Accounting (BS)

Why study accounting?

Today’s accounting professionals are data-driven, strategic thinkers who rely on both intellect and technology to help companies and organizations make crucial business decisions. This field is broader than you might think, with possibilities for specializations like financial forensics, business valuation and information technology.

Why Saint Francis for Your Bachelor of Accounting?

As an accounting major at Saint Francis, you will build a solid foundation in business, deepen your financial knowledge, and develop strong technical skills through core coursework. Rooted in the Franciscan tradition of faith and reason, our accounting curriculum prepares you to become a trusted, ethical financial professional.

CPA Track: Prepare for Certification

Boost your marketability by aiming to become a CPA. To sit for the Uniform CPA Exam, you first need to complete 150 undergraduate credit hours. Saint Francis’ CPA Track was designed for you to reach this goal, and it offers you a broader range of accounting and business courses. Your academic advisor will guide and support you along the way and will see you through the finish line, including an on-site CPA exam review.

Accounting Co-ops, Internships and Networking

As a Saint Francis accounting major, you will gain real-world experience and make valuable connections through:

Internships

Learn by observing and doing as you spend a semester or two on-site at an accounting firm or in the business department of a local business. Saint Francis accounting internships frequently lead to full-time employment.

Busse Speaker Series

Gain insight and make connections as local business and community leaders share their success stories. Past speakers include Tom Ash, CEO of Ash Brokerage.

Faculty and Facilities

Our faculty members are experts in their fields of study and experienced financial and accounting professionals. You will also have access to collaborative spaces and high-tech learning tools, such as a finance lab with real-time market data.

Campus and Community

Have fun, give back, and build business skills through clubs and service-learning opportunities, including the VITA — volunteer income tax assistance — program. Student organizations of interest to someone on an accountant degree path include:

• Luca Pacioli Society (accounting club)
• Finance and Investment Society

What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?

Accountants are found in nearly every industry and in companies, nonprofits and government agencies of all sizes. You can work as a staff accountant at an individual company or small business, or you might choose to find a position with a financial services firm where you can work with multiple clients.

While the title of accountant is common among our graduates, there is a range of positions, from entry-level to those you could advance into, including:

• Auditor
• Controller
• Cost Analyst
• Director of Finance
• Tax Accountant
• Chief Financial Officer

Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

Saint Francis’ accounting program consistently sees a 100% placement rate. In fact, it’s common for Saint Francis accounting students and CPA track graduates to secure professional positions even before they finish school. You can find them crunching numbers at companies such as: