There are a few different kinds of accounting certifications. These include:
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Enrolled Agent (EA) Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
These certifications each carry different costs to achieve and have different levels of prestige and career paths. CPA licenses are one of the most useful for accounting. It is the most general certification you can receive and gives you access to the broadest scope of work.
The CPA is not the most expensive accounting certification. Average costs to become a CFA far exceed the CPA.