Business Administration—Accounting

  • Earn your specialized associate degree in accounting in 2 years at our campus located in State College, Pennsylvania
  • 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 QuickBooks 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.

 
 

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.
  • 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, and 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.

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.

Business Administration—Accounting
With applications in nearly every industry, your South Hills degree can take you just about anywhere.

Small class sizes.

Business Administration—Accounting
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.

Business Administration—Accounting
You’ll learn from certified bookkeepers, business analysts and advisors with knowledge of every facet of the field.

Real-world job insights.

Business Administration—Accounting
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 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

Business Administration–Accounting Course List for 2023-24

TermCourse #Course NameCreditsClock Hours
First TermAC125Accounting I4.560
GE117Applied Algebra460
GE183Business English I460
MG116Introduction to Business4.560
OS103Keyboarding120
PD110Professional Development224
Totals:20284
Second TermAC223Accounting II4.560
GE184Business English II460
GE118Business Mathematics460
MG117Management I460
CP287Microsoft Excel4.560
Totals:21300
Third TermAC224Accounting III4.560
GE210Business English III3.560
AC126Fundamentals of Income Tax4.560
CP284Microsoft Word4.560
AC121Payroll Accounting4.560
MG215Personal Financial Management2.536
Totals:24336
Fourth TermIT234Advanced Microsoft Excel2.536
GE232Business Economics336
AC116Computerized Accounting460
AC217Cost/Managerial Accounting4.560
AC225Intermediate Accounting I4.560
AC127Professional Writing for Accountants1.524
CD207Job Search Skills224
Totals:22300
Fifth TermAC214Auditing560
LE100Business Law3.036
AC226Intermediate Accounting II4.560
IT235Microsoft Access3.548
GE213Oral Business Communications224
AC228Topics in Accounting336
Totals:21.0264
Sixth TermAC222Business Administration-Accounting Internship11330
CD107Career Preparation for Business Administration Accounting0.510
CD202Certification Preparation for Accounting221
Totals:13.5361
BAA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITSBAA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS
121.5 Credits1,845 Clock Hours

Meet the Faculty

Brenna Shutika

Program Coordinator / Instructor
State College Main Campus


Brenna's Biography

Wendy Eismont

Instructor
State College Main Campus


Wendy's Biography

Loryn Way

Instructor
State College Main Campus


Loryn's Biography

Robert Helbig

Instructor
State College Main Campus


Ready to enroll in the Business Administration—Accounting program at South Hills?

Apply Now >>