Business & Economics Department | Accounting (Computerized Bookkeeping)

Accounting (Computerized Bookkeeping)

Contact Person: Cindy Harmon
Office Location: Canyon 124-I
Direct Phone: 208-732-6319
Email: charmon@csi.edu

Program Overview

The Computerized Bookkeeping Program is designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of bookkeeping processes for employment in job entry-level bookkeeping positions. Students will be trained to use computers to keep books and prepare reports. Graduating students will receive either an Associate of Applied Science Degree or an Advanced Technical Certificate.

Entrance Requirements

The Program is open to anyone who sincerely wishes to become a full-time bookkeeper. Placement into the program will be based upon meeting the College of Southern Idaho’s admission requirements and

  1. completing CSI’s general application form.
  2. meeting the CSI admission policy for regular or provisional admission.
  3. completing a typing pretest in the Computer Lab in the Canyon Building
  4. visiting with a Business Department adviser before registering.

Length of Program

The Program length is 18 months. Students are encouraged to enter the program at the beginning of the fall semester (August). However, students may enter the program at the beginning of the spring or summer semesters, but those students' schedules will not follow the suggested outline as printed later.

Job Outlook

Employment of bookkeepers is expected to increase during the 2000’s, especially for those with competent computer skills. With an increase in the number of new businesses and an expansion of existing businesses, more qualified computerized bookkeepers will be needed in the future.

Job Opportunities

Graduates are currently working as full-charge bookkeepers, computer operators, office managers, personnel managers, secretary-bookkeepers, etc. Following are various kinds of businesses where our graduates are employed: CPA firms, manufacturing firms, landscaping firms, country clubs, civic clubs, auto dealerships, jewelry stores, farm stores, mini-marts, furniture stores, county agencies, and many others too numerous to mention.

Approximate Starting Salary

Current graduates of the program are starting between $15,600-$18,700 per year. Salaries will vary with the student's abilities and by employer. After a few years' experience, some graduates are now earning up to $29,000.

Program Description

The Computerized Bookkeeping Program at CSI is a two-year program. The goal of the program is to provide students with the training necessary to acquire employment in the bookkeeping field or a related field. With the large variety of classes offered in the program, students obtain jobs in several related bookkeeping fields as well as management fields.
Major emphasis is placed upon using computers in bookkeeping, data processing, spreadsheets, and word processing. Many of the classes within the program involve using the computer. Students will also be able to maintain financial records for a business, including preparing annual financial reports, and the year-end closing of the books. Various journals, ledgers, depreciation methods, inventory valuation methods, accounting for bad debts, partnerships, and corporations will be studied.
Though the length of the program is two years, students may attend on a part-time basis. A few of the classes are offered during the summer and during night school. Most classes are taught between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Fridays are usually a light schedule giving students an opportunity for work and family needs.

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