Major in Accounting: Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Accounting

Be a Critical Player in Any Organization

Join one of the top accredited accounting programs and be on the right track to achieve your career goals. In 2018, GMercyU's high CPA exam pass rate ranked the program 16th in the nation for similar-sized accounting schools, according to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

With GMercyU's accounting major, you will gain a solid background in accounting principles, taxes, auditing, finance, and business theory. If you want to build a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or put your accounting chops to work in the business world, consider our bachelor’s in accounting with a CPA track or our accelerated 4 + 1 MBA option.

Degree Options

CPA Track

Earn an Accounting Degree and put yourself on the CPA Track

If you’re considering a career as a CPA, you can complete your CPA education requirements along with your bachelor’s degree in four years. In addition to the accounting program’s standard 125 credits, you’ll earn another 25 credits to reach the 150 credits needed to be on the CPA track.  You’ll also gain specialized knowledge in investments, operations, and international finance, and get real-world experience by completing a paid internship with a public accounting firm.

In 2018, GMercyU was ranked 16th in the country for very small schools with a CPA exam pass rate 17% higher than the national average, according to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

*Licensure: This program was designed to meet the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) education licensure requirements in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While the exam is the same no matter where it's taken, each state has different education and experience requirements that must be met in order to become a licensed CPA. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s CPA licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. We will work with you to find out what your specific state requirements are.

4 + 1 MBA Option

Earn an Accounting Degree and your MBA in just five years

For students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, GMercyU offers a unique 4 +1 MBA option that allows you to earn both a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in just five years. Skip the grad school entrance exams by taking additional credits during your senior year – as part of your undergraduate tuition – and then seamlessly completing your MBA the following year. Contact your advisor to discuss your eligibility to enroll in this program. 

The GMercyU Difference

At GMercyU, dedicated professors, a small student community, and top-notch academics will help you reach your goal in obtaining an accounting degree. You’ll get more individualized attention here than you’ll find at other accounting schools in PA, and you’ll start down the road to a successful college and professional career.  For the past several years, 100% of students in the CPA track have landed jobs after graduation.  The accounting program at GMercyU also is accredited through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

Take your education even further outside of the classroom. Earn real-world experience through paid internships at public accounting firms, non-profits, industry, and government organizations. You also can participate in professional accounting associations to make connections, get advice, and map out your career.  In fact, our accounting major students are offered a student membership to PICPA (Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and encouraged to join the Student Chapter of the North Penn Chapter of the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants).

Undergraduate Minors 

Increase the value of your accounting degree by adding an undergraduate minor. GMercyU offers a wide variety of minors so you can choose the one that best meets your personal and professional goals.

Curriculum

In addition to general education requirements, our accounting program students will complete the following courses:

Prerequisites - 15 Credits

Management Core - 24 credits

BUS 207 Principles of Marketing
BUS 230  Business Law
BUS 301 Principles of Management
BUS 304  Business Ethics
BUS 306 Business Statistics I
BUS 310 Principles of Finance
BUS 340 Business Statistics II
BUS 4000 Business Capstone
Accounting Core - 27 Credits
ACC 205    Intermediate Accounting I
ACC 206 Intermediate Accounting II
ACC 301 Managerial Accounting
ACC 305 Cost Accounting
ACC 315 Personal Taxes
ACC 316 Investment and Business Taxation
ACC 405 Advanced Accounting
ACC 406 Auditing
ACC 407 Fraud Auditing
Internship or Open Electives - 8 credits

Optional CPA Track

Additional Required Accounting, Business, and Finance Courses
ACC 207   Intermediate Accounting III
ACC 317 Accounting Information Systems
ACC 408 Advanced Accounting II
ACC 441 Internship in Public Accounting
BUS 313 Investments
BUS 314  International Finance
BUS 318  Operations Management
BUS 321 International Business

Credit Requirements

A minimum of 125 credits is required for the bachelor’s degree in accounting (non-CPA track).

See the undergraduate catalog (PDF) for more information and course descriptions.

 

Internship Opportunities

Accounting college students increasingly value the real-world experience that internships provide. More than 80 percent of Gwynedd Mercy University’s recent accounting graduates completed at least one paid internship. Many accounting majors completed two internships during their undergraduate careers.

Our accounting majors have recently completed internships at:

Gable Peritz Mishkin LLP
Marcum LLP 
Pritchard, Beiler, Gruver and Willison P.C. 
KPMG
Clifton Larson Allen
Catholic Health Care
Bee, Bergvall & Co
Resnick Amsterdam  Leshner, P.C.

In addition, one GMercyU accounting major earned a fellowship through Sigma Beta Delta, the business honor society. Read Kyle's story!

Transfer Opportunities

If you’ve already earned college-level credits at other institutions or accounting colleges, you can transfer them to Gwynedd Mercy University. All you need to do is submit your transcript and course description to the Registrar, who will determine whether the course counts towards the credits required for graduation. Read more on our Transfer Credits page.

In addition, Gwynedd Mercy University has articulation agreements with Delaware County Community College and Manor College.

Delaware Community College
AAS Accounting to BS Accounting  Non-CPA Track

Manor College
AS Accounting to BA Accounting Non-CPA Track

Our Outstanding Faculty

Ronald Bruce teaches accounting and statistics at Gwynedd Mercy University
Associate Professor
Accounting
View all Faculty

Career Outcomes

When you choose accounting, you're preparing to play a critical role in all kinds of businesses and organizations.  

Possible careers for accounting majors:

Actuary
Auditor
Bank Credit Officer
Bank Examiner
Business Valuation Analyst
Certified Public Accountant
Chief Financial Officer
Commercial Banker
Commodities Trader
Controller
Corporate Accountant
Cost Accountant
FBI Agent
Financial Analyst

Financial Planner
Fraud Auditor
Governmental Accountant
Internal Auditor
International Trade Specialist
IRS Agent
Loan Officer
Management Consultant
Payroll Manager
Professor
Securities Broker
Systems Analyst
Tax Specialist
Treasurer
Underwriter

*Some of these careers may require additional education.

*This is only a partial list and not meant to limit you.

Where our Graduates Work After Graduation

Bimbo Bakeries USA
Gable Peritz Mishkin LLP
Grant Thornton LLP
JG Wentworth
Maillie, Falconiero & Company
Marcum LLP
Merrill Lynch
PA Department of Revenue, Bureau

Pritchard, Bieler, Gruver, Willison
Resnick, Amsterdam  Leshner
SEPTA
Universal Health Services, Inc.
KPMG
Clifford Larson Allen
Philadelphia Department of Revenue
Kreisher Miller

 

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