The Associate's in Accounting

This concentration stresses the practical application you’d expect from a traditional accounting curriculum, with an emphasis on tax research, problem solving, and management.

Graduating with an ABA in Accounting from Ivy Bridge opens a lot of doors for you. They might be the doors of a four-year college where you’ll continue your academic studies, or the doors to a career-track job where you can put your newly acquired accounting skills to work right away.

Whatever path you choose, an ABA in Accounting from Ivy Bridge arms you with the analytical thinking skills, decision-making ability, and resourcefulness to achieve long-term success.

Your Course of Study

Ivy Bridge students fulfill the academic requirements for an ABA in Accounting by completing courses in the following areas:

  • Knowledge Skills/Liberal Education Core: 25 hours
  • Academic Major Requirements: 30 hours
  • Open Electives/Minor Credits: 6 hours
  • Total Semester Hours for Degree: 61 hours

ABA in Accounting Course Descriptions

Knowledge Skills and Liberal Education Core

Course Number Course Title Credit Hour
ACC201 Survey of Accounting 3
COM Communication (any oral or speech) 3
ECO221 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
ENG141 Expository and Research Writing 3
ENG142 Literature and Criticism 3
FRE110 College Skills 1
CIT Information Technology 3
MAT Math (above 173) 3
One Elective from: ECO, MGT, POL, PSY, SOC 3

ACC 201 — Survey of Accounting

Introduces the fundamentals of accounting from the user's perspective. The primary emphasis is the relationship between cash flow and accrual based income measurement. Includes financial reporting requirements and standards.

Prerequisite: MAT173

COM 204 — Visual Communication, Graphics and Presentational Strategies

Explores visual design, graphics and presentational strategies by introducing students to digital photography and layout and design skills. Students learn digital and graphic design techniques using the leading industry software applications for desktop publishing and graphics illustration. Students also incorporate visual expression techniques and presentational strategies to produce brochures and newsletters.

COM 241 — Introduction to Mass Communication

Examines the various media (i.e., newspaper, radio, television, film, etc.) comprising the mass media in contemporary American society. Emphasis in this survey course is given to the history, structure, and potential effects of each medium.

ECO 221 — Principles of Macroeconomics

Examines macroeconomics (the whole economy), concepts and principles, and current issues in macroeconomics. Required for business and economics majors.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

ENG 141 — Expository and Research Writing

Emphasizes the development, structure, and writing of abstracts, summaries, and critiques. This course in written communication teaches literary devices such as pro/con, cause/effect, comparison/contrast, persuasion/argumentation essays-plus research/synthesis skills-through the development of a research paper. Students must receive a grade of C or better to enroll in ENG142.

Prerequisite: ENG140 ("C" or better) or Placement

ENG 142 — Literature and Criticism

Presents literature-drama, short stories, novel, poetry and critical essays-from several literary critical perspectives. Through reading, discussion, and critical writing, students become familiar with representative genres in literature as well as authentic critical approaches.

Prerequisite: ENG141 ("C" or better)

FRE 110 — College Skills

Provides knowledge on study skills that enable success in college through an in-depth introduction to college life, college realities, college expectations, study skills and time management.

CIT 105 — Intro to Information Technology

Covers the basics of information technology, including common Microsoft Office applications, responsible use of software and technology, file management techniques, and sound information consumption practices. CIT105 is designed for beginners with little or no experience using Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint. Participants are required to demonstrate software proficiency in the lab and through objective written tests.

MAT 174 — Finite Mathematics

Emphasizes business applications that involve the study of linear functions, applications using linear equations in two variables, counting methods, probability, finance applications, interpretation of date presented graphically, and computation of mean, median, standard deviation, normal distribution curve, and z scores.

Prerequisite: MAT173 with "C" or better, or placement

MAT 181 — College Algebra

Focuses on developing a conceptual understanding of college algebra and problem solving skills. Topics include functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of equations, and combinatorics and probability.

Prerequisite: MAT173 with "C" or better, or placement

Academic Major Requirements: Accounting Major

Course Number Course Title Credit Hour
ACC210 Analysis of the Accounting Process 3
ACC228 Managerial Accounting 3
ACC304 Federal Income Tax 3
ACC313 Cost Accounting I 3
ACC314 Cost Accounting II 3
LAW211 Business Law I 3
LAW212 Business Law II 3
MGT201 Management of Organizations 3
MKT151 Introduction to Marketing 3
One Elective from: ECO, MGT, POL, PSY, SOC 3
Open Elective 100 level & above 3
Open Elective 100 level & above 3

ACC228 — Managerial Accounting

Designed to prepare management student to direct and control operations from within the organization. Emphasis is placed on corporation reports, statements, schedules, and summaries prepared for the use of management.

Prerequisite: ACC201

ECO222 — Principles of Microeconomics

Examines macroeconomics (the whole economy), concepts and principles, and current issues in macroeconomics. Required for business and economics majors.

LAW211 — Business Law I

A study of civil and criminal law and process and their interrelationship. The course also examines application of the Constitution to business with particular emphasis on the court system and administrative agencies, plus torts and contracts.

CIT355 — Spreadsheet Applications for Dec. Making

Focuses on the use of spreadsheet applications as a tool for decision-making. Topics include design and management of worksheets and templates, and the use of built-in functions. Organizational uses in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, human resources are discussed.

MGT201 — Management of Organizations

An overview of the internal workings of an organization. This writing-intensive course surveys the functional areas such as finance, marketing, operations, information and decision support systems, and human resources. The course also examines the natureof a managerial job.

Prerequisite: ENG141 and Sophomore standing

MGT 121 — How Business Works

Acquaints the student with a broad variety of topics that are fundamental to the understanding of business. Topics include the essentials of economics, finance, management, marketing, international business, strategy and ethics. The study and discussion of current issues in each of these areas is used to increase understanding.

MKT151 — Introduction to Marketing

Exposes the student to the vocabulary of marketing and introduces many of the major principles and theories of the discipline. The focus of the course is on marketing's relationship to the other business functions and on marketing function management as opposed to day-to-day marketing operations.

MKT 253 — Marketing Communications

Deals with the operation and management of the advertising and promotion function with respect to both its positions within the marketing system and its relationship to the other business functions.