MAJOR - ACCOUNTING

Department Mission:  Our mission is to build on a liberal arts and business education foundation to provide students with accounting knowledge and skills.  Exemplifying Benedictine hospitality, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that fosters an appreciation of their ethical, social, and public responsibility. This will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, and to become responsible citizens.  

Departmental Goals: The general goals of the Department of Accounting are to offer students a solid foundation in accounting fundamentals and to contribute to the development of the student’s ability to think critically, exercise judgment, make decisions, and communicate effectively in a complex and rapidly changing business environment.  That is, students should be able to understand and evaluate accounting information.  The department has the following specific goals for students majoring in accounting:

1. To understand fundamental accounting principles and theory;
2. To understand the importance of effective communication skills and to be able to analyze, organize and communicate information effectively;
3. To engage in practical professional experiences and career exploration.

With an accounting degree, graduates can pursue careers as professional accountants in public, private, and non-profit organizations, as well as in business fields, such as banking and financial management.  The degree can also serve as a basis for graduate study in numerous areas—such as accounting, taxation, business administration, public administration, education, and law.  Graduates can also pursue professional designations such as CPA, CMA, CIA, CFM and CFE.  Requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary by state and students should consult the State Board of CPA Examiners in the state in which they wish to practice.  Accounting graduates who meet the residency requirements of the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accounting Examiners are eligible to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation; licensure requires completion of 150 credit hours.  Thus, although the B.A. offers a solid foundation in accounting, students who are planning to pursue the CPA certification are strongly encouraged to pursue a graduate degree.

Standards for Admission to Program: (Traditional Students)
To be accepted as a major in the department, the student must have a minimum grade of “C” in the following courses: Accounting 211 and 212, Math 151, and Business 265.

B.A. in Accounting:
Within the general requirements of the College for graduation, the following are particular requirements for an Accounting major:

• AC 211 - Principles of Financial Accounting
• AC 212 - Principles of Managerial Accounting
• AC 311 - Intermediate Accounting I
• AC 312 - Intermediate Accounting II
• AC 321 - Advanced Accounting
• AC 331 - Managerial Accounting I
• AC 332 - Managerial Accounting II or AC 360 - Accounting Information Systems
• AC 341 - Auditing I
• AC 401 - Federal Income Tax I
• AC 407 - Accounting Seminar

Other Required Courses:

• BU/CS 265 -Spreadsheet and Database Applications
• BU 300 - Management
• AC/BU - 306 Quantitative Analysis
• BU 310 - Finance
• AC/BU - 412 Legal Environment of Business
• BU 315 - Business Communications
• BU 407 - Seminar, Strategic Management
• EC 202 - Introductory Economics II (micro)
• General elective hours

NOTE: A “C” average in all accounting courses is required for graduation.

Minor in Accounting:
Accounting 211 and 212 and three upper-level courses in Accounting (excluding AC 306 and AC 412).

A grade of “C” or better must be earned in the courses taken for the minor. The majority of accounting courses cannot be transferred to be considered for a minor. Students considering a minor in Accounting should see the department chair for information about courses that best relate to his or her interests.

Double Major in Accounting and Business Management:

For a double major in Accounting and Business Management, concentration courses cannot be in Accounting.

Faculty:

Dr. Angela Blackwood - Chair and Associate Professor of Accounting
B.S., University of North Carolina-Charlotte
C.P.A.
M.B.A., University of North Carolina-Charlotte
D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University

Amy Hargett - Lecturer in Accounting
B.S., University of South Carolina
M.A., Gardner-Webb University
C.P.A.

Lynne Shoaf - Associate Professor of Accounting
B.S., Indiana University
M.B.A., Indiana University
C.P.A.

William Woody - Lecturer in Accounting
B.S., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
B.S., University of North Carolina–Charlotte
M.B.A., University of North Carolina–Charlotte
C.P.A.