Accounting, A.S. Degree

Program Design

The Accounting associate degree program prepares students for employment as junior accountants, bookkeepers, and accounts receivable/payable and payroll associates. Graduates will be able to maintain complete sets of accounting records and prepare financial statements and individual tax returns. Students have the opportunity to participate in MCC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, in which they gain practical experience in the preparation of tax returns. Students interested in transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree should enroll in the Accounting and Business Administration Transfer, A.S. Degree Program.

NOTICE: Students should meet with an MCC faculty advisor to plan their program of study

Curriculum

Students may enroll full- or part-time. Since some courses are not offered in both the fall and spring semesters, see an advisor about your schedule. Note: All business and accounting courses, except for QM 110, have prerequisites. Check catalog course description before registering.

^ Business elective includes courses with designations of ACC*, BES*, BFN*, BFP*, BBG*, BMG*, BMK*. Students without a strong foundation in computer skills should take CSA* 115: Windows.

^^ ACC* 290 is offered as an option for students who have a GPA of at least 2.0 and 15 credits completed toward their degrees, including ACC* 115, 102 and 201. Permission of Cooperative Education Director is required.

^^^ Students who are interested in a manufacturing environment should take ACC* 231: Cost Accounting. Students who want to do local, state, federal, hospital, fund-raising or college/university accounting should take ACC* 251: Fund Accounting.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all Accounting degree program requirements, graduates will:

1. Demonstrate mastery of generally accepted accounting principles and their manual and computerized spreadsheet applications to all phases of the accounting cycle.
2. Complete relatively complex accounting problems and be familiar with current financial accounting standards and practices.
3. Prepare complete financial statements for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations in compliance with current accounting standards and practices.
4. Prepare the 1040 tax return and supporting schedules under simulated conditions.
5. Explain how budgeting, activity-based costing and strategic cost management foster the effective use of resources and help an organization accomplish its goals.
6. Demonstrate computer competencies for maximum efficiency including the use of accounting, spreadsheet and presentation software. Use the Internet for business purposes, including research, marketing and stock market analysis.
7. Understand and discuss financial issues dealing with the environment of managerial finance including working capital management, short-term financing, capital markets and the theory of the value of the firm (risk, leverage, cost of capital).
8. Generally understand our legal system and be able to apply principles of contract law, sales law under Article II of the Uniform Commercial Code, and the law of agency to business situations.
9. Demonstrate proficiencies in reading, writing, listening, and presentation and analytical skills.
10. Work with others, including culturally and intellectually diverse people; think critically; and gain an appreciation for life-long learning.
11. Rationalize and present solutions to problems using accounting knowledge and knowledge from social sciences, arts, literature, mathematics and science.
12.      Develop sound ethical, philosophical and moral professional
characteristics.
13. Demonstrate a responsible attitude in relationships with employers, peers and toward the working environment.
14. Demonstrate an understanding of how the United States economic system is organized, how it functions and how it impacts the global economy.
15. Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between accounting and all other areas within a business, including working with other departments to achieve overall strategic goals.

In addition, the graduate will complete the comprehensive learning outcomes identified with the General Education Component.

Source: 2008-2009 Course Catalog