[C4_ACC4 certificate offered at LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball]
The Accounting Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to prepare students to fulfill many types of entry-level positions found in the field of accounting. Many students who graduate with this type of degree go on to work for accounting firms, businesses, governmental or not-for-profit organizations. Accounting associates’ responsibilities may involve providing assistance to top level accountants and auditors by performing accounting, administrative and bookkeeping duties. Other functions could include compiling data required for management and governmental reports and processing customer invoices using various accounting software systems.
The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for successful completion of 60 credit hours as outlined. Students desiring a less comprehensive program should consider one of the accounting certificate programs also listed below.
Advanced Technical Certificate in Professional Accountancy: The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) awarded Lone Star College System (LSCS) the designation to offer “Qualifying Educational Credit for the CPA Examination.” Thirteen of the LSCS accounting courses meet the TSBPA’s definition of upper-division accounting courses required to take the CPA exam. This designation allows individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from a Board recognized educational institution to gain the thirty (30) advanced accounting hours as well as upper level related business hours required to qualify for the CPA exam. To obtain the Advanced Technical Certificate in Professional Accountancy the individual should take no less than 24 semester hours of accounting and certain related business courses from LSC toward fulfilling the certificate requirements. Contact the CPA Program Chair Karen Russom at karen.n.russom@lonestar.edu for specific information, advising, and recommended sequencing of courses.
Four additional business courses that are not in the ATC in Professional Accountancy will be needed to fulfill the 24 semester hours educational requirement for business courses for the Texas CPA exam.
Accounting Certificate: Because an associate degree can typically take at least two years to complete, this certificate provides workforce training in accounting in a shorter period of time with general education courses.
The general education core courses and several individual accounting courses will transfer to a variety of universities. Contact the counselor or faculty advisor at any college for specific information and to obtain the recommended sequencing of courses.
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