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.
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.
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Health, Business and Professional Services (HBPS) Zoom Lobby Information
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Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm
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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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