Accounting

Are you interested in learning the language of business? An accounting major at Central College might be the right choice for you!

Accounting major statement of philosophy

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, mathematics and statistics. In upper-level courses, students grow through coverage of a variety of theoretical and applied financial accounting topics, as well as cost, tax and auditing. Computers are used both within and outside the classroom as learning and professional productivity tools, emphasizing the use and preparation of spreadsheets 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 with one of Central’s international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C. program, to pursue and internship (available in Europe, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and regionally) and to become active in various student educational and/or service organizations and other co-curricular activities.

Central’s accounting graduates are well qualified, as demonstrated by recent success, 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-hour requirement of many states, and of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), at Central or pursue a graduate degree.

Typical Sequence of MAJOR courses for the accounting major:

(54 study hour minimum)

Note: Students planning to study abroad are strongly encouraged to meet with the accounting faculty during their freshman year to plan a course of study.

Freshman Year:

  • ECON112 Principles of Microeconomics
  • ECON113 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • One from:
    • COSC106 Introduction to Web Programming
    • COSC110 Introduction to Computer Science

Sophomore Year:

  • ACCT241 Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • ACCT242 Introduction to Management Accounting
  • BMGT251 Principles of Management
  • MATH105 Introduction to Statistics

Junior and/or Senior Years:

  • ACCT341 Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • ACCT342 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  • ACCT343 Advanced Management Accounting
  • ACCT344 Individual Tax Accounting
  • ACCT345 Advanced Taxation
  • ACCT346 Government and Non-Business Accounting
  • ACCT347 Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT441 Advanced Financial Accounting
  • ACCT442 Auditing
  • ACCT485 Accounting Seminar

Students must also take:

  • One from:
    • COMM268 Intercultural Communication
    • COMM270 Public Speaking
    • COMM340 Public Relations
    • COMM342 Communication in Organization
    • COMM364 Argumentation
  • One from:
    • PHIL120 Introduction to Philosophy
    • PHIL121 Ethics
    • PHIL127 The Meaning of Life
    • PHIL221 Classical Thought
    • PHIL225 Modern Continental Philosophy
    • PHIL228 Asian Philosophy
    • PHIL244 Business Ethics
    • PHIL262 Philosophy of the Sciences
    • PHIL286 Values and Vocations Seminar (Chicago program)
    • REL255 Christian Ethics

Note: Students are strongly advised to take the following courses (but are not required for the major).

  • BMGT331 Business Law I
  • BMGT332 Business Law II
  • BMGT361 Corporate Finance

This major may not be declared in combination with Accounting Information Systems.

All accounting majors must complete the department’s communication skills endorsement. Click here for information on the department’s CSE.