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Business Administration—Accounting
Two-Year Associate in Specialized Business (ASB) Degree Program
Available at the State College and Altoona Campuses
Available at the State College and Altoona Campuses
Get the Training You Need for Today’s Accounting Careers
Calling all “numbers people!” No office or company can thrive without a competent, confident accounting staff. In just two years, the Business Administration–Accounting (BAA) program at South Hills School of Business & Technology will teach you specialized skills in cost accounting, financial statement preparation & analysis, and income taxes.
A successful BAA student…
- Enjoys mathematics
- Enjoys problem-solving
- Has strong analytical skills
Using modern accounting technology, South Hills will prepare you to hit the ground running and be a valued part of your employer’s bottom line. Our two-year Associate in Specialized Business (ASB) Degree Program readies you for career options like:
- Staff Accountant
- Accounting Manager
- Bookkeeper
- Accounting Clerk
- Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk
- Payroll Clerk
- Administrative Assistant
- Controller
South Hills Students Visit Metzler Forest Products
As they prepare to embark on the 12-week internships required before graduation, South Hills School of Business & Technology's Business Administration–Accounting students got an inside look at a local business's accounting and finance department's operations.
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Why South Hills?
More choices.
With applications in nearly every industry, your South Hills degree can take you just about anywhere.
Small class sizes.
Keeping our student-to-faculty ratios low ensures you receive the kind of one-on-one attention and mentorship you need to succeed.
Experienced instructors.
You’ll learn from certified bookkeepers, business analysts and advisors with knowledge of every facet of the field.
Real-world job insights.
A second-year internship will give you critical exposure to current practices and challenges.
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 Comprehensive Curriculum
Through our educational training program, BAA students will develop technical knowledge across the major areas of accounting including theory, practice, application and ethical conduct. The BAA program prepares students to:
- Utilize accounting software to prepare financial statements and bank reconciliations, pay vendors, depreciate assets, track inventory, and bill customers
- Evaluate and audit internal accounting procedures/policies
- Prepare and analyze financial statements
- Prepare individual tax returns
- Prepare payroll and payroll-related tax forms
- Demonstrate compliance with business and tax laws
Course Highlights
- Business Economics
- Personal Financial Management
- Auditing
- Oral Business Communications
- Payroll Accounting
Complete Course List
Business Administration—Accounting 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's Biography
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.
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's Biography
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.
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's Biography
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.
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's Biography
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.
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
State College Main Campus
| 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 |
Altoona Campus
| 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 |
BAA Program, Student, & Alumni News
South Hills Kicks Off “Taste of Success” Speaker Series
October 28, 2019
South Hills School of Business & Technology's Career Services Team hosted alumni guest speaker, Shawnee Matis, as part of the “Taste of Success” Speaker Series. The series provides current students with opportunities to learn from local employers who provide valuable career information, tips, and pointers to help the students start thinking about what comes after graduation.
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South Hills Students Place At PBL National Leadership Conference
July 1, 2019
Members of South Hills School of Business & Technology’s Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Club are celebrating after successful performances at the 2019 PBL National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Three students placed in the competitions and brought home awards.
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South Hills School Of Business & Technology Holds Spring Commencement Ceremony
June 26, 2019
South Hills School of Business & Technology held its 49th annual commencement ceremony for the graduating class of June 2019 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
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South Hills Students Visit Metzler Forest Products
January 28, 2019
As they prepare to embark on the 12-week internships required before graduation, South Hills School of Business & Technology's Business Administration–Accounting students got an inside look at a local business's accounting and finance department's operations.
Read More
South Hills Utilizes Local Experts to Prepare Students for the Workplace
November 20, 2018
To keep the curriculums for its 11 specialized associate degree programs current and relevant to the community's workforce needs, South Hills School of Business & Technology relies on input from Program Advisory Committees that are comprised of local employers, internship site supervisors, and South Hills alumni.
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South Hills Graduates 61 Students for Spring 2017
June 27, 2017
Sixty-one students from the State College and Altoona campuses of South Hills School of Business & Technology completed their studies and became graduates on June 19, 2017.
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Bright Outlook Occupation: Accountant
June 26, 2017
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.
Read More
Entrepreneur Club Hosts Video Game Tournament Fundraiser For South Hills Alumnus
January 17, 2017
This year's annual Video Game Tournament fundraiser benefited 2008 South Hills alumnus Mike Keller, who recently underwent a double-lung transplant.
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