The Accounting Assistant program trains students in basic accounting for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Students also study income tax preparation for individuals, payroll accounting, and computerized accounting. They can then choose to specialize in business taxation or business spreadsheet applications.

Accounting Assistant graduates may work in a small business and be responsible for various aspects of bookkeeping, or work in a larger firm under the supervision of an accountant, and specialize in a certain area.
  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    Good analytical skills and the ability to work independently will give you a good start in the Accounting Assistant program. If you are adaptable, energetic, organized, detail-oriented and a good communicator, you may thrive in today's accounting profession.

    Students entering the Accounting Assistant program should:

    • Enjoy working with detail.
    • Have a background or interest in mathematics, communications, and accounting.
    • Like system and order.

    Program Basics

    • Technical diploma - one year or more to complete.
    • Day and evening classes.
    • Available in Face-to-face and online class formats.
    • High school articulation courses accepted.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Classes start in August or January.
    • Associate degree accounting program can be completed in one additional year.
    • Modified plan available.

    Related Degrees & Certificates

  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 26-27

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $5,240
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,910
    Books and Supplies $1,463
    Personal Expenses $3,084
    Transportation 3,899
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $700
    Loan Fees $85
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $25,381
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,691

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Admissions & Requirements

  • Admission Requirements


    Academic Preparedness Requirements

      Before you can be fully accepted into your program, you need to complete the requirements below. These are the same requirements you may see in your SWTC Student Portal.

    • Submit Official High School, College, Military Transcripts, and Test Scores (Not Required)
      Have documents sent directly to:
      • Email: admissions@swtc.edu
      • Mail: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Meet with Your Advisor for an Admissions Meeting
      Schedule an admission meeting with your program advisor to complete your student success plan, including a career assessment and academic map and support plan.

      To schedule your meeting, go to the Appointments page. Find your advisor in the list, then select Make an Appointment under their contact information.

      Appointments are available on campus or virtually.

      • If you want to check which of these requirements you still need to complete, log in to your SWTC Student Portal, go to My Profile → Document Center, and make sure All Programs is selected.

  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Process financial transactions throughout the accounting cycle
    • Analyze basic financial and business information to support planning and decision-making
    • Perform payroll preparation, reporting, and analysis tasks
  • Career Opportunities

  • Employment prospects for accounting assistants are always good, with graduates finding employment in a wide range of business settings. Their education in the operation of high-tech office equipment and general office procedures meet present and future needs of today's office. Graduates are finding jobs in a variety of areas such as:

    • Account Clerk
    • Bookkeeper
    • Office Assistant
    • Tax Accountant
    • Payroll Accountant
    • Accountant
    • Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk

    Southwest Tech's Career Services Center offers services to assist students looking for job placement.

    Find a Job
  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    Accounting Assistant Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-101-111Accounting 1Yes
    CLEP Test - Financial Accounting
    10-102-105Introduction to BusinessYes
    10-103-118Intermediate Microsoft ExcelYes
    Any Microsoft MOS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL
    10-801-198SpeechYes
    10-804-123Math with Business AppsYes