At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This major prepares students for careers in public, corporate, not-for-profit, and governmental accounting and also provides an appropriate background for those planning to enter law school or graduate school. Accountants develop and interpret historical and prospective financial data required for decision-making by managers, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders. To perform their functions, accountants must synthesize both numerical and qualitative information, communicate it clearly, and function effectively as individuals and in teams. The field of Accounting is diverse and offers students the opportunity to be generalists or concentrate in one of the following:
Corporate Control & Financial Management - Courses in this concentration prepare students for positions in industry, government, and business advisory services doing financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support. Students can obtain such designations as Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Management accountants provide forecasts, compute costs and benefits, perform variance analysis, and review and monitor performance. Managerial accountants also design systems that provide information to decision makers.
Internal Auditing & Assessment - Courses in this concentration prepare students for positions in industry and government as internal auditors. Students can obtain such designations as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Internal auditors are employed by the organization they audit. Internal auditing is a systematic approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. Internal auditors also review compliance with standards and assess the organization's risks.
Public Accounting - Public accounting is carried on by independent practitioners, most of whom are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). In addition to statutory audits, CPAs render other assurance, tax, and management advisory services. To be licensed as a CPA in nearly every state, including Pennsylvania, individuals must complete 150 credit-hours of education, pass a demanding professional examination, and meet certain experience requirements. One way to accomplish this is to enroll in the Integrated B.S. in Accounting and Master of Accounting Program.
What is Accounting?
Accountants develop and interpret financial data required for decision-making by managers, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders. To perform their functions, accountants must work with both numerical information and concepts, and they must be able to function effectively as individuals and in teams. Accountants work with people in their own specialized departments, and with users of financial information throughout their organization. Because of this close association with other parts of the organization, the accountant is in a unique position to develop a broad business perspective.
Entrance to Major
To be eligible for entrance into the Accounting (ACCTG) major, a degree candidate must be enrolled in the Smeal College of Business or the Division of Undergraduate Studies and satisfy requirements for entrance to the major.
Administrative Enrollment Controls
This program currently has administrative enrollment controls. Administrative Enrollment Controls are initiated when limitations of space, faculty, or other resources in a major prevent accommodating all students who request them. Students must follow the administrative enrollment controls that are in effect for the semester that they enter the university.
First-Year Students Entering Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- 36-59 graded Penn State credits (excludes transfer and AP credits)
- completed with a grade of C or better:
- completed ECON 102 or ECON 102H
- completed at Penn State (no substitutions or transfers), in addition with a quality grade of "C" or better and no alternative or Pass/Fail (PS) grading:
- earned a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.20
Students Who Entered Prior to Summer 2024
Students who entered the University from Summer 2018 through Spring 2024 should view the administrative enrollment controls in the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin archive. Students who entered the University prior to the summer 2018 semester should consult with their academic adviser about the administrative enrollment controls in effect for the semester they entered the university.
Degree Completion
Students accepted into the Accounting (ACCTG_BS) major are expected to enroll at University Park the fall semester after gaining entrance to the major. In addition, Senate Policy 83-80.5 stipulates that the college dean and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken in the college where the degree is earned. Based on this policy, the Smeal College of Business has set the following credit earning limitations for ACCTG_BS majors:
- Twenty-one credits of 300/400 level prescribed and additional courses in the major field must be completed with Accounting faculty at University Park.
- Six additional credits of 300/400 level supporting courses must also be completed at University Park. See the Accounting Suggested Academic Plan for details.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, a minimum of 120 credits is required with at least 15 credits at the 400 level:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 11 |
| Requirements for the Major | 76 |
12 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 3 credits of GWS courses (ENGL 202D); 6 credits of GQ courses (MATH 110 or MATH 140 and SCM 200 or STAT 200); 3 credits of GS courses (ECON 102).
Requirements for the Major
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| ACCTG 403W | Auditing | 3 |
| ACCTG 404 | Managerial Accounting: Economic Perspective | 3 |
| BA 342 | Socially Responsible, Sustainable and Ethical Business Practice | 3 |
| BA 411 | Analyzing Business and Industry | 3 |
| BLAW 341 | Business Law I: Introduction to Contracts, Liability Issues, and Intellectual Property | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy  | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| MIS 250 | Introduction to Problem Solving with Spreadsheet Analysis and Information Systems Management | 3 |
| SCM 301 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ACCTG 211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
| ACCTG 405 | Principles of Taxation I | 3 |
| ACCTG 471 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCTG 472 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ENGL 202D | Effective Writing: Business Writing | 3 |
| FIN 301 | Corporation Finance | 3 |
| MGMT 301 | Basic Management Concepts | 3 |
| MKTG 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Principles of Taxation II | ||
| Accounting Information Systems | ||
| Advanced Management Accounting | ||
| Advanced Financial Accounting | ||
| Financial Statement Analysis: Accounting Based Evaluation and Decision Making | ||
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| MATH 110 | Techniques of Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | |
| SCM 200 | Introduction to Statistics for Business | 4 |
| or STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 4 credits: Attainment of 12th credit level proficiency in a single world language. Proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. | 4 | |
| Select 6 credits of supporting coursework. See Department List. | 6 | |
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Integrated B.S. in Accounting and M.Acc. in Accounting
Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in Accounting and M.Acc. in Accounting can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Advising Center
Smeal College Undergraduate Education
202 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-1947
SmealAdvising@smeal.psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Accounting, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSU 6 | 1 | MGMT 3011,2 | 3 |
| (MATH 110 or MATH 140) or (SCM 200 or STAT 200) (GQ)1,2 | 4 | (SCM 200 or STAT 200) or (MATH 110 or MATH 140) (GQ)1,2 | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H1,2 | 3 | World Language - Level Two (8th credit level)3 | 4 |
| ECON 102 (GS)2 | 3 | General Education Course (US)4 | 3 |
| World Language - Level One (4th credit level)3 | 4 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MKTG 3011,2 | 3 | FIN 3011,2 | 3 |
| ACCTG 2111,2 | 4 | SCM 301 | 3 |
| ECON 104 | 3 | CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T1 | 3 |
| World Language - Level Three (12th credit level)3 | 4 | MIS 250 | 3 |
| General Education Course (IL)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCTG 4711 | 3 | ACCTG 4721 | 3 |
| ACCTG 404 | 3 | ACCTG 4051 | 3 |
| ENGL 202D1 | 3 | General Education Course (N)4 | 3 |
| BLAW 341 or BA 342 | 3 | BA 342 or BLAW 341 | 3 |
| General Education Course4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCTG 403W (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 | ACCTG 403W (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 |
| BA 411 (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 | BA 411 (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 |
| Business Breadth Course5 | 3 | Business Breadth Course5 | 3 |
| General Education Course (N)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| Elective 4 | 2 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Course requires a grade of C or better
- 2
Entrance-to-Major Course – complete prior to attaining 59 cumulative credits at Penn State
- 3
Attain 12th credit level proficiency in a world language (0-12 credits). Credits required vary based on predetermined skill level. Balance of remaining credits are taken as electives. American Sign Language does not satisfy the Smeal College world language requirement.
- 4
When planning general education and elective courses, students should factor in the following requirements:
- 3 credits of United States Culture (US)
- 3 credits of International Culture (IL)
- 6 credits of Inter-Domain (N) coursework
- 5
See the Business Breadth Course list on the Smeal College website.
- 6
See the Accounting Elective (ACCTG 4XX) courses on the Accounting Department website.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
College and Department Notes:
- The Smeal College of Business requires that the following entrance-to-major courses be taken at Penn State: ACCTG 211, MGMT 301, MKTG 301, and FIN 301.
- Pursuant to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation standards, the Smeal College of Business requires that all upper division courses within the departments sponsoring the major be completed in residence at University Park under the instruction of Smeal College faculty.
- Public Accounting – Students interested in public accounting should take ACCTG 406 and ACCTG 473 for the Additional ACCTG courses requirement and BLAW 444 in the supporting course or electives area. These courses aid in preparation for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) examination. To sit for the CPA exam, students must complete 150 specified credits. The Smeal College Integrated MAcc (Master of Accounting) and/or One-Year MAcc program are designed to fully prepare students for the CPA Exam.
- Corporate Accounting – Students interested in corporate accounting should take ACCTG 440 and ACCTG 481 for the Additional ACCTG courses requirement. ACCTG 417 is also recommended as an elective. These courses can be used in the optional Corporate Control and Analysis certificate offered by the Smeal Accounting Department.
Accounting, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| First-Year Seminar (if required by Campus) | 1-0 | MGMT 3011,2 | 3 |
| (MATH 110 or MATH 140) or (SCM 200 or STAT 200) (GQ)1,2 | 4 | (SCM 200 or STAT 200) or (MATH 110 or MATH 140) (GQ)1,2 | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, ESL 15, ENGL 137H, or CAS 137H1,2 | 3 | World Language - Level Two (8th credit level)3 | 4 |
| ECON 102 (GS)2 | 3 | General Education Course (US)4 | 3 |
| World Language - Level One (4th credit level)3 | 4 | ||
| 15-14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MKTG 3011,2 | 3 | FIN 3011,2 | 3 |
| ACCTG 2111,2 | 4 | ENGL 202D1 | 3 |
| ECON 104 | 3 | CAS 100, ENGL 138T, or CAS 138T1 | 3 |
| World Language - Level Three (12th credit level)3 | 4 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| General Education Course (IL)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCTG 4711 | 3 | ACCTG 4721 | 3 |
| ACCTG 404 | 3 | ACCTG 4051 | 3 |
| SCM 301 | 3 | General Education Course (N)4 | 3 |
| BLAW 341 or BA 342 | 3 | BA 342 or BLAW 341 | 3 |
| MIS 250 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCTG 403W (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 | ACCTG 403W (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 |
| BA 411 (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 | BA 411 (or ACCTG 4XX - Accounting Elective)6 | 3 |
| Business Breadth Course5 | 3 | Business Breadth Course5 | 3 |
| General Education Course (N)4 | 3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| Elective 4 | 2-3 | General Education Course4 | 3 |
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
Course requires a grade of C or better
- 2
Entrance-to-Major Course – complete prior to attaining 59 cumulative credits at Penn State
- 3
Attain 12th credit level proficiency in a world language (0-12 credits). Credits required vary based on predetermined skill level. Balance of remaining credits are taken as electives. American Sign Language does not satisfy the Smeal College world language requirement.
- 4
When planning general education and elective courses, students should factor in the following requirements:
- 3 credits of United States Culture (US)
- 3 credits of International Culture (IL)
- 6 credits of Inter-Domain (N) coursework
- 5
See the Business Breadth Course list on the Smeal College website.
- 6
See the Accounting Elective (ACCTG 4XX) courses on the Accounting Department website.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
College and Department Notes:
- The Smeal College of Business requires that the following entrance-to-major courses be taken at Penn State: ACCTG 211, MGMT 301, MKTG 301, and FIN 301.
- Pursuant to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation standards, the Smeal College of Business requires that all upper division courses within the departments sponsoring the major be completed in residence at University Park under the instruction of Smeal College faculty.
- Public Accounting – Students interested in public accounting should take ACCTG 406 and ACCTG 473 for the Additional ACCTG courses requirement and BLAW 444 in the supporting course or electives area. These courses aid in preparation for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) examination. To sit for the CPA exam, students must complete 150 specified credits. The Smeal College Integrated MAcc (Master of Accounting) and/or One-Year MAcc program are designed to fully prepare students for the CPA Exam.
- Corporate Accounting – Students interested in corporate accounting should take ACCTG 440 and ACCTG 481 for the Additional ACCTG courses requirement. ACCTG 417 is also recommended as an elective. These courses can be used in the optional Corporate Control and Analysis certificate offered by the Smeal Accounting Department.
Accreditation
The Smeal College of Business B.S. degree in Accounting (ACCTG_BS) is recognized by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) as an accredited program after completing a meticulous internal review and meeting all AACSB standards and requirements.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION TO ADVANCE COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS
Professional Licensure/Certification
Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
The Smeal College baccalaureate degree in Accounting (ACCTG_BS) consists of 120 credits which includes specific accounting and related courses. Graduates of the program are well positioned to sit for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam in most states. To become a certified public account, an additional 30 credits are needed along with passing the CPA exam and full-time work experience under the supervision of a CPA accountant. Additional requirements may be necessary and vary from state to state.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING
354 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1809
accounting@smeal.psu.edu
https://www.smeal.psu.edu/accounting
Ask A Question: https://directory.smeal.psu.edu/contact/acctg