Arizona Community Colleges
Accounting Programs
Accounting programs at community colleges in this state. Financial accounting, managerial accounting, and CPA-track coursework.
15 colleges · 80 sections · 28 unique courses · Summer 2026 · Updated today
Accounting is one of the most direct community-college-to-career pathways in Arizona: graduates with an associate in accounting step into bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and entry-level staff accountant roles at small businesses and CPA firms across the state. The 80 sections this term at 15 Public 2-year colleges cover financial accounting, managerial accounting, tax prep, payroll, and QuickBooks.
For students aiming at the CPA license, an associate's covers roughly the first two years of the 150-credit-hour requirement — the rest comes from a bachelor's in accounting plus enough upper-division coursework to hit the threshold. Compare college below by graduate earnings and award counts; some Public 2-year programs have tighter articulation with university accounting programs than others.
Colleges offering Accounting
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Accounting is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Accounting Availability Snapshot
How accounting sections are being offered across 15 colleges in Arizona this term (80 sections total).
Delivery format
- online73 (91%)
- in person6 (8%)
- hybrid1 (1%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)15
- Evening (5 PM and after)2
- Asynchronous / TBA63
Start dates
Sections begin on 11 distinct dates. 66 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 39 distinct instructors across 15 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Coconino Community College2 programs
Mohave Community College1 program
First Semester: 15 credits
15 credits- ACC 120Using QuickBooks1 section+ plan
- ACC 125Introduction to Accounting1 section+ plan
- BUE 105Business English1 section+ plan
- BUE 110Business Math1 section+ plan
- CIS 131Microsoft Office1 section+ plan
- ELEC XXXNotes: Review your academic plan and confirm your course sequence with advisor.not offered+ plan
Second Semester: 15 credits
15 credits- ACC 135Accounting Systems and Procedures1 section+ plan
- ACC 139Income Tax Accountingnot offered+ plan
- BUE 101Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship1 section+ plan
- BUS 204Business Communications1 section+ plan
- CIS 136Microsoft Excel1 section+ plan
- ELEC XXXNotes: Begin exploring career interests or transfer options related to your program of study. (If interested in transferring to another college or organization, start reviewing requirements and opportunities.)not offered+ plan
Third Semester: 15 credits
15 credits- ACC 143Payroll Proceduresnot offered+ plan
- ACC 225Intermediate Accounting Inot offered+ plan
- ACC 250Non-Profit and Governmental Accountingnot offered+ plan
- BUS 206Microeconomics1 section+ plan
- BUS 221Financial Accountingnot offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXNotes: Review progress toward graduation and confirm remaining requirements.not offered+ plan
Fourth Semester: 15 credits
15 credits- ACC 155Cost Accountingnot offered+ plan
- ACC 230Intermediate Accounting IInot offered+ plan
- BUE 130Financial Management for Entrepreneursnot offered+ plan
- BUS 202Legal Environment of Businessnot offered+ plan
- BUS 222Managerial Accountingnot offered+ plan
- ELEC XXXNotes: Submit your graduation application and verify completion of eligibility.not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Pima Community College2 programs
Yavapai College2 programs
Common Accounting courses
- ACC 212Managerial Accounting(12 sections)
- ACC 211Financial Accounting(11 sections)
- ACC 111Accounting Principles I(9 sections)
- ACC 105Payroll, Sales and Property Taxes(6 sections)
- ACC 112Accounting Principles II(5 sections)
- ACC 115Computerized Accounting(4 sections)
- ACC 219Intermediate Accounting I(3 sections)
- ACC 121Individual Tax Preparation(3 sections)
- ACC 215Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting(2 sections)
- ACC 216Fraud Examination(2 sections)
- ACC 220Intermediate Accounting II(2 sections)
- ACC 221Tax Accounting(2 sections)
Career outlook for Accounting graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Arizona’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a CPA with just an associate degree?
- No. The CPA license requires 150 college credit hours (typically a bachelor's plus 30 extra hours) — an associate is 60 hours. The associate is a great first step that covers the intro accounting sequence at much lower tuition, but you'll need to transfer to complete the bachelor's plus the extra credits.
- What's the difference between bookkeeping and accounting jobs?
- Bookkeepers record day-to-day transactions, manage AP/AR, and produce monthly trial balances. Accountants analyze the books, produce financial statements, handle tax compliance, and advise on financial decisions. An associate in accounting qualifies you for full-charge bookkeeper and staff-accountant roles; the higher-paying senior accountant and controller titles typically require a bachelor's.
- Does Arizona have a high demand for accountants?
- Yes. Accounting is one of the most stable, highest-employment occupations in every state — every business needs at least one bookkeeper, and the field is largely recession-resistant because tax compliance and AP/AR don't go away in downturns. BLS projects 4% employment growth nationally through 2032.
- Does accounting credit transfer to a bachelor's in accounting?
- Yes, with the usual caveats — both colleges (CC and 4-year) must use the AICPA model curriculum for the credits to fully apply toward the upper-division accounting major. Arizona's Public 2-year accounting programs are generally well-articulated with the state's flagship universities. Compare colleges below; articulation strength varies.
Compare Accounting programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Arizona’s accounting programs stack up.
Other programs in Arizona
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.