The Foundation Certificate in Accounting is a specialized diploma program offered by several business colleges and technical schools. It aims to develop a specific skill set for managers, administrators, entrepreneurs and other supporting personnel who are responsible for the success or failure of a company or an organization. The course covers a number of topics which include finance, operations research, policies and principles, management, accounting, auditing, supervision, and other general subjects. It is usually a two-year program, although it can be extended if the student wishes to complete it aat level 2.
The curriculum of the Foundation Certificate in Accounting is designed to give the students a thorough grounding in all the major aspects of the subject. There are many different courses that are offered which will help prepare you for a career in accounting. Some of the core subjects include statistics, bookkeeping, business law, management, payroll, and financial accounting. The various electives include communication courses such as communication policy and communications management, risk management, organizational behavior, and managerial decision making. You may even choose to take some elective courses which are not directly related to the subject matter of the main course.
The foundation certificate also covers the important concepts like management information systems, budgeting, cost accounting and the law of inventory and distribution. If you are planning to study abroad, the course can give you a good idea about the working environment of the country where you intend to obtain your certification. You can learn about salary differentials, government taxation, work hours, healthcare, and more during the course. There are many international internships that you can apply for during your course. These will provide you with first-hand experience on working in an international environment aat level 3.
One thing that is sure with this kind of business program is that you will have a lot of hands-on learning. You will be required to create actual working models from scratch, and you will need to apply the theories that you have learned during your studies. Since you are the manager of your own firm, you may also have to make decisions about hiring, firing, and taking care of the business side. A management degree, for instance, would require you to handle disciplinary matters, performance reviews, and customer relations.
This kind of certificate is very useful for a person who wants to start his own business or join a company that is in the financial trading, commodity markets, or financial consulting industry. With a CFA, you will learn how to analyze financial data, financial statements, and economic trends. The next step is choosing an institution that will provide you with your training. You can either get a correspondence course or a distance education certificate.
If you are still undecided about what course to enroll, you can always check out the Internet to search for available programs. You can check out the courses offered by the local state or federal agencies. There are even institutions that offer online courses and training for people who prefer to study at home. You may choose between traditional classroom courses and distance education. Whichever you choose, you can be assured that your business career will definitely take off and you will become a very successful finance manager someday.