The Southwestern Illinois College offers both an Associate in Arts Degree and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in accounting.

The Associate in Arts Degree focuses on business studies to prepare you to obtain a bachelor’s degree in accounting, typically at a four-year college or university.

The provides students with the opportunity to take advantage of current technologies and highly qualified instructors to obtain an excellent foundation for further study in business.

SWIC also offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Accounting for students interested in entry-level accounting positions, or for a career as a full-charge bookkeeper.

PRE-MAJOR: ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE (0001)

The Accounting pre-major prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university and continue for a baccalaureate degree.

Curriculum

If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university to major in Accounting, we strongly encourage you to consult with a SWIC Advisor prior to enrolling each semester. Enrollment in many transfer classes is based on your score on the assessment placement test and/or your fulfillment of course prerequisites. We also advise you to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the four-year institution where you plan to transfer.

Refer the college catalog’s section for an Associate in Applied Arts in Accounting for general education prerequisites and other course recommendations.

To graduate, earn at least 64 transferable credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00, however, many transfer institutions require a higher GPA for admission to the institution and/or specific majors.

Carreer Opportunities

Below is a list of carreer opportunites this degree can start your path towards:

Other Applications

Students with an Associate in Arts Degree in Accounting are are prepared to pursue graduate degrees in these same fields or in other fields such as law, public policy or social sciences.

Illinois Articulation Initiative

SWIC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), which guarantees that students who successfully complete the requirements for an Associate in Arts degree with a business emphasis will receive full credit for all of their courses when they transfer to most public colleges and universities in the state of Illinois.

Career: Associate in Applied Science

The Accounting program prepares students for a variety of jobs, including entry-level accounting positions, or for a career as a full-charge bookkeeper.

Curriculum

The 2023-2024 Catalogue Overview of the Associate in Applied Science Accounting program overviews core course requirements and electives for the program as well as information regarding the Bookkeeping Certificate. The curriculum includes ACCT 212 Certified Bookkeeper Review. Upon successful completion of the course, students may choose to sit for the Certified Bookkeeper exam, administered by an independent provider and scheduled by the student. This program does not prepare students to sit for the CPA Exam.

Career Opportunities

• Accounting Clerk
• Full-charge Bookkeeper
• Accounting Support Staff

Accelerated Degree Option

Anyone who has completed an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college may earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in accounting by completing only 27 semester credits of program-related coursework. These 27 semester credits must be completed at SWIC, and not included as part of the requirements for a previously earned degree or certificate.

Bookkeeping Certificate

The Bookkeeping Certificate is included in the Associate in Applied Science Accounting program, but can be obtained separately. This certificate prepares students for entry-level accounting support staff positions and provides the foundation for a career as a full-charge bookkeeper. Those with experience in the bookkeeping field who lack formal education will find the certificate useful in quantifying their experience.

Contact Us

Dawn Peters, Department Chair

Dawn.Peters@swic.edu
(618) 222-5487

For more information, please fill out the contact form.