Accounting Degree [open to first year students fall 2026]
The Accounting major provides students with a strong foundation in accounting, business, finance, statistics and economics. The curriculum emphasizes quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and professional communication; preparing students for careers in public accounting, corporate finance, and related fields. Students develop critical thinking skills by interpreting and evaluating current events and policy proposals in accounting, business, taxation, and auditing. The program fosters problem-solving through the analysis of accounting and business challenges, applying analytical methods to real- world situations.
Through coursework in in financial-accounting, auditing, regulation and analysis, students will be prepared for the rigorous professional roles that are pursued by accounting graduates. Students will not only take key courses in accounting and ethics, but will compliment this with courses in economics and statistics. The Generally Acceptable Accounting Practices (GAAP) are woven throughout the curriculum, with explicit focus on ethics and their practice in the accounting profession. Students practice applying the professional and ethical standards required in public accounting, preparing for certification and maintaining integrity in professional practice. Students also develop the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms. These skills enable graduates to convey financial insights to clients, colleagues, and stakeholders across a range of professional settings.
The Accounting major supports students in achieving candidacy to apply for and pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam and prepares them for careers in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial analysis across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Major Requirements [32 Units]
Introductory Economics Requirement [8 units]
Complete the following courses:
- ECON 001: Introduction to Economics Units: 4
- ECON 005: Introduction to Business and Finance Units: 4
Accounting Requirement [12 units]
Complete the following courses:
- ECON 006A: Financial Accounting I Units: 4
- ECON 006B: Financial Accounting II Units: 4
- ECON 007: Managerial Accounting Units: 4
Additional Lower Division Requirement [12 units]
Complete the following courses:
- ECON 010: Statistical Inference Units: 4
- ECON 050: Introduction to Business Analytics and Spreadsheets Units: 4
- MATH 011: Calculus I Units: 4
Upper Division Major Requirements [36 Units]
Upper Division Business-Related-Subjects Requirements [16 Units]
Complete the following courses:
- ECON 100: Intermediate Microeconomic Theory Units: 4
- ECON 101: Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory Units: 4
- ECON 105: Corporate Finance Units: 4
- ECON 110: Econometrics Units: 4
Upper Division Ethics Requirement [4 Units]
Complete the following course:
- ECON 137: Accounting Ethics Units: 4
Upper Division Writing Requirement [4 Units]
Complete the following course or other WID designated courses per catalogue:
- ECON 104: Writing in Economics and Business Units: 4
Upper Division Accounting-Subjects Requirement [12 Units]
Choose 3 out of the following:
- ECON 132: Tax Accounting Units: 4
- ECON 133: Tax Auditing and Assurance Services Units: 4
- ECON 134: Advanced Financial Reporting Units: 4
- ECON 135: Advanced Financial Accounting Units: 4
- ECON 136: Financial Statements and Analysis Units: 4
- ECON 138: Advanced Corporate Taxation Units: 4
Program Learning outcomes
- Demonstration of Critical Thinking: The ability to understand Interpret and evaluate current events and specific policy proposals in accounting, business, taxation and auditing.
- Problem Solving: Analyze business and accounting problems and propose solutions by applying analytical tools.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and other standards to prepare, analyze and audit financial statements and related information using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and other standards.
- Ethical Standards: Practice professional and ethical standards required in public accounting to prepare for certification and professional practice.
- Communication: Explain and articulate effectively in written and oral form.
