Business & Social Science

Accounting

What is it? Accounting serves as the bridge between operations and resources. Knowledge in accounting, the language of business, provides access to and understanding of the business processes, including sales, operations, and record keeping. Whether serving as an accountant or being affected by accounting, Darton College is ready to help in your path to success.

Three specific programs are offered at Darton College:

1. Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree Program in Accounting: designed to prepare the student for work in profit and non-profit institutions. The student will develop accounting skills transferable to commercial or service industries. This is a career program degree. Some classes are on line.
   
2. One-year certificate program: designed to teach the student basic principles of accounting and how to effectively use the computer. All classes are on line.
   
   
3. Associates of Science in Business Administration (A.S.) Degree Program includes Financial and Managerial Accounting as well as other courses required for a four-year degree. This is a transfer degree. All classes are on line.

If you are planning to transfer to a four-year institution, review the degree requirements and match these to the Darton College transfer program. The Darton College Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree Program in Business Administration, based on the Core Curriculum of the University System of Georgia, includes both required liberal arts and business courses to meet current as well as future needs.

The career programs of study are designed for students whose primary educational goal is a two-year Associate Degree or a certificate based on a planned occupational program. The career programs are also directed to those already in occupations seeking to upgrade their educational level. These programs focus on career readiness.

What can I do with it?
With a one-year certificate or two year associate degree in Accounting:

• Bookkeeper $18,000 - $28,000 annual wages / salary
• Accounting assistant $18,000 - $28,000 annual wages / salary
• Accounts Payable clerk $18,000 - $28,000 annual wages / salary
• Payroll $19,000 - $30,000 annual wages / salary
• Purchasing $19,000 - $30,000 annual wages / salary
• Accounts Receivable clerk $18,000 - $28,000 annual wages / salary
• Tax preparation $18,000 - $28,000 annual wages / salary

Types of employment with a four year degree in Accounting:

Examples of Median Annual Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median compensation for accountants ranged from $39,890 to $66,900. Most accountants (80%) earn between $32,320 and $88,610.

Median wage and salary annual earnings of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks were $28,570. The middle half of the occupation earned between $22,960 and $35,450. The top 10 percent of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks more than $43,570, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $18,580.

Median annual earnings of payroll and timekeeping clerks in May 2004 were $30,350. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,680, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $44,270.

Additional information on occupations with hiring forecasts and salary estimates can be found at the web site of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos144.htm and http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm (October 3, 2006).

Some employers offer educational assistance to employees seeking to continue their education. This includes completing the bachelor’s degree or earning an M.B.A. or other graduate degree.

• Accounting Resources for Students - Rutgers University maintains a web site with links to accounting resources including preparing for the CPA Exam.
  • http://accounting.rutgers.edu/
    
    
• CPA exam - Each state administers the exam at the state level
  
  • http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/
    
    
• Student Resources:
  • Internship Locators:
    • http://www.aicpa.org/nolimits/index.htm
  • Entry Level Job Locator: http://www.accountemps.com/portal/site/at-us
    
    
• Internet Career planning sites:
  • http://gscpastu.careerbank.com/
  • AICPA web site for Career planning and opportunities: http://www.aicpa.org/nolimits/index.htm
  • http://www.nextgenaccountant.com/
  • http://www.futurecpa.org/futurecpa/college/quiz.htm
  • http://www.wetfeet.com/Content/Careers/Accounting.aspx
  • Accountants and Auditors: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm
  • Bookkeepers, Accountants, and Accounting Clerks: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos144.htm
  • Payroll and Timekeeping: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos149.htm
  • Secretaries and Administrative Assistants: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos151.htm
  • Other BLS careers – A – Z index: http://stats.bls.gov/search/ooh.asp?ct=OOH

What courses do I take?

• Associates of Applied Science in Accounting Advising Form (0358)
• Certificate Program in Accounting Advising Form (0561)
• Associates of Science in Business Administration Advising Form (0004)
• Please refer to the Darton College Catalog for descriptions of individual courses.