Why Major in Accounting

Why Major in Accounting?

Whether you are interested in a career in accounting or becoming knowledgeable about the functional areas of a business, perhaps in preparation for running your own business—the accounting programs at the University of Scranton can greatly improve your chances of success. The objective of the undergraduate accounting programs at the University of Scranton is to prepare our students to be highly competitive entry-level accounting professionals who possess the skills and motivation to be life-long learners. To achieve this, our degree programs provide a strong conceptual foundation in business and accounting theory. Beyond this foundation, our programs provide innovative skills education in concert with the demands of an increasingly global and high technology business and management environment. Special features of our programs include small class sizes, incorporation of the latest information technologies, high quality accounting internships, and an excellent on site CPA Review Course. We also offer qualified students an opportunity to complete a five-year program and graduate with a BS/MBA degree with a concentration in accounting.

PROGRAMS AND CURRICULA

We offer BS degrees in General Accounting and, pending approval, Accounting Information Systems. The degree in General Accounting has two tracks. If you have an interest in public accounting and related professions, our financial accounting track will provide you with excellent preparation for the related certifications:

· Certified Public Accounting (CPA)
· Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and
· Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certifications

The managerial accounting track is excellent preparation for a career in corporate and not-for profit accounting and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification. Both tracks incorporate significant information technology skills.

If you desire to work primarily in information systems design and management, or as an information systems auditor, the BS degree in Accounting Information Systems provides preparation in accounting and cutting-edge technical information systems skills using the latest systems software, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications. This major also prepares you to pursue certifications such as the:

· Certified Information systems Auditor (CISA),
· Microsoft Corporation Systems Engineer (MCSE), and
· the Computer Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Most states have passed a requirement for a fifth year of education to qualify for CPA certification. To meet this requirement, an accounting student is able to complete a five-year program leading to a BS in accounting and an MBA with concentration in accounting. Accounting students of all tracks interested in this program must apply to the Graduate School as early as December of their junior year.