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: Associate Professors Stephen Kerr (chair), William Bailey, Lucy Lu, Jason Jiao; Assistant Professors Jaime Grandstaff, Brian Webb; Instructors Shondra Johnson, Heather Longfellow.
Accounting Major
The accounting major prepares you for a career in accounting, auditing, finance and other business fields.
Preparing You for Success
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.
Making Your Mark
Students often use their undergraduate accounting courses to prepare for the certified public accounting, certified management accounting, and certified internal auditor exams. Professional credentials add value to your career and your faculty advisor will help you discern which designation is right for you.
Students are eligible to start taking exams for the certified public accounting (CPA) license after their undergraduate degree. Our Master of Science in Accounting Graduate degree provides additional education that supports you in the CPA exams and completing the 150 credit hours required for the license.
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:
- A 2.0 GPA in all accounting courses beyond ATG 157, 158, and 201.
- A minimum of 9 semester hours of upper-level accounting course work in residence.
- This table sets out the teaching schedule for Accounting classes.
- Students must also complete Foster College's business core.
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
Students should consult with their advisors and their State Boards of Accountancy for the exact requirements.
Accounting Minor
The accounting minor is open to all undergraduate students. Since accounting is the language of business, this minor will provide you with specialized skills in how to prepare and use financial information. It will not only enhance your decision-making abilities, it will also expand your career options.
If you’re a business major, you can complete the minor in 7 – 11 hours. For non-business majors, you’ll take 20 hours to complete the minor.
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 2023-2024 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.