Why study accounting at BGSU in Ohio?
- National reputation. We are among only 2% of universities worldwide accredited in both accounting and business by AACSB, the gold standard.
- Award-winning student organization. Get involved in Beta Alpha Psi (National Accounting Society). The BGSU student chapter of Beta Alpha Psi is rated #2 in the U.S., achieving superior chapter status for nearly four decades.
- Immersive education. Hands-on opportunities outside of the classroom give you real-world skills that build your resume and impress potential employers.
- Gain job experience as early as freshman year. Over 73% of business graduates complete one or more internships. Nearly all interns are paid, with an average salary of $19 an hour.
- The Schmidthorst College of Business offers ample study abroad opportunities with university partners around the world.
- Business-specific scholarships. Apply for more than $1 million in scholarships. Many are specifically for accounting students.
- Expert faculty. Our faculty members are world-renowned thought leaders whose trailblazing research is published in leading business journals and shapes the future of business practice and theory. Our teaching faculty remains actively involved in industry and brings current issues into the classroom.
- Invaluable industry and alumni partners build connections and open doors. They share their knowledge, mentor and hire students for internships and full-time jobs.
- Career prep. We have a career coach embedded in the college who will prepare you for your first internship and continue to support you as you graduate and find full-time work. Beta Alpha Psi hosts an annual Meet the Firms night where you can connect with employers and build your professional network.
- Business District Learning Community. Learn and live with other business students. You’ll find a sense of community, opportunities to interact with business faculty and industry professionals and the chance to go on field trips and to conferences.
- Ohio Society of CPAs partnership. This collaboration provides students with additional resources, training and career education. Attend networking events, receive guidance from industry professionals and access the society's career center for job opportunities.
Ranked among the top business schools in the U.S. for student experience
Poets&Quants, 2023
Career – what can you do with a specialization in accounting?
A specialization in accounting paves the way for diverse career opportunities and leadership roles. Our graduates are highly recruited by the best companies and firms throughout the world.
Our alumni become CPAs and often work for the “Big Four” accounting firms – KPMG, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte & Touche LLP and Ernst & Young.
Our students also work at regional firms, where they can make a significant difference in their communities – CliftonLarsonAllen, Plante Moran and corporations like Owens Corning, Marathon and Owens-Illinois.
BGSU accounting graduates often enroll in the BGSU Master of Accountancy or Master of Business Administration programs, completing their graduate degrees in one additional year.
Accounting is not just about numbers. It's about leadership and shaping the financial future of organizations, whether they're large corporations, nonprofits or even your own entrepreneurial venture.
Certified public accountants (CPA) take the lead in ensuring financial integrity for businesses. They often focus in the areas of audit, taxation or information systems. Corporate accountants play a pivotal role in guiding companies' financial strategies.
Career paths
- Auditor
- Tax consultant
- Corporate accountant
- Management accountant
- Forensic accountant
- Business consultant
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
Students entering the BGSU accounting specialization complete general requirements (BG Perspective courses) in written communication, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities and arts and cultural diversity in the U.S.
During your second year, you’ll take introductory courses in management information systems, economics, accounting, statistics and business communication.
In your third and fourth years, you will complete the business core courses, such as management, operations research, finance, law, business in the global arena, marketing, the business core Capstone course and your specialization accounting courses.
The accounting specialization coursework includes financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, taxation and accounting information systems.
Sample courses
- Accounting Information Systems
- Managerial Accounting
- Public Company Accounting
- Auditing Control
- Income Taxation
One of only 6% of business schools with AACSB accreditation, the highest accreditation possible
Schmidthorst College of Business Specializations
The flexibility to complete one or more of our 12 specializations distinguishes us from other universities – and gives you a competitive edge in the job market.
- Accounting
- Applied Business Economics
- Business Analytics and Intelligence
- Finance
- Individualized Business
- Information Systems
- Insurance and Risk Management
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Sales and Services Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
Premier entrepreneurship program
The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at BGSU is one of 20 centers worldwide recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
We weave entrepreneurship into all business programs and offer an entrepreneurship minor.
You can take courses in:
- Real estate entrepreneurship
- Women and social entrepreneurs
- Nonprofit and corporate responsibility
- Innovation and disruption
Top business leaders and entrepreneurs-in-residence bring real-world experience and expertise to our curriculum. A mentorship program connects students with alumni and industry leaders.
Thanks to an incubation program funded by alumni and supporters, more than $800,000 has been provided to student entrepreneurs to start their own ventures.
The Accounting program is part of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst BGSU College of Business.
Updated: 02/18/2025 11:52AM