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Whether you are looking for an entry-level accounting position or planning to become a Certified Public Accountant, Metro is the smart choice to start. A career in accounting offers flexibility and many work options. Accounting is the language of business and is often a stepping stone to management positions.
If you are analytical, with good attention to detail and excellent communication skills this could be the right career for you. Metro provides the courses you need to earn an associate degree in accounting and you can easily transfer those credits to gain a bachelor’s degree. All Metro business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
Get more information about requirements in the catalog.
Faculty Representatives
Bob Gronstal (402) 738-4086, bgronstal@mccneb.edu
Peg Johnson (402) 537-3822, pjohnson@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- There are many options for accountants:
- Private accountants are employed by business firms. Specialized fields of accounting involve a wide scope of activities — financial accounting, managerial accounting, tax accounting, accounting systems, international accounting, forensic accounting and accounting instruction.
- Not-for-profit accountants work for organizations such as educational institutions, public hospitals, public charities or government agencies
- Public accountants provide services on a fee basis for individuals and organizations. Services offered include auditing, management advising, tax advising and general accounting.
- Entry requirements for private accounting employment varies tremendously. Some organizations will hire a person with good general skills and then provide specific accounting training on the job. Other organizations may require the specific technical skills offered by a two-year associate degree and will continue the employee’s training on the job. Still other organizations will want their entry-level employees in accounting to have a bachelor’s degree.
- Various accounting organizations offer a wide variety of information to those interested in accounting careers:
- Students wishing to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) must first complete a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and complete 150 semester credit hours in specific required subjects.
- For licensing as a CPA, in addition to the education requirements, the candidate must also pass a national examination and have public accounting experience. Contact the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy for detailed information.
- Because of the need for accountants, the field is considered recession-proof.
- Students interested in a bachelor’s degree in accounting should consider Metro’s Business Transfer degree which can be completed via a variety of flexible learning options. E-learning course options make it easier to fit education into your busy schedule.
Is Accounting for You?
Are you
- Highly motivated?
- Able to think analytically?
- A team player?
- A good communicator?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
None
Additional Career Preparation Alternative
Earn a certificate in bookkeeping and make yourself very employable. Every business has bookkeeping needs. Metro’s bookkeeping curriculum is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
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Administrative assistants are the lifeblood of an organization. A skilled assistant must have excellent technical and organizational skills, and an ability to anticipate and handle issues as they arise. Outstanding administrative assistants are in demand and can command good salaries.
If you enjoy working with people, are organized and have good written and verbal communication skills, you can build a satisfying career as an administrative assistant. Metro offers an associate degree in applied science that provides flexibility to address your specific needs. Take the next step, add to your resume and learn added skills that will build your career.
Additional courses are required to complete the degree. A complete listing is available in the catalog.
Beverly Forsberg (402) 738-4650, bforsberg@mccneb.edu
Jane Poston (402) 457-2456, jposton@mccneb.edu
- Wages for administrative assistants may vary widely due to significant differences in industry, as well as differences in skill and experience of administrative assistants.
- Administrative assistants may work in office support roles within any business setting.
- Administrative assistants assist managers; direct office activities; use computer software to manage data including spreadsheets, databases and word processing documents; prepare reports; and search for information on the Internet.
- Administrative assistants may become a Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) certified through the Testing Center at Metropolitan Community College after they complete the associate degree program.
- Administrative assistants are always in demand, making this an excellent career choice.
- A 200-hour internship is required for this program. The internship will include meetings, presentations and journal writing.
- Metro’s Administrative Assistant degree will transfer to Bellevue University.
Do you
- Have an eye for detail?
- Have good communication and writing skills?
- Have good customer service skills?
- Enjoy working on the computer?
- Enjoy dressing in a professional manner?
- Want to continually learn and update your skills to remain marketable?
$15 per quarter.
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Start your career in business the smart way. Metro offers you options - nine of them to fit your unique interests. Earn an associate degree and start your career quickly, or transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Whatever route you take, you will get the support and classes you need to succeed in today’s competitive job market. This program also can be completed in 2-3 years on weekends through Metro’s Weekend College program. Business Management E-learning course options make it easier to fit education into your busy schedule.
Metro’s business management curriculum is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
See the catalog for additional information.
Faculty Representatives
Accounting - Bob Gronstal (402) 738-4086, bgronstal@mccneb.edu
Peg Johnson- (402) 537-3822, pjohnson@mccneb.edu
Economics - Scott Pangle (402) 738-4636, spangle@mccneb.edu
Finance/Financial Planning - Lori Lothringer (402) 537-3830, llothringer@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- Students may find work in the management, insurance, financial, supervisory and accounting areas.
- Salaries in the business field vary by area of specialization, skill and experience. For specific salary information, contact one of Metro’s Career Network Centers.
- The job market is excellent for graduates of a business program. All areas of concentration have their particular uses in various parts of the country.
- Business managers and supervisors perform a variety of tasks outside their particular business skill including the following activities: supervising, scheduling, training, presenting, organizing, budgeting, promoting and improving employee relations.
- No licensing is required for this field, but licenses and certifications are available in some specialties.
- Many business classes are available online. For some specialties, the entire degree can be completed online.
- Metropolitan Community College has one of the first community college business departments to be accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
- Most Metropolitan Community College business students transfer to area universities such as Bellevue University or the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
- Completion of the Credit Management Option will satisfy the requirements for the National Association of Credit Management’s Credit Business Associate and Credit Business Fellow programs.
- Completion of the Insurance Management Option will not render the graduate a licensed insurance agent. To become licensed as a property/casualty agent in Nebraska, the student must apply for a license and pass the P/C examination of the Nebraska Department of Insurance.
Is Business Management for You?
Are you
- Adaptable?
- Flexible?
- Innovative?
- An explorer?
- Able to think analytically?
Do you
- Have interpersonal skills?
- Demonstrate good communication skills?
- Have critical reasoning skills?
- Able to use quantitative data?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
None
Additional Career Preparation Alternatives
Make a difference in peoples’ lives by increasing their financial well-being. The CFP® certification is the most widely recognized financial planning credential in the United States and earning it is a career high-point, because the CFP® marks let the public know that you have demonstrated competency in financial planning. Metro’s financial planning program fulfills the educational component of the CFP® Certification and is registered by the CFP® Board Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Successful completion of this program qualifies you to take the CFP® examination. The CFP® certification establishes your credibility as a planner who has met the educational, examination and ethical requirements of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.™.
This certificate program may be completed entirely online. Check the class schedule. Online courses are offered as 14-week terms, three terms per year. E-learning course options make it easier to fit education into your busy schedule.
CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP® Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. Metropolitan Community College does not certify individuals to use the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ marks. CFP® certification is granted only by the Certified Financial Board of Standards, Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP® Board-Registered Program, have met its ethics, experience and examination requirements.
Want to know more about this program?
Go to Financial Planning Program website.
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Start your education at Metro and finish at Bellevue University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Dana College, Northwest Missouri State or the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Metro has transfer agreements in place with all of these four-year institutions. Take advantage of Metro’s low tuition rates, small class sizes and highly qualified instructors to maximize the value of your educational experience. Metro’s business management curriculum is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Several Business Transfer courses can be completed online. This program also can be completed in 2-3 years on weekends through Metro’s Weekend College program.
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Become the irreplaceable resource that every organization needs. Learn how to use technology to manage and leverage information. Become expert in using technology to communicate. The Microcomputer Office
Professional program provides both technical and practical training that will allow you to stand out as a professional.
Faculty Representative
Beverly Forsberg (402) 738-4650, bforsberg@mccneb.edu
Jane Poston (402) 457-2456, jposton@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- Wages may vary due to significant differences in industry, and differences in skill and experience of the office professional.
- Microcomputer Office Professionals use computer software to manage data including: spreadsheets, databases and word processing documents.
- Metro’s Microcomputer Office Professional degree transfers to Bellevue University.
- Licensure is not required to find work as an office professional. However, Microsoft® Office User Specialist (MOUS) certification is available for students through the Testing Center at Metropolitan Community College.
- Students do not need to earn a bachelor’s degree in order to work as an office professional.
Is the
Microcomputer Office Professional Career for You?
Do you
- Have polished oral and written communication skills?
- Enjoy computer work?
- Pay attention to detail?
- Enjoy dressing in a professional manner?
- Have the ability to be punctual and meet deadlines as necessary?
- Have good stress management skills?
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Medical Office Professional
As a Medical Office Professional, you can help make a medical office run smoothly and patients feel welcome. Your ability to handle multiple tasks is useful, but it is the terminology used in medicine which is necessary for your job and makes working in a medical office fascinating.
Metro’s medical office associate degree program curriculum concentrates on the non-clinical areas in medicine. In addition to standard office skills, the Medical Office Professional program will give you a practical knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations, anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical procedures, pharmacology and medical law and ethics.
HKS Medical Information Systems, a local corporation, has given Metro the rights to use SmartMedix, a state-of-the-art electronic records system used in major organ transplant centers throughout the country. This medical records-keeping software is used throughout the program.
Choose from three program options:
Medical Transcription option
This option prepares you to become a medical language specialist, transforming spoken words into documents that accurately communicate medical information and become part of a patient’s permanent health record.
Health Information Management option
You will learn necessary business and professional skills, such as completing medical forms, basic bookkeeping, transcription and filing, paired with courses that incorporate the latest technology for managing a medical office.
Coding and Billing option
You will learn the International Classification of Disease (ICD) classification system. process for assigning correct codes to code diseases, conditions and procedures to ensure proper financial reimbursement from insurance companies and government agencies. Also addressed in depth is the HCPCS coding system, composed of Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) for inpatient and outpatient services and national codes. Knowledge of both the medical and business sides of health care and disease processes are essential in this detail-oriented field.
Employment in all three options is projected to grow faster than the average.
Each of the three options listed require additional courses to complete the program. See the catalog for more information.
Faculty Representative
Jan Hess (402) 289-1330 jchess@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- In Nebraska, the median wage for medical secretaries is $21,674 per year.*
- In Nebraska, the median wage for medical records technicians is $21,694 per year.*
- Medical secretaries transcribe dictation, record patients’ medical histories for charts or referrals, keep track of and order supplies, organize and store medical files on the computer and may have billing and scheduling duties.*
- Medical records technicians collect, code and maintain medical information about patients or clients. Technicians assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure and assign patients to a diagnosis-related group (DRG). The DRG determines the amount of money a hospital will receive if the patient is covered by insurance.*
- A medical office professional can find employment in hospitals, doctor’s offices and temp agencies.
- Certification is optional for medical office technicians; however, certification indicates that the technician has attained a certain level of skill.*
- Students interested in becoming transcriptionists would benefit by typing 50 words per minute minimum. Instruction is available in keyboarding through several Metro
classes.
*Statistics taken from the Nebraska Department of Labor (NCIS).
Is the Medical Office Professional Career for you?
Do you
- Have compassion and empathy?
- Have good people skills?
- Have the ability to handle stress?
- Have good time management skills?
- Have the ability to prioritize and organize?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
Headsets for transcription cost between $12-$20.
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Microcomputer Office Technology
Do you need to brush up your office skills to quickly enter or re-enter the job market? The Microcomputer Office Technology certificate option will give you the general background you need to attain an entry level position in an office. You will learn basic computer fundamentals, keyboarding and Microsoft Word.
Depending on your chosen specialization: Information Technology, Medical Office or Office Applications, there are additional educational requirements.
Information Technology Specialization
Do you
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills?
- Enjoy computer work?
- Have an honest and caring attitude?
- Have the ability to follow written directions?
- Pay attention to detail?
- Have the ability to be punctual and meet deadlines as necessary?
$15 per quarter.
Office Applications Option
This option provides the student with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for
entry-level clerical positions in an office environment. Areas of study include:
- Spreadsheets
- Document processing
- Operating systems
- Information technology
- Electronic filing & calculator
- Desktop publishing
- Business presentations
Faculty Representative
Beverly Forsberg - (402) 738-4650, bforsberg@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- Wages may vary due to significant differences in industry, and differences in the skill and experience of the microcomputer office technologist.
- Graduates from Office Applications Specialization use computer software to manage data including spreadsheets, databases and word processing documents.
- Licensure is not required to find work as an office professional. However, Microsoft® Office User Specialist (MOUS) certification is available for students through the Testing Center at Metropolitan Community College.
- Students do not need to earn a bachelor’s degree in order to work as an office professional.
Is Microcomputer Office Technology-Office Applications Option for You?
Do you
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills?
- Enjoy computer work?
- Have an honest and caring attitude?
- Have the ability to follow written directions?
- Pay attention to detail?
- Have the ability to be punctual and meet deadlines as necessary?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
$15 per quarter.
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Transfer Agreements
Metro currently has Associate to Bachelor (A to B) transfer agreements with Wayne State and Peru State Colleges, Bellevue University and UNO’s Department of Continuing Studies to apply all of Metro’s Business and Office Career associate degrees towards a bachelor’s degree. There are also specific A to B agreements with UNO’s College of Business, Dana College and Northwest Missouri State to accept Metro’s Business Transfer degree towards a bachelor’s degree. Other institutions, such as College of Saint Mary, Doane College, Grace University, University of Nebraska – Lincoln and Wayne State College accept many of the courses in the Business and Office Career areas, but the entire associate degree does not transfer. For details on the A to B agreements and the courses that transfer, visit Metro’s articulation website or contact a Metro adviser or counselor.
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