Accounting

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Accounting Assistant - Certificate

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

82% BTC graduate placement rate 1

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1 Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2 Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

The program typically starts in Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Quarters on a space available basis.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

Classes

Program Outcomes

  • Analyze and record business transactions; prepare and evaluate financial statements using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  • Use and integrated accounting software program (QuickBooks) to record transactions and create financial reports and statements.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply payroll laws, compute payroll, record payroll entries and prepare federal and state forms that pertain to payroll
  • Solve business problems in Excel using formulas, functions, lists, and charts.

Employment Outlook

The large size of the occupation ensures plentiful job openings, including many opportunities for temporary and part-time work. Virtually all job openings will stem from replacement needs as clerks and assistants transfer to different occupations or leave the labor force.

Accounting graduates are in high demand. The average annual income in this field is $43,638, with an earning potential of about $52,291 per year.*

Potential positions include accounts receivable/accounts payable clerk, general ledger clerk and payroll clerk. Nationally, about 25% of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are employed in wholesale or retail trade and 34% are employed in organizations providing business, health, educational, and social services.

Faculty & Support

Contacts

If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu .

Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email BusinessITNav@btc.edu

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