Accounting and Business Overview

At Southwestern Michigan College, students can earn an associate in applied science in accounting or business through the college’s School of Business.

Students who earn an associate in applied science degree in accounting or business while at SMC can apply to Ferris State University to earn a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. All FSU classes are held on SMC campuses. Through an agreement between SMC and Ferris, students can save money by paying SMC’s tuition cost for three of the four years that is required to earn your Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

With SMC’s associate in applied science degree in business or accounting, students will prepared to meet entrance requirements of most business organizations. Both degrees can be used as the first step in a career ladder. They can also be coupled with other professional skills or certificates, such as marketing and human resources.

Accounting

Accounting is an information system that provides reports about the economic activities and conditions of a business. Faster-than-average growth can be expected for professional accountants and auditors as a result of changing financial laws and regulations, as well as a greater scrutiny of company finances.

Accountants and auditors analyze and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies, individual clients, and government. Beyond carrying out the fundamental tasks of the occupation, many accountants also offer budget analysis, financial and investment planning, information technology consulting, and limited legal services.

Students who choose to become accountants or who want a job in finance can expect to make between $34,470 to $130,130, depending on the type of company and work you do.

Business

This degree can be used as the first step in a career ladder, or to enable persons who are already employed to move up to a mid-level management position with their current employer. It can also be coupled with other professional skills or certificates to allow graduates to move into management positions.

Individuals who choose to go into the business field should be analytical, detail-oriented, flexible, decisive, and have good leadership and communication skills. They can expect to perform a broad range of entry-level duties within a company, business or governmental agency with this degree.

Salary ranges will vary depending on the type of business and work that you perform. Graduates can expect to begin at about $34,970 annually.

Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship

The small business management/entrepreneurship is a specialty certificate program through SMC’s School of Business. This certificate has been designed to enable students to go right into a small business and become an immediate asset to the company.

In addition, students who want to start their own business will find this specialty certificate a good foundation to become their own boss. Students will gain a broad overview of running a business as well as the necessary skills to help the accounting and recordkeeping aspects of the business.

This specialty certificate, which earns the student 14 credit hours when complete, will be a benefit for a future small business owner or a current small business owner looking to expand or make their business more successful.