Our one-year technical diploma will get you the skills you need for entry-level bookkeeping and accounting work.
Students in the accounting lab
Accounting Assistant
Program Number: 311011
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Business
Delivery Method:
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
30 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
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What You'll Pay
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Estimated Program Cost

$5,628.42

Financial Aid

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

    The one-year Accounting Assistant technical diploma will get you the necessary skills for entry-level bookkeeping and accounting work.

    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.

    Technical Diploma Goals

    Technical diploma graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of accounting, including accounts payable/receivable clerk, bookkeeper/payroll clerk, billing clerk, inventory control clerk or office assistant.

    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.

    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.

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    Your Credits Allow You to Ladder Up!

    The Accounting Assistant technical diploma is included in our two-year Accounting associate degree program. As a Madison College accounting student, you'll earn the technical diploma upon completion of the first-year curriculum automatically. If you choose to continue your education, all your credits will seamlessly transfer into the associate degree program.

    What Is Accounting?

    three account students in lab

    Learn more about accounting careers and Madison College accounting program options.

  • 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
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-101-113
    4 credits
    10-101-143
    2 credits
    10-101-123
    4 credits
    10-114-130
    3 credits
    10-106-190
    1 credit
  • 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

    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.

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    Get Started!

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

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Accounting Assistant program at Madison College, you will be able to:

    • Process financial transactions throughout the accounting cycle
    • Evaluate financial information to support decision making
    • Process payroll
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      2023
      Number of Program Graduates60
      Number of Surveys Sent60
      Number of Surveys Returned49
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment31
      Percent Available for Employment63.3%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market36.7%
      Available for Employment

      2023
      Graduates Employed29
      Percent of Graduates Employed93.5%
      Employed in Related Occupation21
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation72.4%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation8
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation27.6%
      Employed - No Response0
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%
      Seeking Employment2
      Percent Seeking Employment6.5%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      2023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.4
      Number of Satisfaction Responses38
      Very Satisfied (4)17
      Percent Very Satisfied44.7%
      Satisfied (3)19
      Percent Satisfied50.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)1
      Percent Unsatisfied2.6%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)1
      Percent Very Unsatisfied2.6%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      2023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses49
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      2023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses29
      Before Enrollment8
      Percent Before Enrollment27.6%
      While Attending the College15
      Percent While Attending the College51.7%
      After Training at the College6
      Percent After Training at the College20.7%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      2023
      Number of Employment Location Responses29
      In College District29
      Percent In College District100.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District0
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin0
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown0
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend2023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count16
      Average Monthly Wage$4,148
      Average Hourly Wage$24.11
      Average Work Hours per Week41.4
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count5
      Average Hourly Wage$24.82
      Average Work Hours per Week25.6
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      AMPED Association ManagementAccounting ClerkMiddleton
      Baker TillyAssociate
      BST North AmericaStaff Accountant
      City of MadisonAccountant
      Community Christian School of BarabooBook KeeperBaraboo
      CSM Companies IncAccounting Assistant
      Dane County Dept of Human ServicesEconomic Support Specialist
      Demco, IncAccount Receivable Specialist
      Fisher-Barton GroupAP/AR SpecialistWatertown
      Hoppe North America IncAccounting/HR AssistantFort Atkinson
      Masters Building SolutionsAccounts Payable Specialist
      Masters Building SolutionsAccounting Administrator
      MMG Law LLCLegal Assistant
      Resource Solutions CorpAccounting Assistant
      S&L CompaniesAP SpecialistPortage
      S&L CompaniesGeneral Ledger AccountantPortage
      State of WisconsinPayroll & Benefits Specialist
      State of WisconsinIS Enterprise Business Financial Analyst-Senior
      TG IncorporatedAdmin & Finance Officer

      * - 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

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