The Strategic Job Preparation Certificate of Completion is a noncredit certificate designed to prepare students for employment searches and lead to success in job attainment and mobility. Students gain fundamental knowledge, strategies, and resources to seek, apply, and interview for professional work experience. Students prepare a professional resume to use in the job search arena. They identify and utilize various job search and professional networking platforms and prepare to apply and interview for jobs and internships. Upon successful completion of the certificate, students will have an enhanced employment portfolio and be prepared for professional interviews.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS PROGRAM, STUDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO:

🗸 Identify and inventory individual personal and professional interests, values and skills.
🗸 Synthesize skills, experience, and knowledge into an employment portfolio.
🗸 Identify, evaluate, and utilize tools, resources, and strategies used for seeking and applying for work experience.

The Certificate of Completion in Enrolled Agent (EA) Exam Preparation provides students with the knowledge that is essential for passing the Special Enrollment Examination (SEE). The exam is conducted by the Internal revenue Services (IRS) and leads to a valuable certification called Enrolled Agent. Enrolled Agent is a tax advisor who is a federally-authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Enrolled Agents represent taxpayers before the IRS for tax issues including audits, collections and appeals.

Career Opportunities

This certificate prepares students to start their own tax preparation business or to work as specialized tax preparers in CPA and EA firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Understand the relevant concepts and applications of accounting and taxation needed to succeed in future accounting/taxation classes and in the workplace.

- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in decision-making and problem-solving.

CPA Candidates must possess any Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the candidates must satisfy specific educational requirements (see the CalCPA website at www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/tip_sheet.pdf). All of these educational requirements can be completed at a community college after the candidates complete their BA/BS degree. The classes within this certificate are counted towards the educational requirement for the CPA license. The certificate also prepares a candidate for one of the four parts of the CPA exam: Auditing & Attestation. The certificate itself is neither required for the CPA exam nor guarantees the student’s eligibility for the CPA exam. However, it provides a guideline on what classes best prepare the candidate for the CPA exam.

Career Opportunities

This program focuses on the Regulation component of the CPA exam. It provides a guideline for CPA candidates on which courses will best prepare them for the exam. Future CPAs have amazing prospects in three main areas: public accounting, private accounting, and government/non-profit accounting. Current projections for the Bay Area (from the EDD website) for accountants and auditors are: 17.9% annual increase in the number of jobs, and the median salary of $79,258. The CPA license in general increases salaries for these jobs by 10-15%.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will be prepared in terms of the CPA exam’s content.

CPA Candidates must possess any Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the candidates must satisfy specific educational requirements (see the CalCPA website at www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/tip_sheet.pdf). All of these educational requirements can be completed at a community college after the candidates complete their BA/BS degree. The classes within this certificate are counted towards the educational requirement for the CPA license. The certificate also prepares a candidate for one of the four parts of the CPA exam: Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR). The certificate itself is neither required for the CPA exam nor guarantees the student’s eligibility for the CPA exam. However, it provides a guideline on what classes best prepare the candidate for the CPA exam.

Career Opportunities

This program focuses on the Financial Accounting & Reporting component of the CPA exam. It provides a guideline for CPA candidates on which courses will best prepare them for the exam. Future CPAs have amazing prospects in three main areas: public accounting, private accounting, and government/non-profit accounting. Current projections for the Bay Area (from the EDD website) for accountants and auditors are: 17.9% annual increase in the number of jobs, and the median salary of $79,258. The CPA license in general increases salaries for these jobs by 10-15%.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will be prepared in terms of the CPA exam’s content.

CPA Candidates must possess any Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the candidates must satisfy specific educational requirements (see the CalCPA website at www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/tip_sheet.pdf). All of these educational requirements can be completed at a community college after the candidates complete their BA/BS degree. The classes within this certificate are counted towards the educational requirement for the CPA license. The certificate also prepares a candidate for one of the four parts of the CPA exam: Auditing & Attestation. The certificate itself is neither required for the CPA exam nor guarantees the student’s eligibility for the CPA exam. However, it provides a guideline on what classes best prepare the candidate for the CPA exam.

Career Opportunities

This program focuses on the Auditing & Attestation part of the CPA exam. It provides a guideline for CPA candidates on which courses will best prepare them for the exam. Future CPAs have amazing prospects in three main areas: public accounting, private accounting, and government/non-profit accounting. Current projections for the Bay Area (from the EDD website) for accountants and auditors are: 17.9% annual increase in the number of jobs, and the median salary of $79,258. The CPA license in general increases salaries for these jobs by 10-15%

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will be prepared in terms of the CPA exam’s content.

CPA Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the candidates must satisfy specific educational requirements (see the CalCPA website at www.dca.ca.gov/cba/applicants/tip_sheet.pdf). All of these educational requirements can be completed at a community college after the candidates complete their BA/BS degree. The classes within this certificate are counted towards the educational requirement for the CPA license. The certificate also prepares a candidate for one of the four parts of the CPA exam: Auditing & Attestation. The certificate itself is neither required for the CPA exam nor guarantees the student’s eligibility for the CPA exam. However, it provides a guideline on what classes best prepare the candidate for the CPA exam.

Career Opportunities

This program focuses on the Auditing & Attestation part of the CPA exam. It provides a guideline for CPA candidates on which courses will best prepare them for the exam. Future CPAs have amazing prospects in three main areas: public accounting, private accounting, and government/non-profit accounting. Current projections for the Bay Area (from the EDD website) for accountants and auditors are 17.9% annual increase in the number of jobs, and a median salary of $79,258. The CPA license in general increases salaries for these jobs by 10-15%

Program Learning Outcomes

- Students will be prepared in terms of the CPA exam’s content.

The Taxation Preparer certificate provides students with the specific knowledge that is essential for beginning a new career as a tax preparer. The completion of the Taxation Preparer certificate will give students the knowledge to complete and file Individual Tax Returns and Business Tax returns as a solo practice or under an established firm. The certificate also provides students with the basic accounting knowledge that will support their career or tax business in order to understand the basic financial statements of a small business. After completion of the tax preparer certificate, students will be equipped to allow them to work as a tax preparer or achieve entrepreneurial aspirations of starting a tax and accounting practice.

Career Opportunities

This certificate prepares students to start their own tax preparation business or to work as specialized tax preparers in CPA and EA firms. There is a projected gap in demand for 480 tax preparers in the Bay Area with 6% growth (10% in East Bay), 484 new job openings annually (110 new job in East Bay), and the medial hourly wage of $30.56.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Understand the relevant concepts and applications of accounting and taxation needed to succeed in future accounting/taxation classes and in the workplace.

- Demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards established by relevant professional organizations.

- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in decision-making and problem-solving.

The certificate is intended for students who would like to develop the most critical Small Business Management skills in a short period of time. The program is fast and flexible. It consists of only 7 classes. None of the courses have prerequisites, so they could be taken simultaneously or in any desired order. The program can be finished in 2 semesters by attending college part-time. Classes are available online, on-campus, and in a hybrid modality (a mix of on-campus and online). The certificate can be earned fully online.

Career Opportunities

The Small Business Management program will prepare you for a career in a small business. You may currently work in a small business. You may be interested in starting or purchasing your own business, joining a small family business, or working as an employee or a consultant to a small business. If your career interest in non-profit organizations, you’ll also find the skills you develop in these courses to be very applicable to non-profit management. The program will develop the critical skills needed to successfully manage a small business: financial management, supervision, computerized accounting, and law. You can then customize your certificate with electives that best meet the needs of your small business by choosing electives/options you find most useful. If you are interested in exploring future business opportunities and starting a business from a scratch, consider earning certificates in Entrepreneurship instead (found in the catalog under Entrepreneurship, not Business).

Program Learning Outcomes

- Apply management principles to the selection, establishment, and operation of a small business.

- Use accounting principles to prepare financial reports for a small business both manually and using the software.

- Develop an understanding of the law and the legal environment as it relates to small business operations.

This certificate’s curriculum was developed out of a collaborative effort between several industries and college professionals and encompasses several business essentials, including the “soft skills” of management and communication required for career success in the retail industry. Completion of the Retail Management Certificate will help students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to manage retail stores of any kind. The program has been fully endorsed by the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) and its member companies. Explore more information about the WAFC certificate at www.retailmanagementcertificate.com

Career Opportunities

Retail is a growing, fast-paced, and diverse industry with many opportunities for advancement. Careers are available in all areas of business and with over 42 million people employed, and responsible for 1 in 4 jobs in the United States. The certificate prepares students for managerial positions in retailing, merchandising, and distributing businesses.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Understand and apply practices used in the management of retail stores.

- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in decision making and problem solving.

- Create effective oral and written business communications using modern communication technologies.

- Identify the basics of information technology and apply software applications to enhance efficiency of business functions.

Research indicates that about one-third of the labor force is now employed in marketing. Career opportunities in marketing are also expected to grow rapidly in the future. Marketing careers offer flexibility, mobility, and pay to match your ability. Graduates of the program have become marketing managers, professional sales and customer service representatives, small business owners, buyers and merchandisers in the retail community. They are also responsible for buying and selling product offerings, planning promotions and advertising and public relations campaigns. The certificate may be completed either on campus or fully online. All classes within the program will also apply toward an AS degree in Business, Marketing emphasis.

Career Opportunities

This flexible and quick certificate is popular among students who are searching for an entry-level position in marketing, sales, or advertising. It is also beneficial to people currently employed in the field who wish to upgrade and improve their chances for further promotion. The certificate consists of only 6 classes that can be taken in any sequence. A student can finish the program in 2 semesters by attending college part-time. The certificate can be earned fully online.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Develop a viable marketing strategy for the product offer, promotion, placement and pricing of a product or service.

- Evaluate economic, social and regulatory impacts of advertising.

- Create effective oral and written business communications using modern communication technologies.

- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in decision-making and problem-solving.