According to the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the American Accounting Association, “Accounting is the art of recording, classifying and summarizing in a significant manner and terms of money, transactions and events, which are, in part at least, of a financial character and interpreting the result thereof”. The accounting profession offers almost infinite opportunities for men and women to build exciting and rewarding careers. Accounting professionals increasingly use Data Analytics to identify patterns in data leading to opportunities for improvement. Advances in Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning and Robotics have all been applied to improve the quality of accounting services and support efficiencies. Capable accounting professionals are needed to use these technologies to support their clients and employers. Technology is driving changes in the way business is done, which means more new opportunities for accounting professionals who are prepared to support organizations of all sizes and structures to harness the enormous potential of transactional information and the technologies used to capture and report that information. Accountants and auditors are the most trusted financial information professionals.

The accounting program at Georgia Southern University is one of only 189 accredited by the AACSB, the international business, and accounting accrediting organization.

Students are offered the following curriculum options:

4- Year Track - B.B.A.

The four-year program, B.B.A. prepares students for a wide range of professional careers in industry, finance, government, and non-profit organizations. This program includes accounting coursework that prepares students for work in areas such as fraud examination, financial management, financial reporting and analysis, internal auditing, data analytics and management consulting. Upon completion of the 4-year track, students receive a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Students may want to also minor in another area of business to enhance their business skill sets. Many Accounting students find that Data Analytics  and information systems are a very valuable added area of emphasis.

Why Major in Accounting?

Accounting is more than just numbers; it is the language of business. With advancements in technology such as Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Robotics, accounting professionals are at the forefront of innovation, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting. As the most trusted financial information professionals, accountants play a crucial role in the success of businesses and organizations across the globe. A career in accounting offers infinite opportunities to build an exciting and rewarding professional life helping organizations harness the potential of financial data and emerging technologies.

Undergraduate Accounting Program

BBA in Accounting

Our four-year Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Accounting program prepares students for a wide range of professional careers in public accounting, industry, finance, government, and non-profit organizations. The curriculum includes comprehensive coursework in areas such as financial reporting and analysis, auditing and attestation, tax planning and analysis, internal auditing, data analytics, and fraud examination. 

Graduate Accounting Program

Our Master of Accounting (MAcc) program offers advanced education and training to prepare students for high-level careers in accounting and finance. We offer three distinct options: Campus MAcc, WebMAcc, and Apprenticeship MAcc. All three options provide the 30 additional credit hours needed to meet the 150-semester hour requirement for becoming a CPA in the State of Georgia (and many other states). The Campus MAcc and WebMAcc options offer the most flexibility because half of the curriculum (15 semester hours) consists of electives, making them suitable for students interested in exploring a variety of career paths, whether in public accounting, industry, government, or non-profit organizations. The Apprenticeship MAcc program is tailored specifically for students focused on becoming CPAs (Certified Public Accountant).

Campus MAcc

The Campus MAcc option is for students who prefer to complete their accounting studies on-campus in a face-to-face environment. In fact, we refer to the B.B.A. plus Campus MAcc as our 5-year track. This program can be customized to meet all the education requirements for becoming a CPA in Georgia (and many other states).  

Prerequisites:

• Accounting Majors: No prerequisites required.
• Non-Accounting Business Majors: 15 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework.
• Non-Business Majors: 15 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework, plus 21 semester hours of general business coursework.

WebMAcc

The WebMAcc option offers flexibility for students who prefer a virtual learning environment or who want to complete their MAcc degree while working. The WebMAcc curriculum mirrors the Campus MAcc curriculum in that it has 15 semester hours of required coursework plus 15 semester hours of electives. The primary difference between the two options beyond the fact that one uses a face-to-face delivery format while the other is delivered online, is that the WebMAcc does not require any general business prerequisites. See the Campus MAcc website for more information.

For students who plan to take the Uniform CPA Examination (CPA Exam), it is important to note that most jurisdictions do require a specified amount of general business coursework to obtain the CPA License. Thus, students whose undergraduate degree was not in business should check with their respective jurisdiction (state boards, etc.) to determine if additional general business coursework is required.

Prerequisites:

• Accounting Majors: No prerequisites required.
• Non-Accounting Business Majors: 12 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework.
• Non-Business Majors: 12 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework.

Apprenticeship MAcc

The Apprenticeship MAcc (AMAcc) option is designed specifically for students (especially non-accounting majors) who are focused on obtaining the CPA credential. This option combines academic coursework with practical experience, allowing students to apply their learning in a real-world setting under the guidance of both the faculty and CPA practice experts (CPA Mentors). A unique feature of this option is that the student’s employer covers up to 100% of the costs of the MAcc degree and up to 100% of the costs of obtaining the CPA License. See the Apprenticeship MAcc website for more information.

Prerequisites:

• Accounting Majors: No prerequisites required.
• Non-Accounting Business Majors: 12 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework.
• Non-Business Majors: 12 semester hours of upper-level accounting coursework, plus 12 semester hours of general business coursework.

Summary of Prerequisites

Why Choose Georgia Southern University?

Our accounting program is one of only 194 programs (as of 2024) worldwide that have received separate accounting accreditation from AACSB International.  This specialized accreditation indicates a higher standard of quality in accounting education, on top of the college’s general business accreditation from AACSB. At Georgia Southern University, we are committed to providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in the dynamic field of accounting. Join us and become part of a tradition of excellence and innovation in the accounting profession.

Programs

• Accounting, B.B.A.

• Accounting, M.Acc.