Computerized Accounting Certificate Program

Course Descriptions

ACT 100 Principles of Accounting I (4 Units)

Prerequisite: None.

This course introduces fundamental accounting principles and practices. It prepares students to record, classify, and interpret financial transactions for service or merchandise businesses. Students study the journals, ledgers, and financial statements used by these entities. Also covered are payroll accounting, asset valuation, depreciation, and managing receivables and payables.

 

ACT 120 Payroll Accounting (2 Units)

Prerequisite: None.

This course provides an understanding of the processes of payroll accounting and payroll law. Payroll law topics include the Fair Labor Standards Act, FUTA and SUTA tax, FICA, and SECA. Students will gain practical knowledge of payroll record-keeping, computing payroll, income tax withholding and analyzing and journalizing payroll transactions.

 

ACT 140 Principles of Accounting II (4 Units)

Prerequisite: ACT 100 or equivalent.

This course provides working knowledge of recording transactions unique to partnerships and corporations. It introduces manufacturing and cost accounting. Students learn the analysis of financial statements, the preparation of price-level statements, and the preparation of statements of changes in the financial position of the firm.

 

ACT 160 Individual Income Taxes (4 Units)

Prerequisite: ACT 100 or equivalent.

This course provides Federal and California State Income and various individual income tax rules. Students learn to prepare tax returns, itemized deductions, supplemental schedules, and other forms for individuals.

 

ACT 200 Cost Accounting (4 units)

Prerequisite: ACT 140 or equivalent.

This course provides an understanding of the processes of cost accounting and control. Students gain firm knowledge of job and process costing, joint product costing, standard costs, theories of cost allocation and absorption, uses of cost accounting, data for management decision-making, cost budgeting, distribution costs, differential cost analysis, and break-even analysis.

 

CAC 120 Excel for Accounting  (4 Units)

CAC 140 Advanced Excel for Accounting (4 Units)

Prerequisite for CAC 120: None.
Prerequisite for CAC 140: CAC 120 or equivalent.

These courses teach students the practical concepts of using spreadsheet financial analysis for accounting. MS-Excel is used and its basic functions and features are discussed, with emphases on accounting problem-solving and financial analysis.

 

CAC 160 Quickbooks (4 Units)

Prerequisite: ACT 100  or equivalent.

This course provides a hands-on approach to learning how computerized integrated accounting systems function, using QuickBooks Pro. It consists of seven major accounting systems: the general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial statement analysis, depreciation, inventory, and payroll systems. Students will learn to use QuickBooks to set up and enter transactions and produce reports using general ledgers, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, customer billing, forecasting, and customer report modules. It discusses choosing the right accounting software for users’ needs, error detection and correction, internal control in a computerized accounting systems, and decision-making based on output.

 

CIS 101 Introduction to Computer Business Applications (3 Units)

Prerequisite: None.

This course introduces the basic components and functions of computer applications that are widely used in business settings. Students will gain familiarity in using Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.