Dec 05, 2024  
2020-2021 Course Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Accounting Specialist, AAS



The Accounting Specialist program is designed to provide skills needed for positions in the accounting field in four semesters. It will qualify you for the same opportunities as the diploma plus more specialized areas such as income tax preparation and financial analysis. You will have the option to get hands-on experience by participating in a volunteer income tax preparation course, an internship, or a class that prepares you for the Fundamental Payroll Certification exam offered by the American Payroll Association.

Communication and leadership skills are incorporated in all of the courses. If you are thinking of continuing your education the program provides a high degree of transferability to many private colleges.

All of the classes in the Accounting & Bookkeeping program will transfer into the Accounting Specialists program plus many of the classes can be used to obtain specialized certificates.

For more information about the Accounting Specialist program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/accounting.

Program Details


Locations: Ankeny, Urban and Online


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students may start any semester.


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.

Graduation Requirements


To earn an Accounting Specialist AAS degree, a student must complete the requirements for the degree, maintain a 2.0 grade point average and receive a grade of “C” or above in all ACC coursework.

Option 1 - Select 3-4 Credits


Note:


Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should check with that institution regarding math requirements before selecting math courses for this program.

Option 2 - Select 3 Credits


Option 3 - Select 1 course


Semester 4


Option 4 - Select 2-4 Credits


Option 5 - Select 3 Credits


Note:


Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should check with that institution regarding math requirements before selecting math courses for this program.

Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree: 64*


*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements.

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$170.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4
Books (Approximate) 400 725 700 575
Equipment - Calculator 40      

Approximate total for program: $13,320**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate costs.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Perform full-time, full-charge bookkeeping and payroll service.
  • Apply computer skills using QuickBooks, Peachtree, and/or Excel.
  • Apply knowledge learned in:
    • Tax Preparation
    • Cost Accounting
    • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Communicate with coworkers, supervisors, and the public.
  • Ability to transfer to Grandview and Simpson to complete a Bachelor’s degree.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Understand accounting concepts and applications at the principles and immediate level.
  • Follow instructions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of business operations and the communications process.
  • Communicate with coworkers, supervisors, and the public.

What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?


  • Class work requires daily homework preparation (average two-three hours per night).
  • Reading and math skills are important to get maximum benefit from the classes.
  • Desire to get the most out of coursework as possible.
  • All classes in Accounting & Bookkeeping Program will transfer to Accounting Specialists.
  • Specialize certificates can be obtain with one or two additional classes.
  • Average starting salary $37,470 (Iowa Bureau of Statistics May 2017)

Program Competencies


  1. Demonstrate the basic workplace skills of listening, writing, communicating, problem-solving, interpersonal relationships and leadership.
  2. Demonstrate double-entry accounting.
  3. Compile financial reports for corporations, manufacturing and branch operations.
  4. Interpret financial statements.
  5. Assess financial statements as to conformance with FASB regulations or GAAP or Govt. rules.
  6. Compile Cost Reports.
  7. Prepare personal income tax returns.
  8. Generate computerized financial and managerial reports. (Excel)
  9. Demonstrate the personal qualities needed to succeed as an accountant.
  10. Develop individual career values.
  11. Explore opportunities in the accounting profession.
  12. Assess the changing accounting environment.
  13. Produce personnel and payroll records in conformance with current legal requirements.
  14. Solve problems on a computer calculator/keyboard. 
  15. Interpret the impact of governmental regulations on business.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2018)