Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The demand for accounting graduates continues to grow as financial transactions become more sophisticated, as tax laws change, and as new government regulations are introduced.

All types of organizations--public and private--require accounting personnel. Those working in private accounting can specialize in financial accounting/reporting, cost accounting, accounting information systems, managerial accounting, internal auditing, tax accounting, budgeting, and financial analysis. Those working in public accounting can specialize in external auditing, management advisory services, tax accounting, and valuation services.

Employers of accountants include: public accounting firms, banks, retail and wholesale businesses, manufacturers, pension funds, foundations, hospitals, universities, churches, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and consulting companies. Self-employed accountants may set up their own offices and work for private clients.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Accounting students at Youngstown State University have the opportunity to build their technical and leadership skills through various WCBA student organizations. Specific organizations related to accounting include the Institute of Management Accountants and Beta Alpha Psi, the professional business organization for accounting, finance and information system majors. Students can also become student members of the American Institute of CPA's, the Ohio Society of CPA's and the Institute of Management Accountants.

All business majors are strongly encouraged to complete internships. Internships are career-related work experiences that enable students to apply their knowledge and skills in an organizational setting. In the WCBA, internships that are approved for academic credit must be paid. Completing a career-related internship markedly improves a student's job prospects upon graduation.  

REQUIREMENTS TO SIT FOR THE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (CPA) EXAM

Ohio residents wishing to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam are currently required to have completed 150 semester hours of education– It should be noted however that proposed legislation would reduce the education requirement to sit for the exam to 120 semester hours of study. For those interested in meeting the current 150 semester hour requirement  the WCBA offers the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Program.  This program is a 30 semester hour graduate program.   With proper planning and coordination, a student can complete both a BSBA and MAcc in five years. For more information on sitting for the CPA exam, please contact the Accountancy Board of Ohio.

For more information, visit the Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance.

The pre-requisite for all upper level Business classes includes a minimum 2.5 overall GPA

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for majors within the Lariccia School of Accounting and Finance are as follows:

• Students will be able to identify, formulate, and solve discipline-specific problems within the context of business, ethical, and societal constraints;
• Students will learn to function and communicate (in writing and orally) both individually and within multidisciplinary teams;
• Students will develop enhanced technology skills by being exposed to assignments requiring advanced computer/spreadsheet knowledge, expanded presentation activity (e.g. PowerPoint  in the oral-intensive courses), and required analysis of financial statements;
• Students will be given opportunities to work with and be exposed to the business community and professionals through internship opportunities, student organizations, and social functions;
• Students will obtain an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and a recognition of and an appreciation for the need to engage in life-long learning.