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Accounting

Earn an Accounting Associate Degree at Aims

All companies need accounting support because tracking the movement of assets is crucial to business success. Even government and non-profit organizations need skilled accountants to help them continue operating smoothly. If you enjoy problem-solving, helping others with numbers and are detail-oriented, you can open doors to a new career with an accounting associate degree at Aims. Because accounting is needed in most businesses, you can apply an accounting degree to the industry you’re most interested in.

In this two-year degree program, learn about:

  • Principles of accounting
  • Computer tools
  • Business ethics
  • Filing taxes
It’s a misconception that accounting is about data entry. It's a lot of planning, budgeting, auditing — finding where things have gone wrong or looking for that mistake that is eluding everyone.
--Gina Jones, Accounting Professor

Turn your love of numbers and problem-solving into a career

Aims Degree Video - Accounting - Accounting

Gina Jones, Accounting Professor, describes how you can launch your career with an accounting associate degree from Aims.

Learn Professional and Personal Accounting Skills

Learn corporate accounting and tax skills that can carry over into your personal accounting, including: 

  • Problem-solving
  • Balancing a budget
  • Preparing taxes
  • Cost accounting
  • Payroll
  • Budget management

You also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience volunteering to prepare tax returns for low- to middle-income families. Instructors can help you participate in these volunteering opportunities. It’s a great way to develop skills, give back to the community and get recognized by potential employers.

Earn an Accounting Certificate

Aims offers two certificates you can earn while enrolled in the accounting associate degree program or by obtaining them separately. Learn bookkeeping and legal compliance with an Accounting Certificate. Or, after completing the Enrolled Agent Certificate, take the Enrolled Agent Exam and open your own business preparing taxes for corporations, small companies, and individuals.

  • Certified Bookkeeper (2 semesters)
  • Enrolled Agent Certificate

Careers in Accounting

Accounting is fundamental to the operation of all businesses. Studying accounting can prepare you for many diverse career opportunities dealing with assets and the flow of money across a wide variety of fields and industries. 

Many positions depend on how far you take your education. An accounting associate degree can transfer to a bachelor’s program and put you on a management career track. After that, earning a master’s degree qualifies you to work as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). An associate degree in accounting can lead to immediate work as an entry-level accounting or payroll clerk with a smaller firm, or as a staff accountant.

$77,250 average salary Bureau of Labor and Statistics
136,400 new accounting jobs annually Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Hire-employee-employ-engage-job

Potential careers in accounting include:

  • Accounts receivable or accounts payable clerk
  • Cash receipts and disbursements clerk
  • Payroll accounting technician
  • Accountant
  • Budget or credit analyst

Accounting Faculty and Staff

Learn from seasoned industry professionals who bring their experience working in education, corporate and individual accounting backgrounds to the classroom. Small class sizes allow for you to experience plenty of one-on-one instruction and to build impactful relationships with other students.

  • Headshot of Ellen Swieter

    Ellen Swieter

    Professor, Business Technology
  • Headshot of Lori Hatchell

    Lori Hatchell

    Professor, Accounting & Business
  • Headshot of Mark Jarnot

    Mark Jarnot

    Professor, Marketing & Management
  • Photo of Gina Jones

    Gina Jones

    Professor, Accounting