Accounting

Associate of Applied Science 

About

TCC’s Accounting program prepares students for employment in a wide variety of business accounting environments. Hear from students about why they chose to study accounting at TCC.

 

 

Accounting might be a good fit for you!

Do you love solving problems and like consistency? Take an interest assessment and find out! Then learn more about what it's like to work in accounting.

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Program Outcomes
Program Requirements

Upon successful completion of the AAS Accounting degree, students will:

  • Generate accurate financial statements for a company and communicate a company's financial position.
  • Simulate an accounting department (group process) to prepare accounting documents using software to record business transactions for an entity or tax agency, and integrate current regulations.
  • Demonstrate analysis of existing documentation to verify the accuracy of information for an entity and perform necessary reconciliations.

  • Assessment above or completion of ENGL 095 and MATH 085.
  • Knowledge of CU 091, CU 100 and HD 101.

Accounting Certificates Add Up to a Degree

The program structure is progressive, leading to four levels of achievement associated with increasing levels of job responsibility. The certificates can be taken as stand-alone options or applied to the Associates in Applied Sciences degree. TCC also offers specialized accounting certificates in Computerized Accounting and Tax Preparation.

Upon completion of this AAS degree program, students may continue their education and work towards a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in a business-related field at a number of Washington State community and technical colleges. Those students intending to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a Bachelor of Business degree may be required to take additional courses depending on the requirements of the particular program or degree. Students who plan to transfer should meet with the program chair to plan their course selection and sequence.

We'll Work with You on Prerequisites

The classes required to earn these certificates do have prerequisites. But if you're interested in earning a certificate to advance your career, you won't necessarily be starting from scratch. After you submit your transcripts, we'll work with you on placement.

Accounting Certificates + Associate of Applied Science Degree

The first-year certificates can be taken as stand-alone options or applied to a degree. Each certificate builds on the one before. 

1. Accounting Office Associate Certificate

(15 credits)

This 15-credit certificate can be taken as a stand-alone option, or it can be applied to the Associates in Applied Sciences degree. Prepares students for entry-level employment in office support positions. May substitute PSYC 100 for transfer-level Leadership and Human Relations.

Required Classes
Number Title Credits Quarter Offered
ACCT 101 Practical Accounting I 5 F, W, SP
CU 105 Word I, Excel I 5 F, W, SP, S
BUS 164 Leadership & Human Relations (may substitute PSYC 100 for transfer level) 5 F, W, SP, S
  Total Credits 15  

2. Assistant Bookkeeping Clerk Certificate

(As Bookkeeping Clerk Certificate: 15 credits, + Accounting Office Certificate = 30 credits)

This 30-credit certificate can be taken as a stand-alone option, or it can be applied to the Associates in Applied Sciences degree. Prepares students for entry-level positions as assistant clerks in accounts payable or accounts receivable.

Prerequisite: You must first complete the Accounting Office Associate Certificate. May substitute Math 147 for transfer-level math.

Required Classes
Number Title Credits Quarter Offered
ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I 5 F, W, SP, S
BUS 110 Business Math (may substitute Math 147 for transfer level) 5 F, W, SP, S
ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5 F, W, SP, S
  With these 15 additional credits 30  

3. Bookkeeping Systems Certificate

(15 credit Bookkeeping Systems Certificate + 2 Prerequisite Certificates: 45 credits)

This 45-credit certificate can be taken as a stand-alone option, or it can be applied to the Associates in Applied Sciences degree. Prepares students for entry-level positions as accounts payable, accounts receivable or payroll clerks. You must first complete the Assistant Bookkeeping Clerk Certificate. ACCT 145 may be used for the CPA exam’s 5th year requirement.

Required Classes
Number Title Credits Quarter Offered
ACCT 145 Payroll and Business Taxes 5 SP
BUS 280 Career Readiness Skills 2 F, W, SP, S
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication 5 F, W, SP, S
CU 203 Excel II 3 F, W, SP
  With these 15 additional credits 45  

Associate of Applied Science Degree

(45 additional credits = total 90 credits)

Prepares students for entry-level accounting positions that work with integrated accounting systems. 
To complete the AAS Accounting degree students must first complete the Bookkeeping Systems Certificate. 
With the addition of 45 credits from the three accounting certificates, the Associate of Applied Science Degree is 90 credits.

Note: ACCT 165 and ACCT 175 may be used toward the CPA exam's 5th year requirement. BUS & 201 is a transfer-level class.

Core Requirements
Number Title Credits Quarter Offered 
ACCT&202 Principles of Accounting II 5 F, W, SP
ACCT 165 Accounting with Sage 5 F
ACCT 175 Accounting QuickBooks 5 W
ACCT 290 Work Internship 5 F, W, SP, S
BUS& 201 Business Law 5 F, W, SP, S
ACCT 250 Federal Income Tax 5 F
Electives * Choose from ACCT, BUS, CU, ECON, ENGL, HD, HIT 130 or 195, IT 246 or 247, LOG, MATH, MO 101 or 110 15-16 Varies
  With these 45 additional credits 90  

* Degree Elective Options

Focused Electives for Associate of Applied Science Degree

Electives (15-16 credits) can be bundled with these focus options:

Accounting for Entrepreneurs Focus
 

BUS 140 Marketing and Business development

BUS 160 Small Business Entrepreneurship

BUS 232 Project Management

Accounting Information Systems Focus
 

CU 110 Access

CU 210 Access II

IT 246 Database Implementation

IT 274 Network Security Fundamentals

Specialized Accounting Certificates

These certificates are designed for individuals who are currently employed in the workforce and returning to school to enhance or update skills for the accounting industry. Courses taken for these certificates can be applied to the Accounting AS degree.

Resources 

Internship Sites 

See the list of available internship sites for TCC's Accounting program. 

 

Do you have a question for us?

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Here you can talk to a staff member directly to get answers to your specific questions.
Please come join us! We are happy to help you!

Health, Business and Professional Services (HBPS) Zoom Lobby Information

Days: Wednesdays

Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm

Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/99980134503

Phone number to call in: 1-253-215-8782 and follow the prompts

Zoom Meeting ID: 999 8013 4503

You can also contact our department anytime and leave a voicemail at 253-566-5113.  We will get back to you as soon as possible.

For Health Care program information  please email us at tcchbps@tacomacc.edu

For Accounting, Business, Paralegal and Information Technology/Cybersecurity program information
please email us at BusPrograms@tacomacc.edu.   

Questions? 

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