Accounting
14 courses · MiraCosta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
ACCT 101 Practical Accounting
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introduction to the field of accounting includes completion of an accounting cycle and related bookkeeping for sole proprietorship service and merchandising businesses. Topics include analyzing and recording business transactions, end-of-period adjustments, preparation of financial statements, and the closing process. The course also covers cash receipts, disbursements and control, and payroll, and it emphasizes a practical approach to accounting through problem solving.
ACCT 102 Practical Accounting II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Prerequisite
- ACCT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course continues the introduction to accounting studied in ACCT 101. Topics include bookkeeping for sole proprietorship, partnership and corporate merchandising businesses with an emphasis on bad debts, notes receivable and payable, inventory, property, plant, equipment, and intangible assets, financial statement analysis, and cash flow. The course emphasizes a practical approach to accounting through problem solving.
ACCT 104 Payroll Accounting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- ACCT 101 or ACCT 201
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides a comprehensive overview of federal and state payroll laws and their effect on payroll records and required government reports. Topics include laws affecting employers, human resource department procedures and record keeping, payroll accounting system procedures, and payroll forms and publications.
ACCT 145 Individual Income Tax
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers federal and California individual income tax preparation and planning. Topics include filing status, exemptions, income and exclusions, business expenses, itemized deductions, credits, capital gains, depreciation, tax payments, California tax, IRS and FTB, and audits. This California Tax Education Council (CTEC) approved course fulfills the 60-hour "qualifying education" requirement for California tax preparers and prepares students to meet the federal guidelines for paid tax preparers.
ACCT 146 Taxation of Business Entities
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces the tax issues facing the various types of business entities that operate in the United States. It emphasizes the US tax code and regulations that relate to these entities, and it examines the transactions that most commonly affect them. This course also assists students in preparing to sit for the IRS Enrolled Agent exam.
ACCT 147 Ethics, Representation, Practice, and Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- ACCT 145 or ACCT 146
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers income tax issues that relate to the requirements of individuals who have the legal right to prepare tax returns on behalf of individuals, business entities, and estates and trusts. These requirements include ethical conduct, practice privileges, and assessment and appeal procedures that must be followed in representing clients before the IRS and other tax agencies. This course also assists students in preparing to sit for Part 3 of the IRS Enrolled Agent exam.
ACCT 148 QuickBooks
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Advisory
- ACCT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course teaches students how to apply fundamental accounting concepts and principles and analyze business events using commercial business accounting software. Students enter accounting transactions, make adjustments and corrections, create and analyze financial reports, produce and compare financial statements, create a company file, calculate payroll, use advanced software features for loan and asset tracking, and make end-of-year adjustments.
ACCT 149 IRS Volunteer Preparation
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lecture 2 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
The IRS volunteer programs, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA), offer accounting and business majors the opportunity to learn the valuable skill of tax preparation in a real world setting. Students apply their knowledge about existing tax law to prepare tax returns using IRS professional tax preparation software. Upon successful completion of the components of this course, students are eligible to become IRS-certified volunteers.
ACCT 158 Business Mathematics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture 3 hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course meets the needs of business students who wish to gain proficiency in mathematical applications used in the business world. It prepares students for the study of accounting as well as for pre-employment mathematics tests common to office employment. Applications include trade and cash discounts, markups and markdowns, simple interest and simple discount, compound interest, annuities and sinking funds, consumer credit, building wealth through investments, mortgages, and insurance.
ACCT 201 Financial Accounting
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Advisory
- ACCT 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ACCT-110
This course explores what financial accounting is, why it is important, and how it is used by investors and creditors to make decisions. It covers the accounting information system and the recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the classified financial statements, and statement analysis. Topics include issues relating to asset, liability, and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls, and ethics. C-ID ACCT-110.
ACCT 202 Managerial Accounting
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Prerequisite
- ACCT 201
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ACCT-120
This course examines how managers use accounting information in decision-making, planning, directing operations, and controlling. It focuses on cost terms and concepts, cost behavior, cost structure, and cost-volume-profit analysis. Topics include profit planning, standard costs, operations and capital budgeting, cost control, and accounting for costs in manufacturing organizations. C-ID ACCT-120.
ACCT 204 Intermediate Accounting I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture 4 hours
- Prerequisite
- ACCT 201
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students study the conceptual framework of accounting as it relates to the recording, reporting, and disclosing of financial information related to asset valuation and income determination based on generally accepted accounting principles. The course emphasizes corporate financial statements and the accounting procedures used for measuring, recording, and reporting assets. It also covers recent developments in accounting standards and practice. Topics include the acquisition, valuation, and disposition of assets as well as income determination. This course is intended for students majoring in the field of accounting and those seeking additional education in preparation for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam.
ACCT 292 Internship Studies
- Units
- 0.5-14
- Corequisite
- Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.
ACCT 299 Occupational Work Experience Education
- Units
- 0.5-14
- Corequisite
- Complete 54 hours of work per unit, paid or unpaid
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is intended for students who are employed in a job directly related to their major or career area of interest. It allows such students the opportunity to apply the theories and skills of their discipline to their position and to undertake new responsibilities and learn new skills at work. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or work/intern at a new site upon each enrollment.