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A diploma in accounting from Minnesota State College Southeast can take you anywhere! Take the next steps in your accounting career path by earning your Accounting Diploma online or in person at Southeast. The hybrid accounting degree classes from Minnesota State College Southeast provide professional training for your new accounting career and serve as building blocks for further education. Apply Fall or Spring semester for 100% online classes, in person classes or hybrid learning programs.

Career Area: Business & Management
Program: Accounting
Campus(es): Winona/Online

Major Details

A Diploma In Accounting can lead to a highly valued and rewarding career in one of the nation's fastest growing professions.

The 2-year Accounting Diploma at Minnesota State College Southeast provides an extensive foundation in all aspects of accounting with 47 credits of technical education, such as payroll, income tax, auditing, spreadsheets, database concepts, and business ethics. In addition, you will take general education courses in communications, math, personal finance and macroeconomics (13 credits).

With a focus on providing the most flexible course delivery options possible, Minnesota State College Southeast offers a program that can be completed online, on campus in Winona, or a combination of both. You can enroll in Southeast's accounting program in either the fall or spring semester and attend accounting classes on a full-time or part-time basis.

Discover career opportunities with a Diploma in Accounting

If you have the desire to own your own business, be a leader, motivate people, and solve problems, consider enrolling in an accounting diploma or degree at Minnesota State College Southeast.

More and more employers are demanding an accounting degree or diploma from potential job candidates to fill their accounting positions. Our educational approach is a blend of theory and practice, providing a solid foundation for your career. We offer a practical, personal approach to learning the principles of accounting and making the best use of a variety of popular accounting software packages.

Once you have your Accounting degree from Southeast in hand, you will find that the opportunities for meaningful and challenging employment are plentiful in companies of all sizes.

Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast


Cluster/Pathway
Career Field: Business Management & Administration
Cluster: Finance
Pathway: Accounting
Recommended high school classes and basic job/program skills

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Courses

1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.


GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
English/Communications requirement
Choose one 2 credit (or greater) English or Communications course.
2 cr
ECON1405
Personal Finance
Personal Finance offers a study of economic decisions facing individuals in their personal lives. The course includes such topics as budgeting, using consumer credit, buying or renting a home, providing for medical care, purchasing life insurance, understanding retirement programs, buying and selling stocks, preparing income tax returns, minimizing taxes, and thinking about consumerism. (Prerequisites: none) (MnTC Goals 5 and 9) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
ECON2530
Macroeconomics
This course focuses on the economy as a whole and studies how government can affect the economy. Topics include principles of markets, the price system and supply and demand, national income accounting, business cycles, inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy, monetary policy and the Federal Reserve System, approaches to economic growth, and the foundations of international trade. There will be an emphasis on forces influencing employment and inflation. Current problems of the economy are stressed along with the tools the government has to cope with them. (MnTC Goals 5 and 8) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
 
13 crs
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
ACCT, BUSN, ECON Technical Electives
Choose from courses in Accounting (ACCT), Business Administration (BUSN), and/or Economics (ECON) for a total of 12 credits. Work with your advisor and visit the Course Schedule page to search for courses.
12 cr
ACCT1210
Payroll Accounting
This course covers the fundamental principles of accounting for payroll in a business environment. Federal Wage and Hour law provides the framework for payroll record keeping requirements that most employers must follow. The course discusses the various payroll taxes that both employers and employees are subject to, filing requirements, and legal deadlines that must be followed. (Prerequisite: none) (2 Credits: 2 lec/0 lab)

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2 cr
ACCT1212
Computerized Acct Applications
Hands on approach to the accounting system. Topical areas covered include but are not limited to general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, inventory, depreciation, financial statement analysis, departmentalized accounting and client write-up. (Prerequisites: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
ACCT1218
Spreadsheets Concepts and Applications
This course uses a spreadsheet system for business applications. Procedures used include: document creation, storage, retrieval, major editing, printing, merger of documents, segments and variables, and graph creation. (Prerequisite: None) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
ACCT1231
Database Concepts and Applications
This course will utilize database software for various business applications. (Prerequisite: none) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
ACCT2201
Financial Accounting
This course covers the fundamental accounting concepts and principles which are used in a business environment to provide reports on the economic condition of an organization. The focus will be on the accrual method of accounting, utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to analyze and record transactions. The ultimate objective is to understand the effects of these transactions in order to provide timely and relevant information in the form of financial statements. (Prerequisite: none) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)

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4 cr
ACCT2202
Managerial Accounting
This course covers the techniques for planning, controlling, and decision making relevant to managing costs in a manufacturing environment. The focus will be on cost concepts and cost behavior in relation to job-order costing, activity-based costing, and process costing. The budgetary process will be analyzed; including preparing and interpreting a master budget and flexible budget. (Prerequisite: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting or ACCT2211 Principles of Accounting II) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)

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4 cr
ACCT2223
Intermediate Accounting I
This course is an in depth study of financial reporting and statements: objectives, concepts, and analysis. Topics include the demand for and supply of financial accounting information and the conceptual framework for financial reporting. This course also serves as a review of a companys accounting system, the purpose, elements, classification and disclosures associated with the balance sheet, statement of shareholders equity, the income statement and the statement of cash flows. Students will understand business operating activities as it relates to cash, receivables, and inventory cost measurement and flow assumptions. (Prerequisites: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
ACCT2225
Intermediate Accounting II
This course is a continuation of Intermediate Accounting I. Students apply generally accepted accounting principles to valuation of liabilities and account for contingent obligations, investment activities, and financing activities. This course emphasizes meeting the requirements for full disclosure. (Prerequisites: ACCT 2223 Intermediate Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
ACCT2235
Income Tax
This course covers individual and business income tax law as prescribed in the Internal Revenue code of 1986 and subsequent changes in the tax code. A brief overview of federal tax legislation provides a framework for understanding the law. The components of the tax formula are defined and discussed. The incremental nature of tax rates is explained, and tax rate schedules are used to compute sample cases. Gross income is defined along with exclusions and deductions as well as various tax credits. Business deductions including depreciation are described and calculated. Employee and self-employed related expenses are discussed as well as investor gains and losses. Property transactions and the many different classifications and treatments are discussed. Intuit Proconnect software, which is included with the text, is utilized to acquaint students with professional tax software and assist in return preparation. (Prerequisite: none) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)

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4 cr
BUSN2210
Legal Environment of Business
This course introduces students to ethical theory and decision-making models, as well as to the legal framework in which American business operates, the substantive legal rules that govern American business, domestically and internationally, and the ethical and social responsibility implications of business conduct within the legal environment. Governmental efforts to regulate business activity by statute and administrative agency rules and decisions are emphasized. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
BUSN2215
Business Ethics
A study of ethical problems in business and the foundations for decisions involving ethical issues. Topics include ethical concepts, personal integrity, individual conscience, and company loyalty and responsibility conflicts as they impact on the decision process in the functional areas of business. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
 
47 crs

Total Credits Required for this Major: 60 Credits


Estimated Costs for this Major

Approximate Tuition/Fees:$12,414
Minimum Tool Cost:N/A
Books/Supplies:$600
Estimated Total:$13,014
 

 


Career Opportunities

  • Staff Accountants
  • Banking
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Financial Accounting
  • Cost Accounting
  • Income Tax
  • Financial Services
  • Payroll Accounting
  • Government/Non-Profit
  • Budget Analysis
  • Audit

Career Information

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.

Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to:
  1. Apply the principles of financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, tax accounting and not-for-profit accounting.
  2. Apply mathematical, analytical and business knowledge skills to formulate and solve problems and to make decisions relevant to the needs of business.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in personal computer operations and applications.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of human society and culture in order to function as an effective employee and citizen.

Highlights

  • 2 year accounting degree online - 100% online option available
  • Excellent reputation with employers and students
  • Hands-on learning
  • Instructors have professional experience in all areas of accounting
  • Learn the latest computer software: Excel, QuickBooks, Access, Turbo Tax, Word, Peachtree and PowerPoint
  • Vast job opportunities with high growth potential
  • Interactive learning combines technology with accounting theory
  • Student organizations such as Student Senate provide leadership and professional growth opportunities

Instructors

Samantha Justin
Samantha Justin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration from Winona State University and her Masters of Professional Accounting from Bemidji State University. She also holds a Wisconsin Certified Public Accountant license. She has experience in public, private, audit, tax, governmental, and non-profit accounting.

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