We are excited to assist you in planning for your degree or certificate at Bellevue College! Coursework in the Accounting program focuses on applying accounting standards to a broad range of business environments to including public, private, nonprofit, and government. The program also includes courses focused on project management and professional communication skills.
Advising Resources
Use these resources below to help plan your educational journey in the Accounting program. Below you will find Course maps, education plans, and information on how to enroll at Bellevue College.
New Students
Ready to take classes at Bellevue College? Follow this step-by-step guide to enroll at Bellevue College.
Step-by-step tutorials are available for students needing assistance with their ctcLink account, course enrollment, payment, academic records, and degree progress.
All students should refer to the Academic Calendar to stay informed about important dates and deadlines, and review information about registration, financial aid, tuition payments, and campus resources.
Create a BAS Education Plan
Students can use the following resources to build their BAS Applied Accounting education plan:
- Degree Requirements
- Sample BAS Degree Course Map
- Education Plan Excel Template (login required) – available for current Bellevue College students
- Need to check your Degree Progress? In ctcLink, select “Academics” and “What If”. Follow the instructions to run a What If Report and see which requirements you have remaining towards the degree requirements. Contact the Evaluations Office if you see an error in transfer credits.
Bachelor Degree in Applied Accounting
Prerequisites, 90 credits
Associate degree in accounting or 90 equivalent credits that represent the combination of program admission required courses and other transferable college-level credits. Prior to BAS admission, applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a C+ (2.3) or higher in each of the following prerequisite courses:
ACCT 101: Practical Accounting I – 5 credits
ACCT 102: Practical Accounting II – 5 credits
ACCT 234: Managerial Accounting – 5 credits
— or —
ACCT& 201: Principles of Accounting I – 5 credits
ACCT& 202: Principles of Accounting I – 5 credits
ACCT& 203: Principles of Accounting I – 5 credits
These accounting classes must not be more than five years old.
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Accounting provides graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for employment in the field of accounting. This degree completion program is designed for individuals who wish to compete for jobs that require a more in-depth knowledge of accounting, and supervisory or management skills.
This degree completion program is designed for individuals with two-year degrees in accounting-related fields. The first 90 credits of the degree are fulfilled by entrance prerequisites.
Full-Time Course Schedule
BAS Admission
BAS Applied Accounting moves in a cohort sequence beginning each Fall. We recommend following the exact course schedule for listed Accounting (ACCT) classes. Many ACCT courses are only offered once a year.
Fall
ACCT 301: Intermediate Accounting I – 5 credits
ACCT 360: Intermediate Accounting I – 5 credits
Choose one of these three Communication Studies course options:
CMST& 210: Interpersonal Communication – 5 credits
Winter
ACCT 350: Intermediate Accounting II – 5 credits
CMST 340: Advanced Communication in Business & Technology – 5 credits
Spring
ACCT 370: Forensic Accounting – 5 credits
ACCT 351: Intermediate Accounting III – 5 credits
PHIL 360: Business Ethics Theory and Practice – 5 credits
Fall
ACCT 420: Auditing – 5 credits
ACCT 450: Federal Income Taxation II – 5 credits
BUS 375: Research Methods in Accounting – 5 credits
Winter
ACCT 400: Accounting Information Systems – 5 credits
ACCT 470: Advanced Accounting – 5 credits
Choose one of these two Economics course options:
Spring
Choose either the capstone or internship course:
ACCT 490: Accounting Capstone I – 5 credits
EXPRL 490: Internship Experience – 5 credits
Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science (from AAS-DTA transfer list), 5 credits*
Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science (Lab) (from AAS-DTA transfer list), 5-6 credits*
*Choose two courses from Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science – the two courses must be from different subjects, At least five credits must be in physical, biological, and/or earth sciences or math. One of the two choices shall include at least one laboratory course.
BAS Capstone or Internship
BAS students will complete a final capstone project in their last two quarters. Capstones give students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned throughout the program and work in settings relevant to their future employment plans. It also allows students to graduate with a project that can be highlighted on their resume/portfolio for future employers.
If students find an internship in their area of study that meets the qualifications for EXPRL 490, this may be taken in place of ACCT 490 (Capstone class). The internship must be approved by the program chair prior to starting. Although the Accounting program does not place students into internships, students can learn more about internship opportunities through the Academic Internship Program and Career Center. To learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process and coursework students can review the EXPRL 490 Internship Experience handout [PDF]. Students can contact the Program Manager and/or Internship Coordinator for more information: Tamara Pinkas, Internship Coordinator, Center for Career Connections/RISE, tamara.pinkas@bellevuecollege.edu
Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (Accounting, AAS-T)
The Associate in Applied Science-Transfer Accounting degree combines technical courses required for job preparation and college-level general education courses. These degrees are designed for the dual purpose of immediate employment and preparation for the junior year in a Washington state bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree program. This provides a strong background in accounting, preparing students for a wide range of career options in the accounting field and has the option to earn national certifications as well as several embedded program certificates, while earning the degree.
Associate of Applied Science (Accounting, AAS)
The Associate of Applied Science Accounting degree provides a strong background in accounting, preparing students for a wide range of career options in the accounting field. This degree is designed to prepare students for immediate employment. The degree has the option to earn national certifications as well as several embedded program certificates, while earning the degree.
Certificates
The Accounting Assistant Certificate emphasizes practical skills in the accounting field as well as providing an introduction to business management. Embedded in the certificate is a national certification in a leading accounting software package. Students completing the certificate are employable as AP, AR or payroll clerks or any entry level accounting support position.
The Accounting Information Systems certificate emphasizes computerized accounting for small to mid-range organizations. The certificate incorporates the use of various computerized accounting systems and the techniques to analyze data management, structure, flow and system design.
The Bookkeeping Certificate emphasizes practical skills in the accounting field. Embedded in the certificate is a national certification in a leading accounting software package. Students completing the certificate are employable as AP, AR or payroll clerks for entry level positions.
The Financial Data Report Specialist certificate emphasizes database and database reporting of financial and managerial information used for decision making and analysis. There is an emphasis on data analysis and reporting tools such as spreadsheets and databases.
This 16-credit certificate is the foundation coursework for students to begin accounting studies (suggested first-quarter course of study in accounting).
View full course catalog requirements 2025-2026:
Michelle Martinez
Defunding of Police: Allocating Costs to Improve Department Efficiency
Analyzing Washington State’s police budgets from 2015-2021 and comparing them to actual costs to determine if the funding is being used efficiently or not.
Stephen Ashcroft
The Influence of Education of Financial Literacy to Underrepresented Groups and People Suffering from Poverty and Low-Income
A mixed-methods analysis of the impact of financial education programs for people experiencing poverty. This study delves into what financial education programs can offer these groups as well as other variables that may be preventing financial stability and safety.
Melinda D. Leierzapf
The Dying Check: Exploring the role of check fraud in the check’s decline from 2015 to 2018
This exhaustive quantitative research paper explored whether consumer experiences with check fraud influenced declined check use. Check usage in the U.S. peaked in 1995, steadily declining each year since. While only 5% of 2018 purchases were made by check, 78% of consumers owned checks (Foster et al., 2019). Longstanding trust of checks makes it susceptible to fraud. This original survey research built on findings that from 2015 to 2018 check usage declined by 24% but check fraud increased 6% (Foster et al., 2019; FTC, 2020), and Kahn & Liñares-Zegarra’s (2016) findings that certain types of identity theft decreased check usage.
Jessica Mbaz Mujing
The Factors and Motivations Leading to Fraud
The United States of America has been several times experiencing upheavals caused by fraudulent actions in powerful companies. There are lots of raising questions about the reasons why would individuals commit fraud. There have been numerous researches on the subject, attempting to answer those questions. The need to find a more in-depth understanding of the fraudsters’ motivations has led to different studies. This paper provides an overview of the factors of fraud that has been studied by some authors.
Last Updated April 21, 2026