Accounting (B.S.)

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Preparation for entrance into the profession of accounting (public, private, or government) requires a basic business core in addition to a proficiency in accounting. Because of the increased emphasis on critical thinking, communication, technology, and quantitative techniques, students are urged to elect additional courses that strengthen these skills areas.

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes for Accounting:

Goal One:

Acquire knowledge of the functional areas of business and explain the integrated nature of business functions. Students will be able to:
- Articulate and apply the fundamental principles and theories in management, business law, marketing, finance, accounting, and economics.
- Apply knowledge acquired from functional areas of business to explain how each area affects the others.

Goal Two:

Develop analytical reasoning skills and technical expertise for use in a variety of managerial situations. Students will be able to:
- Use quantitative and qualitative techniques to make managerial decisions.
- Analyze domestic and international business events.
- Identify and solve problems of resource allocation and planning in organizations.
- Apply their analytical and technical knowledge to practical business situations.

Goal Three:

Develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills necessary to succeed in a diverse, global environment. Students will be able to:
- Work effectively in a team of diverse people.
- Demonstrate skills of leadership, influence, persuasion, and active listening.
- Communicate clearly, confidently and persuasively in written and oral forms.

Goal Four:

Integrate ethics, and personal and social responsibility, in decision making. Students will be able to:
- Conduct themselves professionally and ethically.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of social responsibility in managerial decision making.

Goal Five:

Acquire specialized skills and technical proficiency in the field of accounting. Students will be able to:
- Properly report financial transactions in financial statements. Prepare basic tax returns for individuals and corporations. Identify areas susceptible to audit risk and apply basic audit techniques.

Accounting Major

The Accounting major requires:

150-Hour Accounting Program

In order to become licensed as a certified public accountant (CPA), most states now require individuals to complete 150 credits of course work in addition to obtaining a bachelor’s degree and passing the CPA exam. The Department of Business will individually advise students regarding their state’s specific requirements and encourage motivated students to complete the additional credits within their four years at Elizabethtown through a combination of AP credits, additional semester courses, internships and/or summer courses. Alternatively, students wishing to pursue a master’s degree can obtain the additional credit hours as part of their course of study in their master’s program. Several colleges and universities have developed one-year master’s degree programs for students who wish to pursue this option.

For further information:

Contact Ms. Terrie Riportella, Edgar T. Bitting Professor of Accounting and Director of the Accounting Program.

International Accounting

Students interested in international accounting can choose one of three options: 1) accounting major with a modern language minor; 2) accounting major with an international studies minor; or 3) international business major with an accounting concentration. Admission into the International Business major is limited and students must apply to that program separately. See the section, titled “Bachelor of Science in International Business ,” for more details. Students should declare their interest in either of the other two options in their first year in order to fulfill the common requirements: language, international studies and business courses.

For further information:

Contact Ms. Terrie Riportella, Edgar T. Bitting Professor of Accounting and Director of the Accounting Program, or Dr. Hossein Varamini, Director of the International Business Program.