Accounting
Certificate of Achievement
Program Details
The Accounting Certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in accounting in public and private sector areas such as manufacturing, small business, financial service, wholesale trades, and government. Specialized training in accounting and finance principles and practices enables students to maintain accounting records and develop financial reports and make effective use of financial information for analysis and decision making. Entry-level employment opportunities include positions in accounts receivable/payable, payroll, income tax preparation, cost accounting, and a number of trainee/internship positions. A minimum grade of C is required in each course taken. This certificate requires 32-34 units.
Accounting Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2025-2026.
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
High school diploma/GED, Certificate after high school
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 34,600
- High salary: 72,660
- Average salary: 49210
Brokerage Clerks
Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED
- Job growth: Declining
- Low salary: 47,730
- High salary: 91,650
- Average salary: 62940
Budget Analysts
Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 60,510
- High salary: 134,640
- Average salary: 87930
All Careers in Accounting (10)
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree, Master's degree | Rising | 97,270 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Examiners | Bachelor's degree | Rising | 90,400 |
| Budget Analysts | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Stable | 87,930 |
| Credit Analysts | Bachelor's degree | Declining | 80,970 |
| Brokerage Clerks | Bachelor's degree, High school diploma/GED | Declining | 62,940 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree | Declining | 59,740 |
| Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks | Bachelor's degree, Some college | Declining | 55,290 |
| Statistical Assistants | Bachelor's degree, Some college | Declining | 51,440 |
| Tax Preparers | High school diploma/GED, Bachelor's degree | Stable | 50,560 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | High school diploma/GED, Certificate after high school | Rising | 49,210 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Develop and use accounting information for daily recording of business financial transactions in a manufacturing environment, and develop and use operational budgets for a manufacturing company.
- Prepare, comprehend, and analyze the basic accounting financial statements: Income Statement, Retained Earnings Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes to the financial statements.
- Recognize revenues and expenses in the proper period as required in accrual basis accounting and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and make adjustments to ledger accounts accordingly.
- Use the computer to input routine cash and credit transactions involving sales, purchases, expenses and employees into a computerized general ledger accounting software program.