Program available online

Southwestern's accounting program is designed to provide you with the fundamentals necessary to obtain an entry-level position in the field of accounting.  With your accounting degree, you will be prepared for entry-level jobs in private business, all levels of government, and public accounting firms.

According to the state of Iowa's occupational projections, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing assistants are projected to have a huge number of openings in the next few years, due not only to job growth, but also to job replacement needs.  If you plan to transfer and earn a bachelor's degree, the Associate of Arts degree with an accounting major is recommended for your course of study.

Awards Available

Accounting:  Associate of Applied Science Degree

This program is also offered through SWCC's online/distance education department!

Accounting Degree Sheet

Potential Careers

  • Accounts payable/receivable clerk
  • Payroll accountant
  • General ledger accountant
  • Cost or tax accountant

 Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe and illustrate the accounting concepts, principles, and characteristics for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations; and prepare basic business forms and financial records for each.
  2. Utilize information typically found on the balance sheet, income statement, statements of owner's equity or retained earnings statement and the cash flow statement.
  3. Understand the use of accepted accounting procedures for all levels and sizes of business activity from small sole proprietorships to large highly organized corporations.
  4. Illustrate the cost accounting systems used by manufacturing enterprises including job order, process and standard cost which includes the flow of manufacturing costs through the production process--direct materials, direct labor and factory overhead.
  5. Understand and use accounting terminology related to payroll records, and demonstrate to correctly calculate, record and process payroll information.
  6. Understand and use accounting terminology related to tax accounting and prepare federal and state income taxes using manual and computerized methods.
  7. Describe and illustrate effective methods of establishing audit trails and internal controls.
  8. Participate in class activities that develop oral and written communication skills, group work skills and problem solving skills beneficial in the workplace.

Contacts: 

Instructors Holly Booth or Joe Pastorino