A degree in accounting is both valuable and versatile. Accountants are employed by all types of businesses and can also practice privately as certified public accountants (CPAs). An accounting career is stable while also providing ample opportunity for promotion and advancement. If you are detail-oriented and organized, and also have an affinity for numbers and computation, accounting could be a great career choice for you. As an accountant, you will be responsible for auditing, tax preparation and consulting for corporations, individuals and nonprofits. The field of accounting is growing much faster than the average for other professions. To pursue a career as an accountant, however, a bachelor’s degree is required before you can be certified to practice.
The online accounting degree at Brescia University provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary in order to be successful in the accounting profession. It is designed to provide a broad educational base in business as well as accounting, and therefore prepare you to enter the business job market. And because Brescia’s accounting major is offered completely online, it has the flexibility you need. We’ve put together a guide to what you will study while completing our online bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Course Descriptions
Our accounting degree program consists of 128 credit hours, 57 of which are general education. The general education courses you will take as you work towards your bachelor’s degree include topics like math and economics. This broad educational base ensures that you are prepared for the complexities and challenges of the business world. The major subject requirements for an accounting degree include 33 credit hours and a variety of business courses, including the following:
ACC 201: Principles of Accounting
This course is the first of two basic accounting courses that you will complete. It provides an introduction to financial accounting and explains the accounting principles and procedures that are used to record and report economic events. Financial accounting focuses on the preparation of accounting information for users outside of the business entity.
BAD 103: Introduction to Software Application
This is an introduction to the Windows operating system and business software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software.
ECO 302: Economic Concepts II (Microeconomics)
Economic Concepts II serves as an introduction to the functions of an economic system, with an emphasis on income determination and government policy.
FIN 308: Financial Principles
This course is an introduction to the basic principles, concepts and analytical techniques of finance. Major topics covered include financial analysis and planning, working capital management, capital budgeting, cost of capital and sources of capital.
MGT 306: Management Concepts
The study of management principles is covered in this course, which is focused around a central core of planning, organizing, directing, controlling and staffing.
MKT 307: Marketing Concepts
This course is the study of the principles of marketing. Themes for this course include product, price, place and promotion.
Accounting requirements for this degree program add up to a total of 15 credit hours and include an intensive study of accounting as both a service and a profession. Students who pursue accounting coursework will complete all of the following courses:
ACC 301: Intermediate Accounting I
This is the first of two courses in intermediate financial accounting. The primary emphasis is on the basic concepts and theories underlying contemporary external financial reporting.
ACC 302: Intermediate Accounting II
This is the subsequent course in intermediate financial accounting. There is an emphasis on certain specialized accounting topics.
ACC 304: Advanced Managerial Accounting
An investigation of the current trends in managerial accounting, this course places an emphasis on the concepts and practices of information gathering, monitoring and management control. This course applies to manufacturing and service-oriented businesses.
ACC 401: Advanced Accounting
This course is an in-depth conceptual study of advanced topics in various areas of financial accounting.
ACC 406: Federal Entity Taxation
This course is a comprehensive study of the federal income tax structure, compliance with federal code and regulations and income tax planning for taxed and pass-through organizations.
If you wish to reach the 27-hour credit requirement to sit for the Certified Public Accounting Examination, the following three accounting courses are also required:
ACC 402: Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
This course covers the application of general accounting principles to federal, state and local governments and nonprofit organizations.
ACC 404: Federal Individual Taxation
A comprehensive study of the federal income tax structure, this course covers compliance with federal code and regulations as well as income tax planning for individuals.
ACC 410: Auditing
This course is a comprehensive study and examination of the standards, principles and procedures of independent auditing and the attest function. It also includes some coverage of internal auditing.
Admissions
Admission to Brescia is taken on an individual basis. Each interested student is assigned an admissions counselor who addresses questions and concerns. Admission to the university is rolling, which means that as soon as an admissions file is complete, it will be reviewed and a decision made. The applicant will be notified of the decision immediately. If you are transferring to Brescia, request an official copy of your college/university transcript(s). For those students who have college credit hours, high school transcripts are not required. Official transcripts should be sent directly from schools you previously attended to the Brescia Admissions office. For more information on admissions requirements, visit our How To Apply page.