Accounting

Accounting offers a professional career opportunity with low rates of unemployment, excellent job security, and opportunities for advancement in manufacturing, service, corporate, and nonprofit settings. Accountants play a critical role in dynamic business environments by informing and assisting decision-making, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations, and upholding strict ethical standards. 

As a graduate of the Accounting program at GTCC, you will have a broad range of highly marketable technical skills, including QuickBooks and Excel, and be equipped for immediate employment preparing financial statements and income tax returns, processing payroll and accounts payable/receivable, or performing other routine accounting functions essential to the day-to-day operations of firms. 

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Credentialing Options

Associate in Arts to Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Accounting Pathway

A 10 10 0 B1

The two-year program listed below is designed to meet the requirements for an Associate of Arts transfer degree from GTCC and prepare a student for obtaining a Bachelor of Science/Arts in Accounting or Business Administration at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University, Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, or Guilford College.

However, students from GTCC seeking a baccalaureate degree may also transfer to other institutions. These institutions may require different courses within the various areas of General Education. Students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university after GTCC should consult with the Transfer Guide, the institution they will be attending, their faculty advisor, and/or the GTCC Student Success Center.

Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates will be able to:

  • Evaluate information to make decisions.  
  • Analyze developments in the business environment.
  • Apply critical thinking to issues presented in a business.   
  • Create financial statements.

First Semester

Total Credits: 17

Second Semester

Total Credits: 14

Third Semester

Total Credits: 15

Fourth Semester

Total Credits: 14

Total credits required for this pathway: 60

Humanities/Fine Arts UGETC:

Natural Sciences UGETC:

Social/Behavioral Sciences UGETC:

Note:

1. WBL-111 is non-transferable and can only be used as the 61st hour of the program.

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Accounting and Finance, AAS - CIP Code: 52.0301

A 25 80 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822, ext. 50148

The Accounting and Finance curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and the skills necessary for employment and growth in the accounting profession. Accountants assemble and analyze, process, and communicate essential information about financial operations.

In addition to course work in accounting principles, theories, and practice, students will study business law, finance, and economics. Related skills are developed through the study of communications, computer applications, financial analysis, critical thinking skills, and ethics.

Graduates should qualify for entry-level accounting positions in many types of organizations including accounting firms, small businesses, manufacturing firms, banks, hospitals, school systems, and governmental agencies. With work experience and additional education, an individual may advance in the accounting profession.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Accounting and Finance Program, the graduate should be able to:

  • Record financial transactions of a company properly.
  • Prepare financial statements that fairly present the financial position of a company
  • Prepare supporting schedule to those financial statements accurately
  • Prepare basic and small business tax returns calculations accurately
  • Apply time value of money concepts to financial transactions accurately
  • Use electronic spreadsheets effectively as it applies to the business environment
  • Use accounting software effectively for practical applications in a business environment
  • Analyze financial information of a company to make business decisions

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 14-15

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 16

Summer Semester I

  • Economics Elective Credits: 3 4
  • Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: 3 3

Total Credits: 6

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 16

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Total credit hours required for degree: 67-68

Electives

1. Math Electives

Choose one from:

2. English/Communication Electives

Choose one course from:

3. Humanities/Fine Arts Electives

Choose one course from:

4. Economics Electives

Choose one course from:

5. Accounting Electives

Take two courses from the following:

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Accounting and Finance - Tax Preparation Certificate

C 25 80 0 C2

This certificate program is designed to prepare students for job opportunities in the tax preparation industry and/or sit for the IRS Special Enrollment Exam.  Students who pass the IRS Special Enrollment Exam can become an Enrolled Agent and represent clients before the IRS.  Graduates will become certified in Excel and QuickBooks.  Credit earned in this program may be transferred toward an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Accounting and Finance.

Upon successful completion of the Tax Preparation Certificate, the graduate should be able to:

  • Complete US Individual, Partnership, and Corporate income tax returns
  • Record basic financial transactions of a business correctly
  • Use accounting software properly

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 7

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 9

Total credit hours required for certificate: 16

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Accounting and Finance Certificate

C 25 80 0 C1

This certificate is designed for individuals who need a basic understanding of accounting. Individuals will become certified in Excel and QuickBooks. This certificate is useful for a small business owner that needs a basic understanding of the accounting function and good Excel skills.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Accounting and Finance certificate, the graduate should be able to:

  • Record basic financial transactions of a business properly
  • Make basic business calculations accurately
  • Calculate payroll transactions accurately
  • Use accounting software properly

Fall I

Total Credits: 6

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 10

Total credit hours required for certificate: 16

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Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC.  During the advising process you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need.

Dorothy Kennedy is an accounting professional with over 25 years of experience in the field. She has been affiliated with international accounting firms such as Coopers & Lybrand and Price Waterhouse, as well as small CPA firms. In addition, she brings industry experience in not-for-profit businesses and hospital accounting and personal financial planning. She is a graduate of Central Wesleyan College and completed her graduate work at Clemson University with an emphasis in taxation. She has been teaching accounting for over 7 years. Her teaching career began at Augusta Technical College in Augusta Georgia before coming to GTCC. She teaches a variety of subjects and is a key member of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. She has an enthusiastic attitude that helps bring out the finest in students. Her mission is to help each student perform to the best of their ability. In addition to teaching she enjoys her family, pets and horses.

Mark Harrison (Associate Professor) teaches different Business Administration and Accounting classes.  Prior to teaching, he worked in a law firm as the accountant.  Dr. Harrison also has worked in a furniture factory, a cookie factory, corrugated box factory, and grocery stores.  He started teaching at High Point University from 1998-2000, GTCC in 2000-2006, and at Southeastern University in 2006-2015.  He returned to GTCC in 2015.  Dr. Harrison serves as the head of the audit committee at his local church.  He is committed to preparing students to be productive in their professional goals and to learn valuable lessons that will greatly enhance their lives.  His hobbies include swimming, traveling, and video games.

Education:

  • High Point University, BS in Business Administration/Finance Concentration
  • High Point University, MBA
  • Nova Southeastern University, DBA in Finance

Financial aid is available if you qualify. Please visit the Financial Aid web page or contact the Financial Aid office at 336-334-4822 Option 3.

Both the Certificate and the AAS will give you options for gaining entry-level employment or assist you with career advancement in the accounting profession.  With the AAS Degree, you will gain more depth and training in accounting and complete general education and business coursework. 

In general, the educational requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam as a North Carolina candidate is a bachelor’s degree (with at least 120 hours) including (or supplemented by) at least 30 semester hours in accounting. 

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting, the Diploma program at GTCC can provide the necessary 30-hour concentration in accounting as required by the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners.  Please note that no more than six semester hours of accounting principles and no more than three semester hours of business law will be counted toward the 30-hour requirement.  It is your responsibility to verify with the NC State Board of CPA Examiners the courses you are planning on taking meet its requirements.

For more information about the requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam as a North Carolina candidate and to be licensed as a North Carolina CPA, contact:

North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners
P.O. Box 12827
Raleigh, NC  27605-2827
Phone: 919-733-4222
Fax: 919-733-4209
Website: www.nccpaboard.gov/applicants

To maximize the amount of credit hours that will transfer to the four-year school, you should earn an Associate in Science degree and not the AAS in Accounting.  The goal is to complete most of your general education requirements at GTCC and then complete your major requirements at the 4-year school.  We recommend that you work closely with your advisor at GTCC and the admissions office at your destination college to ensure you are taking the appropriate coursework.

You can earn your degree by taking classes on a part-time basis in the day or evening.  You can complete about two thirds of the required coursework online.  The remainder of the coursework – the higher level accounting courses – are only offered in a traditional seated face-to-face environment.