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COASTAL BEND COLLEGE CATALOG 2014-2015
Accounting Program Description: Accounting, AAS degree seeking students will receive an industry driven foundation of accounting theory, practices, and knowledge of accounting processes. Graduates from the program will be competent in basic accounting knowledge so they may enter the profession at a junior level in business and/or government entities. To achieve this goal, students will develop proficiency in accumulating, recording, classifying and interpreting financial data for an economic entity. In addition to preparing/ maintaining accounting records from the date of the original transaction through a full accounting cycle, students will learn the theory and practice of statement preparation and presentation. Other areas in which students will become proficient include: the why and how of accounting systems, professionally established accepted principles, journal transactions and accrual versus cash. Managerial concerns are addressed extensively: cash flow, taxes, budgets, balance sheet and income statement relationships, analysis of changes in assets/revenues/expenses, and the use of standard costs for planning and control. Accounting areas are examined in the context of different organizational forms (corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) as well as differences and similarities between manual and computer-based accounting systems. To provide crucial career skills, microcomputers and software such as electronic spreadsheets and general ledger packages are used in the program. In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on demonstrating proficiency in the essential skill areas of reading, writing, mathematics, verbal communication, critical thinking, and personal growth. This program will introduce courses in other program areas such as social science, humanities and arts, physical science and mathematics. Accounting is an articulated high school credit program. Students who have successfully completed appropriate accounting courses in high school may be able to receive college credit for those courses. What will I learn? Students will develop knowledge of the accounting profession through activities that encourage the student to think critically about the impact of business and accounting in the global environment. Students will engage in activities and projects to develop their communication and quantitative thinking skills as applied to accounting standards, practices, procedures and processes. Students will learn the business vocabulary as it pertains to their being able to understand and communicate financial information to both internal and external parties as needed to make financial decisions regarding the business organization. Students will review and discuss social responsibility of the accounting profession as it pertains to the environment, employees, customers and the community. The student will identify ethical policies and will practice personal and social responsibility by developing skills in maintaining a professional work environment and practicing personal ethics. Students will develop skills to pass the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) Advanced Accounting Skills computerized exam. These skills will be enhanced through the knowledge student’s gain through the computer, business and accounting classes. The student will gain experience working on accounting projects where all skills will be applied, demonstrated, and evaluated through a process of self-evaluation, peer evaluation, and faculty evaluation. Student training will include: • Using Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. • Using Accounting software such as Peachtree to maintain an accounting system • Use of Office filing and management procedures to manage an office • Knowledge of and use of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) • Completion of the accounting cycle • Preparation of financial statements • Preparation of financial budgets • Complete financial statement analysis • Understanding accounting terminology How long will it take? The AAS degree with an emphasis in Accounting is a comprehensive educational stackable pathway consisting of 60 credit hours that includes: a one semester Marketable Skills Achievement Certificate in Accounting; building to a Level I Certificate: Accounting. Students may complete the general education core of communication, mathematics, natural science, humanities and fine arts, social and behavior science, computers, and an institutional requirement “My Cougar Course”. The program has a Level II Certificate: Accounting that includes course work in the AAS degree. Students may work directly toward the AAS Degree. How much will it cost? Total Program/Course Fees- in addition to tuition and fees, students will pay a lab fee for courses requiring labs. This fee is based on materials, consumables, and supplies required for the particular lab. Lab fees may vary due to an individual’s ability and materials required by the course labs. Lab fees for particular courses are listed in core syllabi and based on the average student completing the course. Contact program faculty for more information on lab fees. What is the job market? In the Coastal Bend Local Workforce Development Area Labor Market Report, 2013 Data, indicates a growth market for bookkeepers of 16.9% with an entry wage of $10.31 Hour and $17.39 with experience. State of Texas Labor Market Report, 2013 Data, indicates a statewide growth market for bookkeepers of 21.5% and an average wage of $17.08 Hour.