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Program facts 
Develop the skills needed to advance your career in the accounting and bookkeeping industries with this 20-credit-hour certificate program. The program may be completed on campus or online, giving you additional flexibility.
Take classes in financial and managerial accounting, Quickbooks, payroll accounting, business writing, business organization, business software packages, and database/spreadsheet software.
After completing the program, you’ll be prepared for entry-level employment opportunities in the accounting/bookkeeping fields. You may also choose to continue your education and complete the Accounting Associate AAS Degree program, giving you additional employment options. All Harper CPA Preparation Certificate courses meet the Illinois Board of Examiners CPA exam requirements.
This 19 credit-hour certificate program will provide the student with the courses needed for an entry-level position in such areas as accounts payable, accounts receivable and inventory accounting.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ACC 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 4 |
Description: Presents accounting as an information system that produces summary financial statements primarily for users external to a business. Emphasizes the reporting of the effect of transactions and other economic events on the financial condition and operating results of a business. Topics include basic accounting concepts, financial statements, accrual and cash basis, the accounting cycle, monetary assets, inventories, fixed assets, current and long-term liabilities and owner's equity. The course assumes a corporate form of organization. Note: High school algebra is recommended. IAI BUS 903 Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ACC 102 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting | 3 |
Description: Presents accounting as a system of producing information for internal management use in a business. Emphasis is on the identification, accumulation and interpretation of information for planning, controlling and evaluating the performance of the separate components of a business. Topics include: theory and application of product costing, operational control, cost allocation, performance evaluation for manufacturing and service organizations, standard costing, job order and process costing, budgeting, JIT inventory control, decentralized operations, differential analysis, capital investment analysis and financial statement analysis. IAI BUS 904 Prerequisite: ACC 101 (Introduction to Financial Accounting IAI 903) with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ACC 112 | Quickbooks | 2 |
Description: Provides students with applications of QuickBooks. Students apply accounting principles and manage accounting recored like those used in small businesses. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in ACC 100 or ACC 101. Lecture Hours: 1 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ACC 155 | Payroll Accounting | 2 |
Description: Explains the preparation of payroll records including tax returns for old age benefits and employment insurance. Prerequisite: ACC 100 or ACC 101. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 2 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| CAS 115 | Spreadsheet Software | 1 |
Description: Provides an opportunity to become proficient in the use of a currently popular spreadsheet package. Includes creating, editing and formatting worksheets and working with formulas, functions and charts. Lecture Hours: 5 Lab Hours: 1 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| CAS 215 | Advanced Spreadsheet Software | 1 |
Description: Provides an opportunity to become proficient in the use of a currently popular advanced spreadsheet package. Includes workbook sharing, advanced content formatting, data importing, filtering, charting, pivot tables, forms and macros. Prerequisite: CAS 115 or CAS 160 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 5 Lab Hours: 1 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 111 | Introduction to Business Organization | 3 |
Description: Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Students interested in accounting may also be interested in:
For more information about studying accounting at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.