Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Taught in the Jesuit tradition, our accounting major builds the skills you need to keep accurate financial records, solve tax problems and make strategic and ethical decisions for companies and individuals. With the guidance from Xavier’s expert faculty, you begin preparing for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam and graduate ready for an impactful career in accounting, information systems, cost management, taxation or auditing.
Fall
- MATH 140: Concepts of Calculus............ 3cr.
- ENGL 101: English Composition or 115: Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
- Second Language I............ 3cr.
- CORE 100: First Year Seminar (not with THEO 111)............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: First year co-curricular............ 0cr.
- BUAD 101: The Business Professions I............ 0cr.
Spring
- Microeconomic PrinciplesECON 200: Microeconomic Principles............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Second Language II............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives or Natural Sciences Elec............. 3cr.
- THEO 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: First Year co-curricular............ 0cr.
- BUAD 102: The Business Profession I............ 0cr.
Fall
- ACCT 200: Introductory Financial Accounting............ 3cr.
- ECON 201: Macroeconomic Principles............ 3cr.
- BAIS 220: Management of Information Technology............ 3cr.
- PHIL 200+: Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- STAT 210: Statistics for Business I............ 3cr.
- BUAD 201: The Business Profession II............ 0cr.
Spring
- ACCT 201: Introductory Managerial Accounting............ 3cr.
- ACCT 307: Financial Accounting & Reporting I............ 3cr.
- STAT 211: Statistics for Business II............ 3cr.
- THEO 200+: Theological Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives or Natural Science Elec............. 3cr.
- BUAD 202: The Business Profession II............ 0cr.
Fall
- ACCT 308: Financial Accounting & Reporting II............ 3cr.
- ACCT 311: Introduction to Taxation............ 4cr.
- FINC 300: Business Finance............ 3cr.
- MGMT 300: Managerial Behavior............ 3cr.
- MGMT 201: Managerial Communications............ 3cr.
- BUAD 301: The Business Profession III............ 0cr.
Spring
- ACCT 304: Accounting Information Systems............ 3cr.
- ACCT 309: Financial Accounting & Reporting III............ 3cr.
- Business Elective or VITA I............ 3cr.
- ECON 300: International Trade & Business Environment............ 3cr.
- MKTG 300: Principles of Marketing............ 3cr.
- BUAD 302: The Business Profession III............ 0cr.
Fall
- ACCT 490: Auditing............ 3cr.
- Accounting Elective (ACCT 385, 415, or 425)............ 3cr.
- BLAW 300: Legal Environment............ 3cr.
- MGMT 302: Quality and Product in Operations............ 3cr.
- ENGL 205: Literature and Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- BUAD 401: The Business Profession IV............ 0cr.
Spring
- Accounting Elective (ACCT 385, 415, or 425) ............ 3cr.
- MGMT: Business Capstone Course............ 3cr.
- General Elective or VITA II............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- BUAD 402: The Business Profession IV............ 0cr.
It’s never too early to begin building your network. Xavier’s 160+ student clubs and organizations create the perfect environment to get involved on campus and connect with like-minded students with similar interests and career goals.
- Xavier Accounting Society — The Xavier Accounting Society strives to deliver insight into accounting. It connects its members with other accountants in public, private, governmental, forensic and other areas of accounting. Through these networking opportunities, members undergo critical professional development while providing access to organizations such as the Institute of Management Accountants, the Ohio Society of CPAs, The Institute of Internal Auditors, and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. We also serve our campus and community by participating in events like Accounting for Kids Day, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and other service prospects that arise.
- National Association of Black Accountants — The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) addresses the career needs of our members and develops leaders who will shape the future of accounting, finance and other business professions.
- Women In Business (XWIB) — XWIB strives to prepare and empower women to be tomorrow’s leaders through professional training, personal development workshops, mentoring and service.
At Xavier, we designed our courses to challenge you academically and cultivate personal growth. In your accounting major, you will take some of the following classes:
- ACCT 304: Accounting Information Systems — Explore how technology enables key accounting activities. This class uses a business process approach to illustrate how information flows through an organization and its effect on information system integration risk and internal control. You also learn how to document, evaluate and analyze enterprise-based systems.
- ACCT 307: Financial Accounting and Reporting 1 — This course studies financial accounting theory and principles applicable to the accumulation, analysis, measurement, reporting and interpretation of selected economic events.
- ACCT 311: Introduction to Taxation — In this class, you receive an introduction to the individual tax law as well as the tax implications of business formation, income and expenses, and distributions for Sole Proprietorships, C-corporations, Partnerships and S-corporations. You also gain a deep understanding of compliance, planning, tax research and ethical issues.
- ACCT 415: Non-profit and Governmental Accounting — Learn the ins and outs of financial reporting for non-profit organizations and governmental entities at the municipal, state and federal levels.
- ACCT 490: Auditing — Dive into a study of the integrated audit process from the perspectives of standards, audit planning, internal controls, ethics and the application of sound judgment in the decision-making process.
Program Features
Our nationally recognized, AACSB-accredited business programs equip you with the knowledge, skills and ethical foundation to succeed in today's dynamic business landscape.
Our accounting program works toward the 150-hour requirement for Ohio's Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and helps you earn your MACC degree in five years.
Connect with accounting professionals at leading firms through our mentorship program. Gain skills and networking experience for personal and professional success.
Cincinnati, Ohio is a major financial center, home to numerous banks, insurance companies and accounting firms. Find internship and job opportunities right at your doorstep.
Hear what accounting major Ben Speith loves most about the Xavier community, living in Cincinnati and being a student in the accounting major.
Whether it’s setting up interviews with CPAs or visiting local tax advising firms, Newkirk provides students access to real business experiences that set them up for success.
FAQ
Gain a well-rounded business education and prepare for a diverse range of career paths by earning your bachelor’s in accounting at Xavier. Discover more.
An accounting degree opens doors to a wide range of exciting career paths. Here are some common careers for accounting graduates:
- Public Accountant: Work in a public accounting firm, providing auditing, tax and consulting services to clients.
- Corporate Accountant: Work for a corporation, managing financial records, preparing financial statements and analyzing financial data.
- Tax Accountant: Specialize in tax preparation, planning and compliance.
- Financial Analyst: Analyze financial data and trends to provide insights and recommendations for investment decisions.
- Internal Auditor: Assess an organization's internal controls and financial processes to ensure compliance with regulations and identify areas for improvement.
- Forensic Accountant: Investigate financial crimes and fraud.
- Government Accountant: Work for a government agency, managing financial records and ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Controller: Oversee the financial operations of an organization, including accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Pursuing a bachelor’s in accounting opens the door to a promising career future filled with opportunity and potential.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a steady annual employment growth rate of 4% for accountants and auditors through 2032, which aligns with the national average for other occupations. However, the median yearly income for accounting-related careers exceeds the national average for all occupations. Accountants and auditors earn around $79,0000 on average, but salaries can reach up to $132,000 based on education, years of experience, position and even the state of employment.
Accounting Program at Xavier University
Accounting is an academic major with a long and proud tradition at Xavier University. The BSBA in Accounting is a four-year program that is a step toward fulfilling the 150-hour requirement (mandated by Ohio and other states) to sit for the CPA examination. The Master of Science in Accountancy is a five-year program that enables a student to earn a BSBA in Accounting and an MBA while satisfying the 150-hour requirement for the CPA exam. Students are allowed to seek admission to the MBA program during their senior year.
Xavier University's Williams College of Business is accredited by the AACSB. AACSB-accredited schools offer students a relevant and challenging curriculum, the highest quality faculty and career opportunities that are not found at other business schools.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."