BS in Business - Accounting

This program is offered by the Department of Finance & Accounting. 

Accounting is the science used to record, collect, measure and assess financial data so as to determine an organization’s profit or loss through tracking efforts. Accounting is an essential function, one which is used to show the well-being and efficiency of businesses, non-profit and governmental organizations, and as such, is considered the backbone of the firm. In sum, accountants ensure that firms operate efficiently; they also analyze budgets and provide financial planning.

The BS in Business Studies with Accounting emphasis grounds you in the decision-making process and prepares you for beneficial careers in accounting across all industries. It is also an excellent step toward graduate studies, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA), the Master of Science (MS) degree, as well as recognized professional certificates such as the CPA. 

Emphasis Curriculum

The changes in Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), business electives, and free electives requirements are applicable for the entering class of Fall 2021. Existing students may choose to follow the old or below new curriculum.

A minimum of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

• Business Core Requirements (36 credits)
• Accounting Emphasis Requirements (16 credits)
• Business Electives (12 credits)
• LAS Requirements (30 credits)*
• Free Electives (4 credits)

* The core business courses ECO201 and ECO202 fulfill 6 of these credits, as they are also LAS Social Sciences requirements.

Business Core Requirements (36 credits)

• ACC203Financial Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC204Managerial Accounting (3 cr.)
• BUS213Business Law & Ethics (3 cr.)
• BUS299Civic Engagement (0 cr.)
• ECO201Microeconomics (3 cr.)
• ECO202Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
• FIN301Managerial Finance (3 cr.)
• ITM211Information Technology Management I (3 cr.)
• MGT201Introduction to Management (3 cr.)
• MGT420Strategic Planning & Policy Formation (3 cr.)
• MKT201Introduction to Marketing (3 cr.)
• OPM301Operation & Production Management (3 cr.)
• QBA201Managerial Statistics (3 cr.)

Accounting Emphasis Requirements (16 credits)

• ACC302Cost Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC311Intermediate Accounting I (3 cr.)
• ACC312Intermediate Accounting II (3 cr.)
• ACC401Advanced Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC412External Auditing (3 cr.)
• ACC399Accounting Internship (1 cr.)

Business Electives (12 credits)

Block A: Minimum 6 credits

• ACC310Accounting Information Systems (3 cr.)
• ACC405Forensic Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC413Internal Auditing (3 cr.)
• ACC415Tax Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC420Information Technology Audit (3 cr.)
• ACC421International Accounting (3 cr.)
• ACC431Financial Statement Analysis (3 cr.)

Block B: Maximum 6 credits

1- Soft Skills: Maximum 3 credits

• MGT236Communication Skills (1 cr.)
• MGT336Developing a Business Plan (1 cr.)
• MGT338 Negotiation Skills (1 cr.)
• MGT436Personality & Career Development (1 cr.)
• MGT438 Leadership Skills (1 cr.)

2- Vertically Integrated Projects: Maximum 3 credits

• VIP201 (1 cr.)
• VIP301 (1 cr.)
• VIP401 (1 cr.)

3- Other Electives

• QBA301Intermediate Managerial Statistics (3 cr.)
• BDA211Introduction to Applied Data Analytics (3 cr.)

LAS Requirements (30 credits)

Free Electives (4 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (15 credits)

• ACC203Financial Accounting (3 cr.)
• MGT201Introduction to Management (3 cr.)
• ECO201Microeconomics (3 cr.) (SS LAS Elective)
• LAS Core (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.) 

Spring (16 credits)

• ACC204Managerial Accounting (3 cr.)
• MKT201Introduction to Marketing (3 cr.)
• ECO202Macroeconomics (3 cr.) (SS LAS Elective)
• LAS Core (3 cr.) 
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (1 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (16 credits)

• ACC302Cost Accounting (3 cr.)
• QBA201Managerial Statistics (3 cr.)
• ITM211Information Technology Management I (3 cr.)
• ACC311Intermediate Accounting I (3 cr.)
• ACC399Accounting Internship (1 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• BUS213Business Law & Ethics (3 cr.)
• ACC312Intermediate Accounting II (3 cr.)
• FIN301Managerial Finance (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.) 
• Business Elective I (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (15 credits)

• OPM301Operation and Production Management (3 cr.)
• BUS299Civic Engagement (0 cr.)
• ACC401Advanced Accounting (3 cr.)
• Business Elective II (3 cr.)
• Business Elective III (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• MGT420Strategic Planning & Policy Formation (3 cr.)
• ACC412External Auditing (3 cr.)
• Business Elective IV (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)
• Free Elective (3 cr.)

Career Prospects

Accounting is a major that is highly demanded in the market and continues to grow. Accounting-related jobs exist at all levels in the company, from entry level to top management.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that this is a growing field for, at least, the next ten years.

The following are five careers in accounting:

• Internal Auditor
• Compliance Executive
• Financial Analyst
• Staff Accountant
• External Auditor

An accounting degree from LAU will allow you to sit for the CPA exam.