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Accounting - Diploma

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Please Note:
Admissions to the Accounting and Networking AAS and Accounting Diploma are currently suspended. No new students are being accepted into the program at this time. For questions or guidance on alternative program options, please contact advising@southeastmn.edu.

Career Area: Business & Management
Program: Accounting
Campus(es): Winona/Online


Major Details

Courses

Cost

Careers

Outcomes

Highlights

Instructors

Media

 Major Details

A Diploma In Accounting can lead to a highly valued and rewarding career in one of the nation's fastest growing professions.

The 2-year Accounting Diploma at Minnesota State College Southeast provides an extensive foundation in all aspects of accounting with 47 credits of technical education, such as payroll, income tax, auditing, spreadsheets, database concepts, and business ethics. In addition, you will take general education courses in communications, math, personal finance and macroeconomics (13 credits).

With a focus on providing the most flexible course delivery options possible, Minnesota State College Southeast offers a program that can be completed online, on campus in Winona, or a combination of both. You can enroll in Southeast's accounting program in either the fall or spring semester and attend accounting classes on a full-time or part-time basis.

Discover career opportunities with a Diploma in Accounting

If you have the desire to own your own business, be a leader, motivate people, and solve problems, consider enrolling in an accounting diploma or degree at Minnesota State College Southeast.

More and more employers are demanding an accounting degree or diploma from potential job candidates to fill their accounting positions. Our educational approach is a blend of theory and practice, providing a solid foundation for your career. We offer a practical, personal approach to learning the principles of accounting and making the best use of a variety of popular accounting software packages.

Once you have your Accounting degree from Southeast in hand, you will find that the opportunities for meaningful and challenging employment are plentiful in companies of all sizes.

Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast

Cluster/Pathway

Career Field: Business Management & Administration
Cluster: Finance
Pathway: Accounting
Recommended high school classes and basic job/program skills

Download the Program Plan

 Courses

1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Choose one 2 credit (or greater) English or Communications course.
2 cr
Choose one or more GenEd Electives.
3 cr
2 cr
ECON1405
Personal Finance offers a study of economic decisions facing individuals in their personal lives. The course includes such topics as budgeting, using consumer credit, buying or renting a home, providing for medical care, purchasing life insurance, understanding retirement programs, buying and selling stocks, preparing income tax returns, minimizing taxes, and thinking about consumerism. (Prerequisites: none) (MnTC Goals 5 and 9) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
ECON2530
This course focuses on the economy as a whole and studies how government can affect the economy. Topics include principles of markets, the price system and supply and demand, national income accounting, business cycles, inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy, monetary policy and the Federal Reserve System, approaches to economic growth, and the foundations of international trade. There will be an emphasis on forces influencing employment and inflation. Current problems of the economy are stressed along with the tools the government has to cope with them. (MnTC Goals 5 and 8) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
 
13 crs
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Choose from courses in Accounting (ACCT), Business Administration (BUSN), and/or Economics (ECON) for a total of 12 credits. Work with your advisor and visit the Course Schedule page to search for courses.
12 cr
ACCT1210
This course provides an introduction to payroll accounting in a business setting. Students will explore federal and state laws governing payroll, including recordkeeping and compliance requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Emphasis is placed on calculating employee wages, salaries, and overtime; preparing payroll records and reports; and applying employer and employee payroll tax obligations. The course also addresses filing requirements, deadlines, and the role of payroll in human resource systems. (Prerequisite: None) (2 Credits: 2 lec/0 lab)
2 cr
ACCT1212
This course offers a hands-on introduction to modern accounting information systems, emphasizing practical use of industry-standard software to complete the full accounting cycle. Students will learn to set up and manage business entities within accounting software, including establishing charts of accounts, entering vendor and customer data, and configuring key system settings. Core topics include general ledger management, accounts receivable and payable, payroll processing, inventory tracking, depreciation, bank reconciliations, and financial reporting. (Prerequisites: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
ACCT1218
This course introduces students to the essential spreadsheet skills used in today¿s business environments. Emphasizing hands-on learning in Microsoft Excel, the course covers foundational and intermediate tools for organizing, analyzing, and presenting business data. Students will learn to build and format worksheets; apply formulas and functions; create PivotTables and charts; perform what-if analyses; and develop spreadsheet models that support budgeting, forecasting, data management, and decision-making across a variety of business functions. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
ACCT1231
This course will utilize database software for various business applications. (Prerequisite: none) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
ACCT2201
This course covers the fundamental accounting concepts and principles which are used in a business environment to provide reports on the economic condition of an organization. The focus will be on the accrual method of accounting, utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to analyze and record transactions. The ultimate objective is to understand the effects of these transactions in order to provide timely and relevant information in the form of financial statements. (Prerequisite: none) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)
4 cr
ACCT2202
This course covers the techniques for planning, controlling, and decision making relevant to managing costs in a manufacturing environment. The focus will be on cost concepts and cost behavior in relation to job-order costing, activity-based costing, and process costing. The budgetary process will be analyzed; including preparing and interpreting a master budget and flexible budget. (Prerequisite: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting or ACCT2211 Principles of Accounting II) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)
4 cr
ACCT2223
This course is an in depth study of financial reporting and statements: objectives, concepts, and analysis. Topics include the demand for and supply of financial accounting information and the conceptual framework for financial reporting. This course also serves as a review of a companys accounting system, the purpose, elements, classification and disclosures associated with the balance sheet, statement of shareholders equity, the income statement and the statement of cash flows. Students will understand business operating activities as it relates to cash, receivables, and inventory cost measurement and flow assumptions. (Prerequisites: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
ACCT2225
This course is a continuation of Intermediate Accounting I. Students apply generally accepted accounting principles to valuation of liabilities and account for contingent obligations, investment activities, and financing activities. This course emphasizes meeting the requirements for full disclosure. (Prerequisites: ACCT 2223 Intermediate Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
ACCT2235
This course provides an introduction to the structure and application of U.S. income taxation for both individuals and businesses. Students will develop an understanding of how tax law is created, interpreted, and applied, and will learn to evaluate transactions from a tax perspective. Emphasis is placed on building the skills needed to determine tax liability, explore planning opportunities, and address compliance responsibilities. Practical application is reinforced through the preparation of individual tax returns using Intuit ProConnect software, simulating professional practice in the field of taxation. (Prerequisite: none) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)
4 cr
BUSN2210
This course introduces students to ethical theory and decision-making models, as well as to the legal framework in which American business operates, the substantive legal rules that govern American business, domestically and internationally, and the ethical and social responsibility implications of business conduct within the legal environment. Governmental efforts to regulate business activity by statute and administrative agency rules and decisions are emphasized. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
BUSN2215
A study of ethical problems in business and the foundations for decisions involving ethical issues. Topics include ethical concepts, personal integrity, individual conscience, and company loyalty and responsibility conflicts as they impact on the decision process in the functional areas of business. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
3 cr
 
47 crs

Total Credits Required for this Major: 60

 Cost

Estimated Costs for this Major
Approximate Tuition/Fees: $12,942
Minimum Tool Cost: N/A
Books/Supplies: $600
Estimated Total: $13,542

 Career Opportunities

  • Staff Accountants

  • Banking

  • Managerial Accounting

  • Financial Accounting

  • Cost Accounting

  • Income Tax

  • Financial Services

  • Payroll Accounting

  • Government/Non-Profit

  • Budget Analysis

  • Audit

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.

 Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply the principles of financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, tax accounting and not-for-profit accounting.

  2. Apply mathematical, analytical and business knowledge skills to formulate and solve problems and to make decisions relevant to the needs of business.

  3. Demonstrate proficiency in personal computer operations and applications.

  4. Demonstrate an understanding of human society and culture in order to function as an effective employee and citizen.

 Highlights

  • 100% online option available

  • Excellent reputation with employers and students

  • Hands-on learning

  • Instructors have professional experience in all areas of accounting

  • Learn the latest computer software: Excel, QuickBooks, Access, Turbo Tax, Word, Peachtree and PowerPoint

  • Vast job opportunities with high growth potential

  • Interactive learning combines technology with accounting theory

  • Student organizations such as Student Senate provide leadership and professional growth opportunities

 Instructors

Shannon Corcoran

Shannon Corcoran holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, a B.A. in Retail Merchandising and Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stout, and dual A.S. degrees in Retail Merchandising and Interior Decorating from Rochester Community and Technical College. With a diverse background in administration, management, marketing, merchandising, and entrepreneurship, she brings real-world experience into the classroom.

Samantha Justin

Samantha Justin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration from Winona State University and her Masters of Professional Accounting from Bemidji State University. She also holds a Wisconsin Certified Public Accountant license. She has experience in public, private, audit, tax, governmental, and non-profit accounting.

 

 Media

Majors in the Accounting program

Accounting AAS

Accounting DIP

Accounting & Networking Specialist AAS

Accounting Assistant - Diploma

Bookkeeper CERT

Business Systems CERT

Transfer Pathways

Accounting Transfer Pathway AS

Business Transfer Pathway AS