Aug. 11, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by Dakota State University.

Dakota State University’s College of Business and Information Systems now offers a certificate, minor and associate degree in digital accounting, or accounting that takes place through an electronic format. The Board of Regents approved all three at its June meeting.

The new programs at Dakota State will prepare students to complete accounting practices through software systems such as QuickBooks Online.

“Our advisory boards were asking for these QuickBooks Online certified users,” instructor Wendy Simmermon said.

The College of BIS has several advisory boards that include industry professionals who provide feedback on curriculum and programming for Dakota State and also help promote the programs. Board members share what they are looking for in the industry and what they hope to find in recent graduates, explained Dr. Dorine Bennett, the college’s dean.

Since 1984, Dakota State students have been learning technology skills they will need in the workplace. These three new digital accounting options will continue this practice by teaching QuickBooks Online, an accounting software package often used in the small-business market. The QuickBooks platform allows financial institutions, accountants and businesses to all access the same account.

It continues to be crucial for students to learn, use and understand technology, which is necessary for “that digital and technological acumen that is required of today and tomorrow’s society,” Simmermon said.

Learning QuickBooks Online will give students that baseline understanding of technology and software, and prepare them to continue learning new technology and software throughout their careers, whether in the accounting industry or elsewhere.

Students who earn the certificate, minor or associate degree will be prepared for a wide variety of jobs in areas such as payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory management and customer relations. They also will be prepared to take the exam to become certified in QuickBooks Online.

These digital accounting programs will provide academic milestones to provide students tangible progress while working toward an accounting degree, Bennett shared. They also can bolster degrees from other programs and help students improve their own financial literacy.

One trend these degrees can benefit is with students who will be small-business owners and entrepreneurs.

“The entrepreneurial nature of today’s society really needs to have this foundation of financial literacy before they go out and start a business.” Simmermon said. “Accounting provides the infrastructure to make businesses financially and legally successful.”

“For example, someone who is going to be a freelance graphic designer is going to have to understand accounting and technology,” added Bennett.

Becoming proficient in and understanding basic accounting will help students personally as well as professionally.

“It gives people options and makes sure they know what the consequences of their choices are,” Simmermon said. “It educates people in better decision-making.”

Overall, the new programming will ensure that when students leave DSU they understand their education is not over. No matter the industry, practices and digital tools are evolving constantly.

“This isn’t their end game, and they’re going to have to be continual learners,” Simmermon said.