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Accounting

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

This degree focuses on preparation for careers in various accounting professions. It develops a common foundation in accounting and business, and provides various courses covering both fundamental and specialized accounting topics to meet individual career goals.

The Accounting certificate provides occupational training and preparation for entry-level clerical and technical positions in various accounting careers. It provides a strong background in fundamental accounting concepts and typical accounting computer applications. In addition, it provides various specialized accounting topics to meet career individual goals.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

A.A. in Accounting
Accounting Clerk Certificate
Accounting Certificate
Financial Services Apprenticeship Certificate
Taxation Certificate

Division Dean Kirsten Corbin
Department Chair Joel Halle
Phone (916) 484-8361
Email bcsclerk@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree

A.A. in Accounting

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ACCT 103	Intermediate Accounting - Part I	4
ACCT 104	Intermediate Accounting - Part II	4
ACCT 107	Auditing	3
ACCT 111	Cost Accounting	3
ACCT 301	Financial Accounting	4
ACCT 311	Managerial Accounting	4
ACCT 361	Ethics, Fraud, and Legal Issues for Accountants	3
BUS 110	Business Economics (3)	3
or ECON 302	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
A minimum of 8 units from the following:		8
ACCT 101	Fundamentals of College Accounting (3)
ACCT 121	Payroll Accounting (3)
ACCT 123	Federal and California Individual Income Taxation (4)
or ACCT 125	Federal and State Individual Taxation (4)
ACCT 128	Taxation of Corporations, Partnerships, Estates, and Trusts (4)
ACCT 153	Governmental Accounting (3)
ACCT 341	Computerized Accounting (3)
ACCT 343	Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
or CISA 316	Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
PROPTX 310	Introduction to Appraising for Property Tax Purposes (1.5)
PROPTX 311	Appraisal of Machinery & Equipment for Property Tax Purposes (1.5)
Total Units:		36

The Accounting Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

evaluate and perform all steps in the financial accounting cycle.
compile and analyze costs within a company.
analyze and communicate appropriate information to managers, investors, creditors, and other interested parties utilizing a variety of reports.
audit financial statements and express appropriate opinions on those statements.
integrate the principles of business, business law, ethics, and economics into accounting functions.
apply accounting standards and techniques to one or more specialized areas of accounting.

Career Information

This degree is designed for a variety of student objectives. It includes courses required for immediate employment in accounting positions. The courses meet the requirements of governmental employers for promotional exams. Students seeking transfer to four-year universities will meet the transfer requirements of financial accounting (ACCT 301) and managerial accounting (ACCT 311). Individuals with existing bachelor's degrees can also use these courses to meet the requirements to take the exam for Certified Public Accountant.

Certificates of Achievement

Accounting Clerk Certificate

This certificate provides fundamental occupational training and preparation for entry level accounting clerk positions. The program includes basic accounting and specialized courses designed for the accounting workplace, including small business accounting, technology, and basic business principles.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ACCT 121	Payroll Accounting	3
ACCT 341	Computerized Accounting	3
BUS 100	English for the Professional (3)	3
or ENGWR 300	College Composition (3)
BUS 105	Business Mathematics	3
BUS 310	Business Communications	3
CISA 315	Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets	2
A minimum of 2 units from the following:		2
ACCT 343	Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
BUSTEC 310	Introduction to Word/Information Processing (3)
CISA 305	Beginning Word Processing (2)
CISA 316	Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ACCT 101	Fundamentals of College Accounting (3)
ACCT 301	Financial Accounting (4)
Total Units:		22

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

analyze and record accounting transactions
prepare appropriate management reports
process payroll and complete appropriate reports
maintain small business records using accounting computer programs
incorporate basic business and communication skills into the accounting workplace

Accounting Certificate

This certificate provides occupational training and preparation for entry-level clerical and technical positions in various accounting careers. It provides a strong background in fundamental accounting concepts and typical accounting computer applications. In addition, it provides various specialized accounting topics to meet career individual goals.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ACCT 103	Intermediate Accounting - Part I	4
ACCT 104	Intermediate Accounting - Part II	4
ACCT 107	Auditing	3
ACCT 111	Cost Accounting	3
ACCT 301	Financial Accounting	4
ACCT 311	Managerial Accounting	4
ACCT 361	Ethics, Fraud, and Legal Issues for Accountants	3
BUS 110	Business Economics (3)	3
or ECON 302	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
A minimum of 8 units from the following:		8
ACCT 101	Fundamentals of College Accounting (3)
ACCT 121	Payroll Accounting (3)
ACCT 123	Federal and California Individual Income Taxation (4)
or ACCT 125	Federal and State Individual Taxation (4)
ACCT 128	Taxation of Corporations, Partnerships, Estates, and Trusts (4)
ACCT 153	Governmental Accounting (3)
ACCT 341	Computerized Accounting (3)
ACCT 343	Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
or CISA 316	Intermediate Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
PROPTX 310	Introduction to Appraising for Property Tax Purposes (1.5)
PROPTX 311	Appraisal of Machinery & Equipment for Property Tax Purposes (1.5)
Total Units:		36

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

evaluate and perform all steps in the financial accounting cycle.
compile and analyze costs within a company.
analyze and communicate appropriate information to managers, investors, creditors, and other interested parties utilizing a variety of reports.
audit financial statements and express appropriate opinions on those statements.
integrate the principles of business, business law, ethics, and economics into accounting functions.
apply accounting standards and techniques to one or more specialized areas of accounting.

Career Information

This certificate includes courses required for immediate employment in accounting positions. The courses meet the requirements of governmental employers for promotional exams. Students seeking transfer to four-year universities will meet the transfer requirements of financial accounting (ACCT 301) and managerial accounting (ACCT 311). Individuals with existing bachelor's degrees can also use these courses to meet the requirements to take the Certified Public Accountant exam.

Financial Services Apprenticeship Certificate

State of California Financial Services Apprenticeship for the occupations of Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents, Accountants, and Auditors. In this program, apprentices shall satisfactorily complete the prescribed related and supplemental instruction (RSI) identified in the Apprenticeship Standards (File No. 100451) developed by the JAC while receiving on-the-job training in the designated occupation.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ACCT 103	Intermediate Accounting - Part I	4
ACCT 104	Intermediate Accounting - Part II	4
ACCT 107	Auditing	3
ACCT 111	Cost Accounting	3
ACCT 301	Financial Accounting	4
ACCT 311	Managerial Accounting	4
BUS 100	English for the Professional	3
BUS 340	Business Law	3
ENGRD 315	Reading Across the Disciplines for Content Courses	0.5 -1
ENGWR 95	Beginning Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)	0.5
A minimum of 16 units from the following:		16
APPRT 498	Work Experience in Apprenticeable (Occupation) (0.5 - 4)
Total Units:		45 - 45.5

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

At least 18 years of age.
Meets the requirements under the selection procedures of participating California state agencies.
Engaged in learning a designated occupation and who has entered into a written apprentice agreement to participate in an apprenticeship program for a designated occupation under Department of Apprenticeship Standards' File No. 100451. Apprentice agreement must be approved by the apprenticeship committee.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

Apprentice selection process - Facilitated by the Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC): Application, aptitude assessment, interview with JAC and participating department, selection and confirmation, apprentice and department notification, signing ceremony.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

describe the components of the conceptual framework for financial accounting and reporting, including the qualitative characteristics of accounting information, the assumptions underlying accounting, the basic principles of financial accounting, and the constraints and limitations on accounting information.
apply transaction analysis, input transactions into the accounting system, process this input, and prepare and interpret the four basic financial statements.
define and illustrate various cost terms, concepts, and behaviors, and evaluate their relevance for different decision-making purposes.
compare, contrast, and apply different costing methods.
explain the purposes of budgeting, prepare a master budget and its component schedules, and relate the budget to planning and control.
examine the role of cost accounting in business planning and decision-making.
differentiate between, account for, and report product and period costs.
use costs to make pricing and other types of business decisions.
examine the concepts, principles, and practices of financial accounting, including discussion of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on selected topics.
prepare financial statements and related disclosures, including classified balance sheets, multiple step income statements with presentation of discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and accounting changes.
analyze and account for complex business transactions.
analyze the six principles of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct.
assess the various components of audit risk.
evaluate the structure of audit working papers documentation.
compare and contrast the three methods of documenting and assessing internal controls.
identify, select, and use appropriate writing aids, references, and Internet resources used in business writing.
prepare documents that exhibit a clear understanding of the essentials of sentence structure, word usage, punctuation, spelling, critical thinking, and business vocabulary.
define and explain important legal principles and analyze how they affect business and personal issues.
assess the reading process and materials to employ appropriate critical reading strategies.

Career Information

Training for the following California state occupations: (1) Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents, (2) Accountants, (3) Auditors.

Taxation Certificate

This certificate provides occupational training and education in the areas of individual and business income tax preparation and consulting. Courses in this program provide a background in individual, corporate, partnership, and estate taxes.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ACCT 123	Federal and California Individual Income Taxation (4)	4
or ACCT 125	Federal and State Individual Taxation (4)
ACCT 128	Taxation of Corporations, Partnerships, Estates, and Trusts	4
ACCT 301	Financial Accounting	4
A minimum of 2 units from the following:		2
ACCT 121	Payroll Accounting (3)
ACCT 341	Computerized Accounting (3)
ACCT 343	Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting (2)
ACCT 498	Work Experience in Accounting (0.5 - 4)
CISA 315	Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets (2)
PROPTX 310	Introduction to Appraising for Property Tax Purposes (1.5)
PROPTX 311	Appraisal of Machinery & Equipment for Property Tax Purposes (1.5)
Total Units:		14

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

complete federal and California individual income tax returns.
prepare federal and California corporate and partnership income tax returns.
prepare federal estate, gift, and trust tax returns.
research federal and state tax issues.
identify elements to utilize for tax planning.

Accounting (ACCT) Courses

ACCT 101 Fundamentals of College Accounting

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:BUS 105, MATH 100, MATH 104, or MATH 132; AND eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This introductory course in small business accounting covers the accounting cycle for service and merchandising businesses. Topics include the general journal, the general and subsidiary ledgers, and adjusting, correcting, and closing journal entries. Income statements, statements of owner equity, balance sheets for service and merchandising businesses are prepared and analyzed. Additional topics include cash management and bank reconciliations, accounting for sales and purchase discounts, sales taxes, merchandise inventory, and payroll.

ACCT 103 Intermediate Accounting - Part I

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course continues the study and application of accounting principles and techniques used in preparing and reporting the financial results of business corporations. Areas of study include cash and receivables, inventory, long-term assets, and analysis of time value of money.

ACCT 104 Intermediate Accounting - Part II

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 103 with a grade of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course continues the study and application of accounting principles and techniques used in preparing and reporting the financial results of business corporations. Areas of study include liabilities and contingencies, stockholders' equity and earnings per share, investments, revenue recognition, income taxes, pensions, leases, accounting changes and error analysis, and cash flows.

ACCT 107 Auditing

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 104 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:BUS 105 or MATH 100, 104 or 132; AND eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course on auditing practice and theory emphasizes attestation audits of financial statements and the accompanying footnotes. Topics include Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), ethics, legal issues, audit planning and methodology, internal control analysis, sampling, and auditors' reports. Additional topics include specific auditing objectives and tests of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses.

ACCT 111 Cost Accounting

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 311 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:CISA 315
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers advanced managerial accounting. Topics include recording, classifying, reporting, and analyzing costs as well as examining different costing systems. I focuses on understanding costs, appropriate accounting for them, and using them to analyze, plan, operate, and evaluate manufacturing, merchandising, and service businesses. It utilizes the industry-standard software, Excel, to do so.

ACCT 121 Payroll Accounting

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the basic fundamentals and current practices in payroll processing, payroll accounting, and payroll tax reporting. Federal and state compliance pertaining to payroll processing and tax reporting will be studied. Topics include federal and state wage and hour laws and how they affect the payroll workflow.

ACCT 123 Federal and California Individual Income Taxation

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers basic Federal and California income tax regulations with an emphasis on the skills necessary for the preparation of individual income tax returns. Topics include filing requirements, determination of taxable income, allowable deductions, tax computation, tax credits, other taxes, payment methods, and audit procedures. This course is recommended for accounting majors but is not part of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) program. As a result, this course does not meet the eligibility requirements for the California Registered Tax Return Preparer certificate.

ACCT 125 Federal and State Individual Taxation

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ACCT 101 or 301; AND eligible for ENGRD 116; ENGWR 101; ESL 325
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers basic Federal and State Income Tax regulations with an emphasis on the skills necessary for the preparation of individual income tax returns. Topics include filing requirements, determination of taxable income, allowable deductions, tax computation, tax credits, other taxes, payment methods, and audit procedures.

ACCT 128 Taxation of Corporations, Partnerships, Estates, and Trusts

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:(ACCT 123 or ACCT 125) and 301
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides a continuing study of federal income tax compliance with an emphasis on the taxation of business entities including corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, S-corporations, estates, and trusts. Topics include tax and non-tax characteristics of business entities, income tax filing requirements, differences in book and taxable income, selection of accounting methods and periods, tax computation, and available credits.

ACCT 153 Governmental Accounting

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:BUS 105 or MATH 100 or 132
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers accounting and financial reporting for governmental units and institutions with emphasis on the accounting standards prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Additional topics include governmental budgeting and budgetary controls.

ACCT 295 Independent Studies in Accounting

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.

ACCT 299 Experimental Offering in Accounting

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.

ACCT 301 Financial Accounting

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ACCT 101; AND BUS 105 or MATH 100, or 132; AND eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
C-ID:C-ID ACCT 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers accounting as an information system, examining why it is important and how it is used by investors, creditors, and others to make decisions. Topics include the accounting information system, including recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements, and statement analysis. It also covers issues relating to asset, liability, and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls, and ethics.

ACCT 311 Managerial Accounting

Units:4
Hours:72 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
C-ID:C-ID ACCT 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers how managers use accounting information in decision-making, planning, directing operations, and controlling. It focuses on cost terms and concepts, cost behavior, cost structure, and cost-volume-profit analysis. Topics include issues relating to cost systems, cost control, profit planning, and performance analysis in manufacturing, merchandising, and service environments.

ACCT 341 Computerized Accounting

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 101 or 301 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:CISC 100 or 300
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers major areas of computerized accounting system for small business using QuickBooks Online (QBO). Topics include setting up a new company in QBO, creating a chart of accounts, banking, recording customer and vendor transactions, using QBO inventory tracking, paying employees, making adjusting entries, and generating financial and management reports for service and merchandising businesses. This course provides students with hands-on experience in using QBO and prepares students to take Intuit certified QB certification exam.

ACCT 343 Computer Spreadsheet Applications for Accounting

Units:2
Hours:36 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ACCT 301 and CISA 315 with grades of "C" or better
Advisory:Successful completion of Algebra I/Integrated Math 1 or Beginning Algebra. Eligibility for ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course combines the study of accounting and computer spreadsheets from basic Excel and accounting concepts to more advanced accounting work. It also provides students with hands-on practice and teaches Excel skills applicable in the real world of accounting. Topics include but are not limited to financial statements, inventory costing, bank reconciliation, depreciation schedule, payroll register, bond amortization, and financial ratio analysis.

ACCT 361 Ethics, Fraud, and Legal Issues for Accountants

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ACCT 107 and 301
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course explores ethics, fraud, and legal issues that must be addressed by accountants, including exploration through case studies. Topics in ethics include ethical foundations as well as the unique ethical requirements of professional organizations and the California Board of Accountancy. The course also examines the legal liability of accountants. A variety of case studies are evaluated to gain perspective into ethical lapses, fraud, and legal liability.

ACCT 495 Independent Studies in Accounting

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

ACCT 498 Work Experience in Accounting

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Students must be in a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job related to accounting with a cooperating site supervisor. Students are advised to consult with the Accounting Department faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the field of accounting. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in transfer-level degree occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.

During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. All students are required to attend the first course meeting, a mid-semester meeting, and a final meeting. Additionally, students who have not already successfully completed a Work Experience course will be required to attend weekly orientations while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times when there are new or expanded learning objectives. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

ACCT 499 Experimental Offering in Accounting

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.

Property Tax (PROPTX) Courses

PROPTX 310 Introduction to Appraising for Property Tax Purposes

Units:1.5
Hours:30 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:MATH 100, 104, or 132; AND eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course introduces the basic principles of property tax appraisal. It covers the economic aspects and legal definitions of market value, California Property Tax Laws and Regulations, the appraisal process, and methods of valuation. It is designed to meet the California Board of Equalization training requirements for county property tax appraisers.

PROPTX 311 Appraisal of Machinery & Equipment for Property Tax Purposes

Units:1.5
Hours:32 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:PROPTX 110; AND MATH 100, 104, or 132; AND eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers the principles of property tax appraisal for tax assessment of personal property and fixtures. Topics include the economic aspects and legal definitions of market value, California Property Tax Laws and Regulations, the appraisal process, and methods of valuation. It is designed to meet the California Board of Equalization training requirements for county property tax auditor-appraisers and appraisers.