(59-71 credits)

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 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:

• Effective Communication
• Information Literacy
• Analytical Reasoning
• Multicultural Awareness
• Social Responsibility

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.

Courses by Quarter

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Quarter 1
Transition Studies
Quarter 2
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
Quarter 3
BUS 104	Business Math	5-7
or CMATH 146	Clippers Introduction to Statistics
ENGL 098	Transitional English Composition	5
or ENGL& 101	English Composition I
OFTEC 108	Introduction to Microsoft Office	5
or OFTEC 100	Introduction to Computer Concepts & Applications
Quarter 4
ACCT& 201	Principles of Accounting I	5
OFTEC 141	Microsoft Excel	5
or OFTEC 136	Microsoft Word I
BUS& 101	Introduction to Business	5
Quarter 5
ACCT 206	General Ledger Computerized Accounting	3
OFTEC 141	Microsoft Excel	5
or OFTEC 136	Microsoft Word I
ACCT& 202	Principles of Accounting II	5
Quarter 6
ACCT 239	Payroll Accounting and Business Taxes	5
OFTEC 260	Business Communication	5
ACCT& 203	Principles of Accounting III	5
Quarter 7
CMST& 210	Interpersonal Communication: Diversity	5
or CMST& 230	Small Group Communication: Diversity

South Puget Sound Community College has provided pathways and associated recommended courses for ease of student selection based upon a student’s career interest. Please review the pathway maps for required and recommended courses.