Madison College Accounting associate degree graduates are in high demand by employers in your community!
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Accounting
Program Number: 101011
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Business
Delivery Method:
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
62 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$11,149.27

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    Madison College students choose to pursue a degree in accounting because of the variety of exciting career paths it offers.

    Accounting Careers

    Accounting professionals are in high demand by companies and organizations everywhere, so you can apply your skills to work in your community or take them anywhere. Employment opportunities in accounting exist in all industries, including financial, manufacturing, retail, service, non-profit and government institutions.

    Madison College's two-year Accounting associate degree will get you ready for a range of professional positions in the field of accounting, including staff accountant, public accountant, cost accountant, tax accountant, account manager, account specialist or payroll accountant.

    Real-world, Hands-on Learning

    Madison College's accounting program teaches you real-world accounting concepts through hands-on learning. Our expert faculty will support your academic success by providing valuable feedback on your coursework to ensure you develop your accounting skills correctly.

    Accounting Year 1

    In your first year, you’ll learn essential accounting principles and develop a general understanding of business, finance and taxes. In addition, you’ll be skilled in using business tools like Microsoft Office Excel and QuickBooks.

    Bonus: You'll automatically earn the Accounting Assistant technical diploma after completing the first-year curriculum!

    Accounting Year 2

    You'll expand your accounting knowledge in your second year learning intermediate accounting concepts, and gaining experience in cost management, payroll systems, economics and business law.

    In your final term, you'll confidently complete a project demonstrating the accounting knowledge and skills you acquired in the program to perform real-world accounting for a small business. This capstone project is an instant resume-builder for you to showcase your newly acquired accounting talents to prospective employers.

    Flexible Course Offerings

    You can attend full- or part-time while taking courses in-person or online. Study close to home, whether in Madison at Truax or Goodman South campuses or regionally at our Reedsburg, Portage, Fort Atkinson or Watertown campuses.

    Start Your Four-Year Degree Here!

    Your accounting associate degree credits transfer if you plan to earn your bachelor’s degree to advance to a higher-level position in the field. We have transfer agreements with many four-year colleges, both inside and outside the state of Wisconsin.

    accounting students in lab
    What Is Accounting?
    You don't need to be a CPA or work 60-80 hours per week to have a successful and rewarding accounting career.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-101-111
    4 credits
    10-102-134
    3 credits
    10-106-109
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-101-113
    4 credits
    10-101-123
    4 credits
    10-101-143
    2 credits
    10-106-190
    1 credit
    10-114-130
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-101-121
    4 credits
    10-101-125
    4 credits
    10-101-138
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-101-122
    4 credits
    10-101-142
    3 credits
    10-102-160
    3 credits
    10-809-195
    3 credits

    Exciting careers in business are waiting for you at Madison College.

    Watch the video to learn more.

    Business Area of Study | Madison College
    iframe added here via JS.
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.

    Application Dates

    Spring 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2024

    Summer 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is July 15, 2024

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Accounting career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.
    Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University University.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.
    Students who complete the accounting program can transfer up to 64 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.
  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Accounting program at Madison College, you will 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 individual and/or organizational tax accounting preparation, reporting, and analysis tasks.
    • Identify internal controls to reduce risk.
    "I can immediately apply what I've learned to my job.”
    Julie K.
    Recent Accounting Graduate
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates545042
      Number of Surveys Sent545041
      Number of Surveys Returned353122
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment313121
      Percent Available for Employment88.60%100.00%95.50%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market11.40%0.00%4.50%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed262720
      Percent of Graduates Employed83.90%87.10%95.20%
      Employed in Related Occupation182116
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation69.20%77.80%80.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation864
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation30.80%22.20%20.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment541
      Percent Seeking Employment16.10%12.90%4.80%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.53.5
      Number of Satisfaction Responses353122
      Very Satisfied (4)212010
      Percent Very Satisfied60.00%64.50%45.50%
      Satisfied (3)14912
      Percent Satisfied40.00%29.00%54.50%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)020
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%6.50%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses353122
      Preparation for Getting a Job18175
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job51.40%54.80%22.70%
      Career Change1285
      Percent Career Change34.30%25.80%22.70%
      Improvement of Existing Skills137
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills2.90%9.70%31.80%
      Preparation for Further Education323
      Percent Preparation for Further Education8.60%6.50%13.60%
      Personal Interest112
      Percent Personal Interest2.90%3.20%9.10%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses262720
      Before Enrollment236
      Percent Before Enrollment7.70%11.10%30.00%
      While Attending the College1298
      Percent While Attending the College46.20%33.30%40.00%
      After Training at the College12156
      Percent After Training at the College46.20%55.60%30.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses242617
      In College District232517
      Percent In College District95.80%96.20%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin110
      Percent Outside Wisconsin4.20%3.80%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count141814
      Average Monthly Wage$3,338$3,551$3,900
      Average Hourly Wage$19.41$20.64$22.67
      Average Work Hours per Week40.940.740.7
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count232
      Average Hourly Wage$15.75$17.50$26.50
      Average Work Hours per Week1522.322.5
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Blackhawk TransportClerical WorkerBeloit
      Century 21 AffiliatedStaff Accountant
      City of MiddletonUtility Billing ManagerMiddleton
      Congress Glass IncOffice Manager & BookkeeperJanesville
      Holtz BuildersStaff AccountantLake Delton
      Hound HuddleAssistant ManagerOregon
      InterCon Construction IncAccounts Payable AssociateWaunakee
      Kollath CPAAccoutant
      Kollath CPAStaff Accountant
      Positively Booked (Self employed)Bookkeeper
      PPiPayment Specialist LeadVerona
      Racine CountyPayroll AccountantRacine
      Riverstone MachiningAccounting AssistantFox Lake
      TASCStaff Accountant
      Teel Plastics IncAdministrative AssistantBaraboo
      The Suby GroupAccounts Payable Specialist

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!