Business person making calculations

Accounting

Associate Degree

60 Credits | 2 Years

Online Program | Financial Aid-Eligible

Ashland*, New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*, Online

Outreach Centers: Balsam Lake*, Hayward*, Ladysmith*

*Combination of Online, Your Choice or On Site instruction. Select courses are available at the Northwood Tech Outreach Centers. Please contact your local campus for specifics.

Career Cluster: Finance

 

Accounting is one profession that can lead you to multiple career options. Businesses and organizations of all sizes need to employ accountants. You can secure jobs in a variety of industries including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations. Also, your choices abound within the accounting field. You can choose from tax, cost, audit, government, payroll, and financial accounting.

Program Overview

Accounting is an important tool for any business. In this two-year accounting associate degree, you will be prepared to assemble, analyze, and interpret essential information about the operation of an organization. You’ll prepare financial statements, cost studies, and tax reports.

Program Outcomes

Accounting graduates will be able to:

  • Process financial transactions throughout the accounting cycle
  • Evaluate financial information to support decision making
  • Process payroll
  • Perform cost accounting tasks
  • Perform income tax accounting tasks
  • Apply internal controls to minimize risk

Stay on top of the latest Accounting technologies and methods with Northwood Tech's Accounting associate degree. 

An accountant sitting in her business going over receipts from the day at her laptop

Use current technology that employers use such as QuickBooks, Excel, Word, Access and tax software.

Group of business professionals sitting at a conference table

Through case studies, business scenarios and real-world problems, you'll learn exactly what will be expected of you as an accountant.

Business partners at work looking at a clipboard

Take your classes in a variety of formats including online, Your Choice or in a traditional classroom. 


Academics

The Accounting instructors use a personalized approach to teaching, keeping YOU in mind when developing lesson plans, workbook exercises, lectures, projects and other interactive learning activities.

Accounting classes are offered on all campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior), Online and outreach centers: Balsam Lake, Hayward, and Ladysmith. Conveniently take classes in a way that fits your lifestyle: Online, Your Choice, or On Site. 

Career Pathways

As an Accounting student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way. Graduates of the Accounting program also earn a Tax Preparer Assistant certificate, Billing and Posting Clerk technical diploma and Accounting Assistant technical diploma.

Internship Opportunity

Gain real world experience through an accounting internship while completing your program.

Start Here, Transfer There

After you complete your Accounting associate degree, continue your education at a university to earn your bachelor’s degree. Northwood Tech has articulation agreements in Accounting with a variety of four-year universities.


Required Courses

Program specific subjects covered include financial, payroll, tax, and cost accounting. Software courses include Quickbooks, Excel, Word, and Access.

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Accounting Courses

10101121
|
UGRD
| 4 CR
This course addresses cost accounting principles, procedures, and managerial applications of cost data; theory of job order cost, process cost, and standard cost; and managerial cost decision making. Though not required, 10101103 Financial Accounting 2 is also recommended prior to taking this course. PREREQUISITES: 10101101 Financial Accounting 1 and 10103152 MS Excel B.
10101123
|
UGRD
| 4 CR
This course will prepare you to complete and file individual federal and Wisconsin income tax returns including the 1040EZ/WIZ, 1040A/1A, and 1040/1 with most common supporting schedules. This course is lecture- and project-based with most returns done manually and some comprehensive problems being computerized.
10101179
|
UGRD
| 2 CR
Students will learn to use MS Excel as it pertains mainly to accounting related functions. Activities will include working with pivot tables, exporting/importing information, continuing with advanced formulas and macros, using analytical options, and developing creativity/application skills in building spreadsheets to replace and enhance manual record keeping, calculations, and reporting. PREREQUISITES: 10101103 Financial Accounting 2 and 10103152 MS Excel B.

Accounting is Part of a Career Pathway

As an Accounting student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way! 

You could take this first and earn a credential.

Technical Diploma
13 Credits / Less than 1 year
Potential Careers
Payroll Assistant, Payroll Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Bookkeeper, Accounting Technician
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Pathway Certificate
10 Credits / 1 Year Part Time
Potential Careers
Tax Accounting Clerk, Tax Associate, Tax Preparer Assistant
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Earn a technical diploma or a pathway certificate.

Technical Diploma
30 Credits
Potential Careers
Accounting Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, Payroll Clerk, Bookkeeper
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This is the program you’re looking at.

Associate Degree
60 credits
Potential Careers
Accountant, Bookkeeper, Accounts Receivable Specialist, Accounts Payable Specialist, Payroll Specialist, Cost Accounting Specialist, Tax Accounting Specialist
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Continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree.


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Accounting

60 Credits | 2 Year

$9,453


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Accounting Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn:

  • Tax Preparer Assistant pathway certificate
  • Billing and Posting Clerk technical diploma
  • Accounting Assistant technical diploma
  • Accounting associate degree
Student studying at a computer

Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

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Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.