Accounting

Looking to grow your accounting skills and your paycheck? Need to prepare for a certification exam? Or maybe you want to start earning credits that transfer to a university. Get the advantage: Earn an accounting certificate or degree at Orange Coast College. Our specialization programs include business taxation competency, individual accounting competency, cost accounting and payroll accounting, to name just a few. You can begin your career with our Entry-Level Accounting Certificate of Specialization, and then expand your skills and competencies with additional specialized training. The median income for bookkeeping and accounting clerks in California is $43,615 and even higher for accountants and auditors, who earn a median income of $74,745. Move closer to your new career, or earn that work promotion, through certification in specialty areas. Read on to learn more about the OCC Career Advantage Accounting programs.

A sampling of courses for these careers

Managerial Accounting
Business Taxation
Financial Accounting

Individual Income Tax
Payroll
Auditing

see course catalog

Man at desk talks on mobile phone while reviewing a finance report

More About
this Program

See Similar
Programs

Get
Started

Did you know?

Financial services will outpace all other sectors in employment growth by 2020, creating at least 10 million job vacancies, more than half of which will be new jobs, according to the Association for Career Technical Education.

Program Details

Complete one of our certificate programs, and you’ll be well-prepared to enter a career in accounting.

Build upon your skills if you’re already employed in the field. Or earn an associate degree for even greater advancement opportunities.

See Evening, Weekend and Online Courses

In less than 2 years
you can earn:
Certificate of Achievement

Accounting

Prepare for a position as an accounts payable/receivable specialist, cost accountant, disbursement specialist, full charge bookkeeper, general ledger specialist, junior accountant, payroll specialist, senior accountant or tax staff. Take coursework in financial and managerial accounting, computerized accounting, and intermediate, tax, and cost accounting. View program detail in course catalog.

Build on your certificate
of achievement with a:
Certificate of Specialization

Entry-Level Accounting

Prepare for an entry-level position in accounting. Learn how to perform a profitability and cost analysis and perform accounting functions, manually and through software, by taking courses in basic accounting and computer accounting. View program detail in course catalog.

Business Taxation Competency

Learn about business taxation through basic accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Cost Accounting Competency

Prepare for an entry-level position in cost accounting. Learn about cost accounting through basic accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Financial Accounting Competency

Prepare for the financial reporting section of the CPA exam. Learn intermediate accounting concepts through accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Governmental Accounting Competency

Learn governmental accounting through basic accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Individual Taxation Competency

Prepare for an entry-level position in individual tax preparation. Learn about taxation of individuals through basic accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Non-Profit Accounting Competency

Prepare for an entry-level position in accounting at a non-profit agency. Learn non-profit accounting through basic accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Payroll Accounting Competency

Prepare for an entry-level position in accounting, with an emphasis in payroll. Learn payroll accounting through basic accounting and computer accounting coursework with this area as the focus. View program detail in course catalog.

Or earn your
associate degree
in under 4 years

Accounting

Complete the Accounting Certificate of Achievement and the Associate in Science graduation requirements to earn an associate degree in Accounting. You will be prepared to launch your career in accounting as an accounts payable/receivable specialist, cost accountant, disbursement specialist, full charge bookkeeper, general ledger specialist, junior accountant, payroll specialist, senior accountant and tax staff. View program detail in course catalog.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I enroll and register for classes?

To enroll in a Career Advantage program, you must first apply for admission to Orange Coast College. To apply, go to the Admissions Application Information webpage and review the information and requirements for admission. A link at the bottom of that page will take you to the CCCApply website, where you will be prompted to create an account so you can begin the application process.

How much does it cost?

Classes cost $46 per unit for residents of California. Classes vary in their unit value, but an average 3-unit class costs $138. There are additional fees required to register and additional costs associated with each program. Click here to view the estimated total costs of the program in this career cluster.

How long does it take?

View this chart for the length of the core program.

Are classes offered online, evenings and weekends?

This program offers online, evening and weekend courses. For details about offerings in this program, speak to a counselor or consult the class schedule. The class schedule tool searches through all Orange Coast College course offerings and includes a filter for online classes.

How can I talk with a counselor?

You can make an appointment in person, online or by phone. Click here for more information about Counseling Services and how to make an appointment.

I have more questions. Where can I get more information?

For general questions about enrollment, availability of classes and other services for prospective and current OCC students, call The Answer Center at 714-432-5772. For answers to specific questions you can speak to a counselor or to the faculty member listed on this program page.

Woman in business suit takes notes during meeting with another person

Man in business suit reviews report with another person while sitting at a conference table

Career
Video

Skills &
Employment Trends

Wage & Salary
Information

Internship &
Work-Based Learning

Other Programs That Might Interest You

Business Administration

Choose from four certificate programs to launch a career in business

Management & Leadership Studies

Explore three programs that prepare you to manage others in a leadership role

Marketing

Launch a career in marketing or specialize through one of our six programs

Did you know?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who have a certificate as
their highest level of education earned, on average, 20 percent more than
those whose highest education level is a high school diploma.