Accounting

Associate in Applied Science

70-71-72 Credit Hours, 18-Month Program

Students can complete this program online or on campus!

Because accountants and bookkeepers are an organization’s financial record keepers and assistants to management, graduation from this two-year program with an AAS degree can lead to good-paying career opportunities.

What you’ll learn

You will learn the principles of accounting and the concepts behind the principles, and receive up-to-date training on some of the latest accounting software available. You will learn payroll accounting, taxes, managerial accounting, and more. You also will have general education and business courses required to obtain this degree, graduates are well equipped to compete for employment.

What you’ll do

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are financial record keepers. They update and maintain accounting records, including those which calculate expenditures, receipts, accounts payable and receivable, and profit and loss. A thorough understand of the Balance Sheet and financial ratios assist in determining the "health" of a business.These workers have a wide range of skills from full-charge bookkeepers who can maintain an entire company’s books to accounting clerks who handle specific tasks. All of these positions make numerous computations each day and increasingly must be comfortable using computers to calculate and record data.

1. Complete Western Dakota Tech Admissions Application
2. Complete the ACCUPLACER test ($15 fee)
3. Schedule your Admissions Advising Session
4. Provide an official copy of a High School transcript or GED scores. If you graduated from an international high school, you must submit your transcript to Educational Credential Evaluators to determine U.S. equivalence. Additionally, an official transcript must be submitted if you have attended other post-secondary institutions or universities.
5. Submit Immunization Records verifying two doses of MMR vaccinations
6. Once you receive your acceptance letter, schedule a time to register for classes

(The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading, or a SAT sub-score of at least 440 in Verbal and Math.  The scores must be within the last five years.)

Please call 605-718-2565 to make an appointment.

Where the career is going

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks held more than 1.8 million jobs in 2010. They work in all industries and at all levels of government. Local government and the accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services industry are among the individual industries employing the largest numbers of these clerks.

Employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is projected to grow by 14 percent between 2010 and 2020. As the number of businesses and organizations increases and financial regulations become stricter, there will be greater demand for these workers to maintain books and provide accounting services. That makes it an excellent career choice. Job opportunities in South Dakota and Rapid City are expected to be excellent.

Program Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Master Syllabi