Program Description
Accounting is the basic language of business, and a career that opens a wide variety of doors in the business world. Accounting students study the rules and software at play in the world of business, using effective communication skills to break down complex issues for their clients and managers so that they can make good business decisions.
The increased globalization of businesses makes the varied skillset of an Accounting professional in high demand across a wide variety of industries and settings.
The Accounting Program is designed for persons interested in obtaining skills that will allow them to seek employment in many areas of the accounting profession. Accounting is a precise, logical and communicative skill. The Accounting Clerk Certificate emphasizes practical skills and prepares graduates for introductory bookkeeping careers. The Associate in Applied Science degree provides a strong background in accounting and business skills and prepares graduates for entry-level accounting positions in private industry, public accounting, nonprofit organizations, and government entities with the potential for advancement to supervisory roles.
Career Opportunities
Accounting as a discipline has broad employment possibilities in both government and private business. Knowledge and skill in accounting provide excellent background for employment opportunities in business management, government administration, consulting, purchasing, finance and banking. Entry-level positions in accounting generally include accounting clerk, accounting assistant, full-charge bookkeeper, accountant, fiscal analyst, and financial analyst.
- Financial Examiner
- Budget Analysts
- Credit Analysts
Length of Program
The program takes four quarters of full-time studies (59-71 credits) for the Accounting Clerk Certificate. The time needed to complete the program may be extended if students need to repeat courses in order to meet the program’s grade requirements or if students have basic skills deficiencies.
South Puget Sound Community College believes that all students need to develop a broad range of abilities that will not only make them more effective in their professional pursuits but will enhance their capacity to relate well to others in their daily lives. At the end of this program students will:
At the completion of the Accounting Program, the successful student will be able to:
- In a complex setting, students will be able to gather and analyze a variety of information using accounting concepts to draw appropriate and supportable conclusions
- Clearly express in a variety of forms accounting information that is useful to a broad class of decision-makers
- Properly select quantitative and qualitative accounting data and apply a process to the data in order to reach accurate and reliable conclusions
- Recognize ethical dilemmas in the workplace and assess the consequences of these dilemmas
- Identify and adjust to workplace differences in order to operate collaboratively and effectively in an organizational setting
The SPSCC college-wide abilities are embedded into each program:
- Analytical Reasoning
- Effective Communication
- Information Literacy
- Multicultural Awareness
- Social Responsibility
Courses by Quarter (Pathway Map)
Check with your advisor to determine where you will start. Advisors must approve changes to academic plan.
Pre-College Level
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 1 - 7.5 |
| Applied Math I | |
| Applied Math II | |
| Contextualized Math I | |
| 1 - 10 |
| ESOL Level I (Beginning Literacy) | |
| ESOL Level II (Low Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level III (High Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level IV (Low Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level V (High Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level VI (Advanced) | |
| ABE Language Arts III (Low Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts IV (High Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts V (Adult Secondary Level Language Arts) | |
| MATH 092 | Mathematical Reasoning | 5 |
| or ABE 065 | Contextualized Math II |
| ENGL 090 | Integrated Reading and Writing I | 5 |
| or ENGL 095 | Integrated Reading and Writing II |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
College Level
This degree is a total of 58 credits.
CCS 101 Pathways to Success is a required course for all students. Skip if already taken in Pre-College.
Advising Notes - TBD
***Required indicates that students must take one of the specific courses listed. Any substitution would require Advisor and Department approval.
***Recommended indicates that Pathway faculty recommend the courses listed, but other courses may fulfill the degree requirement. Students should consult with Advisor about additional course options.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in order to earn a certificate or degree and a "C" or better is required in all ACCT courses. A "C' or better must also be earned in all prerequisite ACCT courses.
Pathway Notes
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
| ACCT& 201 | Principles of Accounting I 1 | 5 |
| ENGL 098 | Transitional English Composition | 5 |
| or ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| BUS 104 | Business Math 2 | 5 |
| or CMATH 146 | Clippers Introduction to Statistics |
| ACCT& 202 | Principles of Accounting II 3 | 5 |
| ACCT 239 | Payroll Accounting and Business Taxes F/Sp | 5 |
| BUS& 101 | Introduction to Business | 5 |
| ACCT& 203 | Principles of Accounting III 4/Sp/Su | 5 |
| 5 |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| OFTEC 141 | Microsoft Excel | 5 |
| ACCT 206 | General Ledger Computerized Accounting W/Sp | 5 |
| OFTEC 260 | Business Communication | 5 |