I-BEST Accounting
Pathways Overview
Program Pathways are a series of courses and experiences carefully selected to help you earn your credential and prepare for your career or university transfer. Program Pathway Maps guide you through quarter-by-quarter coursework, indicate when you’ll need to complete important steps, and describe popular careers in this pathway. Some course sequences or recommended courses can be customized or adjusted by speaking with an advisor.
Foundation Support on the Way to Careers in Accounting
In the I-BEST Accounting Program, you start your career in accounting by completing the Accounting Office Assistant I and II certificates in just two quarters. Then continue on the pathway to job-ready success by completing the Bookkeeping or the Computerized Accounting Certificates. The program starts in winter quarter. You must attend an information session. Check the I-BEST Acccounting Information Session calendar for dates.
I-BEST Format
The program uses the Washington state Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training format (I-BEST), designed for ABE and ESL students who are interested in job training classes. In I-BEST programs, there are two instructors – one to teach the job training and one to help you improve your basic skills while you earn college credits. See I-BEST pages for more information about this format.
Who Can Enroll
Entry Requirements:
• (Non-native English speakers) CASAS test scores in Reading and Listening - with a minimum score of 227 reading and 227 listening required (English placement tests must be taken within the last 6 months.)
• (Native English speakers) CASAS test scores in Reading and Math with a minimum score of 227 Reading required. (English placement tests must be taken within the last 6 months).
Unique Job-shadowing Experiences
The Job Shadowing class gives you the opportunity to observe and interact with or shadow professionals in multiple non-profit and accounting/bookkeeping locations. With a week in the field followed by a week in class, you’ll connect with real people in real work situations and have class time to process what your see and learn.
The focus on non-profit agencies as well as regular accounting firms offers a special potential for bilingual students whose background can be an asset in agencies that are ethnically/culturally based or serve refugees or immigrants.
The class also provides an opportunity for active career exploration. When you complete the Office Assistant II certificate, you’ll have enough introductory accounting skills and a deeper understanding of the not-for-profit world to make good decisions about continuing your education to become job-ready in either the Bookkeeping or Computerized Accounting Certificate programs.