Accounting, AAS

Two-Year Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Accounting AAS degree is offered to students seeking employment primarily in occupations related to accounting and finance. A one-year certificate is available as well for students who are interested in gaining the foundation needed to begin in an entry level bookkeeping occupation. A less-than-one-year certificate (Career Pathway Certificate) is also available for students who are interested in gaining the skills essential to become a Licensed Tax Preparer with the foundation necessary to obtain entry level tax preparation employment opportunities.

Candidates for this degree must satisfactorily complete all the requirements of the degree including a minimum of 95 credits, 40 of which are in the General Education Component. The General Education requirement allows the flexibility to continue professional development later, by applying the basic skills gained to more in-depth study.

Core Outcomes include: Development of the concepts, terminology, critical thinking skills, and professional behavior necessary to be effective in accounting and finance.

For courses to meet general education requirements, they must be collegiate-level numbered (e.g. 100). Courses numbered below the 100 level do not apply to the degree, but are prerequisites to degree requirements. Colleges and universities may have particular general education requirements. Please refer to the catalog of the specific transfer institution for more information.

Graduates should be able to:

• Display the skills needed to secure an entry-level position in accounting or bookkeeping, completing work both manually and using appropriate computer applications, such as QuickBooks, Excel, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Understand terminology commonly used in financial and managerial accounting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the major functions of accounting, including:
  • Purpose of accounting in the business environment.
  • The complete accounting cycle in both cash and accrual environments.
  • Basic corporate accounting theory and components, including stockholders’ equity, long-term liabilities, and investments.
  • Managerial accounting components: variable, fixed and mixed costs.
  • Managerial accounting reports: cost-volume-profit analysis, contribution margins, break-even points, effective budgeting, and performance evaluations.
• Prepare, analyze, and interpret financial statements and reports for service, merchandising, and manufacturing companies; including use of accounting information to make informed decisions about the operating performance, financial position, and leverage standing.

This program focuses on the fundamental areas of accounting, including management, finance, business law, economics, and use of computers in business operations. Theory and current trends are explored, and numerous opportunities exist for practical application of concepts to actual organizational situations. Business ethics and workplace dynamics are addressed throughout this program with strong focus on professional communication and interpersonal skills. Students intending to transfer to a university will have completed substantial coursework necessary for successful transfer to a bachelor’s program.

Successful pursuit of this degree requires students to possess collegiate skills in reading, communication, computation, and critical thinking. To acquire that competency, it is highly recommended that students complete pre-collegiate courses to gain these skills in the first terms of their program. At a minimum, completion of MTH 070  or testing above MTH 070  is recommended before beginning the core courses in this degree.

It is imperative that students interested in accounting work closely with their academic advisor to create a plan that addresses their specific career interests. Advanced training may be required for certain occupations, and transfer degrees may be more appropriate for students intending to further their education beyond Klamath Community College.

The first year of the AAS degree program offers technical specialty coursework and completion of prerequisites. The second year covers a broad range of skills, including those necessary for diversification and upward mobility within the occupational area.