Accounting Certificates
Courses are offered in all phases of accounting, from basic accounting principles and theories to tax preparation and stock market analysis. The curriculum emphasizes the use of the microcomputer in a variety of accounting applications. Accounting courses may be taken to satisfy the requirements for the Accounting Certificate, an Associate in Science degree or may be applied for transfer credit to a four-year college.
Accounting Certificate
The Accounting Certificate program is designed for persons interested in pursuing careers as junior accountants in business, government, and industry. There is an acute shortage of persons with the training needed to be successful in accounting. The demand for individuals skilled in accounting and computer-related fields is expected to increase as managers rely more on accounting information to make business decisions.
Accounting (ACCT) Certificates
- Accounting
- Financial Accounting*
- Financial/Managerial Accounting*
- Payroll Certificate*
- Computerized Accounting*
- Income Tax*
Accounting Certificate of Achievement
This certificate and degree focus on the fundamental and intermediate principles and practices of accounting. Training received at IVC is intended to prepare students to make critical decisions based on data contained in various financial reports and statements.
| ACCT 1A |
Financial Accounting |
4 |
| ACCT 1B |
Managerial Accounting |
4 |
AND
| ACCT 204 |
Accounting Applications: QuickBooks |
3.5 |
| ACCT 212.1 |
Spreadsheets 1 |
2 |
| CS 1 |
Intro to Computer Information Systems |
4 |
| MGT 1 |
Introduction to Business |
3 |
| MGT 12A |
The Legal Environment of Business |
3 |
Financial Accounting Certificate of Proficiency *This certificate is intended to help prepare students to qualify for entry level positions such as Accounts Payable Accountant, Accounts Receivable Accountant, Bookkeeper, etc. These courses will train you in the fundamentals of financial accounting and the use of spreadsheet software.
| ACCT 1A |
Financial Accounting |
4 |
| ACCT 212.1 |
Spreadsheets 1 |
2 |
| ACCT 212.2 |
Spreadsheets 2 |
2 |
*Locally-approved Certificates of Proficiency are low-unit certificates awarded by Irvine Valley College; they do not appear on a transcript. Programs are subject to change. Please check with a counselor.
Financial/Managerial Accounting Certificate of Proficiency*This certificate is intended to help prepare students to qualify for entry level positions requiring knowledge of both accounting and management analysis that uses accounting and other data to support the decision-making process. Examples would be entry level accounting or analyst positions or bookkeeper for manufacturing and other companies. These courses will train you in the fundamentals of financial and managerial accounting and the use of spreadsheet software.
| ACCT 1A |
Financial Accounting |
4 |
| ACCT 1B |
Managerial Accounting |
4 |
| ACCT 212.1 |
Spreadsheets 1 |
2 |
| ACCT 212.2 |
Spreadsheets 2 |
2 |
*Locally-approved Certificates of Proficiency are low-unit certificates awarded by Irvine Valley College; they do not appear on a transcript. Programs are subject to change. Please check with a counselor.
Payroll Certificate of Proficiency *This certificate is intended to help prepare students to qualify for entry level positions or better in the payroll department of companies of all sizes. These positions would require knowledge of the entire payroll cycle, the related accounting tasks, and spreadsheet analysis of payroll data for accounting and management use.
| ACCT 1A |
Financial Accounting |
4 |
| ACCT 205 |
Payroll Accounting & Taxation |
3 |
| ACCT 212.1 |
Spreadsheets 1 |
2 |
| ACCT 212.2 |
Spreadsheets 2 |
2 |
*Locally-approved Certificates of Proficiency are low-unit certificates awarded by Irvine Valley College; they do not appear on a transcript. Programs are subject to change. Please check with a counselor.
Computerized Accounting Certificate of Proficiency*This certificate is intended to help prepare students to qualify for entry level positions in the accounting department of a business using QuickBooks Accounting Software and spreadsheet software. These positions would range from data entry positions to those involving higher level accounting knowledge, depending on the background of the individual. The certificate focuses on two of the most utilized software programs used in business accounting.
| ACCT 204 |
Accounting Applications: Quickbooks |
3.5 |
| ACCT 212.1 |
Spreadsheets 1 |
2 |
| ACCT 212.2 |
Spreadsheets 2 |
2 |
*Locally-approved Certificates of Proficiency are low-unit certificates awarded by Irvine Valley College; they do not appear on a transcript. Programs are subject to change. Please check with a counselor.
Income Tax Certificate of Proficiency*This certificate is intended to help prepare students to qualify for a position as an income tax return preparer with knowledge of both state and federal individual and business taxation using professional level tax return preparation software. These would be entry level positions in tax preparation companies and CPA firms.
| ACCT 206 |
Individual Income Tax – Federal & State |
3 |
| ACCT 207 |
Business Income Tax – Federal & State |
3 |
*Locally-approved Certificates of Proficiency are low-unit certificates awarded by Irvine Valley College; they do not appear on a transcript. Programs are subject to change. Please check with a counselor.
Requirements: Certificates of Achievement are granted for the completion of a specified program, or specified courses, whose total requirement is 18 units or more. These state-approved certificates acknowledge workplace competencies and job readiness. The courses that comprise the Accounting Certificate of Achievement program are the same as those that comprise the major requirements for the Accounting Associate in Science degree.
Certificates of Proficiency* are granted for the completion of a specified program, or specified courses, whose total is less than 18 units. These locally-approved certificates are designed to acknowledge basic workplace competencies and job readiness for students who are entering the workforce or upgrading their job skills.
Students must complete all courses in the certificate programs with a grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “CR,” or “P.” A minimum of 12 units in the certificate program must be completed at Irvine Valley College. In cases where the total requirement is less than 12 units, students must complete all of the courses in the certificate program at Irvine Valley College.
Waiver of Certificate Requirements: Students with previous educational or vocational experience who wish to waive a required course in a certificate program will be expected to verify equivalency by examination. Petitions for course waivers or substitutions are available in the Counseling Center.
Application for Evaluation: Certificates are not awarded automatically. Students who expect to earn a certificate from the college must file an application for evaluation with the Office of Admission and Records. Responsibility for filing this application rests with the student, and transcripts for all college work attempted must be on file for the application to be considered. Filing deadlines for each semester are posted in the IVC catalog and class schedule.
PROGRAM GUIDE
Accounting (ACCT) Certificates
- Accounting – 19.5-21.5 units
- Financial Accounting – 8 units*
- Financial/Managerial Accounting – 12 units*
- Payroll Certificate – 11 units*
- Computerized Accounting – 7 units*
- Income Tax – 6 units*
Description: The Accounting program at IVC is designed to: (1) prepare non-transfer accounting students for entry level positions by making the accounting certificates and/or the two year degree in accounting available to them (2) prepare transfer students with the appropriate background for upper division courses and (3) provide non-accounting majors with sufficient knowledge of accounting concepts. Students majoring in Accounting at Irvine Valley College focus on the fundamental and intermediate principles and practices of accounting. The training they receive at the college is intended to prepare them to make critical decisions based on data contained in various financial reports and statements. It also prepares them for accounting positions in the public and private sector in such areas as banking, retail and wholesale trades, and government.
Prerequisites/Preparation: It is recommended but not required that students have a background in creating Excel spreadsheets prior to taking Acct 1A (Financial Accounting), as the class is taught using Excel. It is also helpful in the field of accounting to be proficient in the 10-key adding machine by touch.
Course Substitutions: Students may substitute similar courses for those required for the certificate by filing a special petition with a counselor to be approved by the department.
Preparation for Career Related Exams/Certification:Accountemps, the largest temporary staffing specialist in the accounting and finance industries in the world, gives potential employees testing to determine appropriate job placement. Accounting courses at IVC help students prepare for this testing.
Associate of Science Degree: A student may earn an A.S. degree in Accounting from IVC if, in addition to certificate requirements, he/she also meets general education requirements posted in the IVC catalog, class schedule, or
www.ivc.edu. See a counselor for more information.
*Four Year Institutions Offering Degrees/Programs in This Field:
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting Concentration
- California State University, Fullerton – Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Economics, Accounting Concentration
- California State University, Long Beach – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Option in Accountancy
- Chapman University – Bachelor of Science in Accounting
*See counselor or transfer center for specific transfer requirements
Scholarships/Financial Aid:The Orange County/Long Beach chapter of the California Society of CPAs offers a $1500 scholarship annually through the Community College Scholarship Program for accounting students intending to transfer to a university majoring in accounting or business. Go to
www.calcpa.org/oclb for details. Students may contact the IVC Financial Aid office for more information and additional opportunities.
Work Experience/Internships: Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) may be taken in addition to requirements for the certificate program. CWE allows students to gain on-the-job experience while earning college credit. A student may earn one unit of credit for every 75 hours of paid or 60 hours of volunteer employment. Students are responsible for securing employment for CWE. In addition, students may inquire about job openings in accounting through our Job Placement Office.
Career OptionsThe following entry-level jobs are possible careers for those with an accounting certificate:
- Accounts receivable clerk
- Accounts payable clerk
- Bookkeeper
- Accounting clerk
- Auditing clerk
- Payroll clerk
Job Description: In small establishments, Bookkeeping Clerks handle all financial transactions and recordkeeping. They record all transactions, post debits and credits, produce financial statements, and prepare reports and summaries for supervisors and managers. Bookkeepers also prepare bank deposits by compiling data from cashiers, verifying and balancing receipts, and sending cash, checks, or other forms of payment to the bank. They also may handle the payroll, make purchases, prepare invoices, and keep track of overdue accounts.
In large offices and accounting departments, Accounting Clerks have more specialized tasks. Their titles often reflect the type of accounting they do, such as an Accounts Payable Clerk or Accounts Receivable Clerk. In addition, responsibilities vary by level of experience. Entry-level accounting clerks post details of transactions, total accounts, and computer interest charges. They may also monitor loans and accounts, to ensure that payments are up to date.
Auditing Clerks verify records of transactions posted by other workers. They check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes. They also correct or note errors for accountants or other workers to adjust.
Payroll Clerks, also called payroll technicians, screen timecards for calculating, coding, or other errors. They compute pay by subtracting allotments, including Federal and State taxes, retirement, insurance, and savings, from gross earnings. Payroll clerks need to follow changes in tax and deduction laws, so they are aware of the most recent revisions. Finally they prepare and mail earnings and tax withholding statements for employees’ use in preparing income tax returns.
Employment Opportunities: Although payroll, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks can be found in all industries and levels of government, a growing number work for personnel supply firms, the result of an increase in outsourcing of this occupation. Accountemps is an example of one of these firms. Visit
www.accountemps.com for more information.
Occupational Outlook for Orange County, CA:While jobs are expected to increase 12% for Bookkeeping, Accounting, Auditing Clerks and Payroll Clerks through 2016, job growth is projected to be
about as fast as the average, and job prospects should be good as a large number of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are expected to retire or transfer to other occupations. Slower-than-average job growth is expected for payroll clerks. Those who have completed a certification program will have an advantage in the job market. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics,
www.bls.gov/oco )
| Bookkeeper, Accounting & Auditing Clerks |
$18.04 |
$37,501 |
| Payroll Clerks |
$19.13 |
$39,780 |
Job Related Skills Emphasized in Coursework: Writing, communication, organizational, critical thinking, and time management skills, as well as group activities, give students basic skills needed in the work world. Topics such as computer applications for accounting, Excel and business management are also included.
Personal Traits Desired for This Field:
- Adaptable
- Cooperative
- Critical thinker
- Able to work independently
- Perform
Professional Organizations/Websites/Publications in Field:
-offers a student membership with an e-newsletter and local chapter meetings/
seminars with networking and volunteer opportunities
Clubs on Campus:
IVC Business Leaders Society (affiliated with the national fraternity Delta Epsilon Chi)
Daniel Scott, Faculty Advisor
Business Sciences
949.451.5545
dscott@ivc.edu
IVC Contacts:
Accounting Certificates - Program Questions:
Don Bradshaw, Accounting Program Advisor
Business Sciences
949/451-5532
dbradshaw@ivc.eduCertificates - General Questions: Heather Whitecotton
Sr. Admin. Assistant
Career Technical Education & Workforce Development
949/282-2724
Kate Alder
CTE Grant Projects Director & IVC Contact for WIB/One-Stop Centers
Career Technical Education & Workforce Development
949/451-5603
This IVC Technical Education Program Guide was made possible by funds from the Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, awarded to Irvine Valley College by the Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges.
Updated 7/17/09 CTE&WD-mhm
9/30/09 CTE&WD-smk
For more information on the Accounting degree program, see the
Accounting web page (School of Business and Applied Science).