ACC 253 – Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who is required take ACC 253 Accounting Practicum?

ACC 253 is required for any students who would like to receive the Bookkeeping Certificate, Income Tax Preparation Certificate, Accounting Associate Certificate, or Associate Degree in Accounting. 

 

Why do I need to take this class?

Oakton would like its accounting graduates to have some real world experience.  This takes the student beyond academic learning and allows them to receive some practical experience.

 

Why kind of job do I need?

This can be any part-time or full-time job where you are doing some accounting as part of your responsibilities.  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.

 

I don’t have a job in accounting.   Can Oakton help me find one?

There are 3 ways Oakton can help you find a job for ACC 153.

1.      Oakton has an internship program where can hook you with employers in our area.  You would need to apply at Oakton and we would hook you up with potential employers for interviews.  We do not just place you in these jobs.  You actually need to interview and get hired by the employer.  To learn more about this, visit www.oakton.edu/internships

 

2.      Oakton has a job posting board for employers in the area who are looking for community college students.  There are part-time and full-time jobs.  You will need to register online with this site and then you have access to these job postings.   It is free to use.  We highly encourage students to check this board frequently.  There are some weeks where there are only 3 jobs and other weeks where there are 10-15 jobs.  It changes all the time.  To register for this, please visit www.collegecentral.com/oakton/

 

3.      Oakton has a Career Services office that can help you learn how to do a better job search, fix your resume and cover letter, and build stronger interview skills.  For more information, please visit http://www.oakton.edu/resource/careerservices/

 

Does previous work experience count?

No.  The students needs to be completing this work experience while they are enrolled in the ACC 253 course.

 

 

 

I have looked and looked, but I cannot find a job, what can I do?

            or

I cannot quit my full-time job outside of the accounting field, what can I do?

            or

I am an international student, and I am not allowed to work.  What I can I do?

 

Consider volunteering your time:

·         Ask any friend or family member in business if you could volunteer to help them with the bookkeeping for a few months. 

·         Ask your local church or other nonprofit if they could use some help with any accounting projects. 

·         Spring semester only:  Consider volunteering with one of the community tax preparers during tax season.  These services provide income tax preparation for individuals and families who cannot afford to pay a professional tax accountant.  Oakton has a relationship with Ladder Up.  You can find out more about this at http://www.taxassistance.org/

 

What happens in the Practicum course?  Do I need to come to campus?

There is a weekly class that you need to attend, but this is not a traditional accounting class.  This is a class about careers in accounting.  Oakton brings in speakers from banks, credit agencies, insurance companies, accounting firms, the IRS, FBI, and accounting placement agencies.  We bring you to outside networking dinners sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants, Illinois CPA Society, and Becker CPA Review.  Our goal is introduce you to many business professionals who can help you prepare for your career in accounting.

 

Is there any homework in ACC 253?

There is no textbook and no weekly accounting homework, but there are two projects during the semester. 

1.      You will need to prepare 10 tax returns using basic Tax Software that you can purchase at any retail store.  Oakton’s goal is that everyone who finishes an accounting certificate is able to prepare very basic income tax returns for themselves and their families.   We realize that there are many students in ACC 253 who have never taken an income tax course.  Therefore, there will be time in class where students will learn income tax basics and receive a hands-on tutorial in tax software.

2.      You will need to write a paper at the end of the semester which is effectively a business plan.  The goal of this paper is to get students to critically evaluate their own companies or another company that they know.  Most companies have some flaws in the way they have set up their accounting functions and students will need to make suggestions about how a company can better design its systems.  The instructor will talk about this project at length throughout the semester.

 

I still have questions, who should I contact?

ACC 253 Instructor – Paul Grosso at pgrosso@oakton.edu

         or

Accounting Department Chair – Jay Cohen at jcohen@oakton.edu