The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment opportunities for accountants and auditors are expected to grow through the year 2010. Additionally, positions will open with the need to replace retiring professionals. While many accountants and auditors are licensed as Certified Public Accountants, the majority are unlicensed management and government accountants and auditors.

Training in accounting is also invaluable for those interested in occupations such as appraisers, budget officers, loan officers, financial analysts, bank officers, actuaries, underwriters, tax collectors and revenue agents, FBI special agents, securities sales workers, and purchasing agents. The Accounting degree at Finger Lakes provides preparation in the latest accounting theories and principles.

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Accounting degree program at Finger Lakes Community College prepares students to meet the changing needs of today's business world. By keeping class size small, students are able to obtain individualized attention. The program also prepares students to further their educational experiences and has an expanding number of transfer (articulation) agreements with four-year colleges and universities for those who wish to transfer into baccalaureate accounting programs.

In addition, the College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students enrolled in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

Field trips bring real-life experience to theory presented in the classroom. Students also attend Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) dinners, which provide valuable networking opportunities.

Graduates of this program have transferred to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year institutions such as St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, University of Buffalo, Keuka College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY College at Oswego.*

Others have gone on to begin careers as accounting clerks immediately after graduation from FLCC. The list of accounting graduates who have started their own accounting/tax businesses or are now chief accountants or controllers continues to grow.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, graduates who earn bachelor’s degrees and complete advanced training earn average annual salaries of approximately $40,000.

* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.

The Mark J. Prockton Memorial Accounting Scholarship was recently established for a returning accounting major who meets the specific criteria of the award. For more information on the scholarship, contact a member of the Business Administration Department or the Financial Aid Office.