Accounting Overview

General Information

The Department of Business offers a sequence of accounting courses, which may be used to qualify you for three possible career interests.

One option is a concentration of five courses (17 credit hours) within your business major as part of your Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree pattern will provide you with a general management accounting program, and it will prepare you for a career in private industry or government. (See Business Department section.)

Another option is a more complete sequence of accounting courses (approximately nine courses) as part of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. This sequence and the B.B.A. degree will give you the course requirements for certification by the State Board of Accountancy. It will also qualify you to take the examination to become a certified public accountant (C.P.A.). (See Business Department section.)

The final option is the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Information Systems. This program will give you a background that emphasizes both accounting and computer systems. The requirements for this degree are listed in this section.

Career Information

The digital information age has created a tremendous demand for financial information and for people who want to be a part of supplying and interpreting that information. A concentration in accounting can prepare you for a variety of stimulating opportunities in today’s financial world. You could, for example, choose a career as an auditor, banker, financial planner, credit analyst, treasurer, controller, tax accountant, governmental accountant or certified public accountant. Demand for international accountants has been increasing rapidly. Your background in a foreign language (see Interdisciplinary Studies: Language, Business, and Culture) would prepare you for an exciting career in international finance. Your selection of a degree program, of course, should coincide with your career goals.