Payroll & Income Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement

The Payroll& Income Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement is intended for students desiring to enter the tax preparation and/or payroll field. Students will be able to gain the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to use financial data effectively in preparing a variety of tax returns with specialized training in payroll. Common duties performed include payroll tax reporting, payroll accounting systems maintenance, and posting payroll transactions for journals/ledgers as well as preparing income tax returns for individuals and a variety of types of small businesses.

Program Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this program, students will 

·      Assess and analyze financial transactions for tax attributes

·      Identify and define comprehensive tax preparation terminology

·      Demonstrate a range of tax preparation skills required to complete both Federal and State tax returns for individuals and small businesses.

·      Demonstrate the skills required to complete both Federal and State payroll tax returns and reports.

 

This certificate of achievement requires that students complete the following courses:

Course	Number of Units
Acct I – Introductory Acct I	5
Acct 15 – Tax Accounting I	3
Acct 16 – Tax Accounting II	3
Acct 17 – Payroll Accounting	3
Bus 1 - Introduction to Business	3
Bus 38 - Business Computations	3
CAOT 85 - Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet	3
Total Units	23

 

It is anticipated that this program will have approximately 25-30 completers per academic year based upon the following data:

		Semester 1		Semester 2
CB01:  Course Dept Number	CB02:  Course Title	# Sections	Enrollment Total	# Sections	Enrollment Total
Acct I	Introductory Financial Accounting I	2	40	2	40
Acct 15	Tax Accounting I	1	30
Acct 16	Tax Accounting II			1	25
Acct 17	Payroll Accounting			1	25
Bus 1	Introduction to Business	3	120	3	120
Bus 38	Business Computations	1	35
CAOT 85	Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet	1	35	1	35

1.   The Payroll & Income Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement is an occupational program designed to prepare students to successfully enter the workforce as a tax preparer (income taxes and payroll taxes) and / or payroll processer in a short period of time (within 1 academic year).  The Program Learning Outcomes include the following:

At the completion of this program, students will 

·      Assess and analyze financial transactions for tax attributes

·      Identify and define comprehensive tax preparation terminology

·      Demonstrate a range of tax preparation skills required to complete both Federal and State tax returns for individuals and small businesses.

·      Demonstrate the skills required to complete both Federal and State payroll tax returns and reports and process payroll for a business entity.

This Certificate of Achievement requires a total of 23 units. For the especially motivated student, the certificate can be completed in one academic year, including the winter intersession. The schedule below is planned for 1 academic year completers.

Requirement or Elective?	Dept Name / #	Course Name	Units	Sequence
Requirement	Acct 1	Introductory Financial Accounting I	5	Yr 1, Sem 1
Requirement	Acct 15	Tax Accounting I	3	Yr 1, Winter Intersession
Requirement	Acct 16	Tax Accounting II	3	Yr 1, Sem 2
Requirement	Acct 17	Payroll Accounting	3	Yr 1, Sem 1
Requirement	Bus 1	Introduction to Business	3	Yr 1, Sem 2
Requirement	Bus 38	Business Computations	3	Yr 1, Sem 1
Requirement	CAOT 85	Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet	3	Yr 1, Sem 1

 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
Acct 1	Introductory Financial Accounting	5	S1
Acct 15	Tax Accounting I	3	Winter Intersession Y1
Acct 16	Tax Accounting II	3	S2
Acct 17	Payroll Accounting	3	S2
Bus 1	Introduction to Business	3	S1
Bus 38	Business Computations	3	S1
CAOT 85	Microcomputer Office Applications:  Spreadsheet	3	S1

Los Angeles Southwest College currently has a Skills Certificate – Income Tax Form certificate that will be archived and replaced with this proposed Certificate of Achievement – Payroll & Income Tax Preparation certificate once it is granted state approval and recognition. The College believes that this proposed Certificate of Achievement will be more advantageous to the career needs of students.

Rio Hondo College - Income Tax and Payroll Certificate of Achievement Santa Monica College = Small Business Tax Practice East Los Angeles College - Enrolled Agent Level I and Level II Los Angeles Pierce College - Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement

25-30