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
Information 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.
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?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Accounting Specialist.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Functioning laptop or computer
- USB drive (thumb drive)
- Webcam
- Headset with microphone
- Working internet connection
- 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!
Mobile Browser Information
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Quarter 1
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
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
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
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
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
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
Quarter 1
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
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT 124 | Small Business Accounting | YES | 5 |
ACCT& 202 | Principles of Accounting II | YES | 5 |
MATH& 146 | Introduction to Statistics (may be taken with CMATH 146 for support) |
varies by class | 5 to 7 |
Quarter 3
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 4
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. You also take a taxation class.Quarter 5
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.Quarter 6
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.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 |
GEOL& 101 | Physical Geology or other natural science (recommended) | YES | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Accounting Specialist AAS-T Degree: $12,300
We will not enroll new Accounting Specialist students in spring 2025.
Please look into the Business DTA/MRP degree option instead. You can still learn accounting, earn a four-year accounting degree, and have a great career!
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
ACCT& 201 | Principles of Accounting I | NO | 5 |
ACCT 132 | Basic Excel | YES | 5 |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition | varies by section | 5 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT& 202 | Principles of Accounting II | NO | 5 |
ACCT 130 | Payroll Accounting | YES | 5 |
ACCT 179 | Taxation I | YES | 5 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT 124 | Small Business Accounting | YES | 5 |
ACCT 275 | Taxation II | NO | 5 |
AMATH 190 or MATH& 146 |
Financial Algebra (if you need a prerequisite) or Introduction to Statistics |
varies by class | 5 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT 150 | Bookkeeping Certification | YES | 8 |
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology (recommended) or any social science class | YES | 5 |
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT& 203 | Principles of Accounting III | 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
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
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
ACCT& 201 | Principles of Accounting I | NO | 5 |
ACCT 179 | Taxation I | YES | 5 |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition | varies by section | 5 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT& 202 | Principles of Accounting II | NO | 5 |
ACCT 124 | Small Business Accounting | YES | 5 |
ACCT 275 | Taxation II | YES | 5 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT 150 | Bookkeeping Certification | YES | 8 |
BUS& 201 | Business Law | NO | 5 |
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT& 203 | Principles of Accounting III | YES | 5 |
ACCT 132 | Basic Excel | YES | 5 |
AMATH 190 or MATH& 146 |
Financial Algebra (if you need a prerequisite) or Introduction to Statistics |
varies by class | 5 |
Quarter 5
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT 130 | Payroll Accounting | YES | 5 |
CMST& 220 or CMST 280 or BUS& 101 |
Public Speaking or Intercultural Communication or Introduction to Business (all recommended) |
NO | 5 |
MATH& 146 | Introduction to Statistics (if you did not take this in Quarter 4) or other General Education or Business Management Program elective | YES | 5 |
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology (recommended) or other social science class | YES | 5 |
ECON& 201 | Microeconomics (recommended) or other General Education or Business Management Program elective | varies by class | 5 |
BIOL& 100 | Survey of Biology or another natural science class (recommended) | YES | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Accounting Specialist AAS-T Degree: $12,300
Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition | TBD | 5 |
AMATH 190 or MATH& 146 |
Financial Algebra (if you need a prerequisite) or Introduction to Statistics (recommended) |
varies by class | 5 |
ECON& 201 | Microeconomics (recommended) or other General Education or Business Management Program elective | NO | 5 |
Quarter 2
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
BUS& 201 | Business Law | TBD | 5 |
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology (recommended) or other social science class | YES | 5 |
CMST& 220 or CMST 280 or ECON& 202 |
Public Speaking or Intercultural Communication or Macroeconomics (all recommended) |
NO YES |
5 |
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT& 202 | Principles of Accounting II | NO | 5 |
ACCT 130 | Payroll Accounting | YES | 5 |
ACCT 179 | Taxation I | YES | 5 |
Quarter 5
Quarter 6
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
---|---|---|---|
ACCT 150 | Bookkeeping Certification | YES | 8 |
BIOL& 100 | Survey of Biology or another natural science class (recommended) | YES | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate for Your Accounting Specialist AAS-T Degree: $12,300
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