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Accounting Major

Study accounting at SBU

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Be prepared for a variety of career opportunities in public accounting, not-for-profit accounting, auditing, tax accounting and many more possibilities. Accounting graduates are in high demand in business, government and education industries. And an SBU accounting major can get you ready for the workforce quickly - 150 college credit hours are required to take the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam and yet nearly all SBU Accounting students complete all the needed courses within four years!

Small class sizes ensure that you receive quality, individualized instruction in your accounting courses. SBU Accounting faculty genuinely care about their students and will work closely with you for success in the classroom as well as to help you obtain internship and career positions.

The Accounting degree is offered through SBU's Robert W. Plaster College of Business. 

Resources

Degree Plan

100%
Job
placement
rate

(100% of SBU accounting majors graduating in 2021-22 had employment in their field at the time of graduation.)

SBU College of Business Job Placement and Salary Data (PDF)

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The SBU Advantage

  • More than 80% of SBU Accounting students achieve the required 150 credit hours for CPA licensure within four years. Guided CPA Exam prep is provided throughout your time as an accounting major at SBU.
  • SBU students have a 70% first-time pass rate on the CPA exam versus the national average of only 53%! (Five-year rolling average, 2017-2021 grads; information available as of October 2022)
  • SBU Accounting alumni stay connected with the department, which benefits current students through scholarship offers, mentoring programs and networking opportunities.

Faith Integration

As an SBU Accounting student, you will be equipped for a successful career. Our dedicated Christian faculty teach you the application of accounting concepts in current practice through a Christian worldview so that you are prepared to be both a skilled employee and a servant leader in the workplace.

Psalm 15 — SBU's College of Professional Programs and the Robert W. Plaster College of Business have a Psalm 15 initiative, which provides intentional integration of faith and academic discipline. Using Psalm 15 as a basis, the Colleges have identified eight character traits that should be the hallmark of the students and graduates. These character traits are emphasized in coursework and in a special lecture series. The highlighted character traits are: Integrity, Service, Respect, Charity, Faithfulness, Truthfulness, Humility and Perseverance.

Ethics and Professional Development — As part of an intentionally Christian education, students in the Robert W. Plaster College of Business take a senior-level course in Ethics and Professional Development. The course teaches Christian personal and professional ethics and equips students with life skills such as career development, etiquette, and servant leadership, with the goal of producing ethical business leaders who will be servant leaders in the workplace.

Career Examples

  • FORVIS
  • Grant Thornton LLP
  • KPMG International
  • Leggett & Platt
  • Miller Management Systems

Internship Examples

  • Abacus CPAs
  • Associate Electric Cooperative
  • Citizens Memorial Hospital
  • Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)
  • Missouri State Auditor's Office
  • O'Reilly Automotive

Full-Time Faculty

Kristin Hamm

Kristin Hamm, Assistant Professor
Jenell Wagner

Jenell Wagner, Assistant Professor
 

Clubs and Organizations

Accounting Club

Join the SBU Accounting Club and participate in various activities throughout the year including an interview blitz, field trips to visit prestigious accounting firms, social gatherings, networking opportunities, and more!

Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

You are encouraged to join SBU's student chapter of IMA and may also join the national IMA organization to receive additional professional development benefits.

Accounting Scholarships

SBU Accounting students may apply for several privately funded departmental scholarships. Additionally, some incoming freshmen accounting majors are selected to receive scholarships funded by SBU Accounting alumni.

Blaise Torrence
"My courses at SBU developed in me a work ethic and confidence that helped me excel in post-graduate school and my career beyond. Faculty intentionally recognized the particular gifts I had and encouraged me to explore them."
Blaise Torrence '20
Audit Associate at Grant Thornton LLC

Scholarships

The College of Professional Programs and the Robert W. Plaster College of Business offer many privately funded scholarship opportunities for their students. During a recent academic year, more than $89,000 was awarded in private scholarships to students from these college-level scholarships. Some scholarships available to accounting students include:

  • FORVIS Public Accounting Scholarship
  • Elliott, Robinson & Co. Public Accounting Scholarship
  • Glenn A. & Kimberly B. Miller Excellence in Non-profit Accounting Scholarship
  • Integrity Tax & Accounting Scholarship
  • KPM, CPAs Scholarship
  • Paul A. Mott, CPA, Accounting Scholarship
  • Van & Pearl Clark Memorial Accounting Student Aid
  • SBU Accounting Alumni Scholarship

Accounting Four Year Plan

MBA Accelerated ACCOUNTING FOUR YEAR PLAN

Discover Core Curriculum