Accounting
Program Information
The Accounting Program prepares students for a variety of accounting occupations in the public and private sector.
Path A and B are separate programs of study. Changing from one path to another can result in additional time and expense, however, there are numerous courses common to both paths that will allow students to change from one path to the other in the first year of study with limited time lost. Here is a list of courses common to both accounting program paths.
Career Options
An accounting education potentially leading to a career as a professional bookkeeper and accountant. With this path you could eventually become a Certified Bookkeeper under the certification offered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
Length of Study
This course of study may involve in the range of 90+ quarter credit hours of work which typically requires a minimum of 2 years of study. Preparing for professional certification examinations and completing required work experience will take additional time.
Degree and Certificate Options
- Professional/Technical Degree: Associate of Applied Arts & Sciences Degree, 90+ credits
The primary purpose of the AAAS-Accounting degree is to provide students with professional skills that will allow them to gain employment in accounting. The minimum number of credits to earn the AAAS-Accounting degree is 90. - Certificate of Proficiency: Accounting, 55 credits This certificate is part of the AAAS-Accounting degree and can be earned separately.
Gainful Employment Information
- Short Term Certificates (In the course of earning the AAAS-Accounting degree these
Certificates of Completion will also be earned; they may also be earned separately):
• Accounting Clerk
• Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk
• Payroll Clerk
• Tax Preparer
Career Options
An accounting education potentially leading to a career as a Certified Public Accountant. With this path you could eventually become a Certified Public Accountant under the certification and licensing offered by individual states. In the State of Washington the Board of Accountancy regulates CPA licensing.
Length of Study
This course of study may involve in the range of 200+ quarter credit hours of work which typically requires 5 years of study. Preparing for professional certification examinations and completing required work experience will take additional time.
Degree Option
Transfer Degree: Associate of Arts Degree -Business
Designed to provide students with a broad liberal arts background of study during their first and second years of college with an emphasis on Business and Accounting. The state's two-year and four-year schools developed direct transfer agreements (DTA) that allow students from a community college to transfer at least 90 credits to a four-year college or university. Upon entering business school at the four-year school, Path B accounting students with transfer degrees in Business select accounting as their business major.