The Accounting program provides the educational background and training required for entry positions in private business and industry, governmental agencies, and public accounting firms. Students in this program receive a thorough foundation in accounting theory and practice as students learn to perform a variety of business accounting functions. Graduates are prepared for positions as junior accountants in public accounting firms, private industry, or government service.

This program is available 100% online.

  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    If you are an energetic self-starter, inquisitive, adaptable, analytical, and a forward thinker with good communications skills, you may have what it takes to be successful in the accounting field!

    Students entering the Accounting Associate Degree program should:

    • Have good analytical skills and work well with details.
    • Like to organize information.
    • Work well under the stress of deadlines.

    Program Basics

    • Associate degree requiring a minimum of two years to complete.
    • Available in Face-to-face and online class formats.
    • High school articulation courses accepted.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Classes start in August or January.
    • Modified plans available.
    • Articulation agreements in place for transfer to four-year university programs.

    Related Degrees & Certificates

  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,932
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,305
    Books and Supplies $1,463
    Personal Expenses $3,065
    Transportation $4,103
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $700
    Loan Fees $85
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $24,653
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,327

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
      • Admissions Preference Policy
      Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

      Helpful Academic Background

      • High school accounting
      • Consumer math
      • Algebra
      • Computer skills

      Program Fees

      • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
      • Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
      • Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.
    • Outcomes

    • Program Outcomes

      At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

      • Process financial transactions throughout the accounting cycle
      • Analyze financial and business information to support planning and decision-making
      • Perform payroll preparation, reporting, and analysis tasks
      • Perform cost accounting preparation, reporting, and analysis tasks
      • Perform organizational and/or individual tax accounting preparation, reporting, and analysis tasks
      • Identify internal controls to reduce risk
      • Utilize computers and calculators as they apply to the accounting profession

      Technical Skill Attainment (TSA)

      This TSA scoring guide will be used to document your attainment of technical program outcomes for the Accounting Degree. To meet the requirements on the scoring guide, you will be asked to draw upon the skills and concepts that have been developed throughout the program and are necessary for successful employment in your field. Results will be used to inspire continual improvement of teaching and learning in Wisconsin Technical College System. In addition, this assessment will provide feedback to you about your performance.

      If you are unable to access documents here, please contact Technical Skill Attainment Team (tsa@swtc.edu, 608.822.2464)
    • Career Opportunities

    • Job openings in the accounting field are expected to remain strong. As all organizations, including government, public accounting firms, service businesses, financial institutions, and manufacturing companies, require accounting services. The following are some typical jobs that a graduate of the Accounting program may enter:

      • Bookkeeper
      • Cost Accountant
      • Public Accountant
      • Staff Accountant
      • Tax Accountant
      • Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk
      • Account Manager
      • Account Specialist
      • Payroll Accountant
      • Governmental Accountant
      • Not-for-Profit Accountant

      Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

    • Transfers
    • Prior Learning

    • Credit for Prior Learning

      Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

      Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

      For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

      At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

      Accounting Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

      Course # Course Title
      Challenge Exam
      (Demonstration)
      Challenge Exam
      (Standard)
      CLEP
      Credential
      Portfolio
      10-101-111Accounting 1Yes
      CLEP Test - Financial Accounting
      10-102-105Introduction to BusinessYes
      10-102-109Business Law IYes
      CLEP Test - Introduction to Business Law
      10-103-118Intermediate Microsoft ExcelYes
      Any Microsoft MOUS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL
      10-801-136English Composition 1Yes
      CLEP Test - College Composition
      10-801-196Oral/Interpersonal CommunicationYes
      10-801-197Technical ReportingYes
      10-804-123Math w Business AppsYes
      10-809-195EconomicsYes
      CLEP Test - Principles of Macroeconomics
      10-809-196Introduction to SociologyYes