Graduation

Accounting Program

Building Financial Expertise for Tomorrow's Leaders

The Accounting Department is committed to supporting the College mission through creative and highly qualified professionals. Our goal is to prepare students for entry-level opportunities and long-term career success while also providing a fulfilling experience for our faculty members. We strive to make meaningful contributions to the professional and academic communities we serve.  

 The Accounting Program offers a B.S. and an A.S. in Accounting. Our program is dedicated to providing a wide range of tools necessary for successful admission to graduate school. We aim to develop professional and practical scholarship through exploration of fundamental and contemporary concerns, including those dealing with ethical issues. This education equips graduates with the background needed to meet the demands of a challenging job market.  

 A Bachelor of Science in Accounting will set you on a career path to work for local, national, or international accounting and consulting firms. Opportunities are also available in business, higher education, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. Additionally, students may choose to earn an Associate of Science degree for quick entry into the workforce and a foundation for further education, or to minor in Accounting as a supplement to another CCSJ major. 

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Program Highlights

Employment Growth

The employment of accountants and auditors is expected to increase by 4% from 2022 to 2032, matching the average growth rate for all jobs.

Job Openings

On average, there will be about 126,500 job openings annually for accountants and auditors, primarily due to the need to replace workers who change careers or retire.

Technological Impact

Although technological advancements like cloud computing, AI, and blockchain will automate some routine accounting tasks, the demand for accountants will remain steady. This shift will emphasize their advisory and analytical responsibilities more.

Faculty

Catherine Lopez-Gonzalez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Business; Program Director, Business Management Fast Track

John Lohrentz, M.S.

Program Director; Cyber Security

Roy Scheive, Ed.D.

Associate Professor; Program Director, Master of Science in Management

Career Options

& Average Salaries

  • Financial Manager – $156,100
  • Financial Advisor – $99,580
  • Financial Analyst – $99,580
  • Budget Analysts – $84,940
  • Accountants and Auditors – $79,880
  • Bookkeeping, Accounting and Audit Clerk – $47,440

(Source:  US Bureau of Labor)

accounting-career-options

Frequently Asked Questions

The concentration in Sports Management prepares students for a diverse range of careers. You’ll study athletic program design and evaluation, as well as organizational leadership and facility operations. Courses also focus on the legal and ethical aspects of the sports business, plus the regulatory climate administrators must navigate when working with athletes.

Accounting majors should consider obtaining certifications such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Each of these certifications has specific requirements and can significantly enhance an accountant’s credentials and job opportunities.

Key skills for success in an accounting career include strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, proficiency in accounting software and spreadsheets, excellent mathematical skills, effective communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, integrity, organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure are crucial for an accounting professional.

Yes, the accounting program at Calumet College of St. Joseph offers internship opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience in the field. Internships provide hands-on learning, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Our Career Services office can assist students in finding suitable internship placements.

Accounting is considered an essential function in businesses and organizations because it provides critical financial information that helps in decision-making, planning, and control. Accurate accounting ensures compliance with financial regulations, aids in budgeting, tracks financial performance, and helps detect and prevent fraud. It provides stakeholders with transparency and accountability regarding the financial health of the organization.

Program

Objectives and requirements

Upon completion of this program, it is expected that students will:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current accounting principles, tax law, current auditing standards, and the use of accounting information by management.
  • Develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills
  • Apply accounting theory in a practical manner.
  • Demonstrate technology skills necessary to solve accounting problems.
  • Meet the requirements for entry-level careers in accounting such as auditing, corporate accounting, governmental, not-for-profit organizations, and taxation.
  • Demonstrate the capability to critically and reflectively engage ethical issues in accounting, particularly questions pertaining to social responsibility and professional practice.

120 credit hours

38 hours: General Education

24 hours: Requisites for the Major (common body of knowledge)

  • ACCT 210 Principles of Accounting I
  • ACCT 211 Principles of Accounting II
  • ACCT 225 Accounting Information Systems
  • BSMT 120 Management Thought, Principles and Practice
  • BSMT 380 Organizational Leadership
  • BSMT 375 Business and Professional Ethics
  • ECON 210 Principles of Economics I
  • MATH 104 Precalculus
  • MATH 171 Principles of Statistics or PSY 230 Statistics for Behavioral Science

39 hours: Upper-Level Courses in Major

  • ACCT 300 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 320 Advanced Accounting
  • ACCT 330 Cost Accounting
  • ACCT 332 Law and The Manager I
  • ACCT 333 Law and The Manager II
  • ACCT 415 Government and Non-profit Accounting
  • ACCT 450 Income Tax Accounting I
  • ACCT 451 Income Tax Accounting II
  • ACCT 470 Auditing
  • ACCT 475 Fraud Examination
  • ACCT 499 Senior Seminar in Accounting
  • BSMT 350 Business Communications

19 hours: Electives

Suggested Course:

  • BSMT 260 Organizational Behavior and Development

59 credit hours

35 hours: General Education

15 hours: Requisites for the Major

  • ACCT 210 Principles of Accounting I
  • CCT 211 Principles of Accounting II
  • ACCT 225 Accounting Information Systems
  • BSMT 120 Management Thought, Principles and Practice
  • ECON 210 Principles of Economics I

9 hours: Upper-Level Courses in Major

  • ACCT 300 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 330 Cost Accounting

38 hours: General Education

39 hours: Required Courses in Accounting

  • ACCT 210 Principles of Accounting I
  • ACCT 211 Principles of Accounting II
  • ACCT 225 Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT 300 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 330 Cost Accounting
  • ACCT 332 Law and The Manager I
  • ACCT 333 Law and The Manager II
  • ACCT 450 Income Tax Accounting I
  • ACCT 451 Income Tax Accounting II
  • ACCT 470 Auditing
  • ACCT 475 Fraud Examination
  • ACCT 499 Senior Seminar in Accounting

24 hours: Required Courses in Criminal Justice

  • CRIJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • CRIJ 300 Criminology
  • CRIJ 310 Criminal Law
  • CRIJ 311 Criminal Procedures
  • CRIJ 320 Laws of Evidence
  • CRIJ 330 Scientific Criminal Investigation
  • CRIJ 435 White Collar Crime
  • CRIJ 497 Research in Criminal Justice

19 hours: Electives

Suggested Courses:

  • BSMT 120 Management Thought, Principle and Practice (or BSMT 380)
  • BSMT 350 Business Communications
  • BSMT 375 Business and Professional Ethics
  • ECON 210 Principles of Economics I

The following courses are required:

  • ACCT 210 Principles of Accounting I
  • ACCT 211 Principles of Accounting II
  • ACCT 225 Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT 300 Intermediate Accounting I
  • ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting II
  • ACCT 320 Advanced Accounting
  • ACCT 330 Cost Accounting
  • ACCT 332 Law and The Manager I
  • ACCT 333 Law and The Manager II
  • ACCT 415 Government and Non-profit Accounting
  • ACCT 450 Income Tax Accounting I
  • ACCT 451 Income Tax Accounting II
  • ACCT 470 Auditing
  • ACCT 475 Fraud Examination
Requirements for the CPA Examination

The State of Indiana requires all students wishing to sit for the CPA examination to have obtained a bachelor’s degree and have completed 150 hours of college credit. Students who plan to take the CPA Examination outside the State of Indiana should see the Accounting Program Director for the particular requirements of the state in which they plan to sit.

Eligibility for Examination

To apply for the Uniform CPA Examination in Indiana, you must meet ONE of the following requirements:

  1. Earned 150 semester hours in general education which must include a graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Board, and completed:
    • At least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate level or 15 semester hours in accounting at the graduate level or an equivalent combination thereof which must include courses covering the following subjects:
      • Financial accounting,
      • Auditing,
      • Taxation,
      • Managerial accounting; and
    • At least 24 semester hours in business administration and economics courses, other than accounting courses, at the undergraduate or graduate level, which may include:
      • Up to six semester hours of business and tax law courses
      • Up to six semester hours of computer science courses
  2. Earned 150 semester hours in general education which must include a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Board; and completed:
    • At least 24 semester hours in accounting at the undergraduate or graduate level which must include courses covering the following subjects:
      • Financial accounting,
      • Auditing,
      • Taxation,
      • Managerial accounting; and
    • At least 24 semester hours in business administration and economics courses, other than accounting courses, which may include:
      • Up to six semester hours of business and tax law courses
      • Up to six semester hours of computer science courses

All educational transcript(s), Certificates of Enrollment, and/or international evaluation reports are required to be submitted at the time of application to CPA Examination Services directly from the academic institution(s).

You Belong

at Calumet College of St. Joseph!

Career

Options

What do Accounting Majors do for a living?

  • Public Accounting
  • Corporate Accounting
  • Government
  • Education
  • Non-profit
accounting-career-options