Accounting Technician
- Cost
- $5,668*
Get your start in accounting
Use your love of numbers to help organizations make informed decisions. Track income and expenditures. Manage ledgers, invoices and payroll. Process bills, reconcile bank statements and calculate tax payments. Your role is vital to a company’s daily operations and long-term survival.
What can you do with an Accounting Technician Certificate?
This certificate prepares you for entry level jobs in accounting and finance, including
- Bookkeeping clerk
- Accounts receivable / payable clerk
- Accounting clerk
- Budget analyst
Why study accounting at CLC?
You’ll learn accounting principles and develop computer and communication skills. Class sizes are small. Faculty know you by name and have real-world accounting experience. You gain practical skills you can apply with confidence in the workplace. After you complete this certificate, we help you get a job.
Highlights
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Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Program Length: 1 Year
Full-time students finish in 1 year.
Career Outlook
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Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $51,162
- Median
- $82,251
- Senior-Level
- $145,773
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $24.59
- Median
- $39.54
- Senior-Level
- $70.08
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Some college
- 39.48%
- Associate Degree
- 14.08%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 43.6%
- Master's Degree
- 2.84%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $36,134
- Median
- $51,228
- Senior-Level
- $76,603
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $17.37
- Median
- $24.62
- Senior-Level
- $36.83
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 47.24%
- Certificate
- 20.79%
- Some college
- 4.72%
- Associate Degree
- 8.54%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 12.19%
- Master's Degree
- 6.52%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $47,011
- Median
- $65,514
- Senior-Level
- $102,525
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $22.60
- Median
- $31.49
- Senior-Level
- $49.28
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 29.13%
- Some college
- 19.95%
- Associate Degree
- 12.69%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 38.23%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $60,328
- Median
- $100,353
- Senior-Level
- $140,808
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $29.00
- Median
- $48.25
- Senior-Level
- $67.69
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 12.57%
- Some college
- 2.37%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 77.48%
- Master's Degree
- 7.59%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $63,751
- Median
- $98,478
- Senior-Level
- $181,190
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $30.64
- Median
- $47.34
- Senior-Level
- $87.11
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Bachelor's Degree
- 95%
- Master's Degree
- 5%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $67,783
- Median
- $105,370
- Senior-Level
- $221,930
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $32.58
- Median
- $50.65
- Senior-Level
- $106.69
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Associate Degree
- 2.42%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 62.17%
- Master's Degree
- 35.41%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $67,734
- Median
- $96,037
- Senior-Level
- $176,609
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $32.56
- Median
- $46.16
- Senior-Level
- $84.90
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Bachelor's Degree
- 95.66%
- Master's Degree
- 4.35%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Accounting at CLC: Get the bigger picture
A certificate is just one possible way to study accounting. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes! Most courses are available online for this program.
In-person classes are flexible to fit your schedule. Daytime and evening options are available for most of the core accounting and business-related courses. Evening classes are a popular option for working adults.
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Classes blend active and instructor-led learning—whether they are face-to-face or online. You learn through lectures, discussions and exercises. Solve real-world problems and discuss real-life career successes and challenges with other students.
In this program, you take accounting and general business courses. You learn how to communicate effectively in the workplace. Classes prepare you for success in a challenging and exciting field.
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CLC accounting faculty have relevant industry experience in tax accounting and reporting, auditing and compliance, financial analysis, planning and budgeting, financial modeling and capital investment.
You receive a high-quality education because of the extensive experience and educational accomplishments of CLC instructors.
Take the next step...
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CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
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