Professional Bookkeeping

This major is primarily intended for those students who plan to obtain employment or desire promotions in their current positions in the accounting and bookkeeping field. The requirements for this degree are satisfied by completing all requirements for the Professional Bookkeeping Certificate plus completing general education requirements that are shown on the Recommended Plan of Study. In any case, a minimum of 60 units is required in order to earn the Professional Bookkeeping Associate Degree. (See Graduation/Associate Degree Requirements.) Students who complete this associate degree have enhanced employability with various types of employers and in various fields of bookkeeping and accounting. For example, students may be employed by governmental agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and private businesses. They may even decide to go into business for themselves as a bookkeeper, tax preparer or accountant, preferably after gaining initial or additional experience on the job. Specific positions of employment for Professional Bookkeepers include accounting clerks, accounting technicians, auditing clerks, bookkeeping clerks, and full-charge bookkeepers. The general education obtained with the associate degree will provide students with a broad range of knowledge with which to evaluate and appreciate the physical environment, culture, and society in which they live, with the ability to think and communicate clearly and effectively. Except in cases of a prerequisite requirement, it is not required that courses be taken in exactly this sequence; they are recommended in this order to facilitate success. It is recommended that students choose to take courses from the Program Elective list as their General Electives to enhance their learning and specialized knowledge in the area of Bookkeeping.

Program Requirements

Recommended Pathway

Professional Bookkeeping AS Full Time

Fall, First Semester (16-17 units)

• ACCT111 - Bookkeeping (3)
• CA103 - Introduction to Computers and Digital Technology (3)
• BUS105 - Business Mathematics (3)
• MATH103 - Math for Technical Fields (4)
• MATH124 - Finite Math (4)
• Any AVC GE Area 2 (3)
• ENGLC1000 - Academic Reading and Writing (4)

Spring, Second Semester (14 units)

• ACCT113 - Bookkeeping II (3)
• ACCT115 - Payroll Bookkeeping (2)
• BUS113 - Business Communications (3)
• COMMC1000 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
• Any AVC GE Area 1B (3)
• CA121 - Microcomputer Spreadsheets (3)

Summer Term (3 units)

• POLSC1000 - American Government and Politics (3)
• Any AVC GE Area 4 (3)

Fall, Third Semester (15-20 units)

• ACCT121 - Computerized Accounting (3)
• ACCT131 - Introduction to Income Tax (3)
• Any AVC GE Area 5 (3)
• Any AVC GE Area 6 (3)
• ACCT199 - Work Experience Education (3-8)
• BUS101 - Introduction to Business (3)
• BUS201 - Business Law (3)
• CA111 - Word Processing-Microsoft Word (3)
• CA131 - Relational Database Management and Design (3)
• MGT115 - Human Behavior in Organization (3)

Spring, Fourth Semester (12 units)

• BUS121 - Fundamentals of Investment and Personal Finance (3)
• Any AVC GE Area 3 (3)
• General Elective (3)
• General Elective (3)

Program Outcomes

Professional Bookkeeping AS