Bookkeeping and Payroll Certificate of Completion
45 Credits
The Bookkeeping and Payroll Certificate of Completion is provided by the Office Professions Department.
Program Description
The Bookkeeping and Payroll Certificate of Completion prepares students for office positions that specifically require bookkeeping or payroll skills. Students will be introduced to terminology related to bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting, along with an introduction to employment law. Students will develop skills in general ledger, double entry, debits, credits, income statements, payroll systems, fringe benefits, voluntary deductions, electronic spreadsheets, and word processing. At the end of the program, students complete a practical experience in a bookkeeping or payroll office.
Career Opportunities
Students who complete the Bookkeeping and Payroll Certificate of Completion will be prepared for employment in entry-level payroll, accounting, and/or bookkeeping positions. According to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, the current average annual salary in Montana is $36,310 for Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks. The current average annual salary in Montana for Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks is $39,560.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Certificate of Completion in Bookkeeping and Payroll, graduates will be able to:
- Define terms related to accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and legal aspects of employment law.
- Create general ledger entries and basic accounting reports.
- Demonstrate knowledge of payroll practices and applications.
- Create business documents and demonstrate knowledge of office procedures.
- Discuss considerations for Native American/Alaska Native populations in the workplace.
Curriculum
Fall
| BUMG160 | Personal Finance | 3 |
| CAPP105 | Computers for College Success | 1 |
| ENGL101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| NASD101 | History of Indians in the United States | 3 |
| OFED130 | Office Essentials | 3 |
| OFED170 | Accounting Basics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Winter
| CAPP140 | Word Processing | 3 |
| CAPP162 | Data Management Systems | 3 |
| OFED132 | Payroll Accounting | 3 |
| OFED140 | Employment Law | 2 |
| OFED142 | Professional Relationships in the Workplace | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
The Bookkeeping and Payroll Program has designated the following courses as embedding the "4 Cs" competencies: Communication:
OFED 261 and
OFED 142. Critical Thinking:
OFED 130 and
CAPP 105. Cultural Understanding:
CAPP 140 and
CAPP 170. Citizenship:
OFED 142. Information Literacy is taught in
CAPP 105.
Total Credit Hours: 45