About Accounting

Study Accounting to learn about the principles of accounting, intermediate accounting, auditing, cost accounting, microcomputer accounting, and income-tax procedure.

Skills that are covered include developing and maintaining a financial information system, applying uniform commercial law to common business transactions, generating and analyzing management reports, analyzing and explaining financial statements in oral and written communication, preparing individual federal and California income tax returns, and using standard business software.

Explore Potential Careers

The Accounting degree program prepares you for employment as a junior accountant or junior auditor.

Positions to which graduates have advanced after gaining experience and undertaking further study include those of accounting supervisor, senior accountant, and senior auditor.

Credit Program Options 

Click on the degree you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
GNBS 119 Introduction to Business 3  
MABS 60 Introduction to Computer Applications for Business 3  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 6  
BSMA 68 Mathematics of Business 3  

Total Units: 15

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ACCT 1 Financial Accounting 5  
BSEN 74 Written Business Communication 3  
MABS 101 Spreadsheets for Business/Excel 3  
CCSF Math Requirement See Counselor 5  

Total Units: 16 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ACCT 2 Managerial Accounting 5  
ACCT 59 Federal Income Tax 3  
ACCT 59B California Income Tax 1  
CCSF Area C Natural Sciences 3 - 6  
CCSF Area F United States History and Government 3  

Total Units: 15 - 18 

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ACCT 51 Intermediate Accounting 5  
ACCT 53 Accounting with Sage 50 3  
ACCT 55 Cost Accounting 3  
BSL 1 Business Law 1 3  
CCSF Area H Ethnic, Women's, Gender & LBGTQ Studies 3  

Total Units: 17 

Semester 5

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ACCT 52 Intermediate Accounting 5  
ACCT 54 Auditing 3  
BSL 2 Business Law 2 3  
CRER 62 Successful Job Search Techniques 1  
CCSF Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences 3  

Total Units: 15

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Accounting programs at the following institutions: 

  • SFSU – BA in Business Admin, concentration Accounting
  • UC Berkeley – Accounting Program

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives. 

Preparing for the CPA Exam

For information about the CPA Exam, visit the California Board of Accountancy website.