The four-year Accounting BSB is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the field. A broad-based general education precedes an extensive education in accounting, providing the successful graduate with the necessary tools for a career in accounting or graduate studies.
The accounting program has a core of accounting and non accounting courses. Students choose—in consultation with their advisors–electives that support the achievement of their professional and personal goals.
Careers in Accounting
Careers in accounting span the entire spectrum of human activity. Accountants are employed in private industry, small businesses, hospitals, government agencies and subdivisions, social organizations, and many other areas. Some accountants provide service to the public on a fee basis as professionals.
Additional information on accounting careers, including job descriptions, and salaries, may be found at the Federal Government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm
The Internal Accountant
All complex organizations need the expertise of accountants, who are responsible for providing information to management for decision-making purposes; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws (including tax reporting); and evaluating the financial effects of management’s decisions. These functions become highly specialized in the large complex corporate environment. Many accountants also work for federal government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service or the General Accounting Office. Others work in state and local government agencies. Accountants are employed in highly responsible positions in schools, hospitals, and medium-sized businesses. Many individuals have advanced to positions of chief financial officer (CFO) or chief executive officer (CEO) of large organizations.
Professional Certification
Accountants may improve their career prospects by obtaining one or more professional certifications. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the most well-known and prestigious certification. Other professional accounting certifications include, but are not limited to, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Accounting professionals with certifications typically earn more money, and receive promotions more quickly. College graduates who have successfully completed an accounting certification exam often have an advantage in obtaining entry-level employment in accounting.
Most accounting certifications require that the candidate pass a rigorous comprehensive examination, have completed a post-secondary program of study and/or have relevant work experience. For example, all CPA candidates must have passed the comprehensive two-day Uniform CPA Examination. In addition, they must meet the academic, work experience and other requirements established by their respective states or political jurisdictions. For example, Ohio’s requirements may be found at the Ohio State Board of Accountancy http://acc.ohio.gov/. URLs for other states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands may be found at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy http://www.nasba.org/stateboards/.
If you plan on obtaining a professional designation, consider consulting your academic accounting advisor for assistance.
The curriculum at Shawnee State University is designed to provide the maximum flexibility in achieving your educational and career objectives, recognizing that they may change during your period of study. You may obtain an associate’s degree and gain employment as an “accounting technician” while continuing study toward a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in accounting. The associate degree is transferable into the baccalaureate program with no loss of credits.
Suggested Course Sequence
First Year Fall Term
· ENGL 1101 DISCOURSE AND COMPOSITION (A) OR
ENGL 1102 DISCOURSE AND COMPOSITION (B)
· BUAC 1010 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES 1
· BUIS 1010 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
· GEN ELEC MATH 1200 (RECOMMENDED)
· SOCI 1101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY OR
SOSC 1110 FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 15-18
First Year Spring Term
· ENGL 1105 COMPOSITION AND ARGUMENTATION
· BUAC 1020 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES II
· BULW 2700 LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS
· GEN ELEC GENERAL ELECTIVE
· BUOA 1150 SPREADSHEET APPLICATIONS OR
BUOA 1170 DATABASE APPLICATIONS OR
BUOA 1140 WORD PROCESSING OR
BUIS 2100 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 16
Second Year Fall Term
· ECON 2201 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS
· BUAC 2210 COST ACCOUNTING
· BUAC 2310 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I
· STAT 1800 BUSINESS STATISTICS
· NTSC 1110 SCIENTIFIC REASONING/METHODOLOGY
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 18
Second Year Spring Term
· BUAC 3320 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING 2
· BUAC 3150 TAXATION I
· MATH 1170 APPLIED FINITE MATH
· GEP NATURAL SCIENCES
· GEP WESTERN CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 17
Third Year Fall Term
· ECON 2202 PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
· BUAC 3360 SYSTEMS ACCOUNTING
· BUMG 3550 QUANTITATIVE METHODS OF BUSINESS
· BUMG 3100 MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
· GEP NON-WESTERN CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 15
Third Year Spring Term
· BUMG 3850 PRODUCTIONS/OPERATIONS MGT.
· PHIL 3320 ETHICS IN PUBLIC/PRIVATE LIFE (or PHIL 2320)
· BUMK 3100 MARKETING PRINCIPLES
· BUAC 4850 AUDITING AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
· BUMG 2900 PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 15
Fourth Year Fall Term
· BUFI 3450 MANAGEMENT FINANCE
· BUMG 4850 BUSINESS POLICY & STRATEGY
· BUAC XXXX UPPER LEVEL ACCOUNTING ELECTIVE
· GEN ELEC GENERAL ELECTIVE
· GEP FINE ARTS
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 15
Fourth Year Spring Term
· IDST 4490 SENIOR SEMINAR
· BUXX BUSINESS ELECTIVE
· BUAC XXXX UPPER LEVEL ACCOUNTING ELECTIVE
· BUXX BUSINESS ELECTIVE
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 12
Total Credit Hours Required - 120
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