Southern Connecticut State University’s Accounting concentration within the Business Administration program prepares students for rewarding careers in public accounting, private industry, government, and nonprofit organizations. Graduates are ready for roles such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), internal auditor, controller, and financial analyst.
- CPA-Ready Curriculum: Students complete 36 credit hours in accounting, meeting Connecticut’s CPA licensing requirements.
- 150-Hour Advantage: Graduate “CPA-ready” by earning additional credits through summer courses, AP credits, or our MBA with Accounting concentration.
- Expert Faculty: Learn from 7 full-time professors, including former Big Four partners and accomplished researchers.
- Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills through internships, Fraud and Forensic Accounting, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Career development is central to our program. Each year, Southern hosts an Accounting and Finance Career Fair, connecting students with top employers. The Accounting Society offers networking opportunities, professional speakers, community service projects, and an annual awards banquet.
Southern’s Accounting program combines rigorous academics, real-world experience, and professional networking to help you succeed in a competitive marketplace.
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge of the accounting cycle
- Knowledge of sophisticated financial accounting topics such as business combinations, governmental accounting, partnership accounting, and other advanced financial accounting topics (e.g., accounting for: leases, deferred income taxes, pensions, investments, long-term liabilities, and earnings per share)
- Knowledge of International Accounting Principles and the impact of global issues
- Ability to evaluate financial results through examination of relevant data (i.e., income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and budgets)
- Ability to prepare a federal individual tax return
- Ability to use current technology (e.g., spreadsheet programs, general ledger software, enterprise resource planning, and reporting languages)
- Knowledge of auditing principles and techniques
- Knowledge of CPA exam education requirements, parts of the exam, and topics included
- Knowledge of the role of the accounting profession in society, experience in community service, and participation in the Accounting Society
- Ability to work as a team member recognizing benefits of collaborative behaviors in the accomplishment of group tasks
- Ability to understand ethical dilemmas that occur in accounting
- Effective communication skills including the ability to conceptualize complex issues into a coherent written statement and the ability to make effective formal and informal oral presentations
Careers
The Accounting concentration at Southern Connecticut State University prepares students for diverse careers in public practice, industry, finance, government, and nonprofit organizations.
- Public Accounting: Graduates pursuing public accounting often become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Firms range from large international organizations to regional and local practices. Specialties include audit, tax, management consulting, business valuation, and forensic accounting. Public accounting offers exposure to businesses of all sizes across multiple industries, including nonprofit and governmental entities.
- Private Accounting: Accountants in private industry work directly for corporations in areas such as internal auditing, financial reporting, management accounting, financial analysis, and treasury/cash management.
- Government and Nonprofit: Opportunities also exist in governmental accounting at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as in nonprofit organizations and educational institutions.
Career Outcomes and Demand
- Placement Success: Based on Fall 2019 data, 24% of graduates joined Big Four firms: Ernst & Young (EY), Deloitte, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and 45% joined public accounting firms such as PKF O’Connor Davies, RSM, Marcum LLP, and Whittlesey.
- Networking Opportunities: Southern hosts an Accounting and Finance Career Fair every fall, connecting students with top employers.
- Strong Job Outlook: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 50,000+ new accounting jobs between 2019 and 2029, with a median salary of $71,000. Globalization, economic growth, and complex regulations continue to drive demand for accountants and auditors.
- Future Trends: Automation will streamline routine tasks, allowing accountants to focus on advisory, analytics, and high-level consulting roles.
Accounting remains an excellent career choice, offering stability, competitive salaries, and opportunities for advancement in a rapidly evolving profession.
Typical Job Titles
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Tax Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Internal / External Auditor
- Forensic Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Financial Planner
- Investment Banker
- Risk Management Specialist
- Treasury Analyst
- Management Consultant.
SCSU Accounting Society
The SCSU Accounting Society is a fully funded student group dedicated to helping students explore the accounting profession. The Society hosts events throughout the year, including:
- Becker CPA Course Review presentations
- CTCPA informational sessions
- Resume and networking workshops
- Alumni accounting panels
- The annual Accounting Society banquet
Accreditation
The School of Business is accredited by AASCB International.
