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Complete this form to request more information about South Hills School of Business & Technology’s specialized associate degree programs and classes!
Business Administration—Accounting
Earn your specialized associate degree in accounting at our campus located in State College, Pennsylvania
Our Accounting Program At-a-Glance
- Earn your specialized degree in just 2 years
- Accredited by ACCSC
- Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools
What You Need to Know About Our Specialized Associate Degree in Accounting
This one is for the numbers people out there — those who want to put their analytical, mathematical brain to work in a brand-new career field. No business, organization, or even government body can thrive without a competent, confident accounting staff. They’re in need of people just like you who can help track expenses, balance the books, and keep their financial records in order. At South Hills School of Business & Technology, we can prepare you for a career in accounting in just two short years with our Associate in Specialized Business Degree in Business Administration — Accounting (BAA).
Using a combination of theoretical classroom learning and hands-on practice and application, we teach you the accounting, bookkeeping, and financial skills you need to step successfully into an accounting office or team. We cover topics like:
- How to create and analyze financial statements
- How to identify and apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- How to prepare individual and small business tax returns
- How to prepare payroll and generate payroll-related tax forms
- How to demonstrate compliance with business and tax laws
- How to utilize accounting software like QuirkBooks to prepare financial statements, process bank reconciliations, pay vendors, depreciate assets, track inventory, and invoice customers
- And more
Your education will include a 12-week internship where you will get the opportunity to put what you’ve learned from our experienced faculty to work in real-world settings. Previous accounting internship locations have included:
- Shaner Corporation
- State College Borough-Centre Tax Agency
- Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.
- New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
- SCI Benner Township
On top of all this, our accounting associate degree program prepares you for the QuickBooks Certification Exam and the FPC Payroll Exam, both of which are extremely helpful to have as you enter the accounting job market.
A successful BAA student…
- Enjoys mathematics
- Enjoys problem-solving
- Has strong analytical skills
Why You Should Choose South Hills
We admit we may be a little biased, but we truly believe that South Hills School of Business & Technology is uniquely positioned to prepare you for your future career. Here are just a few reasons why:
- Important internship and networking opportunities — Every specialized degree program we offer at South Hills includes a 12-week internship component, which gives you not only hands-on experience, but also a chance to network and connect with our partner organizations.
- Small class sizes — It’s important to us that each of our students feels seen, both in what they need out of their education and what their goals are. It’s why we keep our class sizes small, so you can build a personal relationship with your teachers.
- Experienced instructors and mentors — Our instructors are also experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful in the job market. Accounting classes are taught by certified bookkeepers, accountants, business advisors, and analysts who incorporate their experience into the curriculum.
- Two convenient campus locations — We’ve been providing specialized skills training in Pennsylvania since 1970, starting with our campus location in State College, and expanding into Altoona in 2001.
- Career and alumni services — South Hills is an education community, there for you from the day you enroll to graduation and for years afterward. We have a dedicated Career Services team to help ready you for finding and securing a job, as well as alumni services that can help support you as you advance in your career.
- Financial aid and scholarships — Finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills offers a number of ways to help pay for your program for those who qualify. Grants, loans, and special funding for veterans are just some of the possibilities we can explore with you, and our Financial Aid team is available to help you navigate these options.
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The Outlook for Accounting Jobs and Careers
The BAA program at South Hills is designed to get you ready for entry-level accounting jobs, like:
- Staff Accountant
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable Clerk and Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Bookkeeper
- Payroll Clerk
- Internal Auditor
- Freight Operations Analyst
- Accounting Specialist
- Credit Analyst
- Budgeting or Tax Specialist
Accounting, as a whole, is a growing field, with globalization, economic growth, and the increasingly complex field of taxes and regulations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 170,000 job openings for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are projected each year through 2030.
A specialized associate degree in accounting can also be a promising start for your future as well. The BLS found that people who earned their specialized associate degrees average almost 20% higher wages and had an unemployment rate two percentage points lower than those who had only a high school diploma. And once you earn your specialized associate degree, it’s even easier to expand on your education in the future with a bachelor’s degree in business or accounting.
More choices.
Small class sizes.
Experienced instructors.
Real-world job insights.
Student Internship Locations
- Shaner Corporation
- State College Borough-Centre Tax Agency
- Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.
- New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
- SCI Benner Township
A Closer Look at Our Specialized Accounting Classes
The Business Administration — Accounting ASB Degree at South Hills is an on-campus program that features small class sizes and more opportunities for individualized attention.
Our BAA curriculum consists of 121.5 credits that can be completed in just 2 years. It includes courses like:
- AC125 Accounting I
- GE117 Applied Algebra
- MG116 Introduction to Business
- GE118 Business Mathematics
- MG117 Management I AC126 Fundamentals of Income Tax
- AC121 Payroll Accounting
- MG215 Personal Financial Management
- AC214 Auditing
- AC217 Cost/Managerial Accounting
- IT235 Microsoft Access
- CD202 Certification Preparation for Accounting
Course Highlights
- Business Economics
- Personal Financial Management
- Auditing
- Oral Business Communications
- Payroll Accounting
Complete Course List
Business Administration–Accounting Course List for 2020-21
| Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | AC125 | Accounting I | 4.5 | 60 |
| GE117 | Applied Algebra | 4 | 60 | |
| GE183 | Business English I | 4 | 60 | |
| MG116 | Introduction to Business | 4.5 | 60 | |
| OS103 | Keyboarding | 1 | 20 | |
| PD110 | Professional Development | 2 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 20 | 284 | ||
| Second Term | AC223 | Accounting II | 4.5 | 60 |
| GE184 | Business English II | 4 | 60 | |
| GE118 | Business Mathematics | 4 | 60 | |
| MG117 | Management I | 4 | 60 | |
| CP287 | Microsoft Excel | 4.5 | 60 | |
| Totals: | 21 | 300 | ||
| Third Term | AC224 | Accounting III | 4.5 | 60 |
| GE210 | Business English III | 3.5 | 60 | |
| AC126 | Fundamentals of Income Tax | 4.5 | 60 | |
| CP284 | Microsoft Word | 4.5 | 60 | |
| AC121 | Payroll Accounting | 4.5 | 60 | |
| MG215 | Personal Financial Management | 2.5 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 24 | 336 | ||
| Fourth Term | IT234 | Advanced Microsoft Excel | 2.5 | 36 |
| GE232 | Business Economics | 3 | 36 | |
| LE100 | Business Law | 3 | 36 | |
| AC116 | Computerized Accounting | 4 | 60 | |
| AC225 | Intermediate Accounting I | 4.5 | 60 | |
| AC127 | Professional Writing for Accountants | 1.5 | 24 | |
| CD207 | Job Search Skills | 2 | 24 | |
| Totals: | 20.5 | 276 | ||
| Fifth Term | AC214 | Auditing | 5 | 60 |
| AC217 | Cost/Managerial Accounting | 4.5 | 60 | |
| AC226 | Intermediate Accounting II | 4.5 | 60 | |
| IT235 | Microsoft Access | 3.5 | 48 | |
| GE213 | Oral Business Communications | 2 | 24 | |
| AC228 | Topics in Accounting | 3 | 36 | |
| Totals: | 22.5 | 288 | ||
| Sixth Term | AC222 | Business Administration-Accounting Internship | 11 | 330 |
| CD107 | Career Preparation for Business Administration Accounting | 0.5 | 10 | |
| CD202 | Certification Preparation for Accounting | 2 | 21 | |
| Totals: | 13.5 | 361 | ||
| BAA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS | BAA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS | |||
| 121.5 Credits | 1,845 Clock Hours |
Bright Outlook Occupation
Accountant
The field of accounting is very broad and can range from assisting others with personal finances to overseeing the fiscal operations of large corporations. There are many specialty areas available within the field of accounting such as grant management, fraud/forensic accounting, or income tax planning and preparation.
See the Bright Outlook for this OccupationMeet the Faculty
Brenna Shutika
Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus
Brenna Shutika, the Coordinator of the Business Administration—Accounting program, joined South Hills as an accounting instructor in 2008.
In 2013 Brenna obtained her Certified Bookkeeper designation from the American Institute of Public Bookkeepers, a national certification… leading by example, as she prepares her own South Hills Accounting students for this certification.
Brenna graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting. Prior to joining South Hills, she was the CFO for Woodcraft Industries, Inc. for 20 years. She also does consulting work on QuickBooks for clients of Dotts Hamilton, Inc. Tax and Financial Services of Bellefonte; and during tax season, she can be found preparing tax returns for individuals and partnerships.
Wendy Eismont
Instructor
State College Main Campus
Wendy Eismont is an instructor, internship supervisor, and adviser for the Business Administration—Accounting program and has been at South Hills since 2008. Wendy graduated from Penn State with a BS in Accounting. She has lived throughout the country working in the Accounting field and has had jobs ranging from Auditor to Controller.
Matt Pulcinello
Instructor/Program Lead
Altoona Campus
Matt Pulcinello joined South Hills School of Business & Technology as an Accounting Instructor in 2019. He also serves as the Program Lead and Student Advisor for the Business Administration–Accounting program at the Altoona Campus.
Matt is a 1997 graduate of Saint Francis College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Having worked within the local community throughout his career, Matt brings over twenty years of experience in public and private accounting to the classroom.
Matt’s outside interests are home improvement projects, gardening, movies, writing, and sports.
Bob Helbig
Adjunct Instructor
Altoona Campus
Bob Helbig teaches accounting, economics, statistics, and other math courses at South Hills. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Saint Francis College in Loretto, PA and was awarded the Certified Management Accountant designation (CMA) in 2005. Bob has had a wide-ranging career that includes experiences as a business analyst for the Saint Francis Small Business Development Center and JARI, Johnstown Area Regional Industries, life insurance and securities registered representative, radio broadcaster, and professional musician. Bob resides in Altoona and is a politics enthusiast and part-time working musician.
Program Advisory Committees
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Linda Welker | Manager of Tax Services | State College Borough Tax Office |
| Jacqui Fuge | Assistant Manager of Tax Services | State College Borough Tax Office |
| Bobbi Jo Shannon | Accounting Manager | The Torron Group |
| Shawnee Matis | Accountant | Maxwell Trucking and Excavating |
| Tammy Blake | Accountant | NIS Group |
| Marty McGinley | Staff Accountant | Shaner Hotel Group |
| Michele Miller | Tax Specialist | Keystone Payroll |
| Chelsea Boucher | Accounting Clerk | Bellefonte Area School District |
| Melissa Elliot | Accounting Clerk | State College Area School District |
| Anya Vovchenko-Sukhorukov | Finance Administrator | Harris Township |
| Sue Wilt | CPA | Self-employed |
| Josh Bricker | Staff Accountant | Shaner Hotel Group |
| Nicole Harris | Staff Accountant III | Shaner Hotel Group |
| Member Name | Job Title | Company |
| Dan Dainty | State Contract Manager | NPC, Inc |
| Amanda Boring | Administrative Assistant | East Hills Engineering |
| Larry Sprankle | General Manager | Shoe Fly |
| Kelli Keller | Payroll Office | Penn State University |
| Brock Anders | Junior Accountant | Ward Transport and Logistics Corp. |
| Angela Whetstine | Executive Director | Blair County Tax Collection Bureau |
| Chelsi Tedeschi | Sheetz |
