# Accounting Assistant/Bookkeeper, Level IV (Certificate of Achievement (C))

Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Accounting Education

Source: https://catalog.sbcc.edu/academic-departments/accounting-education/assistant-bookkeeper-level-IV-certificate-achievement/

### Overview

The Accounting Assistant/Bookkeeper, Level IV, Certificate of Achievement gives students the foundation they need for entry level employment in the accounting department of any business or to become a CPA. It prepares students to pursue a career in finance or corporate management, to work in government, or to become business owners. It also fulfills some of the major requirements for the AS-T in Business Administration 2.0 degree designed to transfer to accounting programs at CSU campuses.

-   Accounting courses provide the essential foundation needed to succeed in these career areas:
-   Management: general management, financial management, budget management, assets management, controller, treasurer
-   Private Accounting: general financial accounting, accounting information systems design, cost accounting, budgeting, taxation, internal auditing, data processing
-   Public Accounting—CPAs: auditing, tax compliance and tax planning services, management advisory services, computerized accounting systems
-   Government Accounting
-   Accounting Education: teaching, research, consulting

The main competencies achieved in this program include:

-   Accounting Literacy
-   Technical Competency: Computer Systems Literacy
-   Income Tax Literacy
-   Payroll Competency

### Requirements

**Certificate of Achievement Requirements**

Complete all Major Requirements for the Certificate of Achievement with a C or better or Pass in each course.  A minimum of 6 units must be completed through SBCC.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Major Requirements** | |  |
| **Required Core** | |  |
| ACCT 150 | Introduction To Accounting Software And Systems | 4 |
| ACCT 230 | Financial Accounting | 5 |
| ACCT 240 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
| COMP 101 | Introduction to Computer Applications | 4 |
| or CIS 101 | Introduction to Computers and Information Systems |  |
| **List A - Complete one course from the following:** | | 3-4 |
| ↳ BLAW 101 | Business Law |  |
| ↳ BLAW 110 | Legal Environment of Business |  |
| ↳ BUS 101 | Introduction To Business |  |
| ↳ COMP 109 | Microsoft Excel |  |
| ↳ COMP 171 | Business English |  |
| ↳ COMP 271 | Business Communications |  |
| ↳ IBUS 102 | Introduction to International Business |  |
| ↳ MGMT 102 | Leadership in Organizations |  |
| **List B - Complete two courses from the following:** | | 5-8 |
| ↳ ACCT 110 | Introduction to Accounting |  |
| ↳ ACCT 120 | Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations |  |
| ↳ ACCT 130 | Payroll Accounting |  |
| ↳ ACCT 160 | Accounting With Quickbooks |  |
| ↳ ACCT 215 | Fundamentals Of Income Tax |  |
| ↳ ACCT 280 | Accounting Ethics and Leadership |  |
| ↳ FIN 202 | Managerial Finance |  |
| **Total Units** | | **25.00-29.00** |

### Learning Outcomes

1.  Use introductory managerial accounting concepts to make decisions within a business.
2.  Apply generally accepted accounting principles to record common business transactions, to prepare simple financial statements, and to analyze the results of operations, cash flows, and financial position as reported.
3.  Calculate and explain the impact of alternate generally accepted accounting principles for financial ratio analysis, and for economic analysis.
4.  Recognize the elementary business laws and the consequences of ignoring or not following legal business precepts and/or behaving unethically.
5.  Use computer technology and applications to record, report, and analyze business transactions and their effects on operating, investing, and financing activities.
6.  Prepare financial reports and communiqués using standard Business English.
7.  Define elementary business management concepts.

### Recommended Sequence

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.