Accounting

Upon successful completion of the Accounting Certificate of Achievement, the student demonstrates the skills, knowledge, and training for entry-level positions as a bookkeeper, accounting supervisor, payroll clerk, or accounts payable/receivable clerk; and the skills necessary to complete up-to-date and accurate records of accounts and financial records, reconcile business-related bank statements with checkbooks, calculate employee wages and taxes from time cards, prepare and issue payroll checks, post entries to accounts receivable and payable. Individuals are able to prepare bank deposits, maintain payroll and/or inventory records, prepare purchase orders, review expense reports, and find and correct errors in financial records.

The Accounting Associate in Science Degree is an intensive study of accounting theory as it applies to the business environment designed to prepare students for employment in the fields of accounting and/or bookkeeping. The Accounting major is best suited for the student who wishes to pursue secure rewarding positions such as accounting manager, internal auditor, financial analyst, tax accountant, or controller in corporations, governmental agencies, or not-for-profit organizations. This major is also ideal for students planning to become a Certified Public Accountant (please see the educational requirements per the California Board of Accountancy).

Successful completion of the Accounting Clerk certificate will provide the skills necessary for an entry-level accounting clerk or bookkeeping job. Students will learn how to account for payroll and accounts payable/receivable; prepare complete, up-to-date, and accurate records of expenses, revenues and financial files; reconcile business bank statements; track and maintain records of employee wage and tax expenses; prepare business requisitions; post accounts receivable and payable; prepare bank deposits; maintain inventory records; compute account and expense totals; and find and correct errors in financial records.

Upon successful completion of the Tax Preparation certificate, students will demonstrate skills, knowledge, and training for entry-level positions to assist tax preparers and interviewers. The student completing this program will have demonstrated their ability to accurately fill in detailed data sheets to help in the preparation of tax returns by gathering information from client interviews, collecting copies of previous tax returns, wage statements, interest and dividend summaries, and other tax records.