Accounting, BA & BS
ACCT- Accounting course descriptions
Faculty
Maggie Schlerman (chair), Courtney Comstock, Tuan Ho-Quoc, Graham Lemke, Ann McDonald, Tuan Nguyen, Julie Summers, Matthew Sutter
Statement of philosophy, BA
Central’s accounting curriculum begins with a solid foundation in financial and managerial accounting rooted in the theoretical bases of economics and other liberal arts, including ethics, communication, and data analysis. In upper-level courses, students grow through coverage of a variety of theoretical and applied financial accounting topics, as well as cost, tax, systems and auditing. Technology is used both within and outside the classroom as learning and professional productivity tools, emphasizing the use and preparation of spreadsheets and systems for accounting applications. Small classes facilitate interactive learning processes. The accounting seminar provides opportunities for students to polish their research and presentation skills.
The program prepares students professionally for careers in public, private, government and not-for-profit accounting. Students are encouraged to study abroad to enhance their development as global citizens, or one or more internship programs, and to become active in various student educational and/or service organizations and other co-curricular activities.
As demonstrated by recent success, Central’s accounting graduates are well qualified for national standardized professional exams such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or to enter graduate or professional programs. Students can choose to complete the 150 semester hours required by most states, and of other certificate-issuing bodies at Central or pursue a graduate degree.
Statement of philosophy, BS
Central College’s Bachelor of Science in accounting is an in-depth professional program focused on applied coursework in accounting and data analysis. The Bachelor of Science degree is ideal for students who intend to pursue certification and/or licensure in the accounting field. Coursework encompasses theoretical and applied financial accounting topics covered on professional certification examinations, including cost, tax, systems and auditing. Computers are learning and professional productivity tools, emphasizing the use and preparation of spreadsheets and systems for accounting applications. Small classes facilitate interactive learning processes. The accounting seminar provides opportunities for students to polish their research and presentation skills. The program prepares students professionally for careers in public, private, government and not-for-profit accounting.
Students are encouraged to study abroad to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago internship programs, and to become active in various student educational and/or service organizations and other co-curricular activities.
Central’s Bachelor of Science in accounting is designed to meet Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure requirements in the state of Iowa. Other students should consult the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to take the exam. Consult with a member of the accounting faculty concerning requirements of other national exams.
Study abroad opportunities
Accounting majors who intend to participate in the study abroad program should discuss the options with their faculty advisors early in their college careers.
Accounting Major Requirements, BA (54-55 credits)
Note: The accounting major may not be combined with the information systems major–AIS option.
- Complete all of the following:
ECON 112 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ECON 113 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
BMGT 311 Principles of Management (3)
ACCT 241 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
ACCT 242 Introduction to Management Accounting (3)
ACCT 321 Data Analytics for Accounting (3)
ACCT 341 Intermediate Financial Accounting I (3)
ACCT 342 Intermediate Financial Accounting II (4)
ACCT 343 Advanced Management Accounting (3)
ACCT 344 Principles of Taxation (3)
ACCT 347 Accounting Information Systems (3)
ACCT 348 Principles of Auditing (3)
ACCT 485 Accounting Research Seminar (1)
- Complete one of the following
MATH 105 Introduction to Statistics (4)
MATH 215 Applied Statistics (4)
- Complete one of the following
COSC 109 Introduction to Information Management (3)
COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
- Complete 3 elective ACCT credits at the 400- level. ACCT 350, ACCT x96 Co-op, ACCT x97 Internship, or ACCT x83 Field Experience in Accounting does not count toward an Accounting major.
- Complete one ethics-related course; consult an accounting faculty member for a list of acceptable courses.
- Complete one of the following:
BMGT 211 Business Writing and Speaking (3)
COMM 160 Communication in Everyday Life (3)
COMM 272 Oral Communication in a Professional Context (3)
THEA 150 Acting (3)
A note about the CPA exam
Students who wish to take the CPA exam in Iowa are advised to also take ACCT 321, BMGT 231, and BMGT 261. Other students should consult the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to take the exam. Consult with a member of the accounting faculty BA concerning requirements of other national exams.
Accounting Major Requirements, BS (61-63 credits)
Note: The accounting major may not be combined with the information systems major–accounting option.
- Complete all of the following, in addition to all the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Accounting:
ECON 381 Research Methods in Economics (4)
6 credits of 400- level accounting electives. ACCT 350, Acct x96 Co-op, ACCT x97 Internship, or ACCT x83 Field Experience in Accounting, does not count toward an Accounting major. - Complete a total of 150 semester hours of credit
Accounting Minor Requirements (18 credit minimum)
Note: The accounting minor may not be combined with the information systems major–AIS option.
- Complete all of the following:
ACCT 241 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
ACCT 242 Introduction to Management Accounting (3) - Complete one of the following:
COSC 109 Introduction to Information Management (3)
COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
- Complete a minimum of 9 credits at 300-level or higher in ACCT.
ACCT 350, ACCT x96 Co-op, ACCT x97 Internship, or ACCT x83 Field Experience in Accounting, does not count toward an Accounting minor.