Accounting Technology

Why Accounting Technology?

Students will learn the skills needed to work in the accounting field. Students will gain experience in recording transactions, financial statement preparation, payroll accounts, corporate financial decision-making, and business communication. Courses in this sequence may be applied towards the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Business Technology degree. 

Program Details

Accounting Technology

Format
On Campus, Online, Hybrid
In-District Tuition
$169/credit hour
Out-of-District Tuition
$337/credit hour

Program Highlights

The Excel courses in this certificate are offered in a Guided Self-Paced format. Guided Self-Paced courses allow the flexibility to work at your own pace while meeting established deadlines and checkpoints throughout the semester. All coursework will be completed online using Canvas with support from instructors and Business Technology Lab Facilitators. Lab hours can be completed in the Business Technology Learning Center, or virtually through Zoom. Over 25+ lab hours a week are available during the day and evening for students to get assistance with coursework. The Microsoft Office Certification exam for Level II and Level III courses must be taken in-person in the Business Technology Learning Center.  An in-person onboarding session is required prior to starting the course.  

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View the Associates in Arts - Accounting degree

View the Associates of Applied Science - Business Technology degree

Certificates

Accounting Certificate

Students will learn the skills needed to work in the accounting field. Students will gain experience in recording transactions, financial statement preparation, payroll accounts, corporate financial decision-making, and business communication. Courses in this sequence may be applied towards the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Business Technology degree. 

Career Pathways

  • Accounting Assistant  

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  • Accounting Certificate
  • Microsoft Office Excel Certificate
  • Prepared to take the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate Exam
  • Prepared to take the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert Exam
  • Prepared to take the Certified QuickBooks Advisor Exam 

Special Program Information

The Excel courses in this certificate are offered in a Guided Self-Paced format. Guided Self-Paced courses allow the flexibility to work at your own pace while meeting established deadlines and checkpoints throughout the semester. All coursework will be completed online using Canvas with support from instructors and Business Technology Lab Facilitators. Lab hours can be completed in the Business Technology Learning Center, or virtually through Zoom. Over 25+ lab hours a week are available during the day and evening for students to get assistance with coursework. The Microsoft Office Certification exam for Level II and Level III courses must be taken in-person in the Business Technology Learning Center.  An in-person onboarding session is required prior to starting the course. 

Average Class Size

  • 30 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Classes are in-person, online and some guided self-paced
  • Classes are 8 weeks and 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement is required 

Completion Time

  • 12 months - 2 semesters
  • 24 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
  • Future Business Leaders of America
Certificate Requirements
Course Hours
ACCT 200 - Financial Accounting

4
ACCT 201 - Managerial Accounting

4
ATEC 130 - QuickBooks Accounting

3
ATEC 150 - Payroll Accounting

3
BTEC 115 - Business Communication

3

BTEC 145 - Employment Success Strategies or SCED 110 - Workplace Success

1

BUSN 110 - Introduction to Business

3

CTEC 136 - Excel Level I

1

CTEC 137 - Excel Level II

1

CTEC 138 - Excel Level III

1

Total Credit Hours

24

Information is subject to change. Please check with an academic advisor for current course offerings and program requirements. Current students with continual enrollment may graduate under the current program requirements or any program requirements in effect since first enrollment.

Suggested Sequence

Fall Year 1
Course
ACCT 200 - Financial Accounting
BTEC 115 - Business Communication
BUSN 110 - Introduction to Business
CTEC 136 - Excel Level I
CTEC 137 - Excel Level II
CTEC 138 - Excel Level III
Spring Year 1
Course
ACCT 201 - Managerial Accounting
ATEC 130 - QuickBooks Accounting
ATEC 150 - Payroll Accounting
BTEC 145 - Employment Success Strategies or SCED 110 - Workplace Success

Request Accounting Certificate Info

Bookkeeping Certificate

This certificate provides students with extensive knowledge and industry certifications in bookkeeping and payroll accounting functions.

Courses in this sequence may be applied toward the Accounting Certificate and the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Business Technology degree. 

Career Pathways

  • Accounting Clerk
  • Accounts Payable Clerk
  • Payroll Specialist 

Heartland and Industry Credentials

  • Bookkeeping Certificate
  • Prepared to take the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate Exam
  • Prepared to take the Certified QuickBooks Advisor Exam 

Special Program Information

The Excel courses in this certificate are offered in a Guided Self-Paced format. Guided Self-Paced courses allow the flexibility to work at your own pace while meeting established deadlines and checkpoints throughout the semester. All coursework will be completed online using Canvas with support from instructors and Business Technology Lab Facilitators. Lab hours can be completed in the Business Technology Learning Center, or virtually through Zoom. Over 25+ lab hours a week are available during the day and evening for students to get assistance with coursework. The Microsoft Office Certification exam for Level II and Level III courses must be taken in-person in the Business Technology Learning Center.  An in-person onboarding session is required prior to starting the course.

This program is not covered by financial aid; however, students are eligible to apply for the work ready scholarship, or you can explore other funding options. 

Average Class Size

  • 30 Students - receive more individualized attention

Course Information

  • Classes are in-person (evening), online and some guided self-paced
  • Classes are 8 weeks and 16 weeks
  • Math and Literacy placement is required 

Completion Time

  • 12 months - 2 semesters
  • 14 credit hours 
  • See an advisor for a detailed plan that works for you

Get Involved

  • Skills USA
  • Future Business Leaders of America
Certificate Requirements
Course Hours
ATEC 120 - Small Business Accounting

3
ATEC 130 - QuickBooks Accounting

3
ATEC 150 - Payroll Accounting

3
BUSN 130 - Computer Applications in Business

3

CTEC 136 - Excel Level I

1

CTEC 137 - Excel Level II

1

Total Credit Hours

14

Request Bookkeeping Info

Transfer Guide

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) 

Heartland Community College is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement among more than 100 colleges and universities in Illinois. For more information about the Illinois Articulation Initiative, please visit the IAI website. 

General Education Core Curriculum Requirement

For completion of the Associate in Arts degree, you will need to complete a minimum of 37 general education core curriculum (GECC) hours, within 7 categories, as part of the 60-credit hour degree. For the completion of the Associate in Science degree, you will need to complete a minimum of 41 general education core hours as part of the 60-credit hour degree. The remaining credit hours are electives. The icons you see below indicate what category of IAI your course will satisfy. You will find these icons throughout the schedule within the course description. Please click on the category to view what courses Heartland has to offer within each of the required categories.

View what courses Heartland has to offer within each of the required categories:
Communications 
Fine Arts 
Humanities 
Life Sciences 
Mathematics 
Physical Sciences 
Social & Behavioral Sciences

Careers in Accounting

By continuing your accounting studies, and with license acquisition, you also may find employment as a(n):

  • Accountant/CPA
  • Auditor
  • Tax Accountant
  • Financial Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Inventory Control Specialist

  • $0

    Application Fee

  • 70+

    Programs of Study

  • 19

    Average Class Size

Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, with over 136,000 job openings projected each year.*

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook

 

Contact Information

Career & Technical Education Division

SCB 2400
1500 W Raab Road
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: 309-268-8860
Fax: 309-268-7963
Email: jess.washington@heartland.edu

 

Career & Technical Education Contacts

Jess Washington 

Program Assistant – Career & Technical Education Division
Email: Jess.Washington@heartland.edu
Phone: (309) 268-8871

Career & Technical Education Leadership

Adam Campbell

Dean, Career & Technical Education
SCB 2410

Kortney Watts

Associate Dean, Career & Technical Education
SCB 2409