Accounting Certificate
Award: Certificate in Accounting
No. of credits required: 16
For more information: Contact Business & Applied Technology at bat@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The program is designed to provide students with specific skills needed for employment in the field of accounting and bookkeeping, including positions such as bookkeeper, accounts receivable clerk or accounts payable clerk. Upon completion of the certificate, students will be prepared to sit for the AIPB's Bookkeeper Certification exam, as well as the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User Exam.
Program Goals
Students who successfully complete the Accounting Certificate will be able to:
- Apply basic generally accepted accounting principles and techniques.
- Analyze financial information for errors.
- Explain and demonstrate accounting for payroll and inventory.
- Establish and evaluate internal control and fraud prevention procedures.
- Earn AIPB Certified Bookkeeper status.
Employment Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook job outlook for Bookkeepers, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks expects a decline of about 6% through 2029, although the number of jobs is expected to be over 1,600,000 by 2029. According to the Maryland Department of Labor, the job outlook in our State for Bookkeepers, Accounting and Auditing Clerks is expected to remain stable through 2028 with a 0.02% increase.
Certificate Requirements
In order to earn a certificate from Harford Community College, students must demonstrate basic competencies in English, reading, and mathematics by completing: ENG 018 Integrated Reading and Writing, MATH 020 Pre-Algebra I, and/or a qualifying exam must be passed.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 101 | Accounting Principles I | 3 |
| ACCT 102 | Accounting Principles II | 3 |
| BA 210 | Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| or CIS 145 | Introduction to Microsoft Excel | |
| ACCT 108 | Computerized Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 104 | Payroll Accounting | 1 |
| ACCT 210 | Capstone - Certified Bookkeeper Preparation | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |