Learn the Essentials of Accounting
Accounting majors at Elms College study everything from auditing and tax law to financial management. In our program you will master these skills, cultivate analytical thinking, and develop an in-depth understanding of business economics.
But, Elms accounting majors go beyond the numbers, too. You’ll learn to put financial data into context. You’ll know how to speak about sales and marketing in relation to cash flow. You’ll take an interdisciplinary look at business, which will strengthen your creative problem solving.
As an accounting major you will also gain proficiency in accounting information systems and computer applications, which will prepare you to excel in the increasingly technology-dependent business environment.
Whether you want to work in corporate setting, for a government agency, or as part of a nonprofit organization, our program equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to get hired.
Partner with Expert Faculty
Personalized instruction is a hallmark of our accounting program. Your professors teach the major concepts, theories, and practices of accounting to ensure that you can secure — and succeed in — internships. But they also serve as a professional development resource. Through networking events hosted by the Division of Business, you will be introduced to a diverse network of business professionals based in the Western Massachusetts and New England regions.
Ethical Decision-Making
Accountants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and transparency of financial statements. In this day and age, this work is more important than ever, with stories about financial fraud appearing on the news day after day.
Our faculty teach you how to navigate financial grey areas by emphasizing ethical thinking and decision-making in the classroom. By analyzing case studies and discussing real-world business practices, you will learn how to perform accounting duties with professional integrity.
100% Internship Placement
Prior to graduating, accounting majors at Elms complete an internship. Past graduates have applied their skills in a variety of professional settings, including working for certified public accountants (CPAs), Big Four accounting firms, and businesses within our network of regional and national accounting firms. Our placements have included:
- Deloitte, LLP (a Big Four firm)
- Price Waterhouse Coopers (a Big Four firm)
- KPMG, LLP (a Big Four firm)
- Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
- Moriarty and Primack, P.C.
- Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C.
- Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C.
- Waste Management
- Savage Arms Inc.
Job Success
Our graduates are prepared to successfully complete professional licensure exams, such as the certified public accounting (CPA) and certified management accounting exams.
If you’re interested in earning your CPA license, a minimum of 150 credit hours is required before taking the exam. This typically means that you will need a graduate degree prior to becoming licensed. If you decide this is the route you want to take with your career, Elms offers an accelerated BA/MBA program that can be completed in only 4.5 years.
Quick Info
Required Credits
64
Degree Option
Bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in accounting
- Accounting students interested in working with Big 4 public accounting firms have the option to complete our 4.5-year accelerated BA/MBA degree. Students complete both degrees along with a paid full-semester internship.
- BA/MBA accounting majors from the classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016 are employed in their field – many had job offers before graduating.
Jonathan Lester ’19
As a student athlete, Jonathan spends much of his time perfecting his long jump and triple jump. He also volunteers in the community with the track & field team. What really makes the Dallas, TX, resident a triple threat, though, is his pursuit of academic excellence. Read Jonathan’s story.
Curriculum
Click to view course requirements for the Accounting (B.A.).
Minimum at Elms College: 27 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.25
Business Core Requirements (43 credits)
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
ACC 2001 | Accounting I | 3 |
ACC 2002 | Accounting II | 3 |
BUS 2201 | Computer Applications | 3 |
BUS 2402 | Principles of Management | 3 |
BUS 2502 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
BUS 2600 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
BUS 3101 | Principles of Financial Management | 3 |
BUS 3402 | Managerial Communications | 3 |
BUS 4800 | Business Strategy | 3 |
ACC 4801 | Career Development | 3 |
ACC 4802 | Internship | 4 |
ECN 2102 | Economics II | 3 |
BUS 2409 | Operations Management | 3 |
ENT 1001 | Intro to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
Accounting Courses (24 credits)
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
ACC 3001 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
ACC 3002 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
ACC 3006 | Cost and Managerial Accounting | 3 |
ACC 3500 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
ACC 4001 | Auditing | 3 |
ACC 4100 | Personal Taxes | 3 |
ACC 4200 | Advanced Accounting or Internship | 3 |
ACC 4705 | Accounting Capstone | 3 |
Required courses that also satisfy college core requirements (6 credits)
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
ECN 2101 | Economics I | 3 |
MAT 1009 | Statistics | 3 |
Click to view course requirements for the Accounting minor.
Minor in Accounting (21 credits)
Course # | Course Name | # of Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
ACC 2001 | Accounting I | 3 |
ACC 2002 | Accounting II | 3 |
ACC 3001 | Intermediate I | 3 |
ACC 3002 | Intermediate II | 3 |
ACC 3006 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
ACC 3500 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
ACC 4001 | Auditing | 3 |