Are you interested in money management and the behind-the-scenes details that make a business successful? If you are detail-oriented, financially minded, and business savvy, a career in accounting and finance might be the perfect fit for you!
Allan Hancock College’s industry-focused accounting degree and certificates give students the skills and real-life understanding they need to be able to financially manage a business with confidence. Accounting students learn how to measure the profitability and solvency of a business, while learning traditional financial, managerial, and tax accounting techniques.
Coursework has an emphasis on the fundamentals and progresses through the building blocks needed for a career in accounting. The program prepares students for entry level positions with preparation for professional advancement in public, private, and governmental accounting. Bookkeeping students learn the skills they need to become general ledger and payroll professionals, such as learning payroll and bookkeeping techniques, while mastering industry-standard software like Intuit, QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel.
Degrees in Accounting can lead to your career as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified
Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Financial Planner, Certified
Fraud Examiner, Licensed Stockbroker, as well as many other paths within the accounting
and finance industry.
This program will help you to:
- read and understand financial statements
- manage the cash flow of a business
- begin preparing income tax returns
- record and report a company’s payroll
- use Excel and QuickBooks software
- budget financial resources in uncertain times
- analyze costs as business conditions change
- prepare a cost analysis for a manufacturing company
- be confident in your ability to financially manage a business
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
An introduction to the role of financial accounting in business and the accounting process. Topics include recognition, measurement, classification and presentation of business events; and analyzing and recording asset transactions; and performance evaluation. This is the first semester of a two semester course. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT130.
A survey in business providing a multidisciplinary examination of how culture, society, economic systems, legal, international, political, financial institutions, and human behavior interact to affect a business organization's policy and practices with the U.S. and a global society. Demonstrates how these influences impact the primary areas of business including: organizational structure and design, leadership, human resource management, organized labor practices, marketing, financial practices, the stock and securities market, and therefore affect a business' ability to achieve its organizational goals.
A writing course designed primarily to meet the needs of students pursuing career and technical programs. Meets the written composition graduation requirement for an AHC associate's degree. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution will need to take ENGL 101 instead of this course to meet the university's first-year composition requirement. Readings will be drawn from the disciplines involved so that students master comprehension and critical reading skills in real-world texts. Writing assignments and projects will similarly be based upon the types of critical thinking and analytical writing required in the students' fields of study. Research methods and skills will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: Placement based upon Allan Hancock College's placement policy.
Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.
Choose one of the following courses:
- EMS 102, First Aid and Safety
- FSN 109, Basic Nutrition for Health
- HED 100, Health and Wellness
- HUSV 126, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Stress Reduction
Select one course from this list.
Total Units:
13.5-16
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: ACCT 131
An introduction to the role of financial accounting in business and the accounting process. Topics include recognition, measurement, and classification of business events; analyzing and recording financial investment, liability and equity transactions; and performance evaluation. This is the second semester of a two semester course. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT130.
A survey of the laws, procedures, returns, and subsidiary schedules involved in the preparation of federal and state personal tax returns. This course meets the continuing education requirements of the California Tax Preparer Program. This course is not open to students who have completed ACCT 305.
Manage and analyze information using spreadsheets for more informed decisions. Some skills covered are applying formatting, creating calculations, using functions, creating Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts, developing macros, sharing data, and writing VBA code.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:
ANTH 102, 103, 105; BUS 141; ECON 141; ENGL 105; GBST 141; GEOG 102, 103; LGBT 101, 102; POLS 104, 105; SOC 101, 102, 120, 122; SPCH 110
Or select one course from this list.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the AHC graduation
requirement of area 4B: Communication and Analytical Thinking.
Recommended courses: MATH 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321; or select one course from
this list.
Total Units:
15-17
Fall Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Introduces the analysis and techniques for aiding management in planning and controlling decisions, and the use of accounting data for budgeting, cost control, pricing, evaluation of performance and general decision making. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT 123 and/or ACCT 124.
An introduction to the development and analysis of accounting information systems including the use of a commercially-used small business accounting management system (QuickBooks). This course is not open to students who have received credit for Accounting 110.
Choose one of the following courses:
- ES 1231, African American History
- HIST 107, U S History to 1877
- HIST 108, US History from 1877 to the Present
- HIST 118, U S History to 1877
- HIST 119, History of California
- POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science
- POLS 103, American Government
Select one course from this list.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the AHC Math Competency requirement.
Recommended courses: MATH 100, 105, 123, 135, 181, 321
Total Units:
15
Spring Semester (Year 2)
Course #
Course Title
Units
CHOOSE A MINIMUM OF 6 UNITS SELECTED FROM THE FOLLOWING:
Select one course from this list.
If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:
ART 101, 105, 109, 170; DANC 101p; DRMA 103; ENGL 130, 131, 139, 140, 148; ECS 116; FASH 104; FILM 101, 102, 103, 108, 109; HIST 101, 102, 103, 120; HUM 101, 102, 103; MUS 104, 106; PHIL 121; SPAN 102, 103, 104, 105, 112
Select one course from this list.
CHOOSE A MINIMUM OF 6 UNITS SELECTED FROM THE FOLLOWING:
Total Units:
12-16
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A major of 30 units is required for the associate in science degree.
Required core courses (24 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
ACCT 131 | Financial Accounting 1 | 3 |
ACCT 132 | Financial Accounting 2 | 3 |
ACCT 140 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
ACCT 150 | Introduction to Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
ACCT 160 | Introduction Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
ACCT 170 | Introduction to Tax Accounting | 3 |
BUS 101 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
CBIS 141 | Microsoft Excel-Comprehensive | 3 |
Plus a minimum of 6 units selected from the following:
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BUS 104 | Business Organization and Management | 3 |
BUS 107 | Human Relations in Business | 3 |
BUS 110 | Business Law | 3 |
BUS 130 | Consumer & Family Finance | 3 |
BUS 140 | Survey of International Business | 3 |
BUS 160 | Business Communications | 3 |
CBIS 142 | Microsoft Access-Comprehensive | 3 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Summer Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
An introduction to the role of financial accounting in business and the accounting process. Topics include recognition, measurement, classification and presentation of business events; and analyzing and recording asset transactions; and performance evaluation. This is the first semester of a two semester course. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT130.
Total Units:
3
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: ACCT 131
An introduction to the role of financial accounting in business and the accounting process. Topics include recognition, measurement, and classification of business events; analyzing and recording financial investment, liability and equity transactions; and performance evaluation. This is the second semester of a two semester course. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT130.
A survey of the laws, procedures, returns, and subsidiary schedules involved in the preparation of federal and state personal tax returns. This course meets the continuing education requirements of the California Tax Preparer Program. This course is not open to students who have completed ACCT 305.
Manage and analyze information using spreadsheets for more informed decisions. Some skills covered are applying formatting, creating calculations, using functions, creating Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts, developing macros, sharing data, and writing VBA code.
Total Units:
9.0
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: ACCT 131
An introduction to the role of financial accounting in business and the accounting process. Topics include recognition, measurement, and classification of business events; analyzing and recording financial investment, liability and equity transactions; and performance evaluation. This is the second semester of a two semester course. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT130.
Introduces the analysis and techniques for aiding management in planning and controlling decisions, and the use of accounting data for budgeting, cost control, pricing, evaluation of performance and general decision making. This course is not open to students who have received credit for ACCT 123 and/or ACCT 124.
An introduction to the development and analysis of accounting information systems including the use of a commercially-used small business accounting management system (QuickBooks). This course is not open to students who have received credit for Accounting 110.
Total Units:
12.0
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A total of 21 units is required for the certificate.
Required core courses (21 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
ACCT 131 | Financial Accounting 1 | 3 |
ACCT 132 | Financial Accounting 2 | 3 |
ACCT 140 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
ACCT 150 | Introduction to Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
ACCT 160 | Introduction Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
ACCT 170 | Introduction to Tax Accounting | 3 |
CBIS 141 | Microsoft Excel-Comprehensive | 3 |
Suggested Course Sequence
The "Suggested Course Sequence" is an example of how to complete the requirements plus any additional general education that may be needed. If you would like to create a personalized Student Education Plan (SEP), schedule a meeting with a counselor.
Fall Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
A study of the major areas of accounting to provide an overview of financial, managerial and tax accounting.
A study of basic bookkeeping practices using accrual accounting concepts for sole proprietorships, with emphasis on manual techniques of data entry and financial statement preparation.
Manage and analyze information using spreadsheets for more informed decisions. Some skills covered are applying formatting, creating calculations, using functions, creating Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts, developing macros, sharing data, and writing VBA code.
Total Units:
9
Spring Semester (Year 1)
Course #
Course Title
Units
Prerequisite: ACCT 317
A continuation of the study of basic bookkeeping practices using accrual accounting concepts for partnerships and merchandising businesses, with emphasis on manual techniques of data entry and financial statement preparation.
Prerequisite: ACCT 317
A study of payroll computations, payroll record keeping, and the filing of quarterly and annual payroll tax reports. Topics include state disability insurance, unemployment insurance, and income taxes. Introduces, at the federal level, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and income tax and how these taxes affect the employee/employer.
Total Units:
6
Course #
Course Title
Units
An introduction to the development and analysis of accounting information systems including the use of a commercially-used small business accounting management system (QuickBooks). This course is not open to students who have received credit for Accounting 110.
Total Units:
3
Program Requirements:
"Program Requirements" specify the courses required for this program. See suggested course sequence for additional information.
A total of 18 units is required for the certificate.
Required core courses (18 units):
Course Number | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
ACCT 105 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
ACCT 317 | Bookkeeping 1 | 3 |
ACCT 318 | Bookkeeping 2 | 3 |
ACCT 327 | Payroll Accounting | 3 |
ACCT 150 | Introduction to Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
CBIS 141 | Microsoft Excel-Comprehensive | 3 |
Programs you may also be interested in exploring:
Contact Information
Department Chair
Bob Bryant
805-922-6966 ext. 3426
rbryant@hancockcollege.edu
Administrative Assistant II
Jayme Meraz
805-922-6966 ext. 3239
jayme.meraz@hancockcollege.edu
Dean, Academic Affairs
Rick Rantz
805-922-6966 ext. 3599
rrantz@hancockcollege.edu
Location
Santa Maria Campus
Bldg. K
805-922-6966 ext. 3239