Our one-year technical diploma will get you the skills you need for entry-level bookkeeping and accounting work.
Students in the accounting lab
Accounting Assistant
Program Number: 311011
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Business
Delivery Method:
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
30 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$5,601.94

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The one-year Accounting Assistant technical diploma will get you the necessary skills for entry-level bookkeeping and accounting work.

    You’ll learn essential accounting principles and develop a general understanding of business, finance and taxes. In addition, you’ll be skilled in using business tools like Microsoft Office Excel and QuickBooks.

    Technical Diploma Goals

    Technical diploma graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of accounting, including accounts payable/receivable clerk, bookkeeper/payroll clerk, billing clerk, inventory control clerk or office assistant.

    Real-world, Hands-on Learning

    Madison College's accounting program teaches you real-world accounting concepts through hands-on learning. Our expert faculty will support your academic success by providing valuable feedback on your coursework to ensure you develop your accounting skills correctly.

    Flexible Course Offerings

    You can attend full- or part-time while taking courses in-person or online. Study close to home, whether in Madison at Truax or Goodman South campuses or regionally at our Reedsburg, Portage, Fort Atkinson or Watertown campuses.

    Your Credits Allow You to Ladder Up!

    The Accounting Assistant technical diploma is included in our two-year Accounting associate degree program. As a Madison College accounting student, you'll earn the technical diploma upon completion of the first-year curriculum automatically. If you choose to continue your education, all your credits will seamlessly transfer into the associate degree program.

    students students in lab
    What Is Accounting?
    Learn more about the accounting profession and your options to study accounting at Madison College.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-101-111
    4 credits
    10-102-134
    3 credits
    10-106-109
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-101-113
    4 credits
    10-101-143
    2 credits
    10-101-123
    4 credits
    10-114-130
    3 credits
    10-106-190
    1 credit
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.

    Application Dates

    Spring 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2024

    Summer 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is July 15, 2024

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Accounting Assistant career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Accounting Assistant program at Madison College, you will be able to:

    • Understand types of business organizations and their internal control structures.
    • Analyze and record financial transactions in a manual and computerized general ledger system.
    • Prepare financial statements according to generally accepted accounting principles.
    • Utilize current income tax resources to prepare personal income tax returns.
    • Process payroll transactions in accordance with current payroll reporting requirements.
    • Complete accounting cycle tasks using general ledger accounting software.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates745761
      Number of Surveys Sent745661
      Number of Surveys Returned304245
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment273124
      Percent Available for Employment90.00%91.20%75.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market6.70%32.40%62.50%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed232922
      Percent of Graduates Employed85.20%93.50%91.70%
      Employed in Related Occupation92217
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation39.10%75.90%77.30%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation1275
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation52.20%24.10%22.70%
      Employed - No Response200
      Percent Employed - No Response8.70%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment422
      Percent Seeking Employment14.80%6.50%8.30%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.43.4
      Number of Satisfaction Responses293431
      Very Satisfied (4)162011
      Percent Very Satisfied55.20%58.80%35.50%
      Satisfied (3)121120
      Percent Satisfied41.40%32.40%64.50%
      Unsatisfied (2)010
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%2.90%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)120
      Percent Very Unsatisfied3.40%5.90%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses304244
      Preparation for Getting a Job101511
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job33.30%35.70%25.00%
      Career Change1386
      Percent Career Change43.30%19.00%13.60%
      Improvement of Existing Skills685
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills20.00%19.00%11.40%
      Preparation for Further Education1920
      Percent Preparation for Further Education3.30%21.40%45.50%
      Personal Interest022
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%4.80%4.50%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses212922
      Before Enrollment585
      Percent Before Enrollment23.80%27.60%22.70%
      While Attending the College14108
      Percent While Attending the College66.70%34.50%36.40%
      After Training at the College2119
      Percent After Training at the College9.50%37.90%40.90%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses232722
      In College District202620
      Percent In College District87.00%96.30%90.90%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin111
      Percent Outside Wisconsin4.30%3.70%4.50%
      Employer Location Unknown201
      Percent Location Unknown8.70%0.00%4.50%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count7189
      Average Monthly Wage$3,387$4,055$4,013
      Average Hourly Wage$19.69$23.58$23.33
      Average Work Hours per Week40.941.645.1
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count145
      Average Hourly Wage$14.00$17.25$20.99
      Average Work Hours per Week2621.827
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Baker TillyAccounting Assistant
      Columbia CountyAccounting AssistantPortage
      CSM Companies IncAccounts Payable Specialist
      Dept of RevenueRevenue Agent 2
      Diesel ForwardAccounting AssistantWindsor
      Explore IndustriesAP/AR CoordinatorKnoxvilleTN
      Fairway Independant MortgageAccounts Payable Analyst
      Graduate HotelNight Auditor
      Hound HuddleAssistant ManagerOregon
      InterCon Construction IncAccounts Payable AssociateWaunakee
      KMAAccounting Associate
      Kollath CPAStaff Accountant
      Positively Booked (Self employed)Bookkeeper
      Tai Chi Health LLCDirector

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
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