Accounting Assistant Certificate

Pathway:

Accounting Assistant

Certificate Type:

Basic

Curriculum Code:

BUS.ACC.CERT (C306A)

Total Program Credits: 31

(formerly Accounting Certificate)

For students seeking to enter or progress in the accounting profession beyond bookkeeping level, such as in the areas of accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax and general ledger support.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Accounting Assistant Certificate, the graduate will be able to:

1. Assemble the entire accounting cycle by analyzing business transactions, composing journal entries, preparing trial balances, and reporting the results in the financial statements.
2. Differentiate between variable and fixed costs, direct and indirect costs, and product and period costs.
3. Prepare the master budget including schedules for budgeted sales, production, operating expenses, and cash.
4. Calculate an individual taxpayer’s taxable income by applying appropriate deductions to the gross income.
5. Manage workbooks, formulas, and data by using appropriate Excel tools.

(Reviewed Fall 2023)

Placement Measures

Program Map for Students

Semester One: Fall
Course	Category	Credits
ACC 101 ◊ Financial Accounting	Core Course	4
BUS 107 ◊ Microsoft Office in Business Applications	Core Course	3
BUS 141 ◊ Introduction to Business	Core Course	3
BUS 161 ◊ Business Law I	Core Course	3
	Total Semester Credits:	13
Next Steps	Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan. Explore stackable certificate(s)/degree(s)

Semester Two: Spring
Course	Category	Credits
ACC 104 ◊ Accounting with Quickbooks	Core Course	3
ACC 105 # ◊ Managerial Accounting	Core Course	3
ACC 200 ◊ # Microsoft Excel for Accounting and Business	Core Course	3
	Total Semester Credits:	9
Next Steps	Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic and transfer plan. Create a Transferology account to explore how coursework transfers. Attend a Transfer 101 Workshop. (if applicable)

Semester Three: Fall
Course	Category	Credits
ACC 256 # ◊ Tax Accounting	Core Course	3
BUS 146 ◊ Business Computations	Core Course	3
BUS 188 ◊ Business Writing	Core Course	3
	Total Semester Credits:	9
Next Steps	Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic (and transfer plan option). Attend a Ready to Apply Workshop

See ACC course descriptions; BUS course descriptions.

Chairperson: Dr. William M. Griffin, Ext. 3579, email: [e-mail]

KEY (AAS/CERT)
General Education	Communications, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Science (see individual degree requirements).
Core Course	Course(s) listed in a semester the student is required to take.
Program Elective	Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in the ‘Program Electives’ section (if any) for this program.	If intending to transfer, choose courses accepted by your transfer institution.
General Elective	Course(s) chosen by the student, if needed, above and beyond core courses and program electives (if any), to complete the Program Total Credits.
◊ symbol	This course is articulated. (course transfers to 3 or more Illinois State schools, as an elective or equal course-to-course)
# symbol	This course has a prerequisite. (course(s) student takes prior to taking this course)