Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Often referred to as the “language of business,” the study of accounting at Merrimack College helps you evaluate financial activities for individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government entities.
Accounting is a professional program that prepares students for careers in industry, public accounting, government (local, state, and federal), and not-for-profit institutions (hospitals, schools, etc.). As industry and the economy grow more complex, the demand for accountants continues to grow and the role that the accountant fulfills in the reporting and analysis of financial data becomes increasingly more important and critical.
What You’ll Learn
With an accounting degree, you will:
- Gain an understanding of accounting principles and real-world practices, from interpreting financial statements to creating million-dollar operating budgets.
- Cultivate the technical skill set and reporting know-how required in today’s increasingly complicated and regulated financial marketplace.
- Explore how resources are forecasted, budgeted, and applied to goods and services.
- Learn fundamental taxation concepts and principles, from income recognition to deductions to capital gains and losses, and how they apply to individuals, corporations, and other taxable structures.
- Develop the critical reasoning and investigative abilities required to provide audit and assurance services, including helping organizations identify damaging practices, uncover potential fraud, and improve their fiscal strength.
Hands-on Learning
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a semester-long internship or the accounting co-op program. It’s your chance to gain real-world experience, test-drive career options, and begin learning from and building a network with professionals in the field, at places like EY, Gray, Gray & Gray, and PwC. Bonus? Your diploma is the perfect launchpad for an advanced degree in accounting, law, or business.
Career Options
With a deeper knowledge of accounting concepts and applications, you’ll be prepared for a career in an accounting firm, corporation, or a range of educational, nonprofit, and government organizations. Positions may include:
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Budget analyst
- CPA
- Financial analyst
- Financial examiner
- Professor
- Researcher
- Tax examiner
Courses You’ll Take
Accounting Major Curriculum
Accounting Major Requirements
General Education Requirements
In addition to the major and concentration requirements, you will also need to complete Merrimack’s general education requirements. To see more details about the major, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.CPA Examination
Students planning to take the CPA exam must complete 21 semester hours (credits) in specific coursework. The majority of these hours can be captured through the courses listed above, with the exception of nine credits required across information systems, finance, and law. These remaining credits can be satisfied by the following non-accounting courses:
| BUS 2210 | Management Information Systems* |
BUS 2215 | Managerial Finance* |
MGT 3330 | Legal Environment of Business |
* Required courses for the business administration major.
For more information on the specific requirements of the CPA exam, please refer to references such as:
