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Accounting

Degree Requirements 2023-2024

Accountants perform an important function in society by providing high-quality financial information. Augsburg Accounting majors learn the requisite skills to do this through the study of theories and practices associated with the areas of financial accounting, managerial accounting, tax accounting, and auditing. In addition, Accounting majors take courses in other business areas necessary so that they have a broad understanding of how accounting serves the needs of business managers and others who rely on accounting information.

Students completing the Accounting major will be prepared for entry-level positions as auditors and public accountants, management accountants, tax accountants, and internal auditors. Their education will give them knowledge and skills to work as accountants in business, government, and nonprofit organizations and to work in other positions requiring engagement with financial information.

The Augsburg Accounting major also provides students with the accounting and business coursework required to take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Students can sit for the CPA exam after they have completed their Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Students should note, however, that in order to be licensed as a CPA they must have completed a total of 150 credit hours in either undergraduate or graduate coursework and have one year of relevant work experience in auditing or taxation. Students will also have met the coursework requirements to take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

Accounting majors are encouraged to consider taking one of the professional accounting examinations upon graduation. Students interested in learning more can find information at the following websites:

CPA exam general information: https://www.aicpa.org/becomeacpa/cpaexam.html

State of Minnesota CPA exam requirements: www.revisor.mn.gov/rules

CMA exam: https://www.imanet.org/en/IMA-Certifications/CMA-Certification

Accounting Major

Business Core Requirements

  • Must take MIS 379 rather than MIS 264

Required Accounting Courses:

Six courses including:

  • ACC 322 – Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACC 323 – Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACC 324 – Managerial Cost Accounting
  • ACC 326 – Individual Tax Accounting
  • ACC 423 – Auditing
  • ACC 425 – Advanced Accounting

Graduation Skills

Graduation skills in Critical Thinking (CT), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Speaking (S), and Writing (W) are embedded throughout the offered courses and are met by completing the major.

Transfer students must consult an advisor about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.

Note: All business majors are encouraged to take KEY 490 – Vocation and the Meaning of Success to fulfill the Augsburg Core Curriculum Senior Keystone requirement.

Joint Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Master of Arts in Leadership

A BA in Accounting and an MA in Leadership (MAL) can be earned in this five-year program designed for students who wish to qualify for CPA certification and obtain a Master’s degree. By the end of the fifth year and successful completion of all requirements, the student receives both a BA in Accounting and an MA in Leadership and will have fulfilled the 150-hour requirement to qualify for the CPA certification. Refer to the Graduate Studies Catalog for a complete list of courses.

It is recommended that students meet with an Accounting advisor to create an effective plan for successful completion of the five-year program.

Accounting students planning to pursue the five-year degree must apply for admission to the MAL program at the end of their junior year. The application process includes submission of:

  • Completed application form
  • Two letters of recommendation (one from an Augsburg professor and one from an employer)
  • Personal statement
  • Example of their writing in an academic paper
  • GPA of at least 3.30
  • Interview with the Director of the MAL program

Students must also have faculty endorsement from the Accounting program. Students must complete at least one year of accounting work experience (either a job or internship) by the time they graduate from the MAL program.

Program Coordinator: Phyllis Kapetanakis

Minor in Accounting

Six courses including:

  • ACC 221 – Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • ACC 222 – Introduction to Managerial Accounting
  • ACC 322 – Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACC 323 – Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACC 324 – Managerial Cost Accounting
  • One of the following:
    • ECO 112 – Principles of Macroeconomics
    • ECO 113 – Principles of Microeconomics
    • FIN 331 – Financial Management
    • MIS 260 – Problem Solving for Business
    • MIS 379 – Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics

For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.