Accounting Specialist AAS-T

Program Details Page Accounting Specialist AAS-T

This program is not accepting any new enrollments.

The last group of students had to enroll in January 2025. We are no longer accepting new Accounting Specialist students starting in Spring 2025.

Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Accounting Specialist AAS-T program! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice, please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.

Bookstore Information

a picture of an open bookInformation regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!

The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!

General Overview

When can I start? As of Spring 2025 we are no longer accepting new students into the Accounting Specialist AAS-T program.  Please look at the Associate in Business DTA/MRP to start your accounting education.

length of the program icon How long is the program?

  • 6 quarters full-time (22 to 24 months)
  • 9 quarters part-time (up to 27 months) with 90 total credits full-time

When do classes meet? FLEX (this means you can attend on campus or by video chat or online)

Are summer classes required? Yes. You cannot complete the certificate or degree without attending classes during summer quarter (July and early August).

This program provides comprehensive training in multiple areas of accounting: general ledger, bookkeeping, payroll, income tax, and budgets. Students enrolled in the Accounting Specialist program earn an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree and can prepare to transfer to an applied bachelor degree (BAS) program.

What do accounting specialists do?

What is the average salary?

$51,250 annually in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most accounting specialists earn at least $39,520; there is a wide salary range.

Who can I contact with questions?

 (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Functioning laptop or computer
  2. USB drive (thumb drive)
  3. Webcam
  4. Headset with microphone
  5. Working internet connection
  6. Books and software packages ($1,215 total)

Minimum grades or GPA to graduate

You need a 2.0 in ACCT& 201, 202 and 203, and also in ENGL& 101. You must pass all other classes with a 1.0 or better, and your cumulative or overall GPA must be 2.0 or higher to complete your Accounting AAS-T.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

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Quarter 1

 [Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
 Description: In this quarter, you are introduced to the necessary tools for accounting tasks and learn how to record various important monetary information. This quarter consists of three core classes and one general education English class. What are your placement options for ENGL&101?
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I YES 5
ASST 144 Introduction to Computer Applications NO 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition NO 5

Quarter 2

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
 Description: You will learn to manage general ledgers, accounts receivable, accounts payable, depreciation, inventory, payroll, and financial statements in a small business - using Microsoft Excel. You also will explore payroll (wages, overtime, leave, salary calculations, and payroll taxes). This quarter consists of three core classes.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take ACCT 130 or ACCT& 202 until you complete ACCT& 201 with a 2.0 or higher. You must complete ASST 144 or another Office Applications class before you can take ACCT 132.

It's time to apply for your certificate! You will complete the Accounting Clerk certificate this quarter.

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ACCT& 202 Principles of Accounting II NO 5
ACCT 130 Payroll Accounting
offered for the last time in winter 2026
YES 5
ACCT 132 Excel for Accounting
offered for the last time in winter 2026
YES 5

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
Description: You will learn small business accounting, from general ledger through accounts receivable, accounts payable, depreciation, inventory, capital gains and losses, and financial statements. You will take the third and final class in the accounting sequence, with a focus on managerial accounting: cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting, performance evaluation, and special business decisions. This quarter has two core classes and one general education mathematics class. Learn more about math placement options.
MATH& 146 is the recommended transfer math class, but you also can take MATH& 107 Math in Society, MATH& 141 Precalculus, or a more advanced class.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take ACCT & 203 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in ACCT& 202. 

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ACCT 124 Small Business Accounting YES 5
ACCT& 203 Principles of Accounting III YES 5
AMATH 190
or MATH& 146
Financial Algebra (if you need a prerequisite)
or Introduction to Statistics
varies by class 5

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
 Description: You will take a special topics class on the latest innovations in the accounting field. This quarter will consist of one core class and one General Education social science class.

Prerequisite notes: You need to complete ACCT 132 with a 1.0 or higher before you can take ACCT 150.

It's time to apply for Paraprofessional certificate! You will complete the Accounting Paraprofessional certificate this quarter.

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ACCT 150 / ACCT 195 Special Topics in Accounting
offered for the last time in summer 2025
YES 8
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (recommended) or any social science class YES 5

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
 Description: In this quarter, you will take a taxation class. This quarter consists of one core class and two electives from General Education or another program in Business Management: Contemporary Business (BUS), Construction Management (CONST), Legal Assistant (LGL), or Office Assistant (ASST). Look at the College Catalog to learn more about specific program classes. Links to an external site.
If your goal is to transfer to an applied bachelor or BAS program, take the recommended general education!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ACCT 179 Taxation
offered for the last time in fall 2025
YES 5
MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics (if you did not take this in Quarter 4) varies by class 5
ECON& 201 Microeconomics (recommended) varies by class 5

Quarter 6 

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
 Description: In this final quarter, you take business law and other approved electives for your degree. If you plan to transfer to an applied bachelor or BAS program, take the recommended classes listed below. You also can choose classes from another program in Business Management: Contemporary Business (BUS), Construction Management (CONST), Legal Assistant (LGL), or Office Assistant (ASST). Look at the College Catalog to learn more about specific program classes. Links to an external site.

It's time to apply for your AAS-T degree! You will complete the Accounting Specialist AAS-T degree this quarter.

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
BUS& 201 Business Law (required) NO 5
CMST& 220
or CMST 280
or BUS& 101
Public Speaking
or Intercultural Communication
or Introduction to Business (all recommended)
NO 5
BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology or other natural science (recommended) YES 5

Grand Total Estimate for Your Accounting Specialist AAS-T Degree: $12,300

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