Accounting Technician Certificate Program Details and Requirements

The Accounting Technician Certificate Program is a great way to get started in the field of accounting. It typically takes 1-2 years to complete and is offered at many community colleges and vocational schools.

To be eligible for the program, you'll usually need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may also require you to have basic computer skills and a strong foundation in math.

The program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to work as an accounting technician, which includes tasks such as preparing and examining financial records, and performing bookkeeping and accounting duties.

The Accounting Technician Certificate is a great way to break into the field of accounting. This program offers many career opportunities, including entry-level positions in accounting technician, accounts payable and accounts receivable in private industry, state and local government, and public accounting.

You'll learn basic skills that are essential for any accounting position. The program covers taxation, computerized accounting, financial and managerial accounting, and meets the academic requirements to apply for admittance into a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree.

By completing this program, you'll acquire a solid foundation in accounting concepts and skills. You'll be able to demonstrate competency in performing all steps in the accounting cycle, individual taxation, managerial accounting, and payroll processing.

The program also prepares you for leadership, technical management, and supervision roles. You'll learn to apply foundational accounting concepts, display effective problem-solving and decision-making skills, and recognize the commitment to lifelong learning required of those in the accounting profession.

Some of the key skills you'll develop include proficiency in accounting software tools like QuickBooks, Microsoft-Access, and Microsoft-Excel. You'll also learn to communicate business, financial, and accounting information to appropriate constituents, and demonstrate familiarity with Contract Law and the Uniform Commercial Code.

Here are the key program outcomes:

The Accounting Technician certificate program provides learners with hands-on experience in Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel, as well as fundamental accounting concepts and bookkeeping processes.

Learners gain access to industry-standard software, including Microsoft Excel, Sage 50, and QuickBooks Premier, which can be used in class or downloaded for online learners. Note that these software packages are not supported on Mac computers.

The program covers a range of topics, including accounting cycle fundamentals, electronic accounting, and managerial theory and practice. The curriculum is designed to be concise, educating students in the fundamental aspects of modern accounting practices necessary for entry-level employment.

Here's an overview of the required software for the program:

These software packages are available on Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) computers in the classroom, and online learners have free online access to the software and trial software while enrolled in the program.

In the Accounting Technology Specialist program, you'll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software. Access to Microsoft Windows 10 and Microsoft Word 2016 is provided in class, giving you a solid foundation in technical proficiency.

You'll also learn fundamental accounting concepts and bookkeeping processes in the Accounting Technician I module. This module applies to both service and merchandising businesses, and access to Microsoft Excel is provided in class.

The program exposes you to various accounting software packages, including Sage 50 and QuickBooks. Note that these software packages are not supported on Mac computers, so you'll need a Windows-based computer to access them.

Here's a breakdown of the software you'll have access to in the program:

These software packages will be available on Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) computers in the classroom, and online learners will have free online access to the software and trial software while enrolled in the program.

The College Courses section is where you'll find the nitty-gritty details of what you'll be learning in the Accounting Technology Specialist program. You'll take a total of 4 courses, each designed to give you a solid foundation in modern accounting practices.

The program is designed to be concise, so you'll be learning the fundamental aspects of accounting in a short amount of time. You'll learn about the accounting cycle, including how to prepare financial statements, and get an introduction to electronic accounting using commercial software.

The courses you'll take include ACCT 101, ACCT 150, ACCT 201, and ACCT 241. These courses will cover topics such as payroll accounting, business tax reporting, principles of accounting I, and an introduction to QuickBooks.

Here's a breakdown of the courses you'll take:

You'll also learn about managerial theory and practice, including cost accounting concepts and relationships, forecasting and budgeting, and business information requirements.

If you're considering a career in accounting, you have several options to explore.

As an accounting technician, you can work as a self-employed individual or as part of a corporate team.

Bookkeeping is a related career that involves managing financial records for individuals or businesses.

You can also consider working as an accounting technician at an accounting firm.

Here are some related career options:

To earn the Accounting Technician Certificate, learners must achieve a minimum overall grade of 65% in each of the four modules.

The Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification is offered in the United Kingdom by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

To become a Certified Accounting Technician, individuals must complete the nine CAT exams, which usually takes one and a half years.

To earn the Accounting Technician Certificate, learners must achieve a minimum overall grade of 65% in each of the four modules. This is a crucial requirement to graduate.

You'll need to pass each course with a 'C' or above to meet the program requirements. This means putting in the effort to understand and apply the concepts learned in each class.

Here's a list of the required courses to help you stay on track:

Note that you can substitute ACCT 288/COLL 289 with ECON 202: Macro Economics with program advisor permission. This can be a great opportunity to explore a different area of interest.

The Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification is a great stepping stone in the world of accountancy, and it's offered in the United Kingdom by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

You can complete the CAT exams and practical work experience in one and a half years, and it usually takes nine exams to finish the qualification. However, there's no restriction on the number of papers you can attempt at each sitting.

The CAT qualification has an international profile, which is a big plus, and it's part of the ACCA's Foundations in Accountancy suite of qualifications.

The CAT qualification has a rival, the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, but the ACCA broke its links with AAT in the mid-1990s to form the CAT qualification.

You can now get grants to help you train towards the CAT qualification, because it's been placed on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's national qualifications framework.

Worth a look: Accounting Qualifications