A.S. in Accounting

The Associate's Degree in Accounting prepares students for entry-level accounting positions in businesses, private industries, and government agencies.  It is also beneficial for individuals seeking promotions and advancements in their current positions. Employment opportunities include positions in general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, bookkeeping, and taxation. 

By completing the degree requirements, students acquire the ability to apply concepts, principles, and regulations related to financial accounting, managerial accounting, and taxation. Students will also acquire technical skills through the use of general ledger software, tax preparation software, and other computer applications used in businesses. Additional accounting subject areas that students can explore include cost accounting, auditing, and fraud examination. 

A.S. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Accounting A.S. Degree will:

  1. Analyze and evaluate financial information to support stakeholder decision-making.
  2. Apply financial rules and procedures for financial reporting purposes and income tax regulations for compliance and planning purposes.
  3. Apply basic accounting concepts with a business organization and prepare financial reports to support business decision-making.

Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:

  1. Complete the District General Education PatternCSUGE or IGETC.
    If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the CSUGE or IGETC General Education Patterns. Students looking to transfer to an out of state or private college should consult with a counselor for the appropriate GE pattern selection.
  2. Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
  3. Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
Required courses:
ACCT 101Financial Accounting4
or ACCT 101H Financial Accounting - Honors
ACCT 102Managerial Accounting4
or ACCT 102H Managerial Accounting - Honors
ACCT 110Income Tax Accounting4
ACCT 111Taxation of Business Entities4
ACCT 203Intermediate Accounting I3
ACCT 204Intermediate Accounting II3
BUS 152Business Communications3
Select three (3) or more units from the following courses:
Microcomputer Applications I4
Introduction to Microsoft Office Applications3.5
Microsoft Excel3
Select nine (9) or more units from the following courses:
Accounting4
Computerized Income Tax Preparation2
QuickBooks2
Tax Practices and Procedures3
Payroll Accounting3
Cost Accounting 3
Auditing3
Fraud Examination3
Accounting Ethics4
Business Law and the Legal Environment I3
Total Units37-40

2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.

*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.

Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.

Plan of Study Grid
Fall Term 1Units
ENGL 101
Reading and Composition
or Reading and Composition - Honors
4
ACCT 101
Financial Accounting
or Financial Accounting - Honors
4
MATH 165
Introductory Statistics
or Introductory Statistics - Honors
4
 Units12
Winter Term 1
BUS 152 Business Communications 3
 Units3
Spring Term 1
ACCT 110 Income Tax Accounting 4
BUS 132 Business, Ethics and Society 3
ACCT 102
Managerial Accounting
or Managerial Accounting - Honors
4
POLI 103
American Government and Politics
or American Government and Politics - Honors
3
 Units14
Summer Term 1
ITIS 130
Microcomputer Applications I
or Microsoft Excel
3
 Units3
Fall Term 2
ACCT 203 Intermediate Accounting I 3
BUS 160 Business Law and the Legal Environment I 3
ACCT 111 Taxation of Business Entities 4
ASTR 116
Stellar Astronomy
or Earth Science
or Physical Geology
or Physics in Everyday Life
or Physics in Everyday Life - Honors
4
 Units14
Winter Term 2
KIN 170
Fitness for Life
or Health and Wellness
or Health and Wellness - Honors
or Introduction to Nutrition
3
ARCH 250
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism
or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day
or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History
or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art
or History of Photography
or Introduction to the Visual Arts
or Motion Picture Appreciation
or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors
or History of Dance
or History of Rock and Roll
or Introduction to Theatre Arts
or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors
3
 Units6
Spring Term 2
ACCT 204 Intermediate Accounting II 3
Choose six or more units from ACCT electives  
HIST 107
History of the United States before 1877
or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors
or History of the United States since 1877
or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors
or History of Women in the United States
3
ETHN 101
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies
3
ACCT 112
Computerized Income Tax Preparation
or QuickBooks
or Tax Practices and Procedures
or Payroll Accounting
or Cost Accounting
or Auditing
or Fraud Examination
or Accounting Ethics
6
 Units15
 Total Units67

Note: Course selections may affect total unit value.  

Career Opportunities

There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.

To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.