Associate Degree in Accounting
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- On Campus
- Online
- Hybrid
They say that accounting is the language of business. With an Associate Degree in Accounting from Monroe University, you’ll learn how to speak it — then use it to start building an exciting new career.
You’ll also be working toward a stable career. No matter how the economy is doing, organizations of every size — from large corporations to small nonprofits — need accounting staff to keep running smoothly and efficiently.
Our Associate of Applied Science in Accounting will help you build a new set of business skills that will serve you anywhere you want to work. Our program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which recognizes excellence in business education.
That excellence is something we strive for, because we know our students are striving for it, too. Read on to discover how an Accounting degree from our School of Business and Accounting can help you move your career — and your life goals — forward.
Monroe is the champion for the underdog and they gave me that push I needed to move forward.
Associate in Accounting, 2021
Why a Major in Accounting?
Earning an associate degree of any kind can increase your chances of finding employment by almost 25% over a high school diploma alone. With an Associate Degree in Accounting, you won’t just increase your marketability: you’ll develop tools that can set you on the path to a stable, rewarding career.
As hardware and software advance, there’s a very real need for professionals who know how to make the most of accounting technology. The ACBSP-accredited program at the School of Business and Accounting will train you in the latest accounting systems for businesses both large and small, all while giving you the analytical and communication skills you’ll need to succeed in any organization.
Curriculum
As an Accounting major, you’ll learn from a faculty who are experts in their field. Like all our professors at School of Business and Accounting, they gained their knowledge both in the classroom and in the real world. What they’ve learned from experience will become your lessons.
As they take you through the fundamentals of economics, accounting and managerial principles, law, and technology, they’ll be there to support you every step of the way. They know the challenges that lie ahead because they’ve faced them themselves — and they want to see you succeed.
From them, you’ll learn the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) that are required for publicly traded U.S. companies, as well as career-focused skills including:
- Financial and managerial accounting
- Tax law
- Business law
- Marketing foundations
- Integrated business applications and accounting technology
With additional courses in math and liberal arts, you’ll build a well-rounded set of skills that will prepare you for a wide range of different work settings.
You’ll be able to test that for yourself, too. While not required, students in the Accounting Associate Degree program can pursue internships at accounting firms, local governmental agencies, and private, public, and nonprofit organizations that include:
- New York Life
- The Bronx Chamber of Commerce
- PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
- ADAPT Community Network
- Mosholu Montefiore Community Center
- ASPIRA of New York
- Deloitte
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
- NYPD Community Affairs Bureau
- Crime Victims Support Services of The North Bronx
There are dozens of Fortune 500 companies right here in the New York City metro area — and hundreds of opportunities for our students.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree in Accounting?
The AAS in Accounting is a four (4)-semester program. While other similar programs are designed to be two (2)-year accounting degree programs, our three (3)-semester academic calendar allows full-time students to complete their Accounting degree in less than a year and a half.
Accounting Degree Requirements:
60 total credits
- 30 credits of major-related courses
- 30 credits of general education and related courses
The School of Business and Accounting also offers both online and hybrid programs for even more flexible scheduling.
Learn more about our AAS in Accounting program.
Principles of Managerial Accounting
Effective business practices rely on effective financial practices. Every day, in every sector of the economy, managers work to increase the growth and efficiency of their organizations; and they can’t do that without effective managerial accounting systems in place. In this course, students will learn what goes into creating those systems: principles of product valuation, cash flow analysis, monitoring financial leverage, budget planning, and the forecasting of business trends.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the AAS in Accounting program must submit:
- Either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
- A completed application for admission, as well as a personal statement or essay.
Applicants also participate in a pre-admission interview.
Tuition and Financial Aid
An AAS in Accounting will prepare you to take on entry-level accounting jobs in the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors. Jobs for accounting majors include:
- Bookkeeper
- Auditing clerk
- Accounting assistant
- Payroll clerk
- Billing clerk
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable clerk
- Tax preparer
How far you go is up to you. In the past, graduates of the School of Business and Accounting have secured employment with all of the Big 4 accounting firms: KPMG, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), Deloitte, and Ernst & Young.
Your Future Accounting Career
With an Associate Degree in Accounting, you’ll have the skills you need to jump right into the accounting department of almost any organization: private, nonprofit, or governmental. To become a certified public accountant (CPA), though, you’ll need to continue your education once you complete your associate degree.
To become an accountant or auditor, you’ll most likely have to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting. At Monroe, you can apply the credits earned with your associate degree toward your bachelor’s, allowing you to advance more quickly.
To become a CPA, though, you’ll need to earn more credit hours to meet the requirements of most states (including New York). By earning a master’s degree in accounting, you can not only satisfy your educational requirement, but prepare yourself to take the required Uniform CPA Exam. Becoming a CPA is a journey, but it all starts with a single step: by earning your Associate Degree in Accounting.
Professional Opportunities
Accounting majors have many opportunities to explore the professional world while they’re still in school. In addition to an optional internship, students at the School of Business and Accounting can join several on-campus clubs and professional organizations to connect with peers and mentors:
- The Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business awards numerous scholarships to exceptional students preparing for business professions. The society also fosters connections between students and alumni with peer-to-peer networking opportunities.
- The National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) provides scholarships, organizes Regional student conferences and an online career center for Black business students, as well as a number of scholarships throughout the year. (Monroe’s NABA chapter has also won the Deloitte-hosted NABA New York Fall Case Study Competition not just once, but three times.)
- In addition to workshops and scholarship opportunities, the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) offers Latino students the chance to apply for internships with hundreds of Fortune 1000 corporations.
Monroe's Club for Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) actively sponsors networking and community events year-round, with a focus on promoting social responsibility in entrepreneurship.
Discover What You Can Achieve
An Associate Degree in Accounting will equip you with more than just skill. It will arm you with confidence: the confidence of knowing that you’re ready to begin your professional journey.
At our School of Business and Accounting, we’re ready to take that journey with you.
Discover more about what we can help you achieve.
Factsheet
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