Certificate of Achievement in Bookkeeping

The Certificate of Achievement in Bookkeeping is designed for students to achieve the coursework necessary to provide a strong foundation in the accounting skills necessary for employment as a full charge bookkeeper. 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, with Financial Accounting II and Accounting for Small Business averaging around 550 and 360 students, respectively. Payroll & Business Tax Accounting averages around 230 students a year, and QuickBooks and Excel average 289 and 349, respectively.

 

Course #	Course Title	Annual Sections (Y1, 19/20)	Annual Enrollment (Y1, 19/20)	Annual Sections (Y2, 19/20)	AnnualEnrollment (Y2, 19/20)
ACTG 1A	Financial Accounting I	29	1108	28	921
ACTG 1B	Financial Accounting II	16	613	15	567
ACTG 60	Accounting for Small Business	8	395	8	326

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 Bookkeeping is to prepare students to transfer to four-year institutions. The vocational goal is to provide training for students to become bookkeepers and to provide additional conceptual and technical training for those with some bookkeeping experience in order become marketable in this field.

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

·      Students will be able to analyze and record financial transactions in a general ledger system

·      Students will be able to prepare financial statements for managerial decision making

·      Students will be able to perform accounting-related calculations and demonstrate the ability to use methods and/or procedures to solve accounting problems using industry acknowledged tools and resources such as QuickBooks and Excel

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

 

Students are required to take 5 courses.  3 core courses and a choice for the last 2 courses. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ACTG64A	Computerized Accounting Practice Using QuickBooks	4	Y1Winter
ACTG 64B	Computerized Accounting Practice Using Excel	4	Y1Spring
ACTG 65	Payroll and Business Tax Accounting	4	Y1Spring
ACTG 1A or ACTG 60	Financial Accounting 1 or Small Business Accounting	5	Y1Fall
ACTG1B or ACTG 1BH	Financial Accounting II or Financial Accounting II H	5	Y1 Fall

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 Bookkeeping 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 Northern California, College of Marin has a Certificate of Achievement in Applied Accounting Occupations that provides for bookkeeping training. City College of San Francisco has a Bookkeeping Certificate of Completion, and Santa Rosa Junior College has a Business: Bookkeeping Certificate, which includes an internship. Outside of our service area, but still in California, Coastline Community Colleges has a Certificate of Achievement in Bookkeeping, as does Bakersfield. Bakersfield’s certificate also includes personal income return training. Los Angeles City College offers a Certificate of Achievement in Bookkeeping and Accounting Technician.