Start a new career or increase your prospects for promotion with a bookkeeper certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast. Take the next steps in your career path in bookkeeping by earning your Bookkeeper Certificate online or in person at Southeast. The hybrid bookkeeper certificate courses from Minnesota State College Southeast provide professional training for new accounting bookkeeping careers and serve as building blocks for further education. Apply Fall or Spring semester for 100% online classes, in person classes, or hybrid learning programs.
Major Details
With a bookkeeper certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast, in just one semester you will be ready to start a career in one of the nation's fastest growing professions.
The Bookkeeper Certificate program focuses on coursework in the most practical aspects of accounting, including a hands-on approach to spreadsheets and databases. You will learn how to work with spreadsheets, business computer systems, financial accounting, and payroll.
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 the accounting program in either the fall or spring semester and attend classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
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 higher education in accounting from potential job candidates to fill their bookkeeping positions. Our educational approach is a blend of theory and practice, providing a solid foundation for your accounting bookkeeping 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 bookkeeper certificate 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!
Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
ACCT1210
Payroll Accounting
This course provides an introduction to payroll accounting in a business setting. Students will explore federal and state laws governing payroll, including recordkeeping and compliance requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Emphasis is placed on calculating employee wages, salaries, and overtime; preparing payroll records and reports; and applying employer and employee payroll tax obligations. The course also addresses filing requirements, deadlines, and the role of payroll in human resource systems. (Prerequisite: None) (2 Credits: 2 lec/0 lab)
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2 cr
ACCT1212
Computerized Acct Applications
This course offers a hands-on introduction to modern accounting information systems, emphasizing practical use of industry-standard software to complete the full accounting cycle. Students will learn to set up and manage business entities within accounting software, including establishing charts of accounts, entering vendor and customer data, and configuring key system settings. Core topics include general ledger management, accounts receivable and payable, payroll processing, inventory tracking, depreciation, bank reconciliations, and financial reporting. (Prerequisites: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
ACCT1218
Spreadsheets Concepts and Applications
This course introduces students to the essential spreadsheet skills used in today¿s business environments. Emphasizing hands-on learning in Microsoft Excel, the course covers foundational and intermediate tools for organizing, analyzing, and presenting business data. Students will learn to build and format worksheets; apply formulas and functions; create PivotTables and charts; perform what-if analyses; and develop spreadsheet models that support budgeting, forecasting, data management, and decision-making across a variety of business functions. (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
BUSN1245
Business Computers
This course is designed to provide "hands on" training in the use of the computer aimed at information processing for coursework, personal, and professional purposes. According to skillful design standards, students solve business problems using industry-standard software application programs (word processing, spreadsheets, and database management, presentations, and email/calendar). A brief introduction to file management, cloud technology, and operating system is covered. Students will also develop an understanding of computer safety, security, ethics, and privacy. (Prerequisites: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 22 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $4,745 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
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| Books/Supplies: | $500 |
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| Estimated Total: | $5,245 |
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Career Opportunities
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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:
- Apply the principles of financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, tax accounting and not-for-profit accounting.
- Apply mathematical, analytical and business knowledge skills to formulate and solve problems and to make decisions relevant to the needs of business.
- Demonstrate proficiency in personal computer operations and applications.
- Demonstrate an understanding of human society and culture in order to function as an effective employee and citizen.
Highlights
- 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
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Shannon Corcoran
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Shannon Corcoran holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, a B.A. in Retail Merchandising and Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stout, and dual A.S. degrees in Retail Merchandising and Interior Decorating from Rochester Community and Technical College. With a diverse background in administration, management, marketing, merchandising, and entrepreneurship, she brings real-world experience into the classroom.
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Samantha Justin
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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.