Undergraduate Accounting Major
Build a future you can count on.
Eller prepares you to lead in a rapidly changing business world—so you can help organizations transform their decision-making processes and their bottom-line profits.
As an accounting major, you’ll hone your ability to collect, organize and present financial information that is crucial to the success of any business.
Accounting Major Overview
Accounting involves the collection, organization, and presentation of financial information for effective decision making. Accounting services often include independent auditing, tax advice and tax return preparation, financial and management consulting and entrepreneurial services.
All accounting is characterized by compiling, analyzing and reporting on the financial conditions of the many functions for companies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and individuals.
Accounting Advising
Work with your Accounting academic advisor to get questions answered and plan for your goals.
School of Accountancy
The Accounting major falls within the School of Accountancy, where highly respected, research-active faculty push their field further while preparing students for real-world careers in accounting.
Why Choose Eller Accounting?
Interested in pursing a degree in accounting? Some of our undergraduate students share what they enjoy most about the program, what they plan to do after graduation and why the career opportunities with an accounting degree are endless.
Accounting Sample Coursework Plan
How your Eller Accounting experience can play out:
This sample plan is based on 14-17 credits per semester, but each student and their academic plan is unique. Please meet with your Academic Advisor to create a custom plan for you. Please note that your general education, including second language, requirements are determined by when you were admitted to the university. Your Academic Advisor can help you navigate the requirements relevant for you. For a full list of official degree requirements, check out the University General Catalog.
First Year
| First Semester | |
|---|---|
| Courses | Units |
| ENGL 101* First Year Composition MIS 111* Computers and Internetworked Society MIS 112* Computers and Internetworked Society Lab MATH 112 College Algebra Concepts and Applications General Education and/or Second Language Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days |
3 3 1 3 3-7 |
| Total | 13-17 |
| Second Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course | Units |
| ENGL 102* First Year Composition MATH 116* Calculus Concepts for Business Majors General Education General Education and/or Second Language BNAD 100 Language and Context of Business Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days |
3 3 3 3-7 1 |
| Total | 13-17 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| Use summer to catch up on math if behind in sequencing based on placement results prior to your first year. | |
Sophomore Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| BNAD 276* Statistical Inference in Management ACCT 200* Introduction to Financial Accounting ECON 200* Basic Economic Issues General Education General Education BNAD 200 Career Management in Business Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| ACCT 210* Introduction to Managerial Accounting BNAD 277* Analytical Methods for Business BCOM 214* Fundamentals of Business Communication General Education General Education or Ethics** Attend Career Showcase and apply for Professional Admissions in February, and attend UA Spring Career Days |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| We highly recommend that students participate in a study abroad and career-related experience. |
In order to take the following upper-division courses, students must be admitted to the major through a competitive and selective Professional Admission process.
Junior Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| MGMT 310A Organization Behavior and Management MKTG 361 Introduction to Marketing BCOM 314R Business Communication ACCT 420 Principles of Federal Taxation ACCT 400A Intermediate Financial Accounting (requires a grade of C or better) Attend Eller Career Expo and UA Fall Career Days |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| FIN 360 Quantitative Finance Management OSCM 373 Basic Operations Management MIS 304 Using and Managing Information Systems ACCT 400B Intermediate Financial Accounting ACCT 461 Accounting Information Systems Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| Use summer to gain career-related experience through internships, study abroad or volunteering. |
Senior Year
| 1st Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| MGMT 402 Integrating Business Fundamentals with Ethics and Law in Management ECON 330 Macroeconomic and Global Institutions and Policy ENTR 485 Innovating: Creating the Future ACCT 310 Cost and Managerial Accounting ACCT Major Elective Course |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| 2nd Semester | |
|---|---|
| Course |
Units |
| ECON 300 Microeconomic Analysis for Business Decisions ACCT 451 Analysis of Financial Statements General Education General Education Minor, Electives, or remaining General Education requirements Attend Career Showcase and UA Spring Career Days, and Graduation in May |
3 3 3 3 0-3 |
| Total |
12-15 |
| Summer | |
|---|---|
| Enjoy your summer and continue the job search if necessary! |
Note: This is only a sample plan and requirements are subject to change and may vary based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, summer school, etc.
All students enter as Pre-Business students, and must go through a competitive and selective Professional Admission process to gain entry to the upper-division professional majors. The above plan is designed on the assumption that a student tests into College Algebra on the ALEKS Math Placement Exam; students who test lower than College Algebra should refer to the Pre-Business Five-Semester Plan and work with their academic advisor to learn how they can adjust their schedule to meet their educational goals.
* Eller Foundation Courses: You need to take these classes before you apply for admission into the professional program. Professional admission is required before enrolling in 300- and 400-level core and major courses. Students transferring directly into the upper division who do not have a BCOM 214 equivalent completed will be required to take BCOM 315 before graduation instead.
** Business Emphasis Areas: You must take one ethics course to complete your degree. This class does not need to be completed before applying for professional admission.
Accounting Cohort Schedules
View Accounting major cohort schedules by semester:
Accounting Sage Cohort
|
SAGE COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-9:15 | BCOM 314R*/ACCT 420** | BCOM 314R*/ACCT 420** | ||
|
9:30-10:45 |
ACCT 400A |
BCOM 314R* |
ACCT 400A |
BCOM 314R* |
|
11:00-12:15 |
MGMT 310A |
|
MGMT 310A |
|
|
12:30-1:45 |
MKTG 361 |
MKTG 361 |
Accounting Silver Cohort
|
SILVER COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 - 12:15 | ACCT 420** | ACCT 420** | ||
| 12:30 - 1:45 | ACCT 400A | ACCT 400A | ||
|
2:00-3:15 |
MGMT 310A |
BCOM 314R* |
MGMT 310A |
BCOM 314R* |
|
3:30-4:45 |
MKTG 361 |
BCOM 314R* |
MKTG 361 |
BCOM 314R* |
* Students will take BCOM 314R at one but not both times.
** Students will not be automatically enrolled but can enroll through UAccess.
Accounting Sage Cohort
|
sAge COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8:00 - 9:15 |
|
BCOM 314R* |
|
BCOM 314R* |
|
9:30 - 10:45 |
ACCT 400A |
BCOM 314R* |
ACCT 400A |
BCOM 314R* |
|
11:00 - 12:15 |
MKTG 361 |
ACCT 420** |
MKTG 361 |
ACCT 420** |
|
12:30 - 1:45 |
MGMT 310A |
MGMT 310A |
Accounting Silver Cohort
|
silver COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11:00 - 12:15 |
ACCT 400A | ACCT 400A | ||
| 12:30 - 1:45 | ACCT 420** | ACCT 420** | ||
|
2:00 - 3:15 |
MKTG 361 |
BCOM 314R* |
MKTG 361 |
BCOM 314R* |
|
3:30 - 4:45 |
MGMT 310A |
BCOM 314R* |
MGMT 310A |
BCOM 314R* |
* Students will take BCOM 314R at one but not both times.
** Students will not be automatically enrolled but can enroll through UAccess. A T/R 8:00 - 9:15am section is also available for students that do not have BCOM during that time.
Accounting Sage Cohort
|
sage COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 - 9:15 |
OSCM 373 |
OSCM 373 |
||
| 9:30 - 10:45 |
MIS 304 |
MIS 304 |
||
| 11:00 - 12:15 |
ACCT 461 |
ACCT 461 |
||
| 12:30 - 1:45 |
ACCT 400B |
FIN 360* |
ACCT 400B |
FIN 360* |
Accounting Silver Cohort
|
silver COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 - 1:45 |
FIN 360* |
FIN 360* |
||
| 2:00 - 3:15 |
ACCT 461 |
OSCM 373 |
ACCT 461 |
OSCM 373 |
| 3:30 - 4:45 |
ACCT 400B |
MIS 304 |
ACCT 400B |
MIS 304 |
*An optional lab for FIN 360 will be offered on Wednesdays. Please contact your advisor for more information.
Accounting Sage Cohort
|
Sage COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-9:15 | MGMT 402 | |||
|
2:00 - 3:15 |
ECON 330 |
ECON 330 |
Accounting Silver Cohort
|
silver COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 - 3:15 |
ECON 330 |
ECON 330 |
||
|
5:00-6:15 |
MGMT 402 |
|
|
** All third semester Accounting students will be required to take a ENTR 485 that will be held one day a week either Tuesday, or Thursday at 8 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. for a 2 and 1/2 hour period.
Accounting Sage Cohort
|
sage COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 -10:45 | ACCT 451 | ACCT 451 | ||
| 11:00-12:15 | ECON 300 | ECON 300 |
Accounting Silver Cohort
|
silver COHORT |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 -10:45 | ACCT 451 | ACCT 451 | ||
| 11:00-12:15 | ECON 300 | ECON 300 |
*ECON 300 is pre-enrolled for all students
Accounting Elective Course Options
The following Accounting electives are available:
Examination of the value of managerial accounting in organizational decision-making and control, addressing specific managerial accounting problems and their solutions.
Units: 3
Offered: Spring
Also known as: Audit
Emphasis is on information quality, in regards to assurance services and internal control systems. Strategic orientation intended for future managers, bankers, analysts, investors, consultants, and practicing CPAs.
Units: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring
This course covers financial and managerial accounting topics relevant to the healthcare industry. Concepts covered include the financial and operational implications of changes in healthcare reimbursement; understanding and analyzing external financial statements for taxable and tax-exempt healthcare entities; usefulness of capital and operating budgets; practical applications of managerial accounting; and decision making tools for managers within healthcare enterprises.
Units: 3
Offered: Spring
Accounting concepts and procedures for governmental and other not-for-profit entities, including financial analysis and reconciliation to for-profit accounting principles.
Units: 3
Offered: Fall
Accounting Major Career Resources
Accounting Careers
Your Accounting degree translates to in-demand roles in the field of accounting, whether you want to pursue your Master’s in Accounting, CPA license or go on to work as a financial consultant, tax accountant or CFO.
Meet the Accounting Career Coach
Eller students have a world of options in front of them—which is why a dedicated career coach is so valuable. Get professional coaching on internship and job opportunities awaiting you.