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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Accounting

Accounting

Overview

Bookkeepers and accounting clerks record daily financial transactions and can run reports of financial information for managers. They spend most of their time at an office, frequently on a computer. Opportunities are available both full- and part-time. Accountants work more closely with budget and financial analysis, helping managers and owners to make informed business decisions. Some specialties, such as auditing, can involve significant travel. The stereotype of accountants as "bean-counters" has undergone major change as managers work side-by-side with accountants to develop new business opportunities.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Accounting
  • Accounting Clerk Certificate
  • Full Charge Bookkeeper Certificate

Associate Degree

A.S. in Accounting

The Accounting degree is designed for students planning to seek accounting positions in business, industry, or government upon completion of the required course of study. The program also meets the needs of employed individuals seeking to learn applications of accounting theory as practiced in the field. The program provides the foundation for individuals to prepare financial statements and record business transactions for all types of business and industry. Students develop a strong knowledge base of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and accounting procedures. Communication skills, teamwork, computer technology, and ethical behavior are also emphasized.

For those students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree in this major, it is critical that students meet with an SCC counselor to select and plan the courses to fulfill major requirements. Schools vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The courses that SCC requires for an A.S. degree in this major may be different from the requirements needed for a Bachelor's degree.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
ACCT 103 Intermediate Accounting - Part I 4
ACCT 104 Intermediate Accounting - Part II 4
ACCT 301 Financial Accounting 4
ACCT 311 Managerial Accounting 4
ACCT 341 Computerized Accounting 3
ACCT 361 Ethics, Fraud, and Legal Issues for Accountants 3
BUS 300 Introduction to Business 3
A minimum of 10 units from the following: 101
ACCT 101 Fundamentals of College Accounting (3)
ACCT 107 Auditing (3)
ACCT 111 Cost Accounting (3)
ACCT 121 Payroll Accounting (3)
ACCT 123 Federal and California Individual Income Taxation (4)
ACCT 151 Governmental Auditing (3)
ACCT 153 Governmental Accounting (3)
ACCT 343 Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
BUS 340 Business Law (3)
CISA 315 Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
CISA 316 Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
CISC 310 Introduction to Computer Information Science (3)
Total Units: 35

1ACCT 343 is Recommended

The Accounting Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • record, classify, summarize, and report the business transactions of a company.
  • prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  • explain and integrate the role of ethics and standards of professional conduct in the accounting profession.
  • demonstrate the ability to support management functions through budgeting, planning, and decision-making.
  • integrate the principles of business, business law, and economics into accounting functions.
  • apply principles of accounting to more advanced topics such as, but not limited to: individual taxation, auditing, governmental accounting, cost accounting, and payroll accounting.

Career Information

The Accounting degree is designed to provide the knowledge necessary for immediate employment at an entry or intermediate level accounting, recordkeeping, or clerk position with many private sector and government organizations. The degree is also designed to provide an excellent base of knowledge for those who would like to pursue an advanced degree in accounting, business, economics, or law. The accounting courses also meet unit requirements of local area governmental employers' promotional exams in accounting. All the accounting courses in this program can be used to meet unit requirements of the California State Board of Accountancy's Certified Public Accountant's exam.

Certificates of Achievement

Accounting Clerk Certificate

The Accounting Clerk certificate provides fundamental occupational training and preparation for entry-level accounting clerk positions. The program includes basic accounting courses and specialized courses designed for the accounting workplace, including basic computer and business principles courses.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
ACCT 101 Fundamentals of College Accounting 3
ACCT 121 Payroll Accounting 3
ACCT 341 Computerized Accounting 3
BUS 105 Business Mathematics 3
CISA 315 Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets 2
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
ACCT 123 Federal and California Individual Income Taxation (4)
ACCT 301 Financial Accounting (4)
ACCT 343 Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
CISA 316 Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
Total Units: 20

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • analyze and record accounting transactions in both manual and computerized accounting systems.
  • prepare financial statements manually and using a computerized accounting system.
  • solve basic business math problems.
  • demonstrate proficiency in the use of word processing and spreadsheet software.

Career Information

Career opportunities include accounting clerk or entry-level bookkeeper positions such as: accounts payable clerk, accounts receivable clerk, billing clerk, payroll assistant, assistant bookkeeper, or office assistant.

Full Charge Bookkeeper Certificate

The Full Charge Bookkeeper certificate program provides advanced occupational training in accounting. The program provides a strong background in financial and managerial accounting, basic business principles, and business technology.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
ACCT 101 Fundamentals of College Accounting 3
ACCT 121 Payroll Accounting 3
ACCT 301 Financial Accounting 4
ACCT 311 Managerial Accounting 4
ACCT 341 Computerized Accounting 3
CISA 315 Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets 2
CISA 316 Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets 2
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
ACCT 123 Federal and California Individual Income Taxation (4)
ACCT 343 Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
ACCT 361 Ethics, Fraud, and Legal Issues for Accountants (3)
BUS 105 Business Mathematics (3)
Total Units: 27

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • identify, analyze, record, and report the financial transactions of an organization using manual and computerized accounting systems.
  • measure and categorize costs within a business organization.
  • develop information useful to management in the budgeting, planning, and decision-making processes of an organization.
  • calculate basic federal and California payroll taxes.
  • demonstrate proficiency in the use of spreadsheet software.

Career Information

Career opportunities include higher level accounting positions, such as full charge bookkeeper, accountant, or accounting supervisor.

Accounting (ACCT) Courses

ACCT 101 Fundamentals of College Accounting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:BUS 105 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

Accounting is the systematic recording, reporting and analysis of the financial activity of a business. It allows companies to examine their results regarding profits, losses, productivity, sales trends, and expenses. Companies use this information to analyze their financial performance.
This is an introductory course in small business accounting. It covers the accounting cycle for service and merchandising businesses. Topics include identifying and recording accounting transactions in the general and special journals, posting to the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers, preparation of a trial balance, adjusted trial balance and post-closing trial balance, and preparation of adjusting, correcting, and closing entries. Income statements, statements of owner's equity, and balance sheets are prepared and analyzed using basic financial ratios. Additional topics include cash management and bank reconciliations, accounting for sales and purchase discounts, sales taxes, merchandise inventory, and payroll. This course is highly recommended for students who intend to seek employment in a small service or merchandising business, is an excellent preparation course for further study in accounting and business, and is required for accounting degree and certificate candidates.

ACCT 103 Intermediate Accounting - Part I

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course continues the study and application of accounting principles and techniques used in preparing and reporting the financial results of business corporations at an intermediate level. Areas of study include cash and cash flows, receivables, inventories, plant and equipment, intangible assets, revenue recognition, long-term construction contracts, and the time value of money.

ACCT 104 Intermediate Accounting - Part II

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 103 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a continuing study and application of financial accounting principles introduced in ACCT 301 and further expanded on in ACCT 103 as related to stockholders' equity, earnings per share, current and long-term liabilities, cash flows, accounting changes, disclosure and reporting, and analysis of financial statements. This course introduces the study of investments, income taxes, deferred income taxes, pension plans, capital/finance leases, and restatement of financial statements. This course is not intended for transfer to a four-year college.

ACCT 107 Auditing

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:ACCT 103 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers procedures and practices used in the verification of accounting records and financial statements. External auditing functions will be emphasized.

ACCT 111 Cost Accounting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 311 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a continuation of the study of managerial accounting with an emphasis on cost accounting systems. Special attention is placed on the development of cost information needed by managers in manufacturing, merchandising, and service related businesses.

ACCT 121 Payroll Accounting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 101 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers the basic fundamentals and current practices in payroll processing, payroll accounting, and payroll tax reporting. Federal and state compliance pertaining to payroll processing and tax reporting will be studied. Topics include the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour laws and how they affect the payroll workflow.

ACCT 123 Federal and California Individual Income Taxation

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better; and ENGRD 310 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a study of basic Federal and California income tax regulations with an introduction to more advanced individual income tax topics. The course emphasizes the skills necessary for the preparation of individual income tax returns. Included are filing requirements, determination of taxable income, allowable deductions, tax computation, tax credits, other taxes, payment methods, and audit procedures. This course is recommended for accounting majors and is not part of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) program. As a result, students cannot use this course to meet the eligibility requirements for the California Registered Tax Return Preparer certificate.

ACCT 125 Federal and State Individual Taxation

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers basic Federal and State income tax regulations with an emphasis on the skills necessary for the preparation of individual income tax returns. Topics include filing requirements, determination of taxable income, allowable deductions, tax computation, tax credits, other taxes, payment methods, and audit procedures. The course is a California Tax Education Council (CTEC) qualifying education course, and is offered to members of the community to enable them to become a California Registered Tax Return Preparer (CRTP).

ACCT 151 Governmental Auditing

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 153 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an introduction to the auditing of governmental programs and activities. Emphasis is on the auditing requirements, standards, procedures, and practices used in the verification of governmental accounting records and financial statements. The internal auditing function will be emphasized.

ACCT 153 Governmental Accounting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers accounting and financial reporting for governmental units and institutions with emphasis on the principles of fund accounting and the comprehensive annual financial report as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Additional topics include the accounting aspects of budgeting and budgetary control for governmental entities and accounting for nonprofit organizations.

ACCT 295 Independent Studies in Accounting

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

An independent studies project involves an individual student or a small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the regularly offered accounting courses.

ACCT 299 Experimental Offering in Accounting

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

ACCT 301 Financial Accounting

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ACCT 101 and ENGRD 310 with grades of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • C-ID:C-ID ACCT 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines accounting as an information system, evaluating why it is important and how it is used by investors, creditors, and others to make business decisions. The course covers the accounting information system, including recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements, and statement analysis. The course includes issues relating to asset, liability, and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls, and ethics. This course is required of all business majors, minors, and accounting degree and certificate candidates.

ACCT 311 Managerial Accounting

  • Units:4
  • Hours:72 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:ENGRD 310 or ESL 325 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • C-ID:C-ID ACCT 120
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is the study of how managers use accounting information in decision-making, planning, directing operations, and controlling. The course focuses on cost terms and concepts, cost behavior, cost structure, and cost-volume-profit analysis. It includes issues relating to cost systems, cost control, profit planning, and performance analysis in manufacturing and service environments.

ACCT 341 Computerized Accounting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course emphasizes the major areas of a computerized accounting system: general ledger, accounts receivable and revenues, accounts payable and expenses and purchases, fixed assets and depreciation, cash receipts and cash disbursements, bank reconciliations, job order costing, adjusting and closing entries, and financial statements. The course provides practical experience in the use of master files, transactions, and reports. Individual sections of this course will use software designed for small businesses such as QuickBooks, Sage 50, or other contemporary software accounting systems.

ACCT 343 Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting

  • Units:2
  • Hours:36 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better; AND CISA 315 with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Advisory:ACCT 311 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course combines the study of accounting and computer spreadsheets. Projects include financial statements, financial analysis, payroll, inventory, data analysis, and other accounting topics. The course focuses on clarity, creativity, and presentation skills.

ACCT 361 Ethics, Fraud, and Legal Issues for Accountants

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ACCT 107 and 301 with grades of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course explores ethics, fraud, and legal issues that must be addressed by accountants, including exploration through case studies. Topics include ethical foundations as well as the unique ethical requirements of professional organizations and the California Board of Accountancy. The course also examines the legal liability of accountants. A variety of case studies are evaluated to gain perspective into ethical lapses, fraud, and legal liability.

ACCT 495 Independent Studies in Accounting

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

An independent studies project involves an individual student or a small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the regularly offered accounting courses. UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admissions.

ACCT 499 Experimental Offering in Accounting

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog