Accounting, Banking, and Finance

Play an important role in the success of any organization. Learn the skills needed to launch a well-paying career in accounting or finance—critically evaluating business practices and making informed decisions to achieve financial goals.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

Fast Track Certificate, which can be completed in two semesters or less.
Accounting
Certified Bookkeeping
Enrolled Agent
Financial Services
Financial Services: Pre-licensure

SCC Program Description

Accounting: Accountants and bookkeepers are constantly in high demand in all industries, from manufacturing to retail to government, hospitals to service industries. They maintain financial records for organizations and prepare financial statements to help management in decision-making. The Certificate of Completion in Accounting and the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting are geared toward students who wish to pursue an entry-level accounting position in a small or medium-sized company. The programs provide training in financial and managerial accounting as well as payroll, computerized, and tax accounting.

Enrolled Agent (Tax Expert): Are you analytical, organized, and detail-oriented? Do you have a strong code of ethics and a desire to help clients with tax-related issues? If so, you may enjoy a career as an Enrolled Agent. Enrolled Agents are tax experts who are federally authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Their expertise is invaluable, and they enjoy high prestige among tax professionals. Enrolled agents generally work in public accounting firms, corporate accounting departments, law firms, and banks and have high earning potential.

Financial Services: Arizona has many large employers in the financial services industry, including Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Nationwide, and Bank of America. If you enjoy working with people and want to find solutions for their financial needs, you may want to consider a career in this industry. Scottsdale Community College offers 4-credit and 16-credit Financial Services programs to help prepare you for the FINRA® SIE® qualifying exam. The SIE® credential is a valuable, nationally recognized verification of your knowledge of fundamental concepts of the securities industry. Courses include an overview of investments and an exam prep course. Upon completing these courses, students will be ready to interview for entry-level positions in the securities industry. Learn more about the SIE Exam Prep program.

The 4-credit program can be completed in as little as one semester and is specifically designed to help you prepare for the FINRA® SIE® qualifying exam. The 16-credit Financial Services certificate program teaches professional business skills and prepares you for the SIE exam. The 16-credit program can also be completed in as little as one semester and will help you understand fundamental concepts of the securities industry. The knowledge and skills can set you apart when applying for a job in this field.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • Business or accounting internships
  • DECA (student business association with professional development opportunities)
  • Service learning and volunteerism
  • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program
  • Enrolled agent or accounting internships

Course Format/Textbooks

Classes are offered in various formats: in-person, online, hybrid, day, evening, full-time and part-time.


 

Most of our courses use low-cost textbooks or no-cost material your instructors provide. General education courses may have textbooks that cost more.