Accounting Major

Develop in demand business skills that are valuable and versatile.

As an Accounting major at Houghton, you will learn to succeed in management and accounting. You will take a deep dive into federal taxation, auditing, accounting theory and practice, and current developments as the U.S. moves towards international accounting standards. Discuss these practices in a Christian context, taking time to consider ethics in business.

Accounting is often called the “language of business” and will prepare you for careers in public accounting, business, government and nonprofit organizations.

Degree Snapshot

Undergraduate - Bachelor's

Degree Types: BS

Program Credits: 124

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What will I learn?

Houghton accounting student wearing Houghton jacket in business class.

Through Houghton’s Accounting Major, you will:

Take an in depth look at federal taxation, auditing, accounting theory and practice, and current U.S. developments.
Gain a clear understanding of accounting terms and concepts to become career-ready and become a productive member of the business community.
Get real-world, hands-on experience in the field with our many student-run business opportunities.
Gain experience and internship credit through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program. You'll prepare tax returns free of charge for low-income, elderly and disadvantaged individuals in the local community.
Qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam in New York State.

Why study Accounting at Houghton?

4+1 MBA Program

Earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees with only one additional year of study. You can increase your earning potential and make a positive and lasting difference in your workplace, community and beyond through Houghton's online MBA.

Explore Houghton's MBA Program

Gain Practical Investment Experience

The Business Investment Center is equipped with a 24-foot-long stock ticker streaming the latest quotes and LCD screens showing market commentators and their predictions. This space also serves as a trading room, classroom, and study area.

Real-world Experience

As an accounting student, you have the opportunity to offer assistance in preparing income tax returns in collaboration with the IRS. You will also have the ability to participate in a for-credit internship as part of your curriculum.

students sitting at conference table in the student investment center

Become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

If you are interested in focusing on the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance you can qualify for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. The CMA exam is designed specifically to validate mastery of the advanced skills required to manage finance functions within an organization, enabling you to deliver value in today’s complex business environment.

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Courses & Degree Requirements

Popular Courses

ACCT 211 Financial Accounting

Learn the basic theory and practices of financial accounting and analyze key financial statement data. This class emphasizes proper recording of business transactions and understanding the effect of transactions on the financial statements of proprietorships, partnerships and corporations.

ACCT 212 Managerial Accounting

This class covers the basic theories and practices of providing accounting information to organizational decision-makers.

BADM 201 Business Communication

In this class, you will study communication theory and principles as applied to business writing, oral communication and data reporting. You will learn to prepare professional business presentations using these three major areas of business communication.

Degree Options

BS - 124 credits

60-61 credits
Required Courses

63-64 credits
Elective courses + general education

Degree Requirements

What can I do with a degree in accounting?

Career Opportunities

Students earning a BS degree in Accounting from Houghton University are prepared for careers as:

Accountants & Auditors

Budget Analysts

Financial Analysts

Financial Examiners

Financial Managers

Forensic Accountants

Graduate School

Master's degrees options for Accounting majors:

Accounting
Finance
Business Administration (MBA)

21%

Career growth for Financial Examiners.

From 2023 to 2033 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Ella Osuzoka, accounting major, standing in business conference room at Houghton University.

Alumni Success

Since learning to balance budgets in high school, Ella Osuzoka '23 wanted to study business and accounting. Experiences in the classroom and her internship at Houghton provided the confidence-building, real-world opportunities that allowed Ella to connect her faith with her future career. Today, having completed her Master's degree in Accounting, Ella has achieved her dream working as a professional at Deloitte, one of the Big Four accounting firms in the U.S.

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