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:
- Analyze and evaluate financial information to support stakeholder decision-making.
- Apply financial rules and procedures for financial reporting purposes and income tax regulations for compliance and planning purposes.
- 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:
- Complete the District General Education Pattern, CSUGE 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. - Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
- Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| ACCT 101 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| or ACCT 101H | Financial Accounting - Honors | |
| ACCT 102 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| or ACCT 102H | Managerial Accounting - Honors | |
| ACCT 110 | Income Tax Accounting | 4 |
| ACCT 111 | Taxation of Business Entities | 4 |
| ACCT 203 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 204 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| BUS 152 | Business Communications | 3 |
| Select three (3) or more units from the following courses: | ||
| Microcomputer Applications I | 4 | |
| Introduction to Microsoft Office Applications | 3.5 | |
| Microsoft Excel | 3 | |
| Select nine (9) or more units from the following courses: | ||
| Accounting | 4 | |
| Computerized Income Tax Preparation | 2 | |
| QuickBooks | 2 | |
| Tax Practices and Procedures | 3 | |
| Payroll Accounting | 3 | |
| Cost Accounting | 3 | |
| Auditing | 3 | |
| Fraud Examination | 3 | |
| Accounting Ethics | 4 | |
| Business Law and the Legal Environment I | 3 | |
| Total Units | 37-40 | |
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.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| ACCT 101 or ACCT 101H |
Financial Accounting or Financial Accounting - Honors |
4 |
| MATH 165 or MATH 165H |
Introductory Statistics or Introductory Statistics - Honors |
4 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| BUS 152 | Business Communications | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| ACCT 110 | Income Tax Accounting | 4 |
| BUS 132 | Business, Ethics and Society | 3 |
| ACCT 102 or ACCT 102H |
Managerial Accounting or Managerial Accounting - Honors |
4 |
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| ITIS 130 or OFF 120 |
Microcomputer Applications I or Microsoft Excel |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| KIN 170 |
Fitness for Life or Health and Wellness in Society 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 |
| Units | 6 | |
| 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 or ETHN 116 |
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 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 67 | |
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.