Accounting

What is required to be an accountant?

• Accounting is challenging work and you often work under pressure to meet deadlines which can mean more than forty hours per week. The accounting program at Chemeketa is fast paced and challenging.


• Most of the work involves computers, requiring you to be proficient with the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets and accounting software. Chemeketa has a computer lab dedicated to accounting classes. Students take at least four computer classes, plus numerous computer assignments in other classes.


• Accountants must be trustworthy, and must maintain high ethical standards and confidentiality. These attributes are an important part of the business classes, particularly personal effectiveness and business law.


• Accountants pay attention to detail, are well organized, and accurate. Attention to detail, organization skills, and accuracy are emphasized in the accounting courses.


• Accountants serve others which means you need to be an effective communicator. Accounting students take personal effectiveness, human relations, speech and writing classes to improve their communication skills.

• You should allow several hours a week outside of class for your studies.


• You should plan on being part of a community of learners.

Updated October 2006 by the College Advancement Department.