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Accountancy Major (CPA Track, B.S.B.A.)

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Degree Type:
B.S.B.A.
College:
Boler College of Business
Department:
Accountancy

Master the language of business with a degree in accountancy.

Prepare to help organizations of all sizes make informed, strategic business decisions. Owners, managers, investors, and lenders all rely on the expertise of accounting professionals. At John Carroll University, you’ll build a solid foundation in accounting principles and develop the technical and analytical skills needed for today’s digital-first world.

The accountancy major is offered through the Boler College of Business, which is accredited by AACSB and ranked in the top 2 percent of business schools worldwide.

  • #2 in Ohio among mid-sized schools for CPA pass rate (2023)

  • 2% Boler College of Business is ranked in the top 2% of business schools worldwide (AACSB)

  • 14:1 Student-to-faculty ratio at JCU

Gain Real-World Experience

Intern with an accounting firm. Put learning into (social) action by volunteering to prepare taxes for low-income community members.

Prepare for Industry Certification

The rigorous accounting curriculum at JCU prepares you for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and a career in professional accounting.

  • Gain Real-World Experience

    Intern with an accounting firm. Put learning into (social) action by volunteering to prepare taxes for low-income community members.

  • Prepare for Industry Certification

    The rigorous accounting curriculum at JCU prepares you for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and a career in professional accounting.

  • Connect with Classmates & Professionals

    Engage with peers and industry professionals. Student clubs like the JCU Accounting Association hold a variety of social, networking, and career development events throughout the year.

Program Overview & Outcomes

Careers in accounting continue to be in demand — and JCU will prepare you to succeed in your chosen field. Not only will you learn technical skills, but you’ll develop into an ethical, forward-thinking professional along the way.

Through a curriculum aligned with industry needs and rooted in our core values, you will:

  • Be prepared for a career in professional accounting and licensure as a Certified Public Accountant
  • Build a working knowledge of the functional areas of accounting
  • Gain proficiency in relevant IT tools and analytical techniques
  • Develop an awareness of professional codes of conduct in accounting

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

As an accountancy major at JCU, you’ll complete a series of core business classes and required major courses. You can also choose electives that align with your career goals, with options covering topics like taxation, financial accounting, information systems.

View Program Catalog

  • Major Required Courses

    Business Analytics in Accounting

    3 Credits

    AC2210

    Harness data analytics tools to solve accounting challenges, communicate insights, and tackle ethical issues while mastering essential business intelligence software.

    Intermediate Accounting I

    3 Credits

    AC3303

    Preparation and analysis of the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, and the statement of cash flows. Coverage of key issues in financial reporting, including receivables and inventories. Prerequisite: AC 201 or AC 2201 (min grade C) and AC 202 or AC 2202 (min grade C). Corequisite or Prerequisite: AC 2210 (min grade C).

    Intermediate Accounting II

    3 Credits

    AC3304

    Craft comprehensive financial statements while tackling issues like equity, leases, and IFRS, sharpening your accounting acumen for real-world applications.

    Cost Analysis and Budgetary Control

    3 Credits

    AC3312

    Transform cost data into strategic insights with tools for budgeting, ethical decision-making, and profit analysis in diverse manufacturing contexts.

    Principles of Federal Taxation

    3 Credits

    AC3321

    Primary focus on determination of the elements of taxable income and computation of tax and tax credits for various taxpayers. Includes discussion of the theory of taxation. Preparation of returns used to illustrate theory. Prerequisite: AC2202 or AC202 (min grade C). Offered: Fall.

    Accounting Information Systems

    3 Credits

    AC3341

    Introduction to, analysis and understanding of the role of accounting information systems in business organizations; operation and evaluation of computerized accounting systems; internal control. Prerequisite: (AC2202 or AC202 (min grade C)) and (AC2210 or AC210 (min grade C)). Offered: Spring.

    Auditing

    3 Credits

    AC4431

    Lead the charge in auditing practices, covering ethics and legal standards while focusing on public and internal auditing dimensions.

  • Business Core

    Business Law

    3 Credits

    MOL4463

    Navigate the legal landscape of business with insights into contracts, structures, and regulations that shape corporate success.

    Business Analysis With Excel

    1 Credits

    BI1100

    How to answer key business questions, analyze company finances, forecast sales, and prepare business cases while improving your Excel skills.

    Accounting Principles I

    3 Credits

    AC2201

    Build a solid foundation in accounting, mastering the essentials of financial statements and transaction analysis.

    Accounting Principles II

    3 Credits

    AC2202

    Enhance your accounting acumen with advanced principles, focusing on financial reporting and cost analysis.

    Principles of Economics I

    3 Credits

    EC2201

    Build a foundation in microeconomics, focusing on supply and demand, market structures, and firm behavior, essential for future business leaders to thrive.

    Principles of Economics II

    3 Credits

    EC2202

    Transform economic theories into real-world insights, covering GDP, inflation, and fiscal policy to equip you for success in the business landscape.

    Business Analytics and Statistics

    4 Credits

    EC2210

    Transform data into decisions with business analytics, mastering statistics, probability, regression, and time series analysis to drive impactful insights.

    Business Communications

    3 Credits

    EN2510

    Craft impactful business communications across various formats to enhance your professional skills in today’s fast-paced corporate world.

    Data-Driven Decision-Making

    3 Credits

    BI2200

    Transform raw data into impactful insights using cutting-edge tools for data management and visualization, empowering you to make informed business decisions.

    Managing Employees for Competitive Advantage

    3 Credits

    MOL3301

    Develop competitive HR strategies that enhance employee engagement, from recruitment to talent development.

    Supply Chain and Operations Management

    3 Credits

    SCM3301

    Design efficient supply chains that deliver customer value by mastering purchasing, operations, and logistics for successful product transformation.

    Business Finance

    3 Credits

    FN3312

    Develop financial decision-making prowess for modern corporations by learning key concepts like capital budgeting and ethical considerations in finance.

    Marketing Principles

    3 Credits

    MK3301

    Master essential marketing strategies to develop, promote, and price offerings that resonate in a dynamic global marketplace.

    Strategic Management

    3 Credits

    MOL4499

    Develop strategic management skills to tackle real business challenges, equipping yourself with decision-making tools for every level of management.

    Applied Calculus

    3 Credits

    MT1300

    Apply calculus to real-world business problems by calculating limits, derivatives, and integrals using cutting-edge software to streamline your computations.

    Business Ethics

    3 Credits

    PL2086

    Application of ethical concepts to significant problems of business practice. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

    Legal Environment of Business

    3 Credits

    MOL4461

    Navigate the intricate legal landscape of business, covering everything from corporate ethics to international law, and its impact on the marketplace.

    Professional Experience - Internship

    0 Credits

    BPD4490

    Gain hands-on experience in your field with a minimum 135-hour internship, working under a supervisor to learn the ropes of the business world.

  • Sample Electives

    Seminar in Accounting

    3 Credits

    AC4405

    Contemporary issues in accounting not covered in depth in other department courses. Specific topics, methods of presentation, and student requirements will be designated by the seminar leader. Online course. Prerequisite: AC 3303 or AC 303 (min grade C and/or as announced). Offered: Fall.

    Advanced Entity Taxation

    3 Credits

    AC4422

    Build expertise in tax issues for entities by navigating corporate tax, planning techniques, and complex multi-jurisdictional challenges.

    Advanced Individual Taxation

    3 Credits

    AC4423

    This course covers advanced individual taxation topics, including determination of basis in passthrough entities; deferred compensation, retirement, and equity-based compensation; estate, gift, and trust taxation. Prerequisite: AC 3321 or AC 321.

    Emerging Technologies in Accounting

    3 Credits

    AC4456

    Engage with the future of accounting by exploring cutting-edge technologies through discussions and hands-on case studies.

    Fraud Examination

    3 Credits

    AC4475

    Emphasis on corporate fraud and methodology used to discover and prevent its occurrence. Corporate fraud includes both fraudulent financial reporting and asset theft. The methodology used to investigate fraud includes analytical procedures and interviewing techniques. Case studies and projects provide practical applications. Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in AC4431 or AC431.

    Advanced Managerial Accounting and Control

    3 Credits

    AC4483

    Advanced topics in managerial accounting, planning and control intended to provide a general understanding of the managerial/operational role of the Controller/Management Accountant in an organization. Focuses on how management accounting systems can be configured and effectively utilized to facilitate the business success of the enterprise while supporting its strategy. Topical coverage extends foundational material covered in introductory/intermediate level management accounting courses. Prerequisite: AC 3312 or AC 312 grade minimum C.

    Tax Research in Practice

    3 Credits

    AC4486

    Focuses on the tax research process, with emphasis on identifying issues and facts, assessing authority, developing analytical skills, exercising professional judgement, and communicating findings. Case studies will provide opportunities for students to apply all aspects of the research process to client scenarios. Prerequisite: AC 3321 or AC 321 or permission of the instructor. Offered: Spring.

    Advanced Financial Accounting I

    3 Credits

    AC4488

    Coverage of select higher level financial accounting topics, including the consolidation process, government accounting, leases, and pensions. Select cost accounting methods and concepts will also be covered. Prerequisite: AC 3303 or AC 303 (minimum grade of C). Offered: Fall.

    Advanced Financial Accounting II

    3 Credits

    AC4489

    Coverage of select higher level financial accounting topics, including the consolidation process, government accounting, leases, and pensions. Select cost accounting methods and concepts will also be covered. Prerequisite: AC 3303 or AC 303 (minimum grade of C). Offered: Spring

Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

 
JCU's Distinct Promise

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Onward makes them happen.

From your first semester forward, Onward connects your goals with the people, experiences, and support that help you build momentum with purpose.

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Quincy's Story

Starting in his first semester at John Carroll, Quincy Unger '26 found a team who helped him shape his ideas, find the right opportunities, and launch his own business.

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Complementary Minors

  • “In the John Carroll University accounting program, I’ve developed strong technical skills and gained hands-on experience that have prepared me for my career. The program has provided countless opportunities to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations, especially through internships and networking connections. I’m grateful for the doors it has opened for my future.”

    Corrine Meldrum ’26

Where Our Alumni Go

Most JCU accounting alumni become Certified Public Accountants and build their careers in big public accounting firms, private corporations, and government and nonprofit organizations. Many go on to pursue MBAs and some even start their own businesses.

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