Stark State’s accounting degree program gives you the solid foundation necessary for entry or upper-level accounting positions and career advancement.

Graduates are eligible to take Ohio’s Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination.*

Other job opportunities include tax accounting, governmental accounting, industrial/cost accounting, not-for-profit accounting and accounting for small business.

Accounting degree majors study general accounting theory and may specialize in public accounting (CPA) and corporate accounting (controllership). As an alternative to going directly to work in an accounting position after graduation, you can transfer your associate degree to a bachelor’s degree program and go on to graduate school. For many graduates, accounting has proven to be an excellent foundation for advancement to top executive positions.

The College also offers certificate programs with credits that can be applied to the associate degree program.

*Candidates must have earned at least an associate degree with a concentration in accounting that includes related courses in other areas of business administration and achieve an acceptable score on the Graduate Management Admission Test before sitting for the CPA examination. After four years of approved work experience, the candidate may be certified.

• Programs flow chart (PDF)

Accounting majors and certificates

• Accounting services for health administration
• Banking associate certificate
• Bookkeeping certificate
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Computer information
• Computer-integrated accounting certificate
• Corporate accounting
• Enrolled agent certificate
• Forensic accounting
• Tax
• Tax preparer certificate
• Quickbooks/payroll certificate

Program learning outcomes

• Prepare and analyze the various types of financial information essential for internal and external recordkeeping, reporting and decision making.
• Interpret and apply laws and regulations for the purpose of various types of business tax reporting, compliance and planning.
• Apply appropriate mathematical concepts, such as time value of money, to business decisions.
• Identify and implement sound internal accounting controls to ensure safeguarding of an entity’s assets, preparation and reporting of reliable financial information, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Prepare and analyze the various types of financial information essential for internal and external recordkeeping, reporting and decision making.

Businesses require all prospective employees to have good communication skills, both written and oral, and to interact with co-workers and clients in a professional manner. Employers expect their workers to have strong computational skills, to be computer literate, and to be able to think critically. All students completing a program at Stark State will be introduced to and provided practice in these basic competencies, which they are expected to master.