The BAS in Applied Accounting brings together tools and techniques from business, communication, information technology, management, sustainability, and project management to assist in interpreting business and accounting information. This program is designed for individuals who wish to compete for jobs that require in-depth knowledge of accounting, and supervisory or management skills. This baccalaureate degree is an ideal path for Bellevue College graduates of the two-year technical degrees in accounting, transfer students from other state community and technical colleges with accounting-related associate degrees, and people currently in the field in need of advanced skills.
Coursework in the program focuses on applying accounting standards to a broad range of business environments to including public, private, non-profit and government. The program also includes courses focused on project management and professional communication skills.
Degrees and Certificates
The accounting pathway offers excellent academic options for students to enter the growing field of accounting through degree and certificate programs. Credits earned for certificates might apply to the Bachelor’s degree program.
The School of Business and Technology offers the following Accounting degrees and certificates:
Bachelor Degree in Applied Accounting
Prerequisites, 90 credits
Associate degree in accounting and 90 equivalent credits that represent the combination of program admission required courses and other transferable college-level credits. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college courses, and a C+ (2.3) in each individual course: ACCT 101, ACCT 102, and ACCT 234. Student may substitute ACCT 201, ACCT 202 and ACCT 203. These accounting classes must not be more than five years old.
Courses must include at least 25 credits of general education, including:
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. The BAS in Applied Accounting brings together tools and techniques from business, communication, information technology, management, sustainability and project-based 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.
Example Course Schedule
Schedule is subject to change. Admitted students will work with program manager to get a customized education plan. If students are unable to follow their education plan, they should contact the program manager to update. *Note: Some courses are only offered once a year.
Full-Time Course Schedule
Year 3
Fall
ACCT 350: Intermediate Accounting II – 5 credits
ACCT 360: Cost Accounting – 5 credits
Choose one of these three Communication Studies course options:
CMST& 210: Interpersonal Communication – 5 credits
Winter
Spring
Year 4
Fall
Winter
ACCT 470: Advanced Accounting – 5 credits
Choose either the capstone or internship course:
ACCT 490: Accounting Capstone I – 5 credits
EXPRL 490: Internship Experience – variable credits
Choose one of the these two Economics course options:
Spring
Choose either the capstone or internship course:
ACCT 491: Accounting Capstone II – 5 credits
EXPRL 491: Internship Experience – variable 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.
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 2024-2025:
Program Changes
Degree requirements can experience changes every academic year. Click on the drop-down menu below to view the most recent changes.
Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Accounting
Effective Fall 2022: Students can be accepted into the Bachelor’s in Applied Accounting degree program if they have not completed this prerequisite but take it during their first quarter.
Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (Accounting, AAS-T) / Associate of Applied Science Accounting (Accounting, AAS)
ACCT 288 – Bookkeeping Certification 10 CR is now an elective (Summer 2022)
ACCT 205 – Practical Accounting Data Analytics 5 CR NEW elective! (Summer 2022)
BATECH 165 – Business Spreadsheet Analysis & Design 5 CR used to be BTS 165 (Summer 2022)
Capstone Projects/Internships
Bachelor’s 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.
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.
If students find an internship in their area of study that meets the qualifications for EXPRL 490/491 this may be taken in place of ACCT 490/491 (capstone classes). 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 Interim Program Manager and/or Internship Coordinator for more information:
- Eric Wolf, Interim Program Manager, eric.wolf@bellevuecollege.edu
- Tamara Pinkas, Internship Coordinator, Center for Career Connections/RISE, tamara.pinkas@bellevuecollege.edu
Still have additional questions?
Last Updated April 25, 2024