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!
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:
- 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.
- Utilize information typically found on the balance sheet, income statement, statements of owner's equity or retained earnings statement and the cash flow statement.
- Understand the use of accepted accounting procedures for all levels and sizes of business activity from small sole proprietorships to large highly organized corporations.
- 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.
- Understand and use accounting terminology related to payroll records, and demonstrate to correctly calculate, record and process payroll information.
- Understand and use accounting terminology related to tax accounting and prepare federal and state income taxes using manual and computerized methods.
- Describe and illustrate effective methods of establishing audit trails and internal controls.
- 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