Accounting and Finance Diploma
Program Description
Craven Community College’s Accounting curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and the skills necessary for employment and growth in the accounting profession. Using the language of business, accountants assemble, analyze, process, and communicate essential information about financial operations.
For degree completion, students are required to successfully complete 69 semester hour credits (SHC) of courses. Students study financial and managerial accounting, taxes, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, and payroll accounting. In addition to 10 required courses in accounting principles, theories, and practice, students learn about business law, general business, and economics. Related skills are developed through the study of communications, social sciences and humanities, and computer applications. Students may complete the program online, as well as in traditional face-to-face formats.
Craven Community College’s Accounting Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs.
Admission Criteria
Admission to this program requires that students be high school graduates or have a recognized equivalency.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Analyze, classify and record transactions for profit and non-profit organizations.
- Demonstrate mastery of accounting skills for
- adjusting entries,
- correction of accounting errors,
- payroll,
- inventory,
- depreciation, and
- internal controls and fraud prevention.
- Demonstrate an understanding of federal and state tax law.
Career Opportunities
The Accounting program prepares students to begin their careers assisting accountants as full-charge bookkeepers, junior accountants, accounting clerks or office managers. An accounting assistant provides bookkeeping capabilities to a variety of employers through such responsibilities as accounts receivable/payable, payroll, balance sheets, and income statements, billing, and bank statement reconciliation. Entry-level accounting positions are offered in many types of organizations, including:
- accounting firms
- small businesses
- manufacturing firms
- banks
- hospitals
- school systems
- governmental agencies
With work experience and additional education, an individual may advance in the accounting profession.
Contact Information
Executive Director of Career Programs
252-638-7372
Admissions Office
252-638-7430
Diploma Requirements
The following suggested schedule is based on full-time enrollment. Part-Time Students begin with ACA 111, BUS 110, and ACC 120. Continue with sequence of required courses. General education courses may be taken at any time. For information about prerequisites and corequisites, please refer to the catalog.
Courses in this program
First Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 14
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACA-111 | 1 | ||
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This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.
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| ACC-120 | 4 | ||
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This course introduces business decision-making using accounting information systems. Emphasis is placed on analyzing, summarizing, reporting, and interpreting financial information. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare financial statements, understand the role of financial information in decision-making and address ethical considerations.
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| BUS-110 | 3 | ||
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This course provides a survey of the business world. Topics include the basic principles and practices of contemporary business. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of business concepts as a foundation for studying other business subjects.
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| CIS-110 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces computer concepts including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.
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| MAT-143 | 3 | ||
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This course is designed to engage students in complex and realistic situations involving the mathematical phenomena of quantity, change and relationship, and uncertainty through project- and activity-based assessment.
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Second Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 11. Take ACC-132 or ACC-150
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC-150 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces microcomputer applications related to accounting systems. Topics include general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts, payable, inventory, payroll, and correcting, adjusting, and closing entries. Upon completion, students should be able to use a computer accounting package to accurately solve accounting problems.
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| ACC-131 | 3 | ||
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This course provides an overview of federal income taxes for individuals, partnerships, and corporations. Topics include tax law, electronic, research and methodologies and the use technology for the preparation of individual and business tax returns. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze basic tax scenarios, research applicable tax laws, and complete federal tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and corporations.
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| ACC-132 | 2 | ||
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This course introduces the relevant laws governing North Carolina taxes as they apply to business. Topics include sales taxes, income taxes for business entities, payroll taxes, unemployment taxes, and other taxes pertaining to the State of North Carolina. Upon completion, students should be able to maintain a company's records to comply with the laws governing North Carolina business taxes.
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| ACC-140 | 2 | ||
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This course covers federal and state laws pertaining to wages, payroll taxes, payroll tax forms, and journal and general ledger transactions. Emphasis is placed on computing wages; calculating social security income, and, unemployment taxes; preparing appropriate payroll tax forms; and journalizing/posting transactions. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze data, make appropriate computations, complete forms, and prepare accounting entries using appropriate technology.
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| ACC-121 | 4 | ||
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This course includes a greater emphasis on managerial and cost accounting skills. Emphasis is placed on managerial accounting concepts for external and internal analysis, reporting and decision-making. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze and interpret transactions relating to managerial concepts including product-costing systems.
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| CTS-130 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces basic spreadsheet design and development. Topics include writing formulas, using functions, enhancing spreadsheets, creating charts, and printing. Upon completion, students should be able to design and print basic spreadsheets and charts.
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Third Semester
Semester Credit Hours: 14
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS-115 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the student to the legal and ethical framework of business. Contracts, negotiable instruments, the law of sales, torts, crimes, constitutional law, the Uniform Commercial Code, and the court systems are examined. Upon completion, the student should be able to identify legal and ethical issues that arise in business decisions and the laws that apply to them.
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| BUS-153 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces the functions of personnel/human resource management within an organization. Topics include equal opportunity and the legal environment, recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, employee development, compensation planning, and employee relations. Upon completion, students should be able to anticipate and resolve human resource concerns.
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| MAJ-001 | |||
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MAJ-001 is a category of major electives and not a specific course name. To select the appropriate credit hours for this individual program, select Major Electives to view available class options.
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| ACC-180 | 3 | ||
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This course provides advanced instruction in bookkeeping and record-keeping functions. Emphasis is placed on mastering adjusting entries, correction of errors, depreciation, payroll, and inventory. Upon completion, students should be able to conduct all key bookkeeping functions for small businesses.
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| COM-231 | 3 | ||
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This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and deliver well-organized speeches and participate in group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support.
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Major Elective
Students must select two credit hours from the following options. Contact an advisor for information on work based learning courses.
| Course | Course Code | Credit Hours | Link to course details |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS-116 | 3 | ||
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This course includes the study of the legal and ethical framework of business. Business Organizations, property law, intellectual property law, agency and employment law, consumer law, secured transactions, and bankruptcy are examined. Upon completion, the student should be able to identify legal and ethical issues that arise in business decisions and the laws that apply to them.
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| BUS-139 | 3 | ||
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This course provides an introduction to the principles of entrepreneurship. Topics include self-analysis of entrepreneurship readiness, the role of entrepreneur in economic development, legal problems, organizational structure, sources of financing, budgeting, and cash flow. Upon completion, students should have an understanding of the entrepreneurial process and issues faced by entrepreneurs.
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| BUS-225 | 3 | ||
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This course provides an overview of business financial management. Emphasis is placed on financial statement analysis, time value of money, management of cash flow, risk and return, and sources of financing. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret and apply the principles of financial management.
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| MKT-120 | 3 | ||
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This course introduces principles and problems of marketing goods and services. Topics include promotion, placement, and pricing strategies for products. Upon completion, students should be able to apply marketing principles in organizational decision making.
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| MKT-223 | 3 | ||
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This course stresses the importance of customer relations in the business world. Emphasis is placed on learning how to respond to complex customer requirements and to efficiently handle stressful situations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to handle customer relations.
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| WBL-111 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-112 | 2 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-113 | 3 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-121 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-122 | 2 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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| WBL-131 | 1 | ||
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This course provides a work-based learning experience with a college-approved employer in an area related to the student's program of study. Emphasis is placed on integrating classroom learning with related work experience. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate career selection, demonstrate employability skills, and satisfactorily perform work-related competencies.
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