Three Aims students sitting at a table in a lecture hall looking at a lesson on a shared laptop

Accounting

Earn an Accounting Associate Degree at Aims

All companies need accounting support because tracking the movement of assets is crucial to business success. Even government and non-profit organizations need skilled accountants to help them continue operating smoothly. If you enjoy problem-solving, helping others with numbers and are detail-oriented, you can open doors to a new career with an accounting associate degree at Aims. Because accounting is needed in most businesses, you can apply an accounting degree to the industry you’re most interested in.

In this two-year degree program, learn about:

  • Principles of accounting
  • Computer tools
  • Business ethics
  • Filing taxes
It’s a misconception that accounting is about data entry. It's a lot of planning, budgeting, auditing — finding where things have gone wrong or looking for that mistake that is eluding everyone.
--Gina Jones, Accounting Professor
See Accounting Associate Degree Requirements

Turn your love of numbers and problem-solving into a career

Learn the fundamentals of business and personal accounting including bookkeeping, budgeting, account management, cost accounting, tax preparation and payroll.

Gina Jones, Accounting Professor, describes how you can launch your career with an accounting associate degree from Aims.

Learn Professional and Personal Accounting Skills

Learn corporate accounting and tax skills that can carry over into your personal accounting, including: 

  • Problem-solving
  • Balancing a budget
  • Preparing taxes
  • Cost accounting
  • Payroll
  • Budget management

You also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience volunteering to prepare tax returns for low- to middle-income families. Instructors can help you participate in these volunteering opportunities. It’s a great way to develop skills, give back to the community and get recognized by potential employers.

Earn an Accounting Certificate

Aims offers two certificates you can earn while enrolled in the accounting associate degree program or by obtaining them separately. Learn bookkeeping and legal compliance with an Accounting Certificate. Or, after completing the Enrolled Agent Certificate, take the Enrolled Agent Exam and open your own business preparing taxes for corporations, small companies, and individuals.

  • Bookkeeping Certificate
  • Enrolled Agent Certificate
See Accounting Certificates

Careers in Accounting

Accounting is fundamental to the operation of all businesses. Studying accounting can prepare you for many diverse career opportunities dealing with assets and the flow of money across a wide variety of fields and industries. 

Many positions depend on how far you take your education. An accounting associate degree can transfer to a bachelor’s program and put you on a management career track. After that, earning a master’s degree qualifies you to work as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). An associate degree in accounting can lead to immediate work as an entry-level accounting or payroll clerk with a smaller firm, or as a staff accountant.

$77,250 average salary Bureau of Labor and Statistics
136,400 new accounting jobs annually Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Hire-employee-employ-engage-job

Potential careers in accounting include:

  • Accounts receivable or accounts payable clerk
  • Cash receipts and disbursements clerk
  • Payroll accounting technician
  • Accountant
  • Budget or credit analyst
Watch Aims graduate Spring Cloud talk about her time at Aims Community College and her journey through the Accounting program.

Watch Aims graduate Spring Cloud talk about her journey earning an accounting associate degree at community college.

Accounting Faculty and Staff

Learn from seasoned industry professionals who bring their experience working in education, corporate and individual accounting backgrounds to the classroom. Small class sizes allow for you to experience plenty of one-on-one instruction and to build impactful relationships with other students.

  • Headshot of Ellen Swieter

    Ellen Swieter

    Professor, Business Technology
  • Headshot of Lori Hatchell

    Lori Hatchell

    Professor, Accounting & Business
  • Headshot of Mark Jarnot

    Mark Jarnot

    Professor, Marketing & Management
  • Photo of Gina Jones

    Gina Jones

    Professor, Accounting

Next Steps

Are you ready to get started?

ApplyRequest Info

Do you have questions?

Schedule meeting icon Meet with an Enrollment Coach!

Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Greeley Campus

Credits

65 Credits

Tuition*

Est. Lab/ Course Fees
$273
In-District
$5,625
In-State
$8,550
WUE
$12,515
Out-of-State
$30,585

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

Related Links

Accounting

Related Resources

Accounting