Shields School of Business
Accounting, Bachelor of Science
Introduction
Earn a Respected Accounting Degree from Saint Francis University
Accounting is one of the Shields School of Business flagship programs with successful alumni populating executive-level positions throughout industry and government. Our faculty members are committed to developing professionals who are ready to make a difference, not only in the field of accounting but in their communities as well.
Offered: On-Campus and Online
New $100,000 Scholarship Initiative (for full-time undergraduates)
Saint Francis is doing its part to help stem the nationwide shortage of qualified entry-level accounting talent, by offering this new scholarship opportunity to help make accounting education more affordable.
Learn more about the Accounting Scholarship.
The SFU Difference
IACBE-accredited
double major or fast-track an MBA graduate degree
flexible online option tailored for working adults
The SFU LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Accounting the Saint Francis Way
At SFU you will gain a highly marketable financial education that focused on integrity, ethical behavior, and social responsibility in business.
Flash Fact: the International Accreditation Council for Business Education named SFU accounting professor Dr. Angela Seidel the 2021 IMA Accounting Faculty of the Year.
Find your Accounting career path!
Your accounting degree can provide you with a world of opportunities. Accountants play a pivotal role in many organizations; whether it’s planning a merger or acquisition, auditing a pension plan, or uncovering a fraudulent insurance scam. Where you take your degree is up to you.
Take time to explore, network, and build your resume:
- The annual Accounting & Finance Consortium Interview Day gives SFU students the opportunity to interview with top business employers which often lead to internship and job offers.
- Many accounting students double-major in Business Analytics, Finance, or Management Information Systems to increase their marketability and career prospects.
The best way to explore what the student experience really looks like is to schedule a visit!
CURRICULUM & COURSES
What You’ll Learn in the Accounting Program
The undergraduate accounting program prepares students to enter private, public, or governmental accounting in a variety of fields including financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, taxes, and financial analysis. Successful candidates in our undergraduate program earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting upon graduation.
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Undergraduate Path
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Accelerated/Graduate
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Learning Objectives
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On-Campus:
Degree Path Description Course Catalog Plan of Study Accounting, B.S.
options to obtain necessary credits for CPA exam
Business Analytics Concentration / Accounting, B. S.
focus on business analytics Course Catalog - 24/25 Entrepreneurship Concentration /
Accounting, B.S.
focus on entrepreneurial thinking and related activities
Course Catalog - 24/25 100% Online:
Degree Path Description Course Catalog Plan of Study Accounting, B.S.
online degree delivered through the Division of Professional Studies
Plan of Study Certificate: Accounting
(post-baccalaureate)
for those beginning careers or to those changing career directions.
Plan of Study -
Accelerated/Graduate Degrees
Degree Description Catalog Plan of Study Accelerated MBA/Accounting
earn both an undergraduate accounting degree and an MBA
Course Catalog - 24/25 Plan of Study Accelerated MBA/Accounting (Online)
earn both an undergraduate accounting degree and an MBA online Course Catalog - 24/25 Plan of Study
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The Shields School of Business will graduate students who have the knowledge, skills, love of learning, confidence, drive, and ethical and moral values needed to be spiritually fulfilled in life and successful in professional careers. Upon completion of this program, students are able to:
- Demonstrate, in the Spirit of Saint Francis in the Marketplace, knowledge of the ethical value choices and responsibilities of businesses and business leaders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles in business in the functional areas of accounting, information systems, finance, management, and marketing.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legal, social, economic environments of business.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the global dimension of business.
- Integrate the functional areas of business in the process of decision-making.
- Demonstrate the ability to professionally communicate.
Experienced accounting faculty who love to teach
You will learn from professors who not only hold the highest levels of both academic and professional certification including the CPA and CMA but who also have years of professional experience. Guest speakers and site visits augment the instruction in several courses to enrich the value of the program.
Department Contact: Dr. Angela Seidel, aseidel@francis.edu, 814-472-3076
“Getting to travel was a big selling point for me. I’ve been everywhere because of the Shields School of Business. ”
—Ali Evans, Financial Analyst, Federated Hermes, Inc., '18, Accounting/Finance
Career Outlook in Accounting
Career Paths: Accounting provides students with uniquely broad career opportunities in the public, private, and government sectors. Potential professional certifications include the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Public accounting provides students opportunities in auditing, taxes, information technology, financial analysis, and consulting. Governmental accounting opportunities abound at the local, state, and federal levels, including potential careers with the FBI or CIA. Saint Francis University accounting graduates are enjoying fruitful and rewarding careers in all areas of industry.
Strong Salary Potential: The starting salary for accounting professionals with a bachelor’s degree is around $58,508 annually, according to the NACE. Plus, the increase in earnings potential you will see as you gain experience is considerable. Many experienced professionals earn $100,000 or more annually.
Outcomes for SFU Grads:
- Over the past 5 years, over 98% of School of Business graduates have been gainfully employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year of graduation.
- Exit survey results indicate that over 99% of School of Business graduates feel prepared for their respective careers upon graduation.
- Here are some of the opportunities that our graduates have taken: financial analyst, estate planner, investment counselor, accounting manager, market researcher, auditor.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Accounting and Saint Francis University
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What can I do with a degree in accounting?
Graduates of our Accounting program have found success in fields such as:
- Public Accounting
- Auditing
- IT services
- International accounting
- Consulting services
- Personal Financial planning
- Tax advisory services
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What is Accounting & Finance Consortium?
The Accounting & Finance Consortium Interview Day is an annual event facilitated by Career Services that gives SFU accounting and finance students the opportunity to interview with top business employers. The interviews often lead to internship and job offers, and have resulted in many SFU students securing positions prior to graduation.
Graduates of our Accounting program have found success in fields such as:
- Public Accounting
- Auditing
- IT services
- International accounting
- Consulting services
- Personal Financial planning
- Tax advisory services
The Accounting & Finance Consortium Interview Day is an annual event facilitated by Career Services that gives SFU accounting and finance students the opportunity to interview with top business employers. The interviews often lead to internship and job offers, and have resulted in many SFU students securing positions prior to graduation.
