Accounting Program

Start your accounting career at Harper College

Take the first steps toward becoming an accountant, bookkeeper, or financial auditor. Harper’s Accounting Program offers several courses of study, including certificate programs that prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and entry-level roles in business and finance. Associate degrees with transfer options are also available, with Advising Services to help students plan the transfer process and provide information on what accounting classes would fit best with the student’s academic and career goals.

Students will learn practical knowledge and skills essential to succeed in business careers. Harper’s Accounting courses are designed to equip students with a strong foundation in auditing, financial and managerial accounting, and business law. For professional accounting students, Harper’s Accounting Program offers an exam preparation certificate that meets Illinois Board of Examiners (ILBOE) requirements for the Uniform CPA Exam.

Whether you are earning the first two years of your bachelor’s degree in accounting or if you are developing your skills as a current professional, Harper College’s Accounting Program is a valuable stepping stone toward a successful career in accounting and business finance. Get started today by exploring the Harper’s degree and certificate offerings.

Program highlights

Earn your AAS--Accounting Associate degree online.
Study under the guidance of Harper’s experienced Accounting Department faculty.
Access to guest speaker events from industry professionals and networking opportunities through the Accounting Club.

Earn a career-ready accounting degree

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares you for immediate entry into junior accountant positions in commercial, nonprofit or governmental organizations. Coursework in the AAS may also prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Associate in Applied Science — Accounting Associate

If your goal is to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting, you may consider completing an Associate in Arts. Harper also offers institution-specific transfer information to help prepare you to transition to a four-year university. To learn more, visit our Transfer Information page or see your advisor.

Accounting certificate programs

Whether getting started or advancing in your career, Harper College’s Accounting Program offers accounting and bookkeeping certifications that reflect real-world demands and prepare students for entry-level roles and the CPA certification exam. Many of Harper’s certificates can be applied as progress in completing an associate degree program.

Current business and finance professionals may also be interested in the Continuing Professional Education accounting and bookkeeping classes or Harper Community Education’s non-credit accounting courses.

Explore careers in Accounting

Earning an associate degree or professional certificate in accounting from Harper College helps students find work in accounting and other business and financial positions. Learn more about the Chicago job market, including salaries, open positions, top local employers, and more by exploring the career profiles below. For more detailed information about job outlook, visit the Accounting Careers page.

Accountants and Auditors

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Accountants and Auditors career profile for most current data.

$80,657
Median Salary

0.8%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

1,706
Job Postings

Description:

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

Core tasks:

Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.

Quick facts:

Bill and Account Collectors

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Bill and Account Collectors career profile for most current data.

$46,038
Median Salary

-8.2%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

147
Job Postings

Description:

Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customer's account, preparing statements to credit department if customer fails to respond, initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection, and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

Core tasks:

Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.
Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.
Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.
Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.

Quick facts:

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

* Data sampled April 2025. Visit the Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks career profile for most current data.

$50,013
Median Salary

-4.4%
Projected Job Growth (2025-2032)

1,149
Job Postings

Description:

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

Core tasks:

Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyze information.
Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.

Quick facts:

For more information about Harper's Accounting Program and associate degrees, please contact Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700.