Accounting

The Accounting program provides the educational background and training required for entry positions in private business and industry, governmental agencies and public accounting firms. Job experience and continuing education provide the necessary qualifications for advanced positions in the field of accounting. Keyboard skills and computer literacy are required.

Program Outcomes

Program Outcomes:

Understand types of business organizations and their internal control structures.
Analyze and record financial transactions in a manual and computerized general ledger system.

Prepare financial statements according to generally accepted accounting principles.

Analyze and prepare financial information for management decision-making.

Utilize current income tax recourses to prepare personal income tax returns.

Process payroll transactions in accordance with current payroll reporting requirements.

Develop and apply flexible solutions to accounting problems using spreadsheets.

Complete accounting cycle tasks using general ledger accounting software.

Communicate financial information effectively within a business environment.

Employment

Employment and Salary Information (Graduate Employment Report) PDF (39KB)

Graduation Requirements:

A grade of "C" or higher is required for all core (program specific) courses to graduate.

Career Potential:

Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk
Bookkeeper/Payroll Clerk
Cost Accountant
Public Accountant
Staff Accountant
Tax Accountant
Account Manager
Account Specialist
Payroll Accountant

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

Auditor
Certified Public Accountant
Comptroller
Treasurer
Trust Officer

Additional Info

Approximate program costs with starting salary (PDF, 97KB)

Test Scores

Test scores are not required for admission into this program. However, they may be used to meet the C or better in algebra requirement if not met another way (see above).

Definitions and Guidelines

We do not transfer in accounting classes that are over 5 years old unless the student has been working in the accounting field. We only transfer in equivalent college work if the grade is a C or better. (We do not transfer in C- graded course work). Advanced Standing cannot exceed 50% of the required credits for the program.

Information About High School Course Work

High school course requirements: Algebra 1

Madison College courses that meet that requirement:

10-804-140, Algebra Concepts
10-804-120, Business Math (this course recommends a grade of C or better in HS Algebra 1)
10-804-122, Math of Finance (this course has pre-req of C or better in HS Algebra 1)
20-804-201, Intermediate Algebra
20-804-212, College Algebra
20-804-213, Trigonometry
20-804-220, Finite Mathematics
20-804-240, Basic Statistics

Please see the following link(s) for certificates related to this program:

Sales Academy Certificate

Human Resources Certificate

Banking Services Certificate

The accounting program is available at Truax and Watertown on a two-year rotation. In Portage and Reedsburg, the accounting program is on a three-year rotation. Some classes may be taken at Truax and/or Watertown to finish sooner.

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School of Business and Applied Arts

Accounting

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Test Scores

Definitions and Guidelines

Information About High School Course Work