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Accounting

The Accounting program is an Associate of Applied Science degree program that can prepare you for entry-level positions in an accounting-related career by providing you the technical and other skills you need to be successful.

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Degree Description

Associate in Applied Science

Students can complete this program entirely online or via a combination of courses online and on-campus!

The Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) Accounting Program provides a comprehensive foundation of accounting skills that are applicable for a variety of entry-level positions within accounting firms, business organizations, or governmental agencies.

The program is 63 credits requiring a minimum of four semesters to complete. Completion of the first two semesters meets the requirements to earn the stackable Bookkeeping Diploma, which provides an early exit point from the AAS program.

Students who earn an Accounting AAS Degree through WDTC are also able to continue their education through articulation agreements with several universities to pursue BA degrees, master’s degrees, and CPA certification providing unlimited opportunities for advancement in the financial and business fields.

What you'll learn

You will learn the principles of accounting and the concepts behind the principles, and receive up-to-date training on some of the latest accounting software available. You will learn payroll accounting, taxes, The Accounting program provides students with technical hands-on understanding and skills development by integrating theory with practical experience. Through the program, students will develop skills in accounting principles, finance, payroll accounting, taxes, managerial accounting, Excel, QuickBooks, and more. Students will also take 15 credits of transferable general education along with business management, finance, and communication courses required to obtain this degree. 

What you’ll do

Accounting professionals compile, maintain, and analyze business accounting records and financial statements, such as income statements, balance sheets, cost studies, and tax reports. Accountants are also responsible for specific aspects of records such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, taxes, computerized accounting, and payroll.

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Application Process

1. Complete Western Dakota Technical College Admissions Application
2. Complete the ACCUPLACER test ($15 fee)
3. Schedule your Admissions Advising Session
4. Provide an official copy of a High School transcript or GED scores. If you graduated from an international high school, you must submit your transcript to Educational Credential Evaluators to determine U.S. equivalence. Additionally, an official transcript must be submitted if you have attended other post-secondary institutions or universities.
5. Submit Immunization Records verifying two doses of MMR vaccinations
6. Once you receive your acceptance letter, schedule a time to register for classes

The ACCUPLACER test will be waived if you have an ACT sub-score of 18 or better in English, Math, and Reading.  To waive the ACCUPLACER with SAT scores a student will need a 500 on the MATH subsection of ACT and a composite of 970 to waive Writing and Reading. To place into MATH 114 a student will need a 520 on the MATH subsection.  



Please call 605-718-2565 to make an appointment.

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Career Description

Where the career is going

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks constitute more than 3,368 jobs in the Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) region in 2021. Industries include local government, tax preparation, payroll services, federal government, education, hospitals, and business and enterprise management.

Per Elevate Rapid City data, employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks in the WDTC region is twice as large as the national average and projected is to be constant for 2020 and 2025. This makes Accounting an excellent career choice.

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General Education EMT

After Earning Your Degree

Because accountants and bookkeepers are an organization's financial record-keepers and assistants to management, graduation from this two-year program with an AAS degree can lead to a number of great-paying employment opportunities. Students will learn the principles of accounting and the concepts behind the principles. Students receive up-to-date training on some of the latest business courses required to obtain this degree, graduates are well-equipped to compete for employment. This degree is available 100% online or with a combination of classes on campus and online. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2023, the average wage in western South Dakota was $42,070.

Meet Your Faculty

Western Dakota Technical College has a low student-to-faculty ratio, meaning more one-on-one learning. Individual attention from your professor can make your college experience more fulfilling.


  • Duane Martenson

  • Rob Reagan

Financial Aid

Continuing your education is crucial and Western Dakota Technical College wants to make sure that any student who wants to attend school, has the opportunity to do so. For this reason, WDTC is dedicated to administering the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IV Financial Assistance Program fair and consistently to anyone who needs it.

Build Dakota Scholarships

The Build Dakota Scholarship at Western Dakota Technical College will pay all your tuition and fees and prepare you for a career that is in-demand and growing in South Dakota. Build Dakota Scholarships will be awarded to students entering high-need workforce programs at South Dakota’s technical institutes to fill the state’s technical careers with skilled professionals.


Student Housing

Finding affordable housing during school can be a challenge for students. Western Dakota Technical College currently does not have on-campus housing, but partners with a Rapid City VRBO to offer a limited number of apartments for full-time students in the fall and spring semesters.


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Child Care

Finding child care during school is a challenge for many students. Western Dakota Technical College currently does not offer on-campus child care, but here are some resources that may help you in your search.

Youth & Family Services is an organization dedicated to helping children in Western South Dakota. They offer a variety of services, including child care at multiple locations.

The Y of Rapid City offers child care and other services.

Disclaimer: Western Dakota Technical College provides these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation, endorsement or adoption by Western Dakota Technical College of any site or any information contained therein. When you leave wdt.edu, you should be aware that our terms and policies no longer govern. Western Dakota Technical College makes no claim or representation regarding, and accepts no responsibility for, the quality, content, nature or reliability of third-party websites or vendors.

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