How do the accounting certificates differ in purpose?
The Accounting Associate Certificate (42 cr.), is OCC’s broadest accounting certificate. It includes 6 hrs. of business law and covers virtually all of the areas of accounting, including financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, and income taxes. It prepares students for entry into most areas of accounting, other than those requiring a CPA Certificate. The Bookkeeping Certificate (16 cr.), is a good base for someone entering the field. It provides the basic foundation to become marketable in an entry-level position. The Income Tax Preparation Certificate (20 cr.), will prepare students to become tax preparers, It will also prepared students to take the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam. If a tax preparer passes this Exam, it allows him/her to represent a client before the IRS without the client being present (e.g. during an audit). Only a high school diploma and the passing of the exam is required for this designation. Professional Accounting/CPA Preparation Certificate (25 cr.), th
