Harper College offers credentials for those who have already earned a bachelor's degree:
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