Accounting Assistant

Business partners looking through documents

Accounting Assistant

Technical Diploma

30 Credits | 1 Year

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 course 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 employees who have skills in accounting. With your accounting skills, you can secure jobs in a variety of industries including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, construction and non-profit organizations. Also, your choices abound within the accounting field. You can choose from tax, cost, audit, government and financial accounting.

Program Overview

Accounting is an important tool for any business. Upon completion of the one-year Accounting Assistant technical diploma, you will be prepared to work as a bookkeeper in a small business or as an accounting specialist in a larger business. By maintaining accounting records such as receivables, payables, inventory, and payroll, you will help an organization run smoothly.

Program Outcomes

Accounting Assistant graduates will be able to: 

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

Technical Standards

In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program. 

Learn More About Technical Standards for this Program

Stay on top of the latest Accounting technologies and methods with Northwood Tech's Accounting Assistant Technical Diploma. 

Accounting professional going over documents and making calculations

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

A group of business professionals in a meeting

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

Business person making calculations

Through case studies, business scenarios and real-world problems, you'll learn exactly what will be expected of you in this field.


Academics

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

Career Pathways

As an Accounting Assistant student at Northwood Tech, you can continue your education to build upon your credentials. Graduates of the Accounting Assistant program will also earn a Billing and Posting Clerk technical diploma. You can also continue your education to obtain the Accounting associate degree. 

Club Opportunity

You can join the Business Professionals of America club and participate in leadership training, statewide competitions, and a number of charity projects. In addition, there are a number of other clubs to join including the Veterans Club and Student Senate.

Part-Time Option

Want to complete your degree but have work and family responsibilities? Northwood Tech understands and has a part-time option for you to work on your Accounting Assistant degree, with online, In-person and Your Choice courses that fit into your busy life.


Required Courses

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

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Accounting Assistant Courses

10101101
|
UGRD
| 4 CR
Complete accounting cycle, special journals, payroll tax principles, special procedures, and financial statements. Accounting applications through practice set approach.
10101174
|
UGRD
| 2 CR
Students will learn the QuickBooks accounting software by performing tasks that involve the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, payroll, and financial statements. Students will be responsible for finding and correcting errors in the QuickBooks program. PREREQUISITE: 10101101 Financial Accounting 1 or 10101176 Financial Accounting 1A.
10101124
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Study of state and federal laws affecting payroll -- Fair Labor Standards Act, Federal and State Unemployment Acts, Federal Insurance Contributions Act, Federal and State Withholding Tax Acts, payroll accounting procedures, and systems design. COREQUISITE: 10101101 Financial Accounting 1.

Accounting Assistant is Part of a Career Pathway

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

You could take this first and get 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
Arrow pointing down

This is the program you’re looking at.

Technical Diploma
30 Credits
Potential Careers
Accounting Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, Payroll Clerk, Bookkeeper
Arrow pointing down

You can continue your education to advance your skills.

Associate Degree
60 credits
Potential Careers
Accountant, Bookkeeper, Accounts Receivable Specialist, Accounts Payable Specialist, Payroll Specialist, Cost Accounting Specialist, Tax Accounting Specialist
Arrow pointing down

Continue your education and 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

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.

Learn More About Cost of Attendance

Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*

Accounting Assistant

30 Credits | 1 Year

$4,843


*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 Assistant Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn:

  • Accounting Assistant technical diploma
  • Billing and Posting Clerk technical diploma

Continue in your education at Northwood Tech into the Accounting associate degree program.

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

Student studying at laptop

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

Sherry Rehnelt

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8136

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

students walking on a trail by campus

Get the Northwood Tech experience

Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.

Visit Campus

Find a program icon

Finding the class you want to take has never been easier. 

Find a Class

Take the Next Step

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.