Program Overview

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Summary

Master skills in demand across accounting fields and gain foundational knowledge of broader business concepts. Learn to analyze financial information and apply practical accounting practices across business structures.

Program Description

The Accounting Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences degree is designed to prepare students for careers in the public and private accounting sectors. Shoreline Community College works closely with local advisory committees and industry professionals to ensure students receive the knowledge and skills currently in demand by employers in the field. Students interested in pursuing a four-year baccalaureate degree in Accounting should follow the transfer degree Associate in Business, DTA/MRP Planning Guide.

Completion Award

• Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences

Length of Study

• 90 Credits

Starting Quarter

• Fall, Winter, Spring

Location

• Online, On Campus

What You’ll Learn

• Apply basic principles, theories and procedures for recording and reporting financial data
• Apply practical accounting practices in a variety of business structures including corporations, partnerships and small businesses
• Prepare financial reports and analyze relevant financial data
• Provide management support in the budgeting, planning and decision-making processes
• Apply knowledge of payroll laws and related procedures
• Apply knowledge of individual income tax laws

Courses & Requirements

Program Prerequisites

• Keyboarding is assumed knowledge. If you are not proficient in this area, Shoreline Community College provides classes to help students gain the necessary skills.

General Education - 18-20 Credits

Communication (5 Credits)

• Choose either BTWRT 215 or ENGL& 101.

Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)

• Take either BUS 102 or MATH 99.

Human Relations (5 Credits)

• BUS 104 Human Relations in Business

Multicultural Understanding (3-5 Credits)

• Choose one of the following courses: BUS 103, AES 101, CMST 203, CMST 285, GWS 284, HIST 245 PSYC 230.

Core Requirements - 62 Credits

• ACCT 104 Payroll Accounting
• ACCT 170 Federal Income Tax Individuals/Small Business
• ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I
• ACCT& 202 Principles of Accounting II
• ACCT& 203 Principles of Accounting III
• ACCT 206 Computer Accounting
• ACCT 208 Not-for Profit and Governmental Accounting
• BUS 107 Computer 10-Key
• BUS 150 Business Spreadsheet Fundamentals
• BUS& 101 Introduction to Business
• BUS& 201 Business Law
• BTWRT 115 Business English
• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication

Select One or More to Complete Credit Requirements (8-10 Credits)

Work Experience/Industry Certification

• QuickBooks Certification Credits: 3
• AIPB Bookkeeper Certification Credits: 3
• IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer Credits: 3
• Other (approved by advisory) Credits: 3
• or one or more of the following courses: Any 100- or 200-level Business course, or ECON& 201

Careers & Opportunities

The job outlook for accounting-related occupations is very good. Graduates may be hired as an Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Clerk, Full-Charge Bookkeeper, Junior Accountant, Ledger Clerk, Payroll Clerk, or Tax Preparer.

Potential Employers

• Many of the new accounting positions will be created in small, rapidly growing businesses or CPA firms. The field also provides opportunities for temporary employment, part-time work or accounting services out of your home.

Sample Degree Map

The following outline is designed to provide you with an example of what a full-time sequence of courses might look like. We strongly encourage every student to meet with an Academic Advisor or program faculty member to adapt this example to suit individual needs.

Quarter 1 - typically Fall

• ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I
• BUS& 101 Introduction to Business
• BTWRT 115 Business English

Quarter 2

• ACCT& 202 Principles of Accounting II
• BTWRT 215 Business Communications
• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication

Quarter 3

• ACCT& 203 Principles of Accounting III
• BUS 102 Business Mathematics
• BUS 150 Business Spreadsheet Fundamentals

Quarter 4

• ACCT 206 Computer Accounting
• BUS 104 Human Relations in Business
• BUS 103 Multiculturalism in the Workplace

Quarter 5

• ACCT 104 Payroll Accounting
• BUS 107 Computer 10-Key
• ACCT 170 Federal Income Tax Individuals/Small Business

Quarter 6

• ACCT 208 Not-for Profit and Governmental Accounting
• BUS& 201 Business Law
• Approved elective

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Tuition & Fees

(does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)

Per Quarter
| WA-Resident | Non-WA resident,
US citizen, &
Eligible non-citizen
On Campus | Non-WA resident
Non-US citizen¹ | Non-WA resident, US citizen
Online Only
---|---|---|---|---
1 credit | $126.47 | $246.49 | $327.01 | $144.67
5 credits | $632.35 | $1,232.45 | $1,635.05 | $723.35
12 credits (full-time) | $1,387.14 | $2,487.04 | $3,408.94 | $1,571.08
15 credits | $1,570.80 | $2,520.25 | $3,617.20 | $1,757.65

¹ Includes all International Students, both on campus and overseas online

Additional Fees

• Approximately $20 - $120 per quarter, depending on courses selected

Ways to Pay for School

Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and more are available to help you pay for school.

Related Program Options

• Payroll Clerk Certificate
• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Certificate
• Accounting Clerk Certificate
• Tax Preparer Certificate
• Accounting Certificate
• Purchasing and Contract Management Certificate
• Accounts Receivable Clerk Certificate
• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management AAAS
• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Certificate
• Supplier Relations and Logistics Certificate
• Business Administration AAAS
• Business and Computing Fundamentals
• Entrepreneurship AAAS
• Entrepreneurship Certificate (30 credits)
• Entrepreneurship Certificate
• Marketing AAAS
• Marketing Certificate
• Marketing Certificate
• Project Management Certificate
• Social Media Marketing Certificate
• Business Pre-Major
• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics AAAS

Program Advisor

• Dan King, Rm 1415

Program Information

• Length of Program: 90-92 Credits
• Completion Award: AAAS Degree
• Enrollment: Fall, Winter, Spring
• Approximate Quarterly Costs: $25-$85 (in addition to tuition, books and parking)