Accounting A.A.S.

  • Students in a classroom

    Accounting A.A.S.

    Prepare for entry-level accounting and bookkeeping careers in a flexible 60-credit associate degree program that offers evening and online classes for working students.

Explore the accounting associate degree program at the ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ

UAA’s associate degree in accounting provides an efficient and affordable way to enter the growing job market for qualified bookkeepers. The program offers convenient evening and online classes ideal for working students, with one-on-one instruction and personal support. In addition to being offered at the main campus in Anchorage, ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ, the associate degree is also available at the Mat-Su and Kodiak campuses. 

UAA Accounting Club
Network with business professionals and participate in skill-building workshops and career-related events. With more than 100 student members each year, UAA’s Accounting Club is one of the most active organizations on campus. It offers rare opportunities to interact with local professionals in the field, prepare for real-world business challenges and find the specialty area that is right for you.  

Accounting scholarships and financial aid

Get help with tuition costs and other education expenses. UAA offers scholarships specifically for A.A.S. accounting majors, including the  and . A variety of other scholarship and financial aid opportunities are also available for accounting students. Learn more about financial aid at UAA.

Finish on your timeline
Many accounting students are going above and beyond to balance their careers and the challenges of obtaining a degree. Faculty and staff are here to help you navigate the process of completing a 60-credit program on your timeline - whether that be 2 years or beyond.

Accounting A.A.S.

Degree Type:

  • Associate

Program Length: Two years if attending full time

Availability:Anchorage campus, Mat-Su College, Kodiak College

Other program options: B.B.A. in accounting, minor in accounting

Did you know..

According to salary.com, the median annual bookkeeper salary in Anchorage, ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ, is $45,945. This doesn’t include bonuses and benefits that can increase your compensation package.

What can you do with an accounting degree from UAA?

All types of businesses require an understanding of accounting, and ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ is experiencing a shortage of qualified bookkeepers. This means the skills you will learn in this major are in high demand. 

Earning your associate degree is an excellent way to stand out in the job market and open the door to new career opportunities. After completing the two-year program, you may also choose to earn your bachelor’s degree in accounting, which employers will often help pay for.

Accounting careers
The A.A.S. accounting degree prepares you for entry-level positions such as: 
  • Bookkeeper
  • Accounts receivable
  • Accounts payable specialist
  • Payroll clerk
  • Assistant to line and staff accountants
  • Paraprofessional in CPA firms
UAA alumni work for the government, native corporations, nonprofits, for-profits and themselves.

By the numbers..

85%
1-year in-state job placement rate for A.A.S. in accounting alumni
ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ Department of Labor, 2015
90%
5-year in-state job placement rate for A.A.S. in accounting alumni
ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ Department of Labor, 2015

Accounting associate degree program highlights

Get experience in every facet of the work process as you make professional connections and prepare for accounting and bookkeeping careers. These are the kinds of opportunities you’ll have access to when you pursue your associate degree in accounting at UAA: 
  • Open the door to in-demand jobs. The A.A.S. in accounting program is an affordable way to earn a degree in just two years, so you can secure a good-paying position in a solid job market sooner. In fact, the department frequently receives requests for qualified job candidates from employers who are interested in hiring bookkeepers.
  • Get hands-on experience you can apply directly to your career. The Workpaper Preparation and Presentation course, which is unique to the accounting associate program, offers a mock internship with a local company, allowing you to get personalized feedback from leaders in the community.
  • Work closely with top faculty and network with local employers. In addition to having real-world experience in the field, program faculty are active community members and dedicated student advisors. They participate in local professional associations to help develop student networking opportunities and welcome professionals and alumni who serve as liaisons between the professional world and the classroom.  
  • Access state-of-the-art computer facilities. Many of the on-site associate degree courses take place in computer labs that facilitate easy collaboration and offer access to software programs such as Excel and QuickBooks.

Amazing stories from accounting majors

One of my professors encouraged me to pursue accounting, and I loved it. I was especially interested in how structured the program is in terms of being connected with local firms and getting students the opportunity to network with firms, professors and other students. As a result, you really have something tangible to hold on to when you graduate.

Meghan Carson
B.B.A. Accounting ’18

Accounting associate degree program curriculum

Associate-level coursework covers topics such as general accounting principles and the accounting cycle. Learn and develop real-world skills, including recording and correcting financial transactions, calculating wages, preparing financial statements, using software and more.

Top classes for accounting majors

  • Workpaper Preparation and Presentation: This capstone course offers the chance to perform a review or light audit using the general ledger from a real business in ÐÜèÔÚÏßÊÓƵ. You’ll get ongoing, personalized feedback before presenting to the company's board of directors.
  • Managerial Cost Accounting: Explore the nature, objectives and procedures of cost management as applied to product and service costing, decision-making, cost planning and control systems.
  • Accounting Information Systems: Understand the Accounting Information System (AIS) through the study of internal controls, systems documentation, accounting cycles.