Employment opportunities for graduates of our AAS program
People with accounting credentials are employable in both good times and bad. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that there will be many openings for people with two-year degrees in accounting. Our graduates can look forward to opportunities as operators of their own tax preparation and consulting services. They may also secure positions in the general accounting departments of large corporations or as practitioners in public accounting firms.
Coursework in our accounting associate degree program
Students complete core requirements that include the following courses:
- Accounting Principles I and II
- Payroll Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Accounting Systems
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- ACAT Review
- Tax I and II
- Business Mathematics
- Business Writing
- Fraud Examination
- Computer Information Systems
- MS Office Professional I and II
- Keyboarding I
- Business Law
- Introduction to business
- Marketing
- Student Success
- Career Development
They also take
general education classes that help them
strengthen their communication, presentation and analytical skills. These courses also prepare them to function effectively in today’s diverse and complex workplaces.
Certifications in accounting and tax
The ACAT Review is a class that helps students prepare for the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation examinations. Qualified graduates who have worked in the accounting field may take the following certification exams:
- Accredited Business Accountant® (ABA) . This credential is for accountants who focus on small to medium size businesses and financial services for individuals and families.
- Accredited Tax Advisor® (ATA) . The ATA shows mastery of sophisticated tax issues. People with this certification create plans for closely held businesses and highly compensated individuals. Aspects of this may include helping clients choose qualified retirement plans and performing estate tax planning. They also prepare tax returns for individuals, business entities, fiduciaries, trusts and estates.
- Accredited Tax Preparer® (ATP) . The ATP credential indicates that an accountant has a thorough knowledge of the existing tax code. He or she is able to prepare individual, corporate and partnership tax returns.
