Department Chair: Barbara S. Rowell, J.D., CPA
Description
The accounting program is designed to provide accounting major graduates with the knowledge required to become successful in today’s multi-faceted business world. In addition to technical knowledge of accounting, students will learn to think critically, write purposefully, and exhibit the soft skills needed to work with others.
The program combines accounting courses with information technology and functional activities of business, government, and not-for-profit organizations, while addressing the needs of the business world and providing students with an understanding of contemporary careers, issues, and challenges. The core emphasizes financial accounting at the intermediate level, cost accounting, tax accounting, auditing, finance, and business law. Students must select from the Accountancy Track or the Finance Track.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, graduates will be able to
- Articulate accurately and coherently the relevant technical knowledge of accounting and related disciplines needed to enter the accounting profession.
- Explain the ethical standards of the accounting profession, articulate a framework for these standards, and apply them thoughtfully and competently to a variety of business and accounting contexts.
- Solve problems by synthesizing discipline specific knowledge and critical thinking skills.
- Demonstrate the appropriate communication skills necessary for accounting professionals.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next course without earning a grade of "C" or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below "C" is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course.
A course may be repeated once without the special permission of the department chair. Accounting majors who do not successfully complete a major course with a grade of "C" or better after a second attempt will not be allowed to continue in the accounting program.
Students required to take developmental courses must complete those courses before enrolling in ACC 140. Transfer students must complete a minimum of seven accounting major courses at Stevenson University to earn a degree in accounting.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in accounting. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| ACC 140 | Financial Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 141 | Managerial Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 201 | Intermediate Accounting I | 4 credits |
| ACC 202 | Intermediate Accounting II | 4 credits |
| ACC 303 | Cost and Managerial Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 400 | Auditing and Attestation | 4 credits |
| ACC 411 | Tax Accounting: Individual | 3 credits |
| ACC 412 | Tax Accounting: Corporation and Partnership | 3 credits |
| CM 101 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| EC 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits |
| EC 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits |
| FIN 303 | Foundations of Finance | 3 credits |
| IS 135 | MS Office Applications | 3 credits |
| LAW 308 | Business Law and Legal Responsibilities | 3 credits |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MGT 204 | Principles of Management | 3 credits |
| MGT 210 | Business Writing | 3 credits |
| MGT 308 | Business Ethics | 3 credits |
| MKT 206 | Principles of Marketing | 3 credits |
Accountancy Track
The Accountancy Track prepares the broad spectrum of accounting courses needed for traditional accounting careers. The track is designed to provide accounting graduates with the knowledge required to become successful in today’s multi-faceted business world. The program combines accounting courses with information technology and functional activities of business, government, and not-for-profit organizations, while providing students with an understanding of contemporary work environments, issues, and challenges.
The accounting curriculum prepares graduates to take the Certified Public Accounting examination. In addition to passing the CPA exam, all states require applicants for licensing to acquire a total of 150 credit hours of coursework. Several options are available to help students fulfill the additional 30 credit hours of coursework. Today’s public accountant must have the technical knowledge of the field and skills, such as critical thinking, writing, and working in teams.
| ACC 301 | Intermediate Accounting III | 4 credits |
Plus three of the following:
| ACC 302 | Advanced Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 304 | Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 311 | Computer Applications in Accounting | 3 credits |
| ACC 407 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| FIN 416 | International Finance | 3 credits |
Finance Track
The Finance Track allows students to focus their accounting studies in capital management and is designed to provide accounting majors with a broad background in financial services. This track will provide graduates with the necessary knowledge and tools to pursue accounting careers in public accounting, finance, business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Students will be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accounting examination. In addition to passing the CPA exam, all states require applicants for licensing to acquire a total of 150 credit hours of coursework. Several options are available to help students fulfill the additional 30 credit hours of coursework.
| FIN 321 | Money & Banking | 3 credits |
| ACC 430 | Financial Modeling | 3 credits |
Plus two of the following:
| FIN 416 | International Finance | 3 credits |
| FIN 420 | Investment Theory and Practice | 3 credits |
| FIN 435 | Applied Corporate Finance | 3 credits |
| FIN 450 | Business Valuation and Security Analysis | 3 credits |
GENERAL EDUCATION NOTES:
- Specific courses that fulfill SEE general education requirements are listed in the catalog and on the portal.
- Students must complete all general education and major requirements and earn a minimum of 120 credits.
- 15 credits must be taken at the 300 or 400 level.
- All courses in the student's last 30 credits must be taken at Stevenson.
Suggested Course Sequence
Suggested Course Sequence Accounting
Minor in Accounting
A minor in accounting is available. All course prerequisites must be met to be eligible to take the selected course for a minor. Please see an academic advisor for more information. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
Other Options
BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in accounting who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a master’s degree in one of Stevenson’s graduate programs. By completing a BS/MS option, students will earn the 150 credit hours necessary for CPA licensing while also earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as few as five years. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. For more information on this program, see the School of Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog.
Course Descriptions
See Accounting Course Descriptions