BS in Accounting Technology in

the Philippines
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:
o

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:
o

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.
o

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?
o

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
o

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. (source)

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

o Entry Level jobs

Jobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:
o

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 Staf 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 Staf 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 Staf 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.

o Managerial Positions
o

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.
o

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.

o Jobs not related to accounting that

graduates can apply to
o

Call center agent answers phone calls and inquiries of

clients and provides customer support, usually to people from
other countries

Administrative Staf 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

o Career Opportunities Abroad

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

o 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. (source)

Why did I choose this course:

It was the primary course also considered to be the most practical to
take. During my time, accounting technology was among the top in the
list of college courses regardless of which school you enroll. I guess
almost everyone who took it thought accounting always had a special
spot; though, I have to confess that I really hated accounting back
then. When I was younger I used to think that it would give me a hard
time, since its all about calculations. So maybe it was a face-to-face
with my worst enemy kind of thing when I finally decided to go with
this course.

About my college education:

PE and NSTP classes were so boring for me. I wasn't the athletic type
so I really didnt appreciate all those days running under the sun for

some school requirement or necessary physical fitness.

Ive got too many interesting things I have in mind but my favorite
hangout area was the library. It was cozy, peaceful and very
inspirational.
I enjoyed school a lot, even if I frequently felt that there was a huge
pressure on my back. Probably because I took hardships and
shortcomings positively. No kidding but I actually enjoyed cramming.
Oh right. I loved the mock boards especially.

My current job:
Currently I am an administrative assistant in a private company. Its not
a very big and profitable one, but theres still a lot of things to do for
business.
Usually I handle the transactions concerning money coming in and out
of the company, some accounting - like monitoring cash flows and
minor auditing, scheduling appointments for my boss, attending to
clients and visitors and basically almost everything. Its both amazing
and confusing how Ive come this far knowing that I could handle all
these.

Am I using what I learned in college:

Accounting in itself is the most practical of all courses. The techniques,
skills and mindset taught in accounting are the most essential when it
comes to business. Even in one's daily life, accounting is used in the
simplest sense as in budgeting. So studying accounting is I believe
essential for everyone. Because of accounting, I'm proud to say that
I've enhanced my memory as well as computing skills, more
importantly on practicing mental math and being focused on details.

How long did it take to find a job after graduation:

While I was still in college, I was already working. I was a working

student. From then on, I always had a job and from that moment on, I
never became unemployed because Id just be asked to move from
one department, or office to another. I guess I was really lucky.

Do I recommend studying BS in Accounting

Technology:
Finding a job after this course is fast, or least not that long. It applies to
business-related courses as well. The problem is, you will really start
low, like how everything starts from the bottom. But it will pay off in
time.
In terms of salary, its also good. Depending on what company or
sector youll be working for, salary is higher than the minimum wage. It
usually comes around P15,000 or more per month.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this

course:
Prepare yourself for the analytical problems, they will probably be the
major cause of your headache. But no worries, if you study well, you'll
feel yourself getting smarter just answering those kind of problems. I
repeat, study. When I was in college I didn't take it seriously; I was
more inclined towards my personal motives which caused me some
trouble along the way. Never let anything distract you from your real
purpose in going to school and that is studying in order to have a
bright future.

http://www.finduniversity.ph/majors/bs-in-accounting-technology-philippines/