May 17, 2023

Northland Community & Technical College earned a top spot by Best Accredited Colleges on its most recent rankings of online associate degrees for accounting. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Accounting program at Northland, which can be completed entirely online or in the traditional classroom setting, was ranked eleventh of the 50 schools to make this year’s list.

The accounting program at Northland provides the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare financial statements and reports for a business, including the ability to examine, analyze, interpret, and correct accounting data and records.

In addition, training is provided in budget preparation, payroll preparation, and filing of quarterly/yearly state and federal reports. Finally, computerized accounting concepts and applications, as well as spreadsheet concepts and applications, are included in this program.

“The Accounting program’s goal is to provide the highest quality education to students,” said Trisha Stromsodt, Northland Accounting Instructor. “We provide a flexible learning environment to meet the needs of students… whether they can only attend classes online or they learn best in a classroom setting or a combination of both, they get to choose the best learning environment that meets their needs.”

According to the Best Accredited Colleges organization, an online associate degree in accounting can make for a great first step into the world of accountancy and finance. Programs at this level lay the foundations for skills that remain relevant whether one enters the workforce after graduating or decides to continue their education.

“Each time Northland earns national recognition, whether academic or athletic, it helps our community college reach an entirely new audience,” Northland President Dr. Sandy Kiddoo said. “Our accounting program has grown in popularity thanks to its online component, so we’re very proud to see it ranked eleventh out of the 50 schools to make the list.”

Online degrees vary in their flexibility, though they generally offer students more choices when it comes to matching their schedules to degree requirements. More so than campus-based curricula, virtual learning caters to those with busy lives and those who find it hard to travel. Of course, different online accounting programs also have their own strengths and weaknesses.

“The accounting faculty set up Northland’s program to offer maximum flexibility to our students while delivering the highest level of education,” Stromsodt said. “Offering students multiple modalities allows them the option to take the courses on campus, online, or a combination of both. The quality of education is the same no matter which modality the student chooses.”