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Accounting

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Accounting Assistant - Certificate

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

82% BTC graduate placement rate1

$41,976 starting annual wage2
$48,415 average annual wage2
$57,351 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

The program typically starts in Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Quarters on a space available basis.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 47

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Quarter 1

  • ACCT& 201Principles of Accounting I5 CR
  • BIT 100Survey of Business and Information Technology2 CR
  • CAP 101Microsoft Computer Applications5 CR
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communications5 CR

  • Required Courses for Program

  • ACCT& 201Principles of Accounting I5 CR
  • ACCT& 202Principles of Accounting II5 CR
  • ACCT 245Payroll Procedures5 CR
  • ACCT 246QuickBooks5 CR
  • BIT 100Survey of Business and Information Technology2 CR
  • CAP 101Microsoft Computer Applications5 CR
  • CAP 142Microsoft Excel5 CR

  • General Education Core Courses

  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR
  • OR
  • BUS 188Business English5 CR
  • OR
  • ENGL& 101English Composition I5 CR
  • BUS 150Math for Business5 CR
  • OR
  • MATH& 107Math In Society5 CR
  • Or higher
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communication5 CR

  • View past class requirements for this program.

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze and record business transactions; prepare and evaluate financial statements using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  • Use and integrated accounting software program (QuickBooks) to record transactions and create financial reports and statements.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply payroll laws, compute payroll, record payroll entries and prepare federal and state forms that pertain to payroll
  • Solve business problems in Excel using formulas, functions, lists, and charts.

Employment Outlook

The large size of the occupation ensures plentiful job openings, including many opportunities for temporary and part-time work. Virtually all job openings will stem from replacement needs as clerks and assistants transfer to different occupations or leave the labor force.

Accounting graduates are in high demand. The average annual income in this field is $43,638, with an earning potential of about $52,291 per year.*

Potential positions include accounts receivable/accounts payable clerk, general ledger clerk and payroll clerk. Nationally, about 25% of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are employed in wholesale or retail trade and 34% are employed in organizations providing business, health, educational, and social services.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Carolyn Haupt
Carolyn Haupt

  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    MBA, Healthcare Management, Western Governors University

    License, Certified Public Accountant, Washington State Board of Accounting

    BA, Business Administration, University of Washington