124 Accounting, Taxation and Audit Associate of Applied Science Programs

Accounting and Finance Professionals are in high demand in nearly every corner of the business world, from manufacturing and real estate to construction and healthcare. The opportunities are numerous for students who want to pursue an accounting career, both at the clerical level and professional levels.

Students in the Associate of Applied Science in Applied Accounting program will develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of the accounting process used to identify, record, report, and analyze business transactions. This skill set is required for a variety of technical and specialist accounting positions such as a financial specialist, payroll technician, accounts receivable/payable technician, bookkeeper, and small business owner. These positions are needed in all business sizes and types across an unlimited number of industries. Individuals trained at the technical and specialist levels are becoming increasingly important in organizations as national and international accounting regulations increase and converge.

Accounting is the language of business. Accountants measure business activities, process that data into reports, and use the results to make business decisions. The Accounting Program prepares students for several goals, including transfer to a four-year institution, career advancement for those already employed, self-employment, and completion of many courses needed to take the CPA or CMA exam. Areas of study include accounting for decision making, internal and external use, financial statement preparation and analysis, review of financial accounting standards, individual taxation, payroll and business taxes, computerized accounting software, financial auditing, and ethics in accounting.

This program prepares individuals to practice the profession of accounting and to perform related business functions. This includes instruction in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards, and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.

The Associate of Science degree program prepares you for employment as a Junior Accountant.

The Associate of Applied Science in Accounting Concentration: Business, A.A.S. is designed to prepare students for employment in public, private, and governmental accounting as a paraprofessional.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting prepares students to enter the Accounting profession at an Accounting Technician position.

The Associate of Applied Science in Accounting program is designed to meet the needs of business and the industry for qualified entry-level accountants. Students will receive instruction to gain mastery of the principles, methods, procedures, techniques, concepts, and operations of accounting and computerized accounting systems.

The Accounting and Finance curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and growth in the accounting and finance profession.

The Associate of Applied Science in Accounting program provides the student with strong accounting, business and technical skills, and prepares her or him to enter the workforce at the accounting technician level.

A two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting is a terminal degree designed to make graduates ready for immediate entry to mid-level Accounting positions or for accounting professionals interested in earning an accredited degree.

The Accounting and Finance curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and the skills necessary for employment and growth in the accounting profession.

Whatcom’s accounting and finance program offer two-degree options: an associate of science (AS) in accounting (90-94 credits) and an associate of science (AS) in finance (92-96 credits).

The Associate of Applied Science Degree prepares students for employment directly into the workforce of their chosen degree. A degree in business leads to careers in Accounting, Consulting, Commerce, Business Administration, e-Business or e-Commerce, Finance, Marketing, and Management.

Our accelerated 16-month Associate of Applied Science degree program is designed so you can learn what is important, finish quickly, and enter your career field.