Accounting Technician (A.A.S)

Contact Information:

Diane Bercier/Stephanie Bear, Instructors

dbercier@tm.edu/sbear@tm.edu

(701) 477-7862/(701) 477-7859

Office 111D/111E

Program Description

The Accounting Technician Program is a very challenging program designed to train accounting technicians who generally work in bookkeeping/accounting operations in business or accounting departments or as para- professionals assisting professional accountants.

Coursework includes courses in accounting theory, computer technology, and general education that are designed to assure graduates possess the skills necessary to clearly communicate the results of their work, both orally and in writing. Students will become proficient in the latest computerized accounting applications and other prominent software used in the accounting field.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:

  • Perform accounting procedures including journalizing transactions, preparing financial statements, and completing bank reconciliation.
  • Effectively use QuickBooks and Microsoft Office software to create reports, perform financial transactions, and complete tasks typically found in a business environment.
  • Prepare payroll reports in compliance with federal, state and local tax law.
  • Classify this information and maintain records for future analysis and tax purposes.
  • Communicate key accounting information effectively and precisely.
  • Act independently and as a team member to complete required projects and tasks effectively and within stated deadlines with confidence, competence, and professionalism.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is projected to show little or no change from 2016 to 2026. With more routinized tasks automated, bookkeepers are expected to take on a more analytical and advisory role over the next 10 years. For example, rather than performing manual data entry, bookkeepers will focus more on analyzing their clients’ books and pointing out potential areas for efficiency gains.

Because bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks constitute a large occupation, there will be a large number of job openings from workers leaving the occupation. Thus, opportunities to enter the occupation should be plentiful, despite the slight projected decline in employment.

The median annual wage for Accounting Technician was $38,390 in May 2016.

Required Courses

Required Courses

ACCT 102Fundamentals of Accounting

3

ACCT 161Internship

2

ACCT 200Elements of Accounting I

3

ACCT 201Elements of Accounting II

3

ACCT 212Payroll Accounting

3

ACCT 218Computer Applications in Business

3

BADM 201Principles of Marketing

3

BADM 202Principles of Management

3

BADM 215Leadership Development

3

BADM 224Management Information Systems

3

BOTE 107Customer Service Strategies

3

BOTE 108Business Mathematics

3

BOTE 127Information Processing

3

BOTE 177Job Readiness

1

BOTE 211Business Communications

3

BOTE 247Spreadsheet Applications

3

CIS 274Project Management

3

Related General education Courses

COMM

3

ENGL 105Technical Communications

3

Or

ENGL 110College Composition I

3

PSYC 100Human Relations in Organizations

3

Or

PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology

3

Electives

6

COMM: Communication Requirement – see Gen Ed Matrix

Electives: General Education Electives - see Gen Ed Matrix

Total Credit Hours: 63