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Accounting

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Program Overview

The Accounting program prepares you for an entry-level career in the accounting field. You will gain hands-on experience with:

  • Preparing, analyzing, and tracking financial information
  • Individual income tax preparation
  • Payroll accounting
  • Accounts payable and receivable
  • Computer accounting systems, including Sage Accounting and QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Office with emphasis on Excel and Word

Our instructors continue to track industry trends and modify courses and content to stay current with what is needed in the workforce. Hawkeye's Accounting program is an excellent launching point into an accounting career.

Transfer Information

Many four-year colleges and universities accept a limited number of transfer and elective credits.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

At A Glance
Awards
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Diploma
Length of Study 1 – 2 years
Tuition-Free Eligible

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

Students must apply for and be awarded the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
 

Faculty Spotlight

Patrick Geer, CPA

Patrick Geer is a certified public accountant and has been a professional tax preparer for 20 years. He was a master tax preparer with H&R Block for ten of those years. He has also been an accountant for various small businesses.

"Accounting isn't just about math and numbers. It is the language of business and a key part of all business today. Attention to detail, deductive reasoning, and the ability to analyze information are crucial for success."

Program Pathways

Accounting Technician Diploma

The Accounting Technician diploma program prepares students for basic accounting and bookkeeping tasks in an office environment including:

  • Preparing, analyzing, and tracking financial information
  • Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processing
  • Payroll accounting; Computer accounting systems including QuickBooks and Sage
  • Microsoft Office suite

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 29
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms 2
Time to Complete 1 year
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Accounting – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Business College Experience
  • Fundamentals of Oral Communication
  • Introduction to Accounting -OR-
    Principles of Accounting I
  • Introduction to Business -OR-
    Business Ethics -OR-
    Business Law -OR-
    Principles of Management -OR-
    Small Business Management
Term 2
  • Accounting Simulations
  • Computer Accounting
  • Introduction to Accounting II -OR-
    Principles of Accounting II
  • Introduction to Computers -OR-
    Database/Spreadsheets
  • Payroll Accounting

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to term 3 and 4 of the Accounting Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or graduate and enter the workforce.

Accounting Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

The Accounting Associate of Arts (AAS) degree program includes intermediate accounting concepts to prepare students for an entry level accounting position in business, financial, or accounting/bookkeeping companies.

Students will continue from the basics learned in the Accounting Technician diploma program to include:

  • Cost accounting
  • Income Tax accounting
  • Financial Analysis
  • Advanced Excel data tools

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 60
Program Start Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms 4
Time to Complete 2 years
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Accounting – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Business College Experience
  • Fundamentals of Oral Communication
  • Introduction to Accounting -OR-
    Principles of Accounting I
  • Introduction to Business -OR-
    Business Ethics -OR-
    Business Law -OR-
    Principles of Management -OR-
    Small Business Management
Term 2
  • Accounting Simulations
  • Computer Accounting
  • Introduction to Accounting II -OR-
    Principles of Accounting II
  • Introduction to Computers -OR-
    Database/Spreadsheets
  • Payroll Accounting
Term 3
  • Cost Accounting
  • Income Tax Accounting
  • Intermediate Accounting I
  • Principles of Macroeconomics -OR-
    Principles of Microeconomics -OR-
    Introduction to Economics
Term 4
  • Accounting Spreadsheets
  • Financial Analysis
  • Intermediate Accounting II
  • Introduction to Business -OR-
    Business Ethics -OR-
    Business Law -OR-
    Principles of Management -OR-
    Small Business Management
  • Workplace Professionalism

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Accounting Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. Check out the Business and Professional Development continuing education courses and Computers and Technology continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Careers

Positions

Graduates work as office accountants or managers in small businesses and as bank tellers or customer service representatives in financial institutions. They also find positions working in financial or accounting offices in public, private, or government accounting departments working with financial statement preparation, payroll, income taxes, budgeting, and cost accounting.

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $26,900 $41,200 $48,400

Source: 2021 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
Advanced Systems, Inc. Waterloo, IA
Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo Waterloo, IA
Lee Enterprises (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier) Waterloo, IA
McGladrey LLP Waterloo, IA
Paul R. Nielsen Co., PC Cedar Falls, IA
The Principal Financial Group Waterloo, IA
Veridian Credit Union Locations throughout Iowa

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Danielle Jennings Email Danielle Jennings 319-296-4014 ext.1079 Black Hawk Hall 201
Faculty Advisor
Patrick Geer Email Patrick Geer 319-296-2329 ext.1371 Black Hawk Hall 212
Administrative Assistant
Cindi Clark Email Cindi Clark 319-296-4021 Black Hawk Hall 101
Dean
Robin Galloway Email Robin Galloway 319-296-4292 Tama Hall 110A

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