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Business & Culinary

Accounting Certificate

The Accounting Certificate (43 credits and pending approval) is wholly contained within the AAS Business Accounting specialization Degree and qualifies graduates for employment as Payroll Clerks, Billing Clerks, Accounting Clerks and New Account Clerks. Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks are employed in every industry, but a growing number work in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services firms, which increasingly perform the payroll function as a service to other companies. Median salary of $22,000 is based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The certificate also contains valuable practical "small business" math, payroll, and QuickBooks knowledge for those intending to operate small businesses with any industry and enhances any of the AAS Business Administration specialization degrees (Management & Marketing, Information Systems Management, Culinary Management, and Hotel, Tourism & Recreation Management).

Accounting Certificate Coursework

Course

Title

Credits

BA 101

Introduction to Business

4

BA 104

Business Math

3

BA 111

Applied Accounting I

3

CIS 131

Software Applications*

4

WR 121

English Composition

3

BA 112

Applied Accounting II

3

BA 113

Applied Accounting III

3

BA 285

Business Human Relations

3

CIS 125E

Excel

4

BA 105

Math for Business Decisions

4

BA 177

Payroll Accounting

3

BA 229

QuickBooks

3

BA 280

Cooperative Work Experience

3

                   *CIS 131 prerequisite of IC3 or CIS 120

Additional Certification and Advancement Opportunities

All employment opportunities benefit from membership in professional organizations and professional certification. Advancement opportunities vary by geographical region and business size.

The American Payroll Association offers two levels of certification in payroll and timekeeping, the Fundamental Payroll Certification and the Certified Payroll Professional. Completion of a certification program can show competence and can enhance advancement opportunities. The first is open to all individuals who wish to demonstrate basic payroll competency. The second and more advanced credential is available to those who have been employed in the practice of payroll for at least 3 years, among other requirements. Both certifications require experience and a passing score on an exam.