Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Southwest Baptist University
Key Information
Campus location
Bolivar, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 27,290 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* $37,272/year including fees
Introduction
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 the 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 SBU Advantage
- More than 80% of SBU Accounting students achieve the required 150 credit hours for the CPA certification exam within four years. Guided CPA Exam prep is provided throughout your time as an accounting major at SBU.
- The 2018 accounting graduates achieved an 83% first-time pass rate on the CPA exam — compared to the national average of just 48%
- SBU Accounting alumni stay connected with the department, which benefits current students through scholarship offers, mentoring programs, and networking opportunities.
Curriculum
Accounting and Economics/Finance (150+ hours) Four-Year Plan
Freshman
Fall Semester
- BIB 1013 Old Testament 3
- UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
- POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
- ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
- FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
- BUS 1193 Business Calculus 3
Total hours 16
WinterFest or Summer
- HIS 2213/2223 U.S. History I or II 3
Spring Semester
- PSY 1013 Psychology 3
- UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
- BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
- ACC 2013 Principles of Financial Accounting 3
- BUS 2023 Business Statistics 3
- PHS 1004 Introduction to Physical Science 4
Total hours 17
Sophomore
Fall Semester
- MGT 3013 Principles of Management 3
- ACC 2043 Principles of Managerial Accounting 3
- BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
- ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics 3
- BUS 2013 Business Communications 3
- SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
Total hours 18
Spring Semester
- ECO 2033 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
- MGT 3033 Operations Management 3
- MKT 3023 Principles of Marketing 3
- COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
- FIN 3003 Personal Financial Planning 3
- KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
Total hours 17
Junior
Fall Semester
- ACC 3024 Intermediate Accounting I 4
- FIN 3053 Business Finance 3
- ACC 3063 Tax Accounting I 3
- FIN 4073 Insurance and Risk Management (fall, odd) 3
- LDR 4043 Ethics and Professional Development 3
Total hours 16
WinterFest
- ACC 3133 Financial Information Application and Analysis 3
Spring Semester
- ACC 3034 Intermediate Accounting II 4
- ACC 3033 Accounting Information Systems 3
- ACC 3073 Tax Accounting II 3
- ACC 4053 Accounting for Government and Not-for-Profit Entities 3
- FIN 4053 Investments (spring, even) 3
Total hours 16
Summer
- Internship in Accounting 3
Senior
Fall Semester
- ECO 3023 Money and Banking 3
- ACC 4013 Advanced Accounting 3
- BUS 3073 Business Law I 3
- ACC 3023 Managerial Cost Accounting 3
- SOC 2012 Human Diversity 2
- ECO 3053 International Economics (fall, even) 3
Total hours 17
WinterFest
- ECO 4173 History of Finance and Economic Thought 3
Spring Semester
- MGT 4083 Management Strategy and Policy 3
- ACC 4044 Auditing 4
- BUS 3083 Business Law II 3
- CIS 3303 Systems Management 3
- ECO 3043 Managerial Economics 3
Total hours 16
NOTE: This plan assumes an ACT math score high enough to meet the College Algebra requirement and high school completion of ENG 1113, English Composition, and CIS 1103, Computer and Information Management.
Career Opportunities
Career Possibilities
- Financial Accountant
- Managerial Accountant
- Cost Accountant
- Payroll Accountant
- Financial Planner
- Internal Auditor
- Government Accountant
- Forensic Accountant
- Cost Estimator
- Tax Accountant
- Tax Attorney
- Tax Consultant
- Budget Analyst
Career Examples
- Kristen Eagon ′12 — audit senior associate at Grant Thornton LLP, Tulsa, Okla.
- Erica Smith ′09 — reinsurance underwriter at Shelter Insurance, Columbia, Mo.
- Derek Lee '14 — audit associate at BKD in Springfield, Mo.
- Caleb Harris ′13 — equity research associate at Credit Suisse in New York, NY; passed the CPA exam in 2013 with a cumulative average score of 96.2% earning him the Elijah Watts Sells award for one of the top CPA scores in the country.
(Only 55 individuals received this award out of the more than 94,000 who took the test!)
Internship Examples
- Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.
- Leggett & Platt, Carthage, Mo.
- Cerner Corporation, Kansas City, Mo.
- Associated Electric Cooperative, Springfield, Mo.
- Missouri State Auditor's Office, Jefferson City, Mo.
- Grant Thorton, LLC, Tulsa, Okla.
- BKD CPAs and Advisers, Springfield and Kansas City, Mo.
- Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar, Mo.
Student Testimonials
Admissions
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English Language Requirements
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