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Accounting

All accounting programs offered by the Foster College of Business, Bradley University, are accredited by the AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

FACULTY: Professors Petravick; Associate Professor Kerr, Adams (chair), Bailey, Lu; Assistant Professors Grandstaff, Jiao; Instructors Johnson, Longfellow, Wayvon.

Accounting Major

The mission of the Department of Accounting is to prepare students for productive and satisfying careers. The highest priority of the department is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to commence and continue their careers. Our undergraduate major meets the needs of students seeking accounting careers in private industry and the public sector and, additionally, lays the foundation for those seeking careers in public practice. Our Master of Science in Accounting program is designed both for students entering public practice and for experienced accountants desiring to further their education. Graduates should be productive, act ethically, and be responsible citizens in social and economic communities, which are becoming increasingly dynamic and interdependent.

Accounting is an extremely flexible major. Our students not only learn about accounting principles but also study business and technology concepts. This broad training opens diverse career paths. Many of our graduates accept positions with public accounting firms and corporations. However, an accounting degree will also allow movement into finance, information systems, management, or consulting positions. An accounting degree helps a student look beyond the numbers to assist both people and businesses with shaping their financial futures.

To ensure that tomorrow’s professionals can meet the challenges of these new roles, many professional organizations have revised educational requirements. For example, nearly all states now or will require CPA exam candidates to have 150 hours of education. In response to these changes, the Department of Accounting has identified three paths to obtain at least 150 hours: (1) graduate with 150 undergraduate hours, (2) graduate with a Master of Science in Accounting, or (3) graduate with a Master of Business Administration. See the Graduate Catalog or the Foster College of Business web site (bradley.edu/business) for information about the Master of Science in Accounting or the MBA.

The Department of Accounting also offers an integrated Bachelor's (BS or BA) and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree. In this integrated program (commonly referred to as a 3:2 program), students can take coursework after they have senior status and designate to which degree that coursework will apply. Courses can be used in only one degree, and only appropriate courses can be applied to the MSA. Combining pursuit of the BS or BA degree with the MSA degree offers students three major advantages: greater availability of financial aid, earlier guarantee of admission to the graduate program, and more flexibility in the sequencing of classes.

Admission to the 3:2 program is available to students during their junior year. The Graduate Catalog provides a complete description of the 3:2 program’s requirements.

Whether a student is in the 3:2 program or not, to complete an undergraduate degree with a major in accounting, a student must earn 35 semester hours of accounting course credit beyond the Foster College of Business’ requirement of ATG 157 and ATG 158.

Courses required for all accounting majors (35 hours of accounting)

  • ATG 201 Accounting Principles—Accounting Techniques
  • ATG 268 Business Ethics
  • ATG 290 Accounting Careers Exploration
  • ATG 301 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ATG 302 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ATG 314 Cost Accounting
  • ATG 383 Accounting Systems and Control
  • ATG 401 Advanced Accounting I
  • ATG 447 Internal Auditing
  • ATG 457 Auditing
  • ATG 470 Data Analytics for Accounting
  • ATG 471 Advanced Accounting Techniques
  • ATG 477 Federal Taxes I
  • ATG 478 Federal Taxes II

Accounting majors also must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. A 2.0 GPA in all accounting courses beyond ATG 157, 158, and 201.
    2. < li>A minimum of 9 semester hours of upper-level accounting course work in residence.

Other requirements

  • ENG 306 Business Communications - 3 hrs. (fulfills W2 Core Curriculum)

Suggested Course Sequencing

Students are advised to seek and follow faculty recommendations concerning the selection of courses to meet their career objectives. Elective courses should be chosen with care to ensure that the Bradley Core Curriculum and FCB requirements are met.

Requirements for Professional Certification

The bachelor's degree provides the educational background for many entry-level accounting positions. Students with this degree will have the necessary educational requirements for the CMA and CIA exams. Students will also have earned 124 hours of the 150 hours needed to sit for the CPA exam in those states requiring 150 credit hours. Students may earn the remaining hours needed for the CPA exam by obtaining a Master of Science in Accounting degree or other graduate degree, such as the Master of Business Administration, or by taking additional undergraduate classes. Students should consult with their advisors and their State Boards of Accountancy for the exact requirements.

Accounting Minor

A Minor of Accounting from the Foster College of Business enhances your ability to understand the financial language of business, as you pursue your chosen major.  Students with accounting minors recognize that advanced economies demand specialized knowledge and skills when making financial decisions.  As our economy grows in complexity, employers demand more people with specialized training.  Therefore, students with accounting minors develop a professional orientation and enrich their job prospects.

Required Courses

  • ATG 157 – Accounting Principles – Financial
  • ATG 158 – Accounting Principles – Cost Management
  • ATG 201 – Accounting Principles – Accounting Techniques
  • ATG 290 – Accounting Careers Exploration
  • ATG 301 – Intermediate Accounting I
  • MIS 173 – Introduction to Business Analytics
  • ATG 314 – Cost Accounting

Elective Hours

  • ATG 302 - Intermediate Accounting II
  • ATG 383 - Accounting Systems and Control
  • ATG 477 - Federal Taxes I

Student Organizations

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), the national honorary accounting organization, strives to promote scholastic and professional achievement through lectures, career-oriented events, campus and community service, and social activities. A minimum GPA is required. See the Beta Alpha Psi advisor for information.

Internship and Co-op Opportunities

Qualified students can obtain on-the-job experience in either corporate or public accounting through internship and co-op opportunities. These involve multiple work experiences and are generally started during the student’s sophomore or junior year. Students interested in these opportunities ;should contact the Foster College of Business Co-op Coordinator as early as possible.

This is the official catalog for the 2022-2023 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.