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Accounting Associate Certificate

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2025-2026 Edition

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41 Semester Credit Hours; Curriculum: 0003

This is a comprehensive program that encompasses financial accounting, accounting technology, managerial accounting, taxation, and business ethics. Graduates will be eligible for a variety of accounting jobs, including staff accounting, accounts payable, general ledger, payroll, or income tax preparation.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Courses for a Certificate
ACC 153Principles of Financial Accounting4
ACC 154Principles of Managerial Accounting4
ACC 170Payroll Tax Accounting1
ACC 180Accounting with Microsoft Excel 13
ACC 183QuickBooks Online Certified User Preparation 13
ACC 188Cloud Accounting 22
ACC 241Intermediate Accounting I4
ACC 244Income Tax Accounting3
ACC 255Careers in Accounting2
BUS 101Introduction to Business3
BUS 107Applied Business Ethics3
or MGT 276 Corporate Social Responsibility and Decision Making
BUS 221Business Law I3
MGT 118Effective Management Communications3
Additional ACC courses to complete the 41-credit-hour required total (ACC 280 recommended)3
Total Hours41
1

Students who have completed ACC 164, ACC 173, and/or ACC 251 in previous terms may follow the program requirements outlined in the 2016 college catalog or contact the department co-chair for further information.

2

ACC 188 requirement can be satisfied by completion of ACC 250 prior to Fall 2018.

Accounting Associate Certificate Pathway

The following Pathway is recommended for students pursuing the Accounting Associate Certificate. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ACC 153 Principles of Financial Accounting 4
BUS 101 Introduction to Business 3
BUS 221 Business Law I 3
MGT 118 Effective Management Communications 3
 Hours13
Spring Semester
ACC 180 Accounting with Microsoft Excel 3
ACC 183 QuickBooks Online Certified User Preparation 3
ACC 188 Cloud Accounting 1 2
ACC 244 Income Tax Accounting 3
 Hours11
Summer Semester
ACC 170 Payroll Tax Accounting 1
BUS 107
or MGT 276
Applied Business Ethics
or Corporate Social Responsibility and Decision Making
3
 Hours4
Second Year
Fall Semester
ACC 154 Principles of Managerial Accounting 4
ACC 241 Intermediate Accounting I 4
ACC 255 Careers in Accounting 2
ACC Elective (ACC 280 recommended) 3
 Hours13
 Total Hours41
1

ACC 188 requirement can be satisfied by completion of ACC 250 prior to Fall 2018.

Note: Pathway is a recommended sequence of courses. Part-time students should contact the department chair to discuss a part-time pathway as well as course prerequisites and recommendations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of:

  1. Analyze financial accounting topics, utilizing the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Codification Database.
  2. Perform accounting functions in QuickBooks, with a focus on topics covered on the QuickBooks Certified User Exam.
  3. Perform accounting functions in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, IF statements, macros, financial functions, and goal seek.
  4. Perform accounting function in Cloud Accounting platforms, including Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel Online, and QuickBooks online.
  5. Utilize Cloud Drives, including Google Drive, Microsoft One Drive, and file sharing.
  6. Prepare and analyze individual taxation using the Research Institute of America's (RIA) research database.
  7. Synthesize business ethics cases appropriately.
  8. Prepare business memos and presentations in professional formatting.
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