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University of St. Thomas students laugh during a class.

Accounting

Build Business Skills and Your Professional Network

When you earn a St. Thomas undergraduate business degree with a major or minor in Accounting, you’ll gain the business skills and practical experience you need to thrive in the accounting field. Our engaging, hands-on curriculum prepares you to succeed in a variety of settings, including public accounting firms, corporations, government and nonprofit organizations. Our highly engaged faculty and small class sizes ensure that you receive plenty of individual attention, and your faculty advisor supports and guides your student journey. Your studies will prepare you to:

  • Handle financial statements
  • Participate in audits and other assurance work
  • Design accounting systems and budgets
  • Prepare tax work for individuals or companies
  • Analyze and interpret financial information reflecting an organization's performance
  • Participate in the management of an organization

If you’re interested in a well-rounded degree that shapes you into a skilled accountant and innovative business leader, look no further than St. Thomas.

Program Overview

  • Course Requirements
  • Four-Year Plan
  • Degree Awarded
  • Tutoring
  • Internships
  • Course Requirements

    All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific courses, and allied courses from outside of the Opus College of Business in key areas such as economics, math and statistics.

    The University of St. Thomas accounting program is a pre-licensure program and meets the current education requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.

    Accounting Major Courses

    St. Thomas also offers an accounting minor for non-accounting majors to develop their knowledge and skills in accounting.

    Accounting Minor Courses

    Four-Year Plan

    Year 1

    ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
    BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
    ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics

    Year 2

    ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
    BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
    BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
    BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
    CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
    FINC 310 Core Financial Management
    MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
    MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
    OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management

    STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.

    Years 3 & 4

    As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.

    In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in the St. Thomas Core Curriculum throughout your four years.

    Degree Awarded

    Students who complete the coursework receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a major in Accounting.

    Tutoring

    Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.

    Internships

    St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.

    Course Requirements

    Course Requirements

    All undergraduate business students are required to take liberal arts core curriculum courses, foundational and major-specific courses, and allied courses from outside of the Opus College of Business in key areas such as economics, math and statistics.

    The University of St. Thomas accounting program is a pre-licensure program and meets the current education requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.

    Accounting Major Courses

    St. Thomas also offers an accounting minor for non-accounting majors to develop their knowledge and skills in accounting.

    Accounting Minor Courses

    Four-Year Plan

    Four-Year Plan

    Year 1

    ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I
    BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good
    ENTR 100 Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    Begin allied courses in economics, math, and statistics

    Year 2

    ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
    BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
    BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
    BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service
    CISC 200 Intro to Computer Technology and Business Application
    FINC 310 Core Financial Management
    MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
    MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
    OPMT 200 Operations and Supply Chain Management

    STUDY ABROAD: Your second or third years are ideal for semester-long or short-term (January) international programs.

    Years 3 & 4

    As a junior and senior, you’ll take upper-level specialized courses specific to your chosen major, as well as business electives.

    In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take interdisciplinary liberal arts courses in the St. Thomas Core Curriculum throughout your four years.

    Degree Awarded

    Degree Awarded

    Students who complete the coursework receive a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a major in Accounting.

    Tutoring

    Tutoring

    Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.

    Internships

    Internships

    St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.

    Build your network

    Accounting students have many opportunities to develop professionally, both in and outside of the classroom, allowing them to begin building their network early on in their college career.

    A student speaks with a recruiter at an employment event.

    Connect with Employers

    All students are welcome to join our student-led Accounting Club, which hosts employers on campus each week to talk about their company and culture, as well as internship and full-time job opportunities. The Career Development Center and Undergraduate Business Program also support Employer Chats, an opportunity for students to informally connect with recruiters in a one-on-one setting on campus to ask questions about the industry and individual companies.

    A student speaks with an accounting professor at a campus event.

    Connect with Faculty

    Each accounting student is paired with an accounting faculty advisor. Faculty advisors help students plan their courses each semester, including selection of appropriate elective courses and ensuring their selection aligns with their long-term degree plan. Students also look to their faculty advisor for guidance on career planning and licensure requirements if they are interested in taking the CPA exam.

    Attendees talk and eat dinner at the annual Damus Awards Dinner in Woulfe Alumni Hall.

    Connect with Alumni

    St. Thomas’s annual spring Accounting Banquet draws hundreds of attendees – students, faculty, staff, employers, and many St. Thomas accounting alumni. Students have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of accounting professionals at this engaging event.

    Woman with an open laptop and notepad, writing on her notepad.

    Career Opportunities

    Typical accounting jobs include:

    • Auditor
    • Account Manager
    • Systems Analyst
    • Budget Manager
    • Accountant (financial, tax, corporate, investment)

    Accounting Department Scholarships

    The Accounting Department awards merit-based scholarships to declared accounting majors. These scholarships are funded by corporations, public accounting firms, the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and Twin Cities Chapter of CFMA, and private donors. The $55,000+ in scholarships are announced at the annual Accounting Banquet – a gathering of students, alumni, faculty, staff and employers.

    GHR Fellows Program

    GHR Fellows receive:

    • Full tuition and fees for four years (and may, pending demonstrated financial need, receive grant funds that cover room and board at St. Thomas)
    • A fully funded J-Term study abroad experience
    • Professional coaching and mentorship
    • Networking opportunities with Fortune 500 business executives and community leaders

    Learning Through Service: Business 200

    We believe that businesses need to be socially responsible in the communities where they operate. All undergraduate business majors and minors are required to complete BUSN 200, a zero-credit, tuition-free course that includes 40 hours of community service and a series of reflective seminars. This service learning helps you grow into a highly principled global business professional, and an effective and ethical leader who’s prepared to make positive contributions in both your profession and community.

    St. Thomas Career Services

    The experts in the Career Development Center can help you find internships, develop job search skills, and put you in touch with business leads—both alumni and ÀÇÓÑÊÓƵ connections in the broader Twin Cities business scene. We can help you:

    • Clarify your strengths and how they relate to majors and career fields
    • Map out a career plan
    • Create your résumé and prepare for interviews
    • Look for internships and jobs

    Take the Next Step

    best-value-logo-2022-transparent.pngThere is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.