Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology

The BS in Accounting Technology program centers on the basic accounting skills, as well as business and finance skills that will help students pursue careers in bookkeeping, auditing, tax preparation, and business analysis. This program is designed to equip students with knowledge, skills and values that will make them competent professionals in the field of accounting. 

Some of the subjects taught in this course are:

• Fundamentals of Accounting
• Cost Accounting & Cost Management
• Management Accounting
• Auditing
• Basic Finance
• Income Taxation
• Microeconomic Theory and Practice
• Macroeconomic Theory and Practice
• Business and Transfer Taxes
• Principles of Management and Organization
• Principles of Marketing
• Business Statistics
• Technical Writing: Business
• Computer Application for Accountants
• Accounting Information Systems

This program is taught through classroom-based frontal instructions, case studies, projects, group activities, as well as other ways (e.g., hands-on training on accounting software; exercises on situational problems) to simulate actual work situations. 

Is Accounting Technology a profession?
Yes, Accounting Technology is a profession. A graduate of BS in Accounting Technology who passed the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Exam can work as an accounting technician whose job involves valuable accounting-related jobs such as assisting with the preparation of accounts, bookkeeping, monitoring company expenses, and managing staff payroll. Graduates can also work as bookkeepers, audit staff, accounting clerks, or financial controllers. 

What are the admission requirements for BSAT?
Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate. 
  Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities only offer selected courses for PEPT passers admission.
• Must pass the college entrance examination
• Must pass the qualifying test implemented by the Accountancy Department of the school
• Must pass the interview conducted by the college / university admission officer
• Medical laboratory results and health certificate
• Good Moral certificate from the previous school (sometimes from enrollees Barangay)
• Some schools require a particular rating in the National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT)

What skills will help you succeed in this course?

• Being comfortable with numbers – accounting is all about numbers. You will be working with numbers all the time so being comfortable with that is a must.
• Being organized and punctual – in bookkeeping and accounting everything needs to be just right, all the numbers need to be correct and being organized and orderly is a big plus.
• Basic mathematical skills – you just need to have basic computational skills and be equipped with a strong foundation of basic mathematical concepts in order for you to solve problems.
• Problem solving – the ability to discern the nature of the problem, link the different information and data at hand in order to arrive at the best solution, as well as the ability to evaluate the different applicable solutions available.
• The ability to quickly learn how to operate software – most tasks related to accounting are done with the use of specialized software.
• English skills – the ability to read, write, and communicate well in English is necessary because most of the technical literature and required reading materials are in this language.
• Interpersonal skills – the ability to communicate and interact harmoniously with other people will definitely help you work on group projects and activities with your classmates.

How difficult is this course?
This course is of average difficulty. Although this course is a bit technical, it is still not as difficult as BS in Accountancy or business administration courses. 

How long does it take to complete BS in Accounting Technology in the Philippines?
Normally, the BSAT program takes 4 years to complete. Some schools who apply the trimestral school calendar system do the program within a shorter period of time. 

BS in Accounting Technology vs. BS in Accountancy

• Length 
  The BS in Accounting Technology program takes 4 years, while the BS in Accountancy program takes 5 years to complete and requires an additional 5-6 months for the review classes for the CPA board exam.
• Difficulty Level 
  The subjects taught in BS in Accountancy are more difficult and cover a broader scope compared to those taught in Accounting Technology. Furthermore, what makes BS in Accountancy more difficult is the need to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Exam wherein more than 50% fail.
• Career opportunities 
  Graduates of BS in Accountancy who passed the licensure exam, are qualified for jobs that require a CPA degree, and are more qualified for advanced positions in the accounting departments of a private and government organizations. Moreover, accountants earn higher salaries levels compared to accounting technicians.

On The Job Training / Internship
The minimum number of hours for internship as required by the Commission on Higher Education is 160 hours. Some schools help the students find companies where they can work as an intern, while others let their students find their own. Some companies provide travel or food allowance for their interns, while others do not.

Is there a board examination for BSAT?
Graduates of BS in Accounting Technology can take the CAT (Certified Accounting Technician) exam and become a certified accounmting technician. The CAT Exam can be taken at three levels, wherein the first level involves Practical Accounting, the second level centers on Cost Accounting, while the third one is about Taxation and Payroll Accounting. By passing these exams, you can become a registered accounting technician in the UK as well. 

If you plan on working in the government sector, you can take the competency examination called the Civil Service Examination. Those who pass the civil service examination are conferred a civil service eligibility, a basic requirement for entrance to government service. 

Career opportunities for BSAT graduates

• Entry Level jobsJobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:
  • Bookkeeper – this job involves recording the financial transactions of a company. A bookkeeper is in charge of recording transactions such as purchases, sales, receipts, as well as other payments by and to the organization.
  • Tax Accounting Staff – this job includes tasks such as completing the monthly submissions of all sales tax reporting and payments, managing all sales tax and business licenses, as well as developing and documenting tax return procedures.
  • Management Accounting Staff – this job involves aiding in managerial planning, developing and managing financial systems, negotiating and acquiring finance for projects, as well as controlling income and expenditure.
  • Budget Analyst – this job entails developing expenditures and revenue forecasts, consulting the management on final budget preparation, making recommendations on budget matters, and preparing statistical reports with alternative approaches for solving issues.
  • Credit Analyst – this job involves duties such as assessing and interpreting financial information, conducting risk assessment analysis, aiding in the enhancement of the quality of credit applications, as well as making recommendations on important policy changes.
  • Internal Audit Staff – this job involves evaluating and ensuring that the risk management system of the company is functioning as intended, reporting risk management issues, evaluating a regulatory compliance program with consultation from legal counsel, maintaining open communication with the management and the audit committee, as well as supporting the companys anti-fraud programs and policies.
• Managerial Positions
  • Comptroller – this managerial position involves being in charge of supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting in a company. This job involves duties such as monitoring the financial system, ensuring accurate records of financial transactions, and managing the payroll.
  • Financial Services Manager – this job involves being responsible for the management and administration of the Accounting Departments financial services, as well as planning and implementing activities related to the payroll, fixed asset accounting, and accounts payable/receivable.
  • Accounting Manager – this senior position entails developing and implementing company systems and policies for obtaining, verifying, and reporting financial information, managing accounting staff, and maintaining the organizations financial security by establishing internal controls.
  • Senior Fraud Examiner – this job involves investigating money laundering schemes, facilitating surveillance work, and advising companies on how to improve fraud detection.
  • Senior Forensic Internal Auditor – this job involves undertaking business process audit mandates and provide expertise in occasional forensics mandates when required, conducting forensic audits, and analyzing complex business, legal, and financial processes.
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – this advanced position involves supervising the finance unit of the company and serving as the chief financial spokesperson. Some of the duties include monitoring the performance and training the finance unit, providing the Chief Operating Officer with an operating budget for projects, overseeing payroll and purchasing activity, monitoring banking activities of the organization, and overseeing the production of accurate monthly reports.
  • Vice President of Corporate Finance – this job involves duties such as being a key member of the decision-making team in the company, developing financial operating reports, annual plans, preparing financial materials for boards of directors, as well as overseeing cash, investments, and insurance programs.
• Jobs not related to accounting that graduates can apply to
  • Call center agent – answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides customer support, usually to people from other countries
  • Administrative Staff – personnel responsible for the organization and management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
  • Freelancer working online – doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support etc., which mainly depends on your skills

Career Opportunities Abroad

• There are very few job opportunities abroad for Filipino graduates of BS in Accounting Technology, mainly in middle eastern countries.

Salary Levels
           Graduates of BS in Accounting Technology can pursue careers in the fields of accounting, finance, and in business which is why salary levels can vary greatly. However, if you decided to work as an Accounting Staff, you can earn PhP 8,500- PhP 12,000 per month as a fresh graduate, PhP 10,000- PhP 15,000 if you already have a 1-4 years experience, and PhP 13,000-PhP 18,000 for more advanced positions.