Certificate of Achievement in Payroll Preparation

The Certificate of Achievement in Payroll Preparation is designed students to achieve the coursework necessary to provide a strong foundation in the skills necessary for a position in payroll preparation. All courses in this certificate meet the 150 semester hour education requirement for licensure in the state of California.

On average 1,000 students have taken Financial Accounting I in the past two years. Accounting for Small Business averages 360 students a year. QuickBooks and Payroll & Business Tax  Accounting average 289 and 230, respectively.

 

Course #	Course Title	Annual Sections (19/20, Y1)	Annual Enrollment(19/20, Y1)	Annual Sections( 20/21 Y2)	AnnualEnrollment ( 20/21 Y2)
ACTG 1A	Financial Accounting I	29	1108	28	921
ACTG 60	Accounting for Small Business	8	395	8	326
ACTG 64A	Computerized Accounting Practice Using QuickBooks	8	314	8	263
ACTG 65	Payroll & Business Tax Accounting	6	246	5	213

Accounting programs prepare students for work as accountants, examining and preparing financial records for private industry, government agencies, individuals, and non-profit entities. General accountants use computers to record transactions, such as receivables, payables, payroll, and property into a general ledger. Corporate accountants set up and design accounting systems and procedures, risk management programs, and analyze and evaluate financial records for businesses. Their duties include ensuring legal compliance, interpreting financial information, and preparing reports for business executives and government regulatory agencies. Advancement includes opportunities as senior accountant, controller, treasurer, and chief financial officer. Certified Public Accountants and Certified Management Accountants are those who have attained professional certification by the state.

 

The academic goal of the Certificate of Achievement in Payroll Preparation is to prepare students to transfer to four-year institutions. The vocational goal is to provide training for students to become marketable in the area of payroll preparation and to provide additional conceptual and technical training for those with some payroll preparation experience to provide career advancement.

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

·      Students will be able to identify and explain payroll systems and control procedures

·      Students will be able to explain current payroll tax accounting rules and procedures

·      Students will be able to perform related calculations and demonstrate the ability to apply rules and/or procedures to solve payroll and payroll tax accounting problems using industry acknowledged tools and resources, such as Excel and QuickBooks

·      Students will be able to analyze, compute, and report payroll taxes

·      Students will be able to prepare and distribute payroll

·      Students will be able to prepare and process payroll transactions within current payroll regulations

 

Students will be required to complete 4 core courses for a total of 18 units

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ACTG 1A	Financial Actg 1	5	Y1 Winter
ACTG 60	Accounting for Sm Business	5	Y1 Fall
ACTG 64A	Computerized Accounting Practice Using QuickBooks	4	Y1 Spring
ACTG 65	Payroll and Business Tax Actg	4	Y1 Spring

Foothill College offers programs and services that empower students to achieve their goals as members of the workforce, as future students, and as global citizens. The demand for accountants continues to be high, with growth projected by the department of U.S. Labor and Statistics at 7% over the next ten years. The Certificate of Achievement in Payroll Preparation will enable students to achieve their goals whether it is career advancement, CPA candidacy, self-employment, or transfer to a four-year college. The program combines fundamental, critical accounting knowledge with industry recognized software and skill building.

In our immediate service area there are no similar certificates. Outside of our service area, but still in California, Bakersfield College has a Certificate of Achievement in Payroll.