Careers in accounting, bookkeeping and payroll are in high demand. Accounting is a field ripe with job opportunities within various industries in corporate, government and nonprofit sectors.
Degree & Certificate Options

Accounting

AAS
Associate of Applied Science Degree | 61 Credits
Direct to Work

Accounting Transfer

AAS
Associate of Applied Science Degree | 61 Credits
Transfer to MSU Denver or CU Denver

Bookkeeping / Payroll

CERT
Certificate | 31 Credits
Direct to Work, Stackable

Tax Preparation

CERT
Certificate | 16 Credits
Direct to Work, Stackable
ripe with job opportunities
Careers in accounting, bookkeeping and payroll are in high demand

If you enjoy working with numbers, you are in luck because careers in accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll are in high demand. Accounting is a field ripe with job opportunities within various industries in corporate, government and nonprofit sectors.

These types of jobs are usually in an office setting during regular work hours. Responsibilities include:

  • Recording daily business transactions
  • Preparing summary financial documents
  • Filing taxes
  • Billing and payment
  • Budgeting
  • Supervision
  • Management of an accounting department.

You could even be your own boss.

close-up of hands using a calculator
necessary skills to succeed
Obtain your associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university

CCD's accounting program prepares you with the necessary skills to succeed in today’s accounting workforce. As a student, you will learn general accounting and bookkeeping through recording daily business transactions, billing and payment processing, and financial statement preparation.

You will also learn about basic tax regulations and be trained on industry-standard bookkeeping and tax preparation software.

Attend CCD for two years, obtain your associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university. Learn more about CCD's accounting program and get started on a career today!

female accountant at a desk
Tax Help Colorado

Learn how The Piton Foundation's Tax Help Colorado program utilizes community college and high school students to provide free tax preparation assistance to individuals who earn less than about $54,000 a year.

Tax Help Colorado
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More Information About the Program

Academic support is provided through CCD’s Excel Zone, which helps students succeed by offering a variety of learning opportunities. We are located on campus on the 4th floor of the Confluence building.

CCD Online offers fully online certificates and degrees, and individual online courses to help match your busy schedule. This program offers between 88 to 97 percent of its degree either online or through a hybrid program.

Your first step is to see if online learning is right for you. Online and hybrid environments offer much more flexibility but require more self-direction and self-discipline. Certain work habits, learning styles and skills contribute to a successful online or hybrid learning experience.

Online Experience Questions?
303.352.6785 | TLC@ccd.edu

Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the course labs and are embedded within your general tuition.

The following courses have additional fees: 

ACC 1025, ACC 1025

View the 2024-2025 Course Specific Fees

This program is eligible for federal financial aid.

Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.

In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Learn More!

The Associate of Applied Science in accounting transfer agreement with Metropolitan State University of Denver is designed to prepare you for seamless transfer into Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Bachelor of Science in accounting. This unique agreement allows for easy transfer of all 61 course credits within the degree.

The coursework is designed to provide you with technical accounting skills as well as theory-based knowledge that will be built upon at the university level. This guaranteed course transfer agreement only applies to Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Bachelor of Science degree.

View Course Map for This Transfer Degree

Students completing the Associate of Applied Science in accounting (non-transfer degree) have the option to complete an accounting internship (ACC 280).

In addition, CCD partner with the Piton Foundation to provide free tax help to the Denver community. With this partnership, CCD students provide free tax preparation and in turn receive college credit and gain professional skills that will help them in their future careers.

What Can I Do with My Major?

Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to experience 10 percent growth for periods 2016 – 2026, outpacing the average growth across all sectors.  Bookkeeping and accounting clerks will have sustained numbers across the same time frame.

There are numerous job possibilities with an associate degree or certificate in accounting including:

  • Accounting Clerk
  • Bookkeeper
  • Payroll Technician
  • Tax Preparer

Continue your education and in two years earn a bachelor's degree in accounting. This degree opens the door to many more job opportunities including:

  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Tax Associate
  • Chief Financial Officer

How Much Can I Expect to Earn?

The median annual wage for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks was $47,440 in May 2023.

The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook for bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks.

Total of 2019 GraduatesTotal Students Employed in their Field of StudyTotal Students Who Have Transferred to a 4-year Degree or Other Institution
28108

The bookkeeping and tax preparation certificates both seamlessly transfer to the Associate of Applied Science in accounting. Complete a certificate and start working while you study and finish your associate degree.

Important Dates
Faculty & Staff
Chris Luchs
Dean of Instruction, Business & Manufacturing Pathway
person with short red hair wearing black suit coat and purple shirt with tie
Brian Gilsdorf
Assistant Professor, Accounting
Edi Hernandez
Academic Advisor
Nirali R. Patel
Associate Professor, Accounting
Narali Patel
Lourdes Schmidt
Academic Advisor