Illinois Community Colleges
Accounting Programs
Accounting programs at community colleges in this state. Financial accounting, managerial accounting, and CPA-track coursework.
13 colleges · 124 sections · 54 unique courses · Fall 2026
Accounting is one of the most direct community-college-to-career pathways in Illinois: 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 124 sections this term at 13 Illinois Community Colleges 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 Illinois Community Colleges programs have tighter articulation with university accounting programs than others.
Colleges offering Accounting
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | 29 | 16 | 21 | — | — |
| Triton College | 20 | 9 | 9 | — | — |
| McHenry County College | 19 | 8 | 13 | — | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | 14 | 5 | 8 | — | — |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | 10 | 6 | — | — | — |
| Parkland College | 10 | 4 | 6 | — | — |
| Olney Central College | 7 | 6 | — | — | — |
| Kankakee Community College | 5 | 4 | — | — | — |
| South Suburban College | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
| Lincoln Trail College | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Frontier Community College | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Wabash Valley College | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Accounting Availability Snapshot
How accounting sections are being offered across 13 colleges in Illinois this term (124 sections total).
Delivery format
- online60 (48%)
- in person60 (48%)
- hybrid4 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)31
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)8
- Evening (5 PM and after)11
- Asynchronous / TBA74
Start dates
Sections begin on 14 distinct dates. 22 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 34 distinct instructors across 13 colleges.
Common Accounting courses
- ACC 101Financial Accounting(17 sections)
- ACC 153Principles of Financial Accounting(8 sections)
- ACC 151FINANCIAL ACCTG(7 sections)
- ACC 100BUS FORM ANALYSIS(6 sections)
- ACC 154Principles of Managerial Accounting(6 sections)
- ACC 152MANAGERIAL ACCTG(5 sections)
- ACC 2101FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING(5 sections)
- ACC 202Financial Accounting(4 sections)
- ACCT 131Financial Accounting(4 sections)
- ACC 102Managerial Accounting(3 sections)
- ACC 105Managerial Accounting(3 sections)
- ACC 120CMPTR APPL ACCTG(3 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 Illinois’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 Illinois 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. Illinois's Illinois Community Colleges 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 Illinois’s accounting programs stack up.
Other programs in Illinois
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.