Accounting Instructor

College of the Desert; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 15,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

College of the Desert invites applications for adjunct instructors to plan, implement, and evaluate courses that foster student growth and support the college's mission. Classes may be held at the Palm Desert Campus or sites in Indio, Mecca/Thermal, Desert Hot Springs, or Palm Springs and scheduled day, evening, or weekend.

The role includes meeting classes as assigned, developing instruction, distributing syllabi, evaluating progress, and reporting grades.

Qualifications

• Master’s in accountancy or business with accounting concentration.
• Bachelor’s in business with accounting concentration OR Master’s in business or related field AND related emphasis.
• Note: CPA license is an alternative qualification for this discipline.

Responsibilities

• Meet classes/lab on day and times assigned.
• Develop and implement instruction aligned with official course outlines.
• Develop and distribute the first week of class a written syllabus.
• Evaluate student progress and assign grades per policy.

Skills

Accounting

Diversity awareness

Education

Master’s in accountancy

Bachelor’s in business with accounting concentration

CPA license alternative

Job description

Under administrative leadership, it is the responsibility of the adjunct instructor to participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs, courses, and other experiences that will directly result in the educational growth of the students and support advancement of the vision, mission, and values of the community college district.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Classroom environment and unassigned faculty office environment. Classes may be at the Palm Desert Campus or one of our sites in Indio, Mecca/Thermal, Desert Hot Springs, or Palm Springs. Classes may be scheduled during the day, evening or weekends.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Class locations may include jails and/or one of our local participating high schools for dual-enrollment offerings.

Examples of Job Duties

a. Classroom Responsibilities

• a. Meet classes/lab on day and times assigned
• b. Develop and implement instruction for each class/lab period which is consistent with the official course outline
• c. Develop and distribute the first week of class, a written syllabus for each course to communicate to students course objectives, grading criteria, and classroom policies
• d. Demonstrate respect for student rights as specified in District policy and applicable laws
• e. Ensure course textbooks and instructional materials are made available to students in a timely manner
• f. Refer students to tutoring and related student services when appropriate
• g. Supervise student in off-campus activities when participation is part of the instructor’s load

b. Evaluation of Students

• a. Evaluate students’ progress toward meeting course objectives; advise the students of course objectives, methods of evaluation and the results of the evaluation
• b. Return assignments and examination results in a timely fashion
• c. Assign grades to students in the manner provided by District policy and administrative procedure and prescribed by Ed Code and Title V regulations for the State of California
• d. Submit grade report forms and other reporting forms, including but not limited to census, progress reports, attendance records, and proctoring forms, in a timely and accurate manner

c. Curriculum – Responsibility of Full-Time Faculty

d. Student Advising – Responsibility of Full-Time Faculty

e. Professional Development – Responsibility of Full-Time Faculty

Additional Responsibilities

• a. Abide by department regulations concerning the proper use, care, and security of equipment
• b. Advise Supervisor of unsafe conditions or potential hazards and recommend solutions
• c. Fulfill all obligations as established in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement
• d. Keep official records required by District policy and administrative procedures and submit them in accordance with college procedures

Optional Duties*

• a. Advise enrolled students on such matters as: Learning skills, collateral or enrichment reading or experience opportunities for further understanding of the courses or subject field, career alternative/opportunities related to the subject field
• b. Provide academic assistance and related services to students during office hours
• c. Participate in the credit by examination program where applicable
• d. Participate in the development and review of curriculum as needed
• e. Participate in the development of alternative teaching modalities
• f. Schedule, announce to students in all classes, and maintain office hours
• g. Participate in advisory committee meetings as required
• h. Participate in professional development activities
• i. Attend and participate in department/center meetings when assigned by the District or shared governance
• j. Participate in the process of shared governance by contributing to the academic community through committee work on the department division, college and/or district level, or participate in other significant non-classroom college, district, or community activities
• k. Consult with Supervisor on personnel needs; assist with position announcements, recruitment, and screening/interviewing committees
• l. Participate in mentoring of new faculty as assigned

* All optional duties are on a voluntary basis, but some may have compensation attached per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Consult with departmental Dean for clarification.

Qualifications

• Master’s in accountancy or business administration with accounting concentration
  • O
  • R Bachelor’s in business with accounting emphasis or business administration with accounting emphasis or economics with an accounting emphasis AND Master’s in business, business administration, business education, economics, taxation, finance or the equivalent
• NOTE: A bachelor’s degree in accountancy or business administration with accounting concentration, with a CPA license is an alternative qualification for this discipline.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

This posting is for a part-time instructor (adjunct) pool.

College of the Desert Adjunct Association (CODAA) Bargaining Unit

The primary teaching modality for this adjunct role is in-person.

SALARY PLACEMENT

• Salary Placement is according to the CODAA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• For information on salary placement, please see the CODAA Collective Bargaining Agreement and Adjunct Salary Schedule.

REQUIRED APPLICATION AND REQUIRED UPLOADED DOCUMENTS

To be considered a candidate for this position, the following materials must be electronically uploaded:

• Online Application All sections of the College of the Desert District online application must be completed including education and experience.
• Resume Must include length of employment (month/year start and end dates) for each employer.
• Cover Letter Please address how you meet the minimum requirements for this position and any special qualifications you possess.
• College Transcripts Academic transcripts of all college level coursework showing date degree awarded from an accredited institution. For consideration, degree(s) must be awarded at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. Successful candidate must provide official transcripts upon hire. Non-U.S. transcripts must include a certified U.S. evaluation (i.e., NACES agency: www.naces.org) at the time of application. Diplomas will not be accepted in lieu of the required transcripts.

REQUIRED IN YOUR APPLICATION

• List of References References should include at least two supervisors and one colleague. Please include name, title, email and current phone numbers. Letters of reference will not be accepted in lieu of the required List of References.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
• College of the Desert does not offer sponsorship nor take over sponsorship for an employment VISA.
• Employment is contingent on residence in California.

• Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
• All submitted materials become the property of College of the Desert Community College District and will not be returned or copied and will be considered for this position only.
• Applicant bears the sole responsibility for ensuring that the application package is complete when submitted.
• All travel arrangements will be at applicant’s expense.
• Application materials must be received by the deadline. Application materials received after the closing deadline will not be accepted.
• For online application, information, and instructions, visit the College of the Desert job opportunities website at https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/career-opportunities.php or call [phone].

• FAQs: For additional information, click here: Recruitment – Frequently Asked Questions.

TIMELINES

• For consideration, please apply by Thursday, October 15, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Interviews are tentatively scheduled on Friday, November 20, 2026.
• Tentative schedule is subject to change based on District need.