Washington Community Colleges
Accounting Programs
Accounting programs at community colleges in this state. Financial accounting, managerial accounting, and CPA-track coursework.
23 colleges · 134 sections · 75 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Accounting is one of the most direct community-college-to-career pathways in Washington: 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 134 sections this term at 23 SBCTC 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 SBCTC 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 23 colleges in Washington this term (134 sections total).
Delivery format
- online89 (66%)
- hybrid41 (31%)
- in person4 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)17
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)9
- Evening (5 PM and after)14
- Asynchronous / TBA94
Start dates
Sections begin on 6 distinct dates.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 64 distinct instructors across 23 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Bates Technical College1 program
Quarter 1
15 creditsQuarter 3
15 creditsQuarter 4
15 creditsQuarter 5
15 creditsQuarter 6
15 creditsSource: College catalog
Bellevue College7 programs
Bellingham Technical College2 programs
Centralia College2 programs
Clark College2 programs
Edmonds College5 programs
Grays Harbor College3 programs
Green River College7 programs
Highline College3 programs
Lake Washington Institute of Technology4 programs
Olympic College3 programs
Pierce College District3 programs
Renton Technical College3 programs
Shoreline Community College6 programs
South Puget Sound Community College2 programs
Spokane Community College2 programs
Tacoma Community College3 programs
Walla Walla Community College2 programs
Yakima Valley College2 programs
Common Accounting courses
- ACCT 101Practical Accounting I(15 sections)
- ACCT 110Small Business Accounting(9 sections)
- ACCT 112Business Calculator Applications(4 sections)
- ACCT 130Quickbooks(4 sections)
- ACCT 102Practical Accounting II(3 sections)
- ACCT 250Intermediate Topics in Accounting(3 sections)
- ACCT 266Microsoft Excel for Accounting(3 sections)
- ACCT 301Intermediate Accounting I(3 sections)
- ACCT 450Federal Income Taxation II(3 sections)
- ACCT 129Basic Accounting Procedures(3 sections)
- ACCT 212QuickBooks for Accounting(3 sections)
- ACCT 111Introduction to Accounting I(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 Washington’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 Washington 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. Washington's SBCTC 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 Washington’s accounting programs stack up.
Other programs in Washington
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.