Required Courses

• Business Math
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Principles
• Payroll Administration
• Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Applications
• Payroll Administration

Business Math

This course will assist students in reaching a level of increased competence in Mathematics and expanded understanding of the applications of mathematical concepts in business activities.  Emphasis is placed upon learning mathematical concepts through practical application to jcommon business problems.

Bookkeeping and Accounting Principles

This course offers the beginner the necessary introductory bookkeeping and accounting techniques needed for the office.  Topics covered will include:  book of original entry, double entry, bank reconciliation, special purpose journals, the preparation of financial statements and other basic accounting principles.

Accounting Using QuickBooks

This hands-on course is for bookkeepers and small business owners who want to learn the most popular small business accounting software.  QuickBooks will enable you to set-up an accounting system, pay bills, produce invoices, keep track of payments received and much more. Prerequisite: Business Math, Bookkeeping and Accounting Principles.

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Applications

This course introduces students to the toos used to customize reports in Excel.  Topics include absolute vs. relative cell referencing, linking worksheets, database features, financial functions, creating charts, and interfacing reports with Quickbooks.  Prerequisite: Business Math, Bookkeeping and Accounting Principles, Accounting Using QuickBooks.

Payroll Administration

This course introduces the fundamentals of payroll administration including the payroll calculations.  Course discussions and activities promote skill development in: Performing basic calculations to correctly generate employee paychecks; understanding data-input variables; accurately completing W-2 Forms; utilizing critical customer service and communication skills to manage internal/external customer satisfaction and understanding basic payroll and accounting concepts, principles and terminology.

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to do the following:

• Describe the benefits, eligibility requirements, code of ethics, and maintenance requirements for the Certified Bookkeeper.
• Apply the concepts of accrual accounting to transactions that span fiscal periods.
• Trace the effect of accrual and deferral transactions to financial statements.
• Apply accounting concepts and the basic tools of financial analysis in idenfifying and correcting errors.
• Apply accounting principles in reconciling bank accounts.
• Apply accounting concepts in preparing payroll transactions, from paying wages to depositing and reporting taxes.
• Apply accounting concepts to depreciation transactions including various methods of calculating depreciation for book and tax purposes.
• Apply accounting concepts to valuing inventory, recording costs, making entries, and reporting inventory on financial statements.
• Help your company or client use basic internal controls to prevent theft, embezzlement or check and credit card fraud by employees, customers or vendors.

 Economic Outlook and Growth of the Industry:

There are expected to be plenty of jobs for bookkeepers, the US Department of Labor (www.bls.gov) projects that most of the job openings will result from the need to replace employees who switch to other occupations.  The outlook is also very good for part-time and temporary positions.  As companies turn to computerized bookkeeping methods, bookkeepers with knowledge of bookkeeping software will have a distinct advantage in the job market.