Accounting Specialist

Program description

This certificate builds directly on the Accounting Foundations Certificate, providing additional depth in accounting systems, technology, and specialized procedures. This certificate equips students to pursue roles such as accounting clerk or bookkeeper and prepares them for further advancement through later certificates or degree programs.

This certificate is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of the listed requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this certificate.

Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this certificate, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding and numeric data entry by accurately and efficiently using touch typing and the 10-key keypad, and apply Microsoft Word skills to format business documents such as letters, memos, reports, tables, and labels.
2. Prepare and process payroll records and payroll tax returns in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.
3. Demonstrate understanding of individual, partnership, and corporate income tax concepts, including gross income, deductions, credits, depreciation, capital gains and losses, payroll taxes, and tax planning in accordance with current tax laws and regulations.
4. Analyze and apply core managerial accounting concepts, including cost classifications, cost systems, cost-volume-profit relationships, budgeting, variance analysis, responsibility accounting, differential analysis, strategic performance measurement, and capital budgeting decisions to support effective management decision-making, planning, and control.
5. Utilize accounting and business software, including QuickBooks Online and Excel, to process accounting information and prepare financial reports in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.
6. Apply the accounting equation and perform all phases of the accounting cycle, including preparation and interpretation of financial statements for service and merchandising organizations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Certificate requirements