Business and Management
Accounting - FAQ
What do people in accounting do?
People in accounting are record keepers for businesses and
government agencies. Their work may include making bank deposits; recording checks,
purchases, and vendor payments; billing customers; bill collection; maintaining inventory
records; and sales. They may also prepare financial statements, tax returns, statistical
reports, cost analysis, sales projections, and cash requirements for managerial purposes.
If you work in accounting, you are involved in the
heart of a
business. The accounting staff deals with the organization's finances and provides
managers with information they need to make good decisions. Prospective accountants should
enjoy working with people as well as with numbers. Since they must communicate information
to others, accountants also need good reading and writing skills.
What does SCC offer in accounting?
SCC offers an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in
accounting. The program trains students for all areas of record keeping and offers an
emphasis on computer applications to make its graduates more marketable.
The A.A.S. degree program is not designed to transfer to
four-year colleges or universities. However, SCC also offers a two-year Associate of Arts
(A.A.) degree for students who wish to transfer. The A.A. degree consists of liberal arts
classes and includes the first few accounting courses required at four-year schools. This
is the program certified public account (CPA) candidates would enter.
What if I begin the A.A.S. degree program, then decide to pursue a four-year degree?
If you have been taking classes in the A.A.S. program and then
decide to pursue a four-year degree, contact your business counselor or your accounting
instructors so they can assist you in tailoring your coursework toward a transfer degree.
Can I complete the A.A.S. accounting program in six quarters?
Full-time students with good reading and math skills have little
trouble completing the coursework in six quarters. If you need refresher courses in
reading, writing, math, or study skills, they are offered each quarter at SCC. However,
plan to complete these courses in time to begin the accounting program fall quarter.
Contact your accounting instructors during your first quarter for
help in planning your curriculum.
What classes will I take in the A.A.S. degree program?
The accounting curriculum changes often in response to changes in
the business world, but the types of classes you would take include
college accounting, computerized accounting, payroll, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint,
business communications, speech, economics, business law, and nonprofit accounting. Specific course
information is available from your counselor and the
SCC Business and Management Department.
How much will this program cost?
The SCC accounting program is affordable. A year's full-time
tuition is less than other educational institutions in the area. Books, supplies, and lab
fees run from $150 to $300 each quarter. Tuition and other costs are subject to change.
Please call (509) 533-7391 for current information.
Is there any financial help available?
There is a variety of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study
awards available to students. Financial aid is on a first-come, first-served basis. To get
the best financial package, start early and work closely with SCC's Financial Aid office. Call them at (509) 533-7017.
Is there a demand for accounting graduates?
"The SCC accounting program gave me the skills I needed to begin my career. The instructors really care about how students are doing. It helped my self-esteem to see that I could do something and do it well."
Jan McCowan
SCC Accounting graduate
Bookkeeper, Pinnacle Investigations
According to recent projections by the Washington State
Employment Security Department, the employment outlook in accounting is expected to remain
strong. SCC placement data shows that graduates who want to work find jobs in accounting.
For more information on job placement, consult
SCC Workforce Education and Career Services.
Where can I get an accounting job?
Since the accounting field is so broad, graduates of this program
will find job opportunities ranging from small, one-person offices to large industrial
corporations and government agencies. Job titles include accountant, inventory clerk,
bookkeeper, accounting assistant, cost accountant, and office manager.
How much will I earn?
Recent graduates of SCC's accounting program have received
entry-level salaries of $18,000 to $24,000 per year. Wage increases often depend on an
individual's professional attitude and job performance. Those who wish to advance into
management positions in accounting should complete a four-year degree.
Note: All SCC accounting classes meet in Old Main (Building 1)
on the SCC campus.
Consult
SCC's
interactive online map system
for campus maps. SCC's campus map is available on the
CCS site.
Business and Management Department
Spokane Community College
1810 North Greene Street, MS 2150
Spokane, Washington 99217-5399
(509) 533-7395