Program Details
Associate of Applied Science - Accounting
Associate of Applied ScienceTidewater 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

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Yes, if you:
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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 |
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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 |
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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... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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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

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 |
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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 |