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Term Effective:
Fall 2019
The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.
Description:
The Business: Accountant Assistant Certificate of Achievement program is designed for students who are currently employed in accounting to enhance existing skills, and for those students who wish to enter the field of accounting without a four-year degree.
Students who have completed the Tax Assistant Clerk Completion Certificate will have fulfilled a portion of the Business: Accountant Assistant Certificate of Achievement. Students desiring more advanced studies in the Accounting field may pursue a baccalaureate degree at a four year university.
Students in the Business: Accountant Assistant Certificate of Achievement program complete courses in financial accounting, managerial/cost accounting, fund accounting, and taxation. The accounting classes in the certificate program meet the state's requirement for taking the CPA exam when the student already has a baccalaureate degree. The remaining required courses not offered in our certificate program but required by the California State Board of Accountancy may be completed at a four-year institution.
The Business: Accountant Assistant Certificate of Achievement prepares students for positions such as staff accountant, accounting clerk, accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, cost accounting clerk, fixed asset clerk, junior accountant, data processing clerk, bookkeeper, office manager, tax clerk, and payroll clerk. For students planning on government service, it is recommended to complete the fund accounting class. Students who want to work in private industry or sit for the CPA exam are advised to complete cost accounting.
Accounting is essential to all business and government organizations. With the increasing complexity of both business and government, many opportunities are available in the accounting field. Demand for professionals at all levels in the accounting field remains strong and is projected to continue due to a shortage of employees. Demand is especially strong for individuals with good computer application skills, such as Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, QuickBooks, and general ledger software. Students are also encouraged to build proficiency in keyboarding and 10-key calculators by touch.
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Complete the steps in the accounting cycle and know generally accepted accounting principles that determine how transactions are recorded and reported;
- analyze, record, summarize, and report the effects of transactions in financial, managerial and tax reports and interpret the accounting information for internal or external decision making purposes;
- complete and use managerial and cost accounting documents and reports to plan, evaluate, and control the operations of a company and interpret those reports for management ;
- prepare personal tax returns demonstrating knowledge of tax rules, tax research sources, and tax forms;
- complete professional assignments using computer technology in such applications as word, excel, power point, general ledger software and tax preparation software; and
- demonstrate critical thinking skills, analytical ability, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to write business reports.
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