Program Details

Associate of Applied Science - Accounting

Associate of Applied Science

Tidewater Community College

The Accounting programs prepare students for careers in the accounting field or assist students in updating their skills if they are working in the accounting field. Graduates may seek employment as a bookkeeper or as an accounting or auditing clerk.

Students with a baccalaureate degree who wish to pursue the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination may use specific course work toward fulfillment of accounting educational requirements. Some course work also meets federal government guidelines for those interested in qualifying for positions or promotions in the federal government. Students should consult an accounting instructor to determine the courses that meet the educational requirements.

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree provides students with a strong foundation in accounting and business, along with general education requirements, enabling students to seek entry-level employment in accounting. In addition, the course work prepares students for certification exams.

The certificate programs provide course work that gives students the skills to sit for one or more certification exams administered by the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT).

Program Credit Requirements

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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External Link

Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Credential That Prepares You For This Program

Credential

Certificate - Accounting Specialist

Link

Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	Yes, if you: are detail-oriented enjoy problem solving like working with numbers
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes Business electives include courses that have the following prefix: ACC, ACQ, AST, BUS, ECO, FIN, GIS, HRI, ITD, ITE, ITN, ITP, LGL, and MKT. Students may substitute ACC 290 or ACC 299 for ACC 297. Students planning to sit for the Fundamental Payroll Certification exam should take ACC 124 - Payroll Accounting.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Tidewater Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights	Complete this program in as few as 4 semesters / 67-69 credits Accounting is more than just filing taxes. Expanding businesses, changing financial regulations and increased scrutiny of company finances have led to a growing demand for accounting and auditing clerks and new opportunities in governmental accounting, auditing, and consulting. At TCC, professors with real-life experience teach you the fundamentals of accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, management/cost accounting, taxation, and auditing on the latest accounting software. TCC had 22 graduates in 2020-21, 25 graduates in 2019-20, 35 graduates in 2018-19, 37 graduates in 2017-18, and 47 graduates in 2016-17 in the AAS program in Accounting.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School
Credit for Prior Learning	TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree. For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Tidewater Community College

College Level Information

Transfer Center

Visit our transfer site for more information

External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

External Link

Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

External Link

Number of Transfer Students

3513

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard.
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student.
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer. https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs.

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate in Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Online
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	Hybrid
New River Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate in Applied Science Degree in Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate in Arts & Sciences Degree in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Highlands Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in Business Administration - Spec in Business Information Tech	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	AAS Degree in Business Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community College	AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Business Administration Specialization	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Management - Small Business Management Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Associate of Science in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Project Management Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Digital Marketing Specialization	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Science in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts & Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community College	Associate of Arts & Sciences in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Eastern Shore Community College	Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Business Administration Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Accounting, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community College	Business Management, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Business Administration, A.S.	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
New River Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Business Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person
Blue Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online
Patrick & Henry Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Associate of Applied Science in Accounting	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community College	Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration- Paralegal Studies Specialization	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management and Leadership	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
New River Community College	Associate of Arts and Sciences in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Arts and Sciences	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Associate of Science in Business Administration	Associate	Associate of Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community College	Business Management Associate of Applied Science Degree	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid, Online
Northern Virginia Community College	Contract Management, A.A.S.	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid
Eastern Shore Community College	Management	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Hybrid

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
25-1011.00	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
13-2011.00	Accountants and Auditors	Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2061.00	Financial Examiners	Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2082.00	Tax Preparers	Prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2022.00	Appraisers of Personal and Business Property	Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2054.00	Financial Risk Specialists	Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
43-3031.00	Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
43-4011.00	Brokerage Clerks	Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
43-3051.00	Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
43-9111.00	Statistical Assistants	Compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries. Includes actuarial clerks.	Office and Administrative Support Occupations
11-3031.00	Financial Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.	Management Occupations
13-2051.00	Financial and Investment Analysts	Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-3031.03	Investment Fund Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.	Management Occupations
11-3031.01	Treasurers and Controllers	Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.	Management Occupations
13-2031.00	Budget Analysts	Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2041.00	Credit Analysts	Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-2081.00	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-3012.00	Administrative Services Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.	Management Occupations
11-3051.03	Biofuels Production Managers	Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.	Management Occupations
11-3051.04	Biomass Power Plant Managers	Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.	Management Occupations
11-9199.11	Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers	Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.	Management Occupations
13-1199.04	Business Continuity Planners	Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1199.00	Business Operations Specialists, All Other	All business operations specialists not listed separately.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-1011.00	Chief Executives	Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.	Management Occupations
11-1011.03	Chief Sustainability Officers	Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.	Management Occupations
11-3111.00	Compensation and Benefits Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.	Management Occupations
13-1141.00	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-9199.02	Compliance Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.	Management Occupations
11-9021.00	Construction Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.	Management Occupations
13-1051.00	Cost Estimators	Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-9072.00	Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.	Management Occupations
11-3013.00	Facilities Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.	Management Occupations
11-9179.01	Fitness and Wellness Coordinators	Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.	Management Occupations
11-1021.00	General and Operations Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.	Management Occupations
11-3051.02	Geothermal Production Managers	Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.	Management Occupations
11-3121.00	Human Resources Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.	Management Occupations
13-1071.00	Human Resources Specialists	Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-3051.06	Hydroelectric Production Managers	Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.	Management Occupations
11-3051.00	Industrial Production Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.	Management Occupations
13-1081.00	Logisticians	Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1081.02	Logistics Analysts	Analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes. May manage route activity including invoicing, electronic bills, and shipment tracing.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
13-1081.01	Logistics Engineers	Design or analyze operational solutions for projects such as transportation optimization, network modeling, process and methods analysis, cost containment, capacity enhancement, routing and shipment optimization, or information management.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-9199.08	Loss Prevention Managers	Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.	Management Occupations
13-1111.00	Management Analysts	Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-9199.00	Managers, All Other	All managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
13-1199.06	Online Merchants	Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-9179.00	Personal Service Managers, All Other	All personal service managers not listed separately.	Management Occupations
13-1082.00	Project Management Specialists	Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-3051.01	Quality Control Systems Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.	Management Occupations
11-9199.01	Regulatory Affairs Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.	Management Occupations
11-2022.00	Sales Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.	Management Occupations
13-1199.07	Security Management Specialists	Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-3013.01	Security Managers	Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.	Management Occupations
11-9151.00	Social and Community Service Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.	Management Occupations
11-9179.02	Spa Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of a spa facility. Coordinate programs, schedule and direct staff, and oversee financial activities.	Management Occupations
11-3071.04	Supply Chain Managers	Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.	Management Occupations
13-1199.05	Sustainability Specialists	Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.	Business and Financial Operations Occupations
11-3131.00	Training and Development Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.	Management Occupations
11-3071.00	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.	Management Occupations
11-9199.10	Wind Energy Development Managers	Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.	Management Occupations
11-9199.09	Wind Energy Operations Managers	Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.	Management Occupations