The mission of the accounting department is to provide accounting students with an industry relevant certificate or degree. The terminal certificate and degree allow students to enter the accounting profession with a sound and relevant accounting education and experience.
The vision of the accounting department is to become a program of accounting increasingly recognized by the community for preparing self-confident, competent graduates able to perform in a business environment.
This degree program is designed for students seeking a two-year vocational degree. ***(Grand Canyon University accepts the AAS—Accounting degree as a transfer degree for the BS—Accounting degree.)*** A variety of accounting along with complementary business and general education courses will guide the student to establish a clearly focused foundation to enter the accounting profession in a wide range of available positions.
Graduates of these programs will successfully complete the following learning outcomes:
- Complete the accounting cycle using assumptions, constraints, and principles in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.
- Complete accounting activities using computerized accounting software.
- Prepare basic income tax returns.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements of payroll in the accounting industry.
- Describe and report costing concepts for business entities for decision making including budgeting and forecasting.
- Define and identify types of fraud found in business as well as develop methods of detection, investigation, and prevention and internal control.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how government and non-profits record economic activity, prepare budgets, and report financial results.
- Apply business analysis and decision making methods using equity and credit analysis and valuation models.
- Apply accounting concepts learned in the degree/certificate program to real world examples.
The thing I love the most about the program is just the step by step guidance and teaching they provide. I feel the classes are laid out perfectly, and the teachers do a great job not only in the teaching aspect of it, but the passion and the willingness they show.
Programs
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AAS in Accounting
Recommended Program Map / Program Requirements
The recommended plan below meets the requirements to complete this program. For official requirements, visit the AWC Catalog. If the recommended classes listed below don’t fit your schedule or interests, you can take alternate classes.
Visit Academic Planning to get started on your personalized Academic Plan, or schedule an appointment with the Advising Office.
First Semester: Fall
Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
---|---|---|---|
ENG100 OR ENG101 | Intro to Composition OR Freshman Composition I | 3 | GE-Composition |
ACC 100 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
BUA 100 | Survey of Business | 3 | Major Requirement |
MAT 142 | College Mathematics with Applications | 3 | GE-Mathematics |
CIS120 OR CIS105 | Introduction to Computer Information Systems OR Introduction to Business Systems (preferred) | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
15 |
Second Semester: Spring
Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
---|---|---|---|
ENG101 OR ENG102 | Freshman Composition I OR Freshman Composition II | 3 | GE-Composition |
ACC 211 | Financial Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
ACC 115 | Computerized Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
ACC 125 | Introduction to Payroll Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
CIS 121 | Spreadsheet | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
15 |
Third Semester: Summer
Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
---|---|---|---|
ACC 212 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
PHI 105 | Introduction to Ethics (preferred) or another Arts and Humanities Course | 3 | GE-Arts / Humanities |
6 |
Fourth Semester: Fall
Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
---|---|---|---|
ACC 120 | Income Tax Procedures | 3 | Major Requirement |
ACC 230 | Principles of Fraud Examination | 3 | Major Requirement |
ACC 240 | Government Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
ECN100 OR ECN240 OR ECN250 | Intro to Economics OR Macroeconomics OR Microeconomics (preferred) | 3 | Departmental Requirement |
BUA 220 | Legal Environment of Business (preferred) or other elective | 4 | Departmental Requirement |
15 |
Fourth Semester: Spring
Course | Course Title | Credits | Area |
---|---|---|---|
ACC 220 | Introduction to Cost Accounting | 3 | Major Requirement |
ACC 250 | Financial Statement Analyses | 3 | Major Requirement |
ENV 101 | Environmental Science (preferred) or an other Physical and Biological Science | 4 | GE-Science |
SOC 101 | Sociology (preferred) or another Social and Behavioral Course | 3 | GE-Physical & Biological Sciences |
13 |
Acounting
To get started on your personalized Academic Plan, visit the Academic Planning page or schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor.
Bookkeeping
To get started on your personalized Academic Plan, visit the Academic Planning page or schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor.
Career Overview & Job Outlook
Successful completion of this program may lead to a variety of employment opportunities, most of which require continued higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and annual mean wages in Arizona according to a May 2020 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. |
$43,600 |
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks. |
$45,640 |
Tax Preparers Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses. |
$52,630 |
Credit Analysts Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking. |
$70,600 |
Budget Analysts Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports. |
$73,400 |
Accountants and Auditors Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. |
$74,270 |
Actuaries Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. |
$107,130 |
Financial Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment. |
$129,760 |