Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Business Administration and Accounting > Accounting

The Curriculum l Career Opportunities l Career Placement I Major Requirements

Thiel's undergraduate degree program in accounting provide exceptional preparation for students who want to enter one of the fastest growing professions in business.

As part of the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration, the accounting program helps students develop a solid foundation for public, corporate and industrial, or government and non-profit accounting. Coursework promotes a thorough understanding of the nature of accounting information and the professionally accepted standards, principles and procedures for reporting this information. Moreover, an emphasis is placed on the application of accounting information in economic valuations and decision-making by individuals, businesses and government agencies.

Candidates earn the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, which is suitable to sit for the CPA examination under licensing laws in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, New Jersey and many other states. In addition, Thiel also offers an associate degree in accounting for students who desire a strong foundation in accounting and bookkeeping methods.

A student who graduates from Thiel College with a major in accounting will:

• learn generally accepted accounting principles and be able to prepare accurate, informative financial statements.
  
• identify important business issues and information relevant to resolving these issues while developing competency in problem solving and decision making applicable in a variety of business situations.
  
• gain an understanding of the ethical dilemmas faced by accountants and auditors.
  
• be introduced to cost/benefit analysis; understand that every decision has financial, environmental and managerial costs and benefits.
  
• understand the importance and function of independent audits; possess a working knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards.
  
• develop competency in data analysis techniques, including use of spreadsheets, databases and word processors.
  
• develop competency in computer-aided search and research techniques necessary to obtain relevant data.
  
• possess a basic understanding of the Internal Revenue Code and the impact of taxes on business decisions.
  
• be prepared for entry-level employment in the field of accounting.

The Curriculum
Foundational coursework emphasizes a strong grounding in accounting principles, quantitative techniques, and the application of computer technologies to accounting information and reporting. Students also complete required courses in cost accounting, auditing and corporate taxation, and choose advanced courses and electives in their areas of professional interest (for example, personal taxation, advanced business accounting, governmental accounting and CPA preparation).

Our emphasis on the liberal arts helps round out the accounting student's academic experience, enhancing our graduates' employment value, preparing them for graduate studies and adding to their overall personal enjoyment and fulfillment in life. Thiel accounting graduates not only are expertly prepared to succeed in business and the accounting profession, but also communicate well, think creatively, are proficient in quantitative skills and computer applications, ethically grounded, and are curious about and fully involved in the world around them.

Accounting students may also take advantage of internships and cooperative work experiences to gain valuable real-world experiences and improve their employment and career prospects.

Career Opportunities
Accounting remains one of the fastest growing professions — ahead of medicine and law — and expanding at twice the rate of the Unites States economy as a whole. For example, Money magazine consistently includes accounting and auditing on its annual list of the 50 hottest jobs in America.

In general, accountants work in three broad areas:

Public accounting is a field for independent accountants who prepare, evaluate and attest to the accuracy and completeness of financial statements and related information. The term "public" typically refers to third-party reliance on the integrity of the financial information presented by the licensed accountant.

Corporate or industrial accounting emphasizes the development and reporting of accounting information that can be used in operating a business or corporation, especially the complex process of decision making.

Governmental and nonprofit accounting supports financial reporting and decision-making for governmental and non-profit entities, often using procedures and standards different from business and corporations.

In addition, accounting majors often pursue specialized careers as diverse as management consultants, auditors, forensic and fraud examiners, financial planners, entrepreneurs and business owners, and tax specialists.

Career Placement
Thiel is a member of the Accounting Consortium, a regional network of colleges, companies and agencies that collaborate on the placement of accounting graduates.

Thiel's success in placing its accounting graduates is among the strongest of the Consortium members, in the numbers both of interviews secured per student and of job offers received.

Our accounting alumni can be found in senior roles in major companies and accounting firms, medium-sized and small businesses, health care organizations and public and nonprofit agencies — and represent and resource network for placing our graduates.