Accountants are always in demand. After all, businesses run on money, and people have to pay taxes. Professionals who understand the ins and outs of commerce are incredibly valuable. If you are interested in finance and want to pursue a reliable and respected career, accounting could be a great program for you.
Oakton's Accounting curriculum is designed to prepare you for employment in an accounting position upon completing the degree or certificates. In the Accounting program, you'll learn about various aspects of accounting and become familiar with the most commonly used accounting technology. The skills you develop will serve you well as you pursue a career in various accounting-related fields, including working as a certified public accountant (CPA), tax accountant or staff accountant.
Oakton and Roosevelt University have a transfer pathway for students completing the A.A.S. degree in Accounting degree. See Partnerships and Transfer Pathways for more information. The transfer pathway with Roosevelt allows students who have completed the A.A.S. degree to transfer accounting courses that would typically not transfer to the four-year university.
If you're interested in beginning an entry-level career in accounting, such as staff accounting, accounts payable, payroll or income tax preparation, you can pursue the two-year Associate of Science (A.A.S.) degree. A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typically required to become an accountant or auditor. If you plan to pursue a bachelor's degree, you can take your transferrable general education courses at Oakton through the Associate in Arts (A.A.) pre-major pathway for Business and Accounting.
This comprehensive program encompasses financial accounting, accounting technology, managerial accounting, taxation and business ethics. The primary difference between the A.A.S. in Accounting and the Accounting Associate Certificate is that the A.A.S. requires students to also complete 18 hours of general education courses. Students will be eligible for a variety of accounting jobs, including staff accounting, accounts payable, general ledger, payroll or income tax preparation.
The following pre-major is recommended for students who are considering completing a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business and/or Accounting after transferring to a four-year institution. It is designed for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university.
Our Accounting Associate certificate covers financial accounting, technology, managerial accounting, taxation, and business ethics, preparing you for roles like staff accounting, accounts payable, or income tax preparation. With a focus on both technical skills and ethical grounding, our graduates stand out in the professional world.
Time to Complete: 41 credit hours
Unlock your potential with Oakton College's Accounting Technology Certificate. Gain hands-on experience in general accounting procedures, mastering Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, and cloud accounting systems.
This program opens doors to diverse roles, from accounts payable and credit to general ledger and payroll. As a graduate, you'll be well-qualified for sought-after positions in staff accounting. Embrace the future of accounting technology with us and step into a world of career possibilities.
Time to Complete: 22 credit hours
Embark on a strategic career path with Oakton College's CPA Preparation Certificate. Tailored for CPA exam readiness, the program encompasses 30 credit hours in accounting, meeting Illinois Board of Examiners' education standards. Delve into comprehensive courses covering financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing.
Upon completion, doors open to advanced roles such as staff accountants, tax accountants, internal auditors, assistant controllers, or external auditors. Elevate your professional standing with Oakton's program, positioning yourself for success in the dynamic field of accounting. Your journey towards career advancement begins here.
Time to Complete: 37 credit hours
Discover a comprehensive path to success with Oakton College's Tax Preparation Certificate. Gain a deep understanding of the accounting cycle and undergo the same tax preparation courses as CPA candidates. Our program includes essential training in Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks Online, and other cloud platforms. As a graduate, you'll unlock opportunities as a tax accountant or in roles such as accounts payable and general ledger in staff accounting.
Plus, prepare for the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam, further enhancing your credentials. Elevate your career in tax preparation with Oakton, where your aspirations meet a world of possibilities. Your journey to tax expertise begins here.
Time to Complete: 17 credit hours
Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.
99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.
To help you get there, you can apply for a scholarship, which you don’t have to pay back. We award $12 million in scholarships annually. Financial Aid includes grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance that can reduce your costs of attending college.
We offer payment options that give you control over how you pay. Pay all at once or spread your payments over the course of the semester.
Learn more about your options for paying for your education
Oakton's accounting faculty is composed of distinguished professors and lecturers who are also qualified and certified CPAs.
In addition, the accounting curriculum is guided by a panel of experts.
Leslie Van Wolvelear, EdD, CPA, CGMA
Chair and Student Advisor for Accounting Program
Distinguished Professor of Accounting
A.A. William Rainey Harper College
B.S. University of Illinois at Chicago
B.G.S. Roosevelt University
M.S. Roosevelt University
M.O.T. University of Illinois Springfield
Ed.D. in Leadership American College of Education
lvanwolv@oakton.edu
847.376.7135
Room 3610, Des Plaines
Anita Cotton, CPA, CMA
Professor of Accounting
B.S. Illinois State University
M.A.Ed. Concordia University
M.B.A. University of Chicago
acotton@oakton.edu
847.635.1462
Room B224, Skokie
Prashant Rawal, CPA
Professor of Accounting
A.A. William Rainey Harper College
B.S. Roosevelt University
M.B.A. University of Phoenix
prawal@oakton.edu
847.635.1814
Room 3616, Des Plaines
Meet our part time faculty
Larry Cohen, CPA
Senior Lecturer
B.S. Roosevelt University
M.S. Roosevelt University
J.D. John Marshall Law School
L.L.M. John Marshall Law School
lcohen@oakton.edu
312.339.5555
847.635.1910
Room B206, Des Plaines
Mark Gershman, CPA
Lecturer
B.S. Indiana University
M.B.A. DePaul University
mgershma@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
Ruizhen Hardin, CPA
Lecturer
B.A. East China Normal University
M.P.A. Georgia State University
M.B.A. University of Chicago Booth School of Business
D.B.A. Capella University
rhardin@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
Mitchell Helfand, CPA
Lecturer
B.A. University of Illinois Champaign
M.B.A. Northwestern University - Kellogg Graduate School of Management
mhelfand@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Des Plaines
Eralda Kanacevic
Lecturer
B.A. Robert Morris University
M.B.A. (concentration in Accounting) University of Phoenix
ekanacev@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
David Molley, CPA, CMA
Lecturer
B.S.C. DePaul University
M.B.A. DePaul University
dmolley@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
Jonathan Mrowiec, CPA
Lecturer
B.S. Millikin University
M.B.A. University of Illinois Urbana
M.S.A. University of Illinois Urbana
M.S.F. Northern Illinois University
jmrowiec@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Des Plaines
David Polster, CPA, CMA
Lecturer
B.A. University of Colorado
M.B.A. Kellogg Graduate School of Management
dpolster@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
Rebecca Rosenblum, CPA
Lecturer
B.S. Tulane University
M.S. Tulane University
Career and Technixal Educator License
rbirg@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Des Plaines
Paul Simkus, CPA
Lecturer
B.S. Ball State University
M.B.A. Ball State University
psimkus@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Des Plaines
Michelle Wray, CPA ret.
Lecturer
B.S. Truman State University
M.A.S. Northern Illinois University
mwray@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Room B206, Skokie
Owais Bhurya
Business and Personal Tax Consultant
Tax Elite Accounting Services
John Blix
Business Education Teacher
Glenbrook South High School
Brian Bohley
Founder and CEO
inFocus Payroll LLC
Will Dixon
Senior Finance and Enterprise Performance Consultant
Deloitte Consulting
Katie Gilbert
Chief Financial Officer
Elevate Packaging
Randall Heman
Owner
Count On Us Bookkeeping Specialists
Eralda Kanacevic
Accounting Manager
Resource Point of Sale
Nick Katranis
Senior Accountant
Dale Bugasch & Associates PC
Veronica Katranis
Senior Accountant
Dale Bugasch & Associates PC
David Perry
Partner
Friedman & Huey Associates LLP
Margaret Tower
Instructor of Accounting
DePaul University - School of Accountancy
Ex-Officio Members:
Ruben Howard II, Ph.D.
Dean of Business and Career Technologies
Oakton College
Leslie Van Wolvelear, EdD, CPA, CGMA
Accounting Program Chair
Oakton College
Yes. Oakton is a qualified provider of CPE credits. Accountants may receive 15 hours of CPE credit for every credit hour of class. The most popular classes to be taken for CPE credit are ACC 170 Payroll (15 CPEs), ACC 180 Excel (45 CPEs), and ACC 183 QuickBooks (45 CPEs).
Licensure Requirements: Each state and territory has different licensure and certification requirements. Oakton has researched and/or contacted state licensing authorities to confirm that the program meets the educational requirements leading to professional licensure. Other licensure requirements may include professional certification exams, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc.
Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site in June of each year. As of June 1, 2023, we have determined that individuals that successfully complete Oakton’s Certified Public Accountant Preparation Program curriculum:
Meets the education requirements leading to licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Does NOT meet the education requirements For licensure/certification in these states and U.S. Territories: Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
We have not made a determination if the program curriculum meets the requirements for licensure/certification in these states and US Territories: American Samoa
If you intend to practice in any state other than Illinois, you should contact the appropriate licensing agency to independently verify whether Oakton’s program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in a particular state before beginning Oakton’s program. Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time to time and that states may have conditions for licensure in addition to educational requirements.
This information is provided to meet the Disclosure Requirements for Academic Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification.
See the table below for the course offerings planned. Please note that "Every Term" indicates that the course will be offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Course |
Des Plaines |
Skokie |
Online |
ACC 153 Financial Accounting |
Every term |
Every term |
Every term |
ACC 154 Managerial Accounting |
Every term |
Every term |
Every term |
ACC 170 Payroll Tax Accounting |
n/a |
n/a |
Every term |
ACC 180 Accounting with Microsoft Excel |
n/a |
n/a |
Every term |
ACC 183 QuickBooks Certified User |
Fall/Spring |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 188 Cloud Accounting |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 241 Intermediate I |
n/a |
n/a |
Every term |
ACC 242 Intermediate II |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 243 Accounting Research (inactive) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
ACC 244 Income Taxes |
Fall, Spring |
n/a |
Every term |
ACC 245 Cost Accounting |
n/a |
n/a |
Every term |
ACC 253 Practicum (Independent Study) |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 255 Accounting Careers |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 260 Auditing |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 266 Advanced Accounting |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
ACC 274 Advanced Taxes |
n/a |
n/a |
Every term |
ACC 275 Enrolled IRS Agent (inactive) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
ACC 280 Data Analytics for Accounting |
n/a |
n/a |
Fall, Spring |
Please note that "Every Term" indicates that the course is offered in Fall, Spring and Summer.
What is ACC 253 Accounting Practicum?
This is an elective course at Oakton where students work in the accounting industry and report back to their instructor.
Does it count as "internship or life experience" credit for the Illinois Board of Examiners?
Yes. As part of the 30 accounting hours within the education requirements for the CPA exam, candidates are allowed to have up to 3 credit hours for internship or life experience. ACC 253 will count as these credit hours.
Why kind of job do I need?
This can be a part-time or full-time job at a company or firm where accounting is a main responsibility. The accounting can be in payables, payroll, receivables, general accounting, income taxes, QuickBooks, bank reconciliation, etc. As long as you are getting a real world experience in accounting, it will count.
Does previous work experience count
No. The students needs to be completing this work experience while they are enrolled in the ACC 253 course.
What happens in the Practicum course? Do I need to come to campus?
This course runs as an independent study and there is no weekly face-to-face classroom. You will meet with you instructor in person or by phone conference several times throughout the term to discuss your progress.
Is there any homework in ACC 253?
There is no textbook and no weekly accounting homework, but there are two projects during the semester.
ACC 153- Principles of Financial Accounting and ACC 154 Principles of Managerial Accounting
Both ACC153 and ACC154 are required by all business schools toward the bachelor's degree in a business-related specialty. These courses will transfer to the 4-year institutions.
ACC 170 - Payroll Tax Accounting
This course teaches a skill critical to every accountant.
ACC 180 - Accounting with Microsoft Excel
Provides an accounting refresher, and then applies Excel functions to various accounting topics, including intermediate level user skills. Prior knowledge of accounting is required.
ACC 183 - QuickBooks Certified User Preparation
This covers basics for beginners and then takes students through the Certified User exam topics. Prior knowledge of accounting is required.
ACC 244 - Income Tax Accounting
With only ACC 153, ACC 244 and some business experience, a person could try for an entry-level tax preparation position.
ACC 280 - Data Analytics for Accounting
This course includes data preparation, modeling, analysis and interpretation, and visualization.