Accounting

The mission of the accounting faculty is to offer a quality baccalaureate accounting program designed to provide students with a solid foundation for developing a wide range of professional careers.

What is Accounting?

Accounting is often referred to as the “language of business.” Accounting is much more than bookkeeping, which is the mechanical record-keeping associated with economic transactions. Accounting provides the information used in many of the most significant decisions in business. Decision-makers external to the organization (such as existing or potential investors, banks, regulatory agencies) or internal to the organization (such as managers who require financial information to make decision about producing and marketing products or services) rely on accounting. Both external and internal decision makers need accurate, reliable financial information as well as the expertise to understand the information available to them.

What can I do with Accounting?

An accounting education provides you with career paths within accounting as well as an excellent springboard for other careers in business. Within the field of accounting there are a number of specializations. One of the most common is auditing, which is the review of an organization’s financial statements by a Certified Public Accountant CPA. Other certifications include the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and CIA (Certified Internal Auditor). However, one need not be certified to enjoy a successful career in accounting. Organizations of all kinds—manufacturing firms, retailers, wholesalers, government agencies, service organizations and not-for-profit entities all need financial statements for internal and external decision-makers. Most organizations of any size employ a variety of people in accounting positions. Organizations and individuals use tax accountants to help them meet their tax obligations. Outside of the field of accounting, chief financial officers, company presidents, and even chief executive officers often use their accounting education as the first step along their career paths.

Why Accounting at PLU?

Successful accountants need a solid grounding in all the business disciplines. Because all students in the PLU School of Business take the same basic core courses, your accounting knowledge will be integrated with an understanding of marketing, finance, human resource management, operations, and information systems. The accounting faculty brings a depth of academic and professional expertise which will enable you to fully develop your talents and interests. The PLU faculty is committed to providing you an educational foundation for your success in the professional world, no matter what career path you pursue. Join the tradition of PLU accounting graduates who have gone on to head Fortune 500 companies, become partners in CPA firms and succeed in many other types of organizations.

Accounting Concentration Requirements

Accounting – 24 semester hours

  • BUSA 320: Accounting Information Systems & Data Analytics (4)
  • BUSA 321: Intermediate Accounting I (4)
  • BUSA 322: Intermediate Accounting II (4)
  • BUSA 422: Advanced Accounting (4)
  • BUSA 424: Auditing (4)
  • BUSA 427: Tax Accounting (4)
  • Internship highly recommended but does not apply to the concentration

Note: Students are encouraged to also take electives in:

  • BUSA 323: Cost Accounting and Control Systems (4)
  • BUSA 423: Accounting for Non-Profits and Governmental Entities (4)

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