Accounting Major
Accounting is the language of business. Translation: An accounting degree speaks for itself.
When you can accurately read and speak the language of accounting, you give stakeholders the power to make decisions, impacting everything from operations to finance. Accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), Saint Mary’s accounting program provides a comprehensive curriculum and a solid foundation to prepare you to sit for the nationally-recognized Uniform Certified Public Accountant exam* — the standard for accounting professionals. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, pursue careers in public accounting (CPA), management accounting (CMA), controllership, taxation, and governmental accounting.
Saint Mary’s Accounting major allows students to earn credits toward those needed to sit for the CPA exam in their state, while gaining content knowledge to prepare for the exam and obtain discipline-specific credits typically required to fully meet educational requirements for CPA licensure in most jurisdictions. Depending on their state’s requirements, students may need to complete additional coursework to fulfill educational requirements to sit for the exam and to attain CPA licensure. For additional information about this program and CPA licensure, visit our Professional Licensure page.
Our dedicated faculty have diverse, real-world accounting experience. On top of that, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with instructors in the classroom (small class sizes!) and outside the classroom for advising.
Learn from actual business scenarios, connect with industry leaders, and gain a solid understanding of practical accounting principles:
- •Analyzing and interpreting financial/nonfinancial information
- •Audit methods and techniques
- •Microsoft Excel, Access, and accounting technology
- •International business and corporate finance
- •Business law and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- •Taxes and tax law
- •Business ethics
Accountants are the truth-tellers of the business world. This responsibility is stressed throughout the curriculum — how ethical conduct is required to ensure quality decision-making, while ethical standards are defined and enforced throughout the profession. Grounded by our Lasallian Catholic heritage, Saint Mary’s empowers YOU to an ethical life of service and leadership.
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Licensure
*Saint Mary’s Accounting major allows students to earn credits toward those needed to sit for the CPA exam in their state, while gaining content knowledge to prepare for the exam and obtain discipline-specific credits typically required to fully meet educational requirements for CPA licensure in most jurisdictions. Depending on their state’s requirements, students may need to complete additional coursework to fulfill educational requirements to sit for the exam and to attain CPA licensure. For additional information about this program and CPA licensure, visit our Professional Licensure page.
Our undergraduate business programs are accredited through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit our Accreditation page.
Program Highlights
Fully accredited by IACBE, our accounting program equips you with industry-leading knowledge and the confidence to pursue the CMA exam. This program delivers practical skills needed for a successful career in accounting and helps you develop the ethical framework wanted most by employers.
Program Features
What Makes it Special
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Fully accredited by IACBE -
Prepare to pursue CPA certification
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Direct paths to our M.S. in Accounting and graduate certificate programs
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Cooperative Education Program (work immersion experience)
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Real-world working experience with industry professionals on class-related projects
What You'll Learn
What You’ll Learn
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Fundamental business concepts, theories, and practices
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Business environmental factors at domestic and global levels
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Legal and ethical business principles; applications of business decision-making
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Business-related quantitative methods and tools to aid decision-making
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Business concepts/functions and interrelated associations between functional areas
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Effectively work with diverse colleagues in team situations
Course Catalog
Saint Mary’s bachelor of arts in accounting program meets the requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA exam in Minnesota and several other states. The university offers several ways for you to meet the educational requirements for CPA licensure. Considering the CPA path? You are strongly encouraged to consult an accounting faculty member early in your college career to determine the best way to meet the requirements.*
*This program meets educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in MN and provides additional coursework as needed to fully meet all educational requirements for MN CPA licensure. Depending on their state’s requirements, students may need to complete additional coursework to sit for the CPA exam and to attain licensure in their jurisdiction. For additional information about this program and CPA licensure, visit our Professional Licensure page.
Careers that look to the future.
The demand for highly competent and qualified accountants is rising due to globalization, an evolving digital world, and complex regulatory requirements — from corporations, public accounting firms, and nonprofit organizations. An accountant's median annual salary is $73,560, with 135,000 new jobs expected between 2020 to 2030.1
Accountant or auditor
$77,250Budget Analyst
$79,940Loan Officer
$63,380Financial Analyst
$81,4101Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (visited June 22, 2022).