The Accounting Major prepares students for careers in business, government, and public accounting. It also offers a background in business law, information systems, and tax issues to qualify the student for a leadership position in business. The Accounting major is one of only 168 accounting programs worldwide that hold Accounting Accreditation from AACSB International, the hallmark of excellence in management education.

Faculty

The Accounting major is administered through the Department of Accounting, whose faculty bring significant work experience to the classroom and emphasize real world problem-solving. Faculty design learning experiences that enhance students’ communication skills, understanding of technology, appreciation of diversity, and comprehension of ethical issues.

Requirements for Admission to Major:

• Successful completion of all Lower Division requirements
• Students must declare a major and meet the departmental requirements in order to be admitted into their major field.  An Ahuja academic advisor can assist you with this process.
• Minimum 2.50 grade point average in ACT 221 and ACT 222

Effective Fall 2011 and forward, a minimum grade of “C” or higher is required in all level Accounting courses. Accounting core courses in which a grade below “C” was earned must be repeated.  Accounting elective courses with a grade below “C” must either be repeated or substituted by completing a different elective. 

Upon acceptance into the Accounting program you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will help you design a course of study that suits your career goals.

Specialization:

Students in the Accounting major can specialize in one of four areas within the field of accounting by concentrating their electives in their area of interest:

• Public Accounting- working for a public accounting firm as a professional auditor or tax accountant
• Governmental or Institutional Accounting- working for a governmental unit or not-for-profit organization as a professional accountant.
• Management Accounting- working for a business as a professional accountant.
• Internal Auditing-working for a business as a professional auditor.
• Information System Auditing-working for a business or government agency on the audit, control and security of information systems.

Internships and Co-op’s

Internships are available through the Department of Accounting. Cooperative education opportunities are available through the Career Services Center at 216.687.2233. The pre-requisite for a co-op position is CSC-121.

Financial Assistance

Scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and part-time employment are just some of the ways you can help pay for college costs at CSU. For more information on financing your education, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 216.687.3764, or by email at: fao@csuohio.edu.

Accounting Major Requirements

In order to declare an accounting major, students must earn a 2.50 GPA in both ACT 221 and ACT 222.  All accounting majors must complete a minimum of 39 credits in accounting and business law.

To look up an individual course description, click here for the main CSU Catalog and type in the name of the course (example ACT 221) in the search bar.

Required Major Core Courses (33 credit hours)

ACT 221 Introductory Accounting I (3)
ACT 222 Introductory Accounting II (3)
ACT 321 Cost Accounting I (3)
ACT 331 Intermediate Accounting I (4)
ACT 332 Intermediate Accounting II (4)
ACT 361 Tax I (4)
ACT 388 Accounting Systems (3)
ACT 441 Advanced Accounting (4)
ACT 451^ Auditing (4) OR ACT 455 Internal Auditing (3)
BLW 411 Business Law and Ethics (W) (3)

^ Within the CSU curriculum, students may choose between auditing or internal auditing.  However, ACT 451 (Auditing) is required for Ohio CPA eligibility.

Major Electives (12 credit hours)

Accounting students must complete a minimum of twelve(12) credit hours in Accounting Electives, all of which are incorporated throughout the concentration electives listed below.

Concentration Electives

Students in the Accounting program can specialize in one of four areas within the field of accounting by choosing one or more Accounting from the following specialized areas:

Public Accounting

• ACT 453 Information Systems Auditing (3)
• ACT 460 International Accounting (3)
• ACT 462 Tax II (3)
• ACT 484 Governmental and Institutional Accounting (3)
• ACT 490 Accounting Internship (1-3)
• ACT 496 Independent Study (1-3)

Management Accounting  

• ACT 422 Cost Accounting II (3)
• ACT 455 Internal Auditing (3)
• ACT 460 International Accounting (3)
• ACT 490 Accounting Internship (1-3)
• ACT 496 Independent Study (1-3)

Governmental or Institutional Accounting

• ACT 455 Internal Auditing (3)
• ACT 456 Advanced Auditing Topics (3)
• ACT 460 International Accounting (3)
• ACT 462 Tax II (3)
• ACT 484 Governmental and Institutional Accounting (3)
• ACT 490 Accounting Internship (1-3)
• ACT 496 Independent Study (1-3)

Internal Auditing

• ACT 453 Information Systems Auditing (3)
• ACT 455 Internal Auditing (3)
• ACT 490 Accounting Internship (1-3)
• ACT 496 Independent Study (1-3)

To look up an individual course description, click here for the main CSU Catalog and type in the name of the course (example ACT 221) in the search bar.

Recommended Program for Accounting

Adhering to the recommended sequence outlined below provides a balanced workload and ensures that you will have the proper prerequisites and knowledge for maximum benefit from these courses. We encourage you to meet with a faculty advisor prior to registering.

 

Fifth Semester	Credits
ACT 321 Cost Accounting I	3
ACT 331 Intermediate Accounting I	4
ECN 302 Intermediate Microeconomics	3
MLR 321 Organizational Behavior	3
MKT 301 Fundamentals of Marketing	3
Total	16
Sixth Semester
ACT 332 Intermediate Accounting II	4
ACT 388 Accounting Systems	3
OSM 311 Introduction to Operations Management	3
BLW 411 Business Law and Ethics (W)	3
Accounting Elective	3
Total	16
Seventh Semester
ACT 361 Tax I	4
ACT 451 Auditing -or- ACT 455 Internal Auditing*	3-4
FIN 351 Introduction to Financial Management	4
Accounting Elective	3
Accounting Elective	3
Total	16-17
Eighth Semester
ACT 441 Advanced Accounting	4
MLR 465 Management Strategy and Policy (W)	3
ACT Accounting Elective	3
Accounting or Business Elective	4
Total	14

 

^ Within the CSU curriculum, students may choose between auditing or internal auditing.  However, ACT 451 (Auditing) is required for Ohio CPA eligibility.

(W) Counts as a Writing Across the Curriculum course for university requirements (only if taken at CSU).  Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in order to receive Writing Across the Curriculum credit.