Associate Degree in Accounting

Why Accounting? Companies of all sizes and types employ accountants! Job opportunities exist in the sports, entertainment, technology, hospitality, food and fashion, manufacturing, construction, and all industries! Types of organizations include all business as well as healthcare and other non-profits, criminal investigation and other federal, state and county governments and agencies. Or join the accounting profession in an accounting, bookkeeping or tax preparation firm to work with a variety of businesses.

There are many different types of accounting too, including financial, cost, tax, audit, governmental and forensic. Choices abound – discover what you love!

Whether you are here to gain valuable employment skills and certificates, earn your Associates degree, or position yourself to go on to a four-year degree, we invite you to join us in the Gateway Accounting Program.

Accounting covers the principles of accounting, including budgeting, financial analysis, cost accounting, tax preparation, and other commercial aspects. Students are taught to interpret figures and what they actually mean to the company or organization. Entry level jobs for the accounting graduate include junior or assistant accountant, bookkeeper, cost accountant, property accountant, and payroll accountant. If taken full-time, this is a two-year (4 semester) course of study if courses are taken full time.

All Business and Information Technology Associate Degree programs are fully accredited and in good standing with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

What Makes Gateway's Accounting Program Exceptional?

Jobs

• 86.2% of Gateway Accounting graduates are employed within six months of graduation at an average of $16.84/hour. (2016 Graduate Follow-Up Study)

Achieve Success in Steps

• Career Pathways: Small Business Accounting Clerk, Payroll Clerk, or Tax Preparer certificates. Earn your first Career Pathway certificate in 1 or 2 semesters.
• Accounting Assistant Diploma: Accomplish this milestone in 1 year (2 semesters if full time).
• Associates degree: Achieve your Associates Degree in Accounting in 2 years (4 semesters, if full time).
• 4-year Transfer Opportunities: Up to 66 credits via transfer agreements with 4-year colleges and universities. Enter college as a junior at multiple institutions, including UW-Parkside.
• Additional Certificates: To increase your knowledge, skills, and employability.

Flexibility

• Classes on Racine, Kenosha and Elkhorn campuses with evening and day options.
• Online, on-demand option for all courses required for the Associates Degree.
• Mix and match campus classes with online classes to fit your needs.
• Attend accounting classes year-round.

Real World Experience

• Instructors with real-world experience and courses with real-world assignments.
• Opportunities for real-world experience in your courses: Internships; Accounting - Serving the Public Interest, Income Tax Accounting, and BizSquad.
• Hands-on experience with software employers value: Excel, QuickBooks, Word, and Intuit ProConnect tax software.

Get Connected

Many opportunities connect you with Gateway, your instructors, fellow students, and the business community.

• Broaden your horizons with study abroad opportunities.
• Participate and network in student organizations such as Business Professionals of America (BPA) and Gateway Collegiate DECA.
• Work with a team to assist area businesses in Bizsquad.
• Volunteer opportunities include VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).

Gateway Business Programs are Nationally Accredited

• National accreditation means Gateway programs, curriculum, and staff members meet the rigorous standards set by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and put the learning opportunities on par with four-year colleges in Wisconsin and throughout the nation.
• Gateway Technical College is the first technical college in Wisconsin to receive this designation, which is highly valued by our 4-year university partners.

Learning By Doing

Each of Gateway’s Accounting classes gives students the opportunity to learn skills by doing exactly what will be done on the job. Students learn through real-world scenarios and projects. Students gain skill in software employers want – QuickBooks, Excel, Word, Intuit ProConnect tax software and PowerPoint. This is what makes Gateway’s Accounting graduates so employable!

The BIZ Squad provides students the opportunity to gain experience working on a project team that includes Accounting students and those from other business programs. Accounting internships provide hands-on accounting experience in the community. Gain experience while serving the community in Accounting - Serving the Public Interest or as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer.

Graduation Requirements

1. Minimum 64 credits with an average of 2.0 or above.
2. *Average of 2.0 (“C”) or above for these major courses.

For a complete list of Graduation Requirements, check the Student Handbook.

Program Offerings