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Accounting Assistant

Diploma
School of Business
This program covers basic bookkeeping, computerized accounting, and beginning accounting theory. It prepares students for entry-level positions in billing, accounts payable or receivable, or bookkeeping. Upon completing this program, students may transfer all earned credits toward the Accounting - Associate of Applied Science degree program.

Available as an Online Program

Program Details

Total Credit Hours: 72

*Estimated Total Quarters: 6
What's a quarter?
A quarter is approximately one fourth of the year, shorter than a standard semester.

Available at these campuses:
Indianapolis - Downtown, Anderson, Columbus, Elkhart, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Marion, Muncie, Terre Haute, Online

* The number of "estimated total quarters" for each program assumes you are enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours per quarter) throughout the entire program. Students taking more than 12 credit hours in a quarter will finish in fewer quarters; likewise, students taking fewer than 12 credit hours in a quarter may require additional quarters. Transferred credits from previous colleges, testing out of classes, and successfully completing classes (avoiding having to repeat a class) may also affect program length.

Bachelor degrees only: Why "8-16" quarters? The time it takes to earn a Bachelor degree is shorter (typically 8 quarters) if you’ve already earned an applicable Associate degree. The estimated program length without an Associate degree is 16 quarters.

Career & Skills

An IBC Diploma is an excellent way to prepare for advancement in your career in Accounting. If you choose to go on and pursue an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Accounting, many or all of your previously earned credits will be applied toward the continued program at IBC. As with any additional college, entering the Accounting field with an AAS or BS typically offers a wider variety of job opportunities, a more direct path to management level positions, and a higher starting salary.

Possible Job Titles

Accounting Assistant, Accounting Clerk, Bookkeeper, Accounting Associate, Billing Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Payroll Clerk

Estimated Salary (Entry Level to Mid-range)*
What affects salary?

Education: Level of education has a direct impact on salary or hourly wage. In general, the more education a person has the higher the salary he or she can potentially earn. Someone with a high school diploma will most likely make less than someone with a Bachelor Degree.

Experience: Experience level can have a significant impact on salary or hourly wage. Even with a college degree, an entry level job will pay less than a job several years down the road. Nothing can replace experience.

Location: Depending on where you live in the United States your income can vary greatly. The cost of living in metropolitan areas or coastal areas usually warrants a higher salary or hourly wage than rural areas or other more affordable parts of the country.

National median: $30,600 – 40,100

Indiana median: $28,700 – 41,300

Skills, Tasks & Knowledge of the Job

  • Check figures and documents for correctness and mathematical accuracy
  • Enter and maintain accounting documents according to company procedures
  • Routine calculating and verifying of financial data and records
  • Create, maintain and report on such accounting records as accounts payable and receivable, profits and losses, receipts and other organizational financial data
  • Tools: Personal computers and accounting software

Typical Work Environments

  • Many types of corporate, financial, non-profit, and governmental agencies and offices

* Salary information is an estimate based on several sources of research data, including the U.S. Department of Labor, O-Net, MSN Careers and PayScale.com. The salary estimates listed on this website should be considered general guidelines and IBC encourages its students to conduct their own research. For personalized career planning, contact an IBC Admissions Representative.

Curriculum

Credit Hours

Core Courses

What are core courses? Any class that is categorized as "core" is considered central to the program and requires a grade of "C" or higher to pass.
ACC1010
Accounting I

This course introduces students to the process used to analyze, record, classify, summarize, and interpret financial information. They are shown how to assemble financial statements following the steps in the accounting cycle. The Combination Journal is used to record transactions of a service business. Students will receive an overview of payroll accounting.

4
ACC1020
Accounting II

This course builds on students’ knowledge from Accounting I to present entries and adjustments necessary to record transactions for a merchandising business. Additional topics include notes receivable, notes payable, depreciation, and inventory.
Prerequisite: ACC1010.

4
ACC1050
Payroll/10 Key

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the accounting principles in the areas of payroll and 10 key proficiency. Payroll presents the regulatory provisions of federal and state unemployment laws. The student prepares weekly and monthly payrolls, and a summary sheet from which payroll journal entries are made. Students are also trained on the 10 key calculator with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Prerequisite: ACC1010.

4
ACC1150
Computerized Accounting

This course utilizes the popular Peachtree® accounting software package to teach students to set up and maintain a company, record transactions in the general journal, sales and purchases journals, and cash receipts and distributions journals. Students also learn how to reconcile various ledger accounts, and generate and analyze financial statements.
Prerequisite: ACC1020.

4
ACC2010
Accounting III

This course emphasizes the accounting principles that apply to partnerships and corporations. Students learn how partnerships and corporations are formed and the entries necessary to record transactions related to capital stock and stockholders’ equity. Students gain experience in analyzing and interpreting data, and get a review of departmental and manufacturing accounting financial statements.
Prerequisite: ACC1020.

4
MAT1050
Business Math

This course provides students with a basic understanding of mathematics concepts and methods applied to business situations. Topics covered include banking, markups and markdowns, trade and cash discounts, payroll, simple and compound interest, and promissory notes, and the discount process. The course also covers annuities, installment buying and charge credit cards, home ownership expenses, interpreting financial reports, and depreciation.
Prerequisite: Passing score on entrance assessment or MAT0950.

4

General Education Courses

What are general education courses? Gen Ed courses fall outside the program's core curriculum but provide valuable, applicable skills and knowledge.
COM1050
Composition I

This course focuses on helping students develop writing, researching, and critical thinking skills through writing paragraphs and essays using different rhetorical styles. Students also gain experience with peer reviewing. Students are required to earn a grade of C or higher to satisfy the requirements of this course.
Prerequisite: Passing score on entrance assessment or COM0900.

4
COM2060
Composition II

This course builds on skills learned in Composition I and further develops writing, researching, and critical thinking skills with a focus on writing and reading academic essays. The course culminates in a well-reasoned research paper.
Prerequisites: COM1050, KEY1010.

4

Required Courses

What are required courses? These courses provide a foundation to your program and are often required by the field in which you’ll work.
ACC1070
Income Tax

This course provides an understanding of federal and state income tax laws for both individuals and businesses. Students review requirements of the Social Security Administration, as well as gain experience on both individual and business tax returns. Individual returns emphasize the various credits including the child care credit, earned income credit, and credit for the elderly and disabled. It also stresses the itemized deductions available to individuals. Business returns emphasize payroll, depreciation, capital gains and losses, withholding and estimated payment requirements, and tax planning.

4
BUS1000
Principles of Business

This course presents fundamental business concepts and contemporary issues to introduce the student to the purposes and functions of business.

4
BUS2300
Business Office Procedures

This course supplies a plan of study and training through a thorough understanding of business office techniques and acquainting students with business office duties. It is designed to help furnish some of the knowledge and training that employers designate as “experience.”
Prerequisites: COM1050, CPU1000.

4
BUS2600
Career Development

This course provides information and resources important for anyone’s career development. It uses guest presenters and mock interviews, in addition to individual consultations, to provide career guidance. The class starts by having the students perform a self-assessment of their interests and values while at the same time, focusing on their professional goals. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how to create a successful resume no matter where a person is in their career path. In addition, it highlights how to apply a variety of other job search documents and execute follow-up. Instructors illustrate traditional and nontraditional methods of job searching to include some of the latest online resources. A significant element of this course is training students to have great interviewing skills. Additional time is spent researching employers, exploring employment opportunities available in the area, and setting up interviews with prospective employers. Toward the end of this course, students also learn value of teamwork and being successful in their career. By applying these techniques and suggestions in this course, students are able to approach their career exploration and job search with a more confident and winning attitude. This course is scheduled during the final or next to last quarter of the program.

2
CPU1000
Computers and Office Automation

This course provides students with a basic understanding of computing fundamentals including hardware, software, Internet concepts, and file management. This course also provides hands-on experience with basic word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. This course provides students with the necessary foundation for further study in desktop applications, and to apply these skills in advanced courses requiring electronic processing.
Prerequisite/Co-Requisite: KEY1010.

4
CPU2120
Word Processing

This course prepares students for an in-depth study of word processing techniques. Students completing this course are able to perform word processing functions ranging from document editing and formatting to graphics and web design. The class is structured to provide students with hands-on opportunities to practice and apply their skills.
Prerequisite: CPU1000 or ITS1000.

4
CPU2200
Spreadsheets

This course prepares students for an in-depth study of spreadsheet techniques. Students learn skills that will enable them to organize and analyze numerical data, perform calculations, graph data, develop reports, create macros, use data analysis tools, and incorporate the use of the Internet. The class is structured to provide students with hands-on opportunities to practice and apply their skills.
Prerequisite: CPU1000 or ITS1000.

4
FIN2000
Introduction to Finance

This course is an examination of the world of finance and the tools utilized in the financial industry. Topics to be covered include financial institutions, international currency flows, time value of money, risk analysis, investment vehicles, and corporate finance. Students will apply these concepts to real world situations through computer activities and problem-solving assignments.
Prerequisites: ACC1020, MAT1050.

4
KEY1010
Keyboarding I

This course teaches students the fundamentals of keyboarding, including correct finger positions, machine operation, and correct posture. An introduction is made to the word processing program.

2
PSY1050
Strategies for Success

This course is designed to enhance the college learning experience and prepare students for personal and professional success. Concepts presented include managing change, setting and achieving goals, and thinking in ways to create success. This course also incorporates assessments that will increase one’s self-awareness, and improve the student’s interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

4
Elective4
Total Credit Hours72

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