Skip to main content
Start a new career or increase your prospects for promotion with a bookkeeper certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast. Take the next steps in your career path in bookkeeping by earning your Bookkeeper Certificate online or in person at Southeast. The hybrid bookkeeper certificate courses from Minnesota State College Southeast provide professional training for new accounting bookkeeping careers and serve as building blocks for further education. Apply Fall or Spring semester for 100% online classes, in person classes, or hybrid learning programs.

Career Area: Business & Management
Program: Accounting
Campus(es): Winona/Online

Major Details

With a bookkeeper certificate from Minnesota State College Southeast, in just one semester you will be ready to start a career in one of the nation's fastest growing professions.

The Bookkeeper Certificate program focuses on coursework in the most practical aspects of accounting, including a hands-on approach to spreadsheets and databases. You will learn how to work with spreadsheets, business computer systems, financial accounting, and payroll.

Minnesota State College Southeast offers a program that can be completed online, on campus in Winona, or a combination of both. You can enroll in the accounting program in either the fall or spring semester and attend classes on a full-time or part-time basis.

Discover bookkeeping career opportunities with a bookkeeper certificate

If you have the desire to own your own business, be a leader, motivate people, and solve problems, consider enrolling in an accounting diploma or degree at Minnesota State College Southeast.

More and more employers are demanding higher education in accounting from potential job candidates to fill their bookkeeping positions. Our educational approach is a blend of theory and practice, providing a solid foundation for your accounting bookkeeping career. We offer a practical, personal approach to learning the principles of accounting and making the best use of a variety of popular accounting software packages.

Once you have your bookkeeper certificate from Southeast in hand, you will find that the opportunities for meaningful and challenging employment are plentiful in companies of all sizes.

Apply now for admission!


Cluster/Pathway
Career Field: Business Management & Administration
Cluster: Finance
Pathway: Accounting
Recommended high school classes and basic job/program skills

Download the Program Plan

Courses

1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.


GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
English/Communications requirement
Choose one 2 credit (or greater) English or Communications course.
2 cr
Math requirement
Choose one 2 credit (or greater) Math course.
2 cr
 
4 crs
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Choose one: BUSN2000, BUSN2215, or ADMS1419
Choose from Small Business Development (BUSN2000), Business Ethics (BUSN2215), or Business Communications (ADMS1419)
3 cr
ACCT1210
Payroll Accounting
This course covers the fundamental principles of accounting for payroll in a business environment. Federal Wage and Hour law provides the framework for payroll record keeping requirements that most employers must follow. The course discusses the various payroll taxes that both employers and employees are subject to, filing requirements, and legal deadlines that must be followed. (Prerequisite: none) (2 Credits: 2 lec/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

2 cr
ACCT1212
Computerized Acct Applications
Hands on approach to the accounting system. Topical areas covered include but are not limited to general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, inventory, depreciation, financial statement analysis, departmentalized accounting and client write-up. (Prerequisites: ACCT2201 Financial Accounting) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

3 cr
ACCT1218
Spreadsheets Concepts and Applications
This course uses a spreadsheet system for business applications. Procedures used include: document creation, storage, retrieval, major editing, printing, merger of documents, segments and variables, and graph creation. (Prerequisite: None) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

3 cr
ACCT2201
Financial Accounting
This course covers the fundamental accounting concepts and principles which are used in a business environment to provide reports on the economic condition of an organization. The focus will be on the accrual method of accounting, utilizing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to analyze and record transactions. The ultimate objective is to understand the effects of these transactions in order to provide timely and relevant information in the form of financial statements. (Prerequisite: none) (4 credits: 4 lecture/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

4 cr
BUSN1245
Business Computers
This course is designed to provide "hands on" training in the use of the computer aimed at information processing for coursework, personal, and professional purposes. According to skillful design standards, students solve business problems using industry-standard software application programs (word processing, spreadsheets, and database management, presentations, and email/calendar). A brief introduction to file management, cloud technology, and operating system is covered. Students will also develop an understanding of computer safety, security, ethics, and privacy. (Prerequisites: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

Download the Course Outline

3 cr
 
18 crs

Total Credits Required for this Major: 22 Credits


Estimated Costs for this Major

Approximate Tuition/Fees:$4,240
Minimum Tool Cost:N/A
Books/Supplies:$500
Estimated Total:$4,740
 

 


Career Opportunities

  • Staff Accountants
  • Banking
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Financial Accounting
  • Cost Accounting
  • Income Tax
  • Financial Services
  • Payroll Accounting
  • Government/Non-Profit
  • Budget Analysis
  • Audit

Career Information

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, And much more in this career field.

Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to:
  1. Apply the principles of financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, tax accounting and not-for-profit accounting.
  2. Apply mathematical, analytical and business knowledge skills to formulate and solve problems and to make decisions relevant to the needs of business.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in personal computer operations and applications.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of human society and culture in order to function as an effective employee and citizen.

Highlights

  • 100% online option available
  • Excellent reputation with employers and students
  • Hands-on learning
  • Instructors have professional experience in all areas of accounting
  • Learn the latest computer software: Excel, QuickBooks, Access, Turbo Tax, Word, Peachtree and PowerPoint
  • Vast job opportunities with high growth potential
  • Interactive learning combines technology with accounting theory
  • Student organizations such as Student Senate provide leadership and professional growth opportunities

Instructors

Jillane Halverson
Jill Halverson has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration, both from Winona State University. She has expertise in the areas of public, private, tax, auditing, and non-profit accounting.
Samantha Justin
Samantha Justin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Business Administration from Winona State University and her Masters of Professional Accounting from Bemidji State University. She also holds a Wisconsin Certified Public Accountant license. She has experience in public, private, audit, tax, governmental, and non-profit accounting.

Media