Stark State College's enrolled agent certificate program prepares students for careers in tax preparation by building expertise in individual, business, nonprofit, and estate taxation, as well as tax planning. It equips students to sit for the IRS Enrolled Agent Exam, allowing them to represent taxpayers before the IRS without completing the additional education required for CPA or law credentials.
Major code: 2005 Business, Engineering, and Information Technologies Division Accounting and Finance Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| ACC131 | Taxation I | 4 |
| ACC132 | Financial Accounting 1 | 4 |
| ACC227 | Payroll Accounting | 3 |
| ACC229 | Accounting Software and Analytics 2 | 3 |
| ACC231 | Taxation II | 3 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ACC130 | Business Law and Ethics | 3 |
| AOT226 | Spreadsheet - Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| BUS124 | Business Analysis | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Student may elect to take ACC121 Introduction to Accounting prior to taking this course.
- 2
Students can earn QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor certificates upon successful completion of the course.
Students completing this certificate may be eligible to also receive a Tax Preparer Career Enhancement Certificate (2017) and a QuickBooks/Payroll Career Enhancement Certificate (2018). The classes in this certificate also apply toward the completion of an Accounting– Tax Major Degree (2007).
To become an Enrolled Agent, students must pass an exam administered by the Internal Revenue Service.
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for students seeking a one-year certificate.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| BUS124 | Business Analysis | 3 |
| ACC132 | Financial Accounting 1 | 4 |
| AOT226 | Spreadsheet - Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ACC130 | Business Law and Ethics | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| ACC131 | Taxation I | 4 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| ACC231 | Taxation II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| ACC229 | Accounting Software and Analytics 2 | 3 |
| ACC227 | Payroll Accounting | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Identify and implement recording and reporting regulations applicable to payroll processing and compliance with payroll-related laws and regulations.
- Interpret and apply applicable laws and regulations for the purpose of various types of tax reporting, compliance and planning.
- Interpret and apply laws and regulations in business settings and understand the ethical implications of business decision making.
- Apply appropriate mathematical concepts to business decisions.