Business Administration

ACCOUNTING
ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE

What Should I Expect from the Accounting Program?

Chabot offers three programs in Accounting: certificate in Bookkeeping, certificate in Accounting Technician, and AS degree in Accounting.    The AS degree is the highest level of the accounting program at Chabot that requires the most time and intellectual commitment.  This degree should be obtained after you completed the certificate in Accounting Technician.  The degree prepares you for entry-level positions within accounts receivable and accounts payable departments, payroll units, income tax firms, and financial services organizations. You will be able to identify, analyze, summarize, communicate, record and interpret business transactions and financial statements. You will learn commercial and customized accounting software and spreadsheets and you will apply the skills via intensive accounting applications.

You will study professional and ethical behavioral case studies for business, as well as attain oral and written communication skills that are necessary for success.  Technical courses in accounting, taxes, and payroll with commercial software will allow you to seek advanced placement in accounting or information systems departments. With the accounting degree, jobs are available in just about every corporate business and non-profit organization.

Nature of Work (from Occupation Outlook Handbook)

Accountants help to ensure that the firms are run efficiently, its public records kept accurately, and its taxes paid properly and on time. They analyze and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and government. Many accountants also offer budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, and limited legal services.  Most accounting jobs require a four-year degree (and beyond).

Specific job duties vary widely among the four major fields of accounting and auditing: public, management, government accounting, and internal auditing.

Public accountants perform a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting activities for their clients, which may be corporations, governments, nonprofit organizations, or individuals. For example, some public accountants concentrate on tax matters, such as advising companies about the tax advantages and disadvantages of certain business decisions and preparing individual income tax returns. Others offer advice in areas such as compensation or employee health care benefits, the design of accounting and data-processing systems, and the selection of controls to safeguard assets. Still others audit clients? financial statements and inform investors and authorities that the statements have been correctly prepared and reported. These accountants are also referred to as external auditors. Public accountants, many of whom are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), generally have their own businesses or work for public accounting firms.

Management accountants record and analyze the financial information of the companies for which they work. Among their other responsibilities are budgeting, performance evaluation, cost management, and asset management. Usually, management accountants are part of executive teams involved in strategic planning or the development of new products. They analyze and interpret the financial information that corporate executives need in order to make sound business decisions. They also prepare financial reports for other groups, including stockholders, creditors, regulatory agencies, and tax authorities.

Government accountants and auditors work in the public sector, maintaining and examining the records of government agencies and auditing private businesses and individuals whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxation. Accountants employed by Federal, State, and local governments ensure that revenues are received and expenditures are made in accordance with laws and regulations. Those employed by the Federal Government may work as Internal Revenue Service agents or in financial management, financial institution examination, or budget analysis and administration.

Internal auditors verify the effectiveness of their organization's internal controls and check for mismanagement, waste, or fraud. They examine and evaluate their firms's financial and information systems, management procedures, and internal controls to ensure that records are accurate and controls are adequate. They also review company operations, evaluating their efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with corporate policies and government regulations. Because computer systems commonly automate transactions and make information readily available, internal auditors may also help management evaluate the effectiveness of their controls based on real-time data, rather than personal observation. They may recommend and review controls for their organization's computer systems, to ensure their reliability and integrity of the data.

Accountants also act as personal advisors. They not only provide clients with accounting and tax help, but also help them develop personal budgets, manage assets and investments, plan for retirement, and recognize and reduce their exposure to risks. This role is in response to clients? demands for a single trustworthy individual or firm to meet all of their financial needs.

Job Growth Projections and Salary Level (from California Employment Development Department)

In California, the number of jobs for accountants is expected to grow by smashing 23.4 percent between 2004 and 2014 and 2016, with 5,330 new jobs open each year.  The salary ranges between $46,347 and $77,388 with annual mean earnings of $65,965. 

CORE COURSES -  UNITS

* - Business 7, Accounting for Small Business, is strongly recommended before you take Business 1A. 

The above listing is a suggested sequence only.  Some courses may have prerequisites.  Students may take courses in any sequence except where a prerequisite applies.