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Accounting

Accounting, bookkeeping, and auditing professionals are essential to every successful organization, driving financial accuracy and informed decision-making across virtually every industry. Build a career at the center of every successful organization with in-demand accounting, bookkeeping, and auditing skills.

Accounting Options

  • The Associate in Technical Arts degree in Accounting provides students with necessary skills to compete for entry-level accounting positions in private industry, state, and local government, and public accounting firms.
  • The Accounting Clerk program prepares students for an entry level accounting position. Some advancement is possible with this background, but students may wish to acquire additional training in accounting to allow broader advancement opportunities.
  • Centralia College offers an applied bachelor's degree in Applied Management with an emphasis in Accounting.

 

Career Possibilities in Accounting

Opportunities in bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing span nearly every industry—from private businesses and accounting firms to government agencies and schools—offering flexibility and strong career stability.

The AAS in Accounting equips students with the practical skills and real-world knowledge needed to compete for entry-level roles in private industry, state and local government, and public accounting firms, opening the door to a wide range of career paths in a high-demand field.

Associate Degree Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to: 

  • Manage accounting information and data in a variety of business settings.
  • Prepare financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  • Assist in conducting audits in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
  • Use the computer accounting software QuickBooks.
  • Calculate tax liability and prepare tax forms for individuals and business entities.
  • Prepare written and oral business communications to industry standards using word processing and spreadsheet software.

Associate Degree Education Plan

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Emphasis: Accounting/Tax
Total Units: 90

First Year  
First Term
  • ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I - 5 units
  • BTEC 214 Excel I - 5 units
  • BUS 100 College & Career Success - 3 units
  • Health & Fitness Distribution - 3 units
Second Term
  • ACCT& 202 Principles of Accounting II - 5 units
  • BTEC 210 Word I - 5 units
  • WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace or ENGL& 101 English Composition - 5 units
Third Term
  • ACCT& 203 Principles of Accounting III - 5 units
  • HR 110 Human Relations in the Workplace - 5 units
  • BTECH 120 Applied Business Math or MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats - 5 units
Second Year  
First Term
  • ACCT 210 Intro to Audit - 5 units
  • ACCT 270 Payroll Accounting - 5 units
  • ECON& 201 Microeconomics or ECON& 202 Macroeconomics - 5 units
Second Term
  • ACCT 260 Individual Income Tax - 5 units
  • BUS& 201 Business Law - 5 units
  • Business or Accounting Elective - 5 units
Third Term
  • ACCT 220 QuickBooks - 4 units
  • ACCT 240 Business Entity Taxation - 5 units
  • ACCT 285 Bookkeeper Certification Course - 5 units

Notes:

  • Accounting or Business elective: ACCT 190 Cooperative Work Experience (requires BTEC 191 Work Experience Seminar as a pre- or corequisite
  • Business Elective: BUS& 101, BUS 215, BUS 225, BUS 275, ENGL& 101*, ENGLI& 102*, MATH& 146*, or 5 units of distributions. * Course fulfills BAS-AM general education requirements
  • Students interested in fulfilling baccalaureate admissions requirements should seek the guidance of an advisor.

Certificate Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to: 

  • Manage accounting information and data in a variety of business settings.
  • Use the computer accounting software QuickBooks.
  • Prepare written and oral business communications to industry standards using word processing and spreadsheet software.

Accounting Clerk Certificate Education Plan

Degree: Certificate of Proficiency
Emphasis: Accounting Clerk
Total Units: 52

First Term
  • ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I - 5 units
  • ACCT 270 Payroll Accounting - 5 units
  • BTEC 214 Excel I - 5 units
  • BUS 100 College & Career Success - 3 units
Second Term
  • ACCT& 202 Principles of Accounting II - 5 units
  • WRT 105 Writing in the Workplace or ENGL& 101 English Composition - 5 units
  • BTEC 210 Word I - 5 units
Third Term
  • ACCT& 203 Principles of Accounting III - 5 units
  • ACCT 220 QuickBooks - 4 units
  • HR 110 Human Relations in the Workplace - 5 units
  • BTECH 120 Applied Business Math or MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats - 5 units

Contact

Career & Technical Education
Tech (TEC) Building, Room 114
360-623-8963
cte@centralia.edu