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Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping

Program Description

Just the Facts

Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. A program that prepares individuals to provide technical administrative support to professional accountants and other financial management personnel. Includes instruction in posting transactions to accounts, record-keeping systems, accounting software operation, and general accounting principles and practices.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Master's degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:



Related Programs

Often similar programs have different names. Be sure to explore all your options.

Additional Information

You don't have to spend four-plus years in university to work in accounting. Through an accounting technology program, you can start off a little lower on the totem pole and be out working in the field in anywhere from one to three years.

For example, GateWay Community College in Arizona offers a microcomputer accounting course and a full-time two-year diploma program, with the option of doing just one year and acquiring a certificate. Many private business colleges have accounting programs which can take less than a year. And sometimes the courses can be transferred towards an accounting degree.

Think hard about what kind of accounting you want to be doing and talk to prospective employers to see what kind of program they would recommend.

Once you've chosen a program, you have to be accepted. Accounting technology programs are extremely popular; having a high academic average will certainly help your chances.

And while you obviously need to study math in high school, you should also focus on English. Communication skills are important in this field.

"It seems to be a big problem with all accounting students, not having adequate English writing skills," says Roger Hamood. He is an accounting professor at Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Hamood recommends high school students take any form of economics or business-related courses their high school offers. Computer skills are also useful.

Typical expenses for an accounting program include textbooks and a business math calculator.

You can sometimes find good deals on these items, so shop around.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field, see Bookkeepers, Accounting and Auditing Clerks

Tax and Accounting Sites Directory
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AccountingWeb
Read news, reviews and tips about the accounting profession