Learn the Language of Business
Accounting is the system of recording and summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing, verifying, and reporting the results. Accounting students seek the knowledge and skills to participate in important economic decisions. They have an aptitude for mathematics and are able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures quickly. The information accountants provide is the basis for decisions inside and outside the business enterprise.
Accounting information is used by operating, marketing, and financial managers within an organization and investors and other capital providers outside the organization. In the past, accounting generally focused on traditional record-keeping functions. The modern accountant has broadened the field and is interested in a range of activities, which include planning and problem solving, control and attention directing and evaluation. The information provided by accounting assists the user in making reasonable choices in the conduct of business activities.
Why Earn Your Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting at UM-Flint?
Professional Preparation in the Accounting Field
The University of Michigan-Flint’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting prepares students for professional positions in public, private, or government accounting. In addition to preparing students for the CPA exam, faculty emphasize the social, ethical, economic, legal, and regulatory environments that affect accounting. Students also practice decision-making and problem-solving skills with a focus on the development of communication and leadership skills.
100% Flexible Online Program Option
The BBA program can be completed 100% online. The online accounting degree accommodates the learning styles and schedules of today’s busy students — whether those students are starting as first-year students or taking advantage of transferable credits earned at another institution. The program is also available in a traditional face-to-face format.
Specialized Excurriculars Just for Accounting Students
- Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization for financial information students and professionals. There are over 300 chapters on college and university campuses with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi’s formation.
- National Association of Black Accounts: NABA is a network for a global business marketplace that represents bridging the opportunity gap for black professionals in the accounting, finance and related business professions. All ethnicities are welcomed to be a part of this network. Interested students can contact Antonio Riggs, Associate Director – Student Career Advancement & Success.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program: Accounting students can gain experience and course credit by taking the ACC 325, Tax Preparation. This program provides free tax help to those in the Flint community. This is an Internal Revenue Service recognized program and the VITA class offers our students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real life situations. Students gain valuable experience and skills that enhance their higher education experience. In addition to learning tax law and a tax software program, the students learn soft skills, such as communication with the taxpayers (e.g. how to ask the right questions), communication with supervisors (myself and other reviewers), and communication as a team (e.g. working with each other to complete tax returns quickly and accurately).
Expert Faculty
UM-Flint’s Accounting faculty bring practical working knowledge into the learning environment and are experienced, tested, and respected global experts in their field. Like all University of Michigan instructors, they have a passion for education and years of experience teaching and researching current business issues. Many of the Accounting faculty are CPAs and currently are employed with accounting firms.
Accreditation
The UM-Flint BBA program is accredited by AACSB International, the highest accrediting body for business schools worldwide. Only 5.5% of business schools are accredited by AACSB. In accordance with AACSB, we subscribe to the highest standards in management education. We prepare students to contribute to their organizations and the larger society and to grow personally and professionally throughout their careers.
Jay’la Rivers
Accounting and Finance, 2021
The School of Management has been a big factor in my success as a student. They have provided me with all the necessary tools and support to achieve all my goals. I was given the baton of success and I ran with it.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Within the BBA degree, accounting students will take 18 credits of specialized accounting courses. Students may choose from:
A. Major Core Courses
- ACC 320 – Cost Accounting (3)
- ACC 321 – Intermediate Accounting I (3)
- ACC 322 – Intermediate Accounting II (3)
- ACC 421 – Accounting Information Systems (3)
- ACC 424 – Auditing (3)
B. Major Electives
At least three credits from:
- ACC 325 – Income Tax Preparation (3)
- ACC 394 – Accounting Internship Program (1-3)
- ACC 420 – Federal Income Taxation (3)
- ACC 422 – Federal Income Taxation-Advanced Topics (3)
- ACC 423 – Fundamentals of Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting (3)
- ACC 425 – Advanced Accounting (3)
- ACC 426 – Data Analytics for Accounting (3)
- FIN 467 – Financial Statement Analysis (3)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Requirements
To sit for the CPA exam in the State of Michigan, students must complete certain accounting and business courses. Please see the NSABA website for specific course information.
Master of Science in Accounting
Students pursuing accounting will have an opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) after completing their BBA Accounting degree. The MS in Accounting program is offered 100% online. This program will provide students with the credits necessary to meet the 150 credit hours required to pursue their CPA licensure in the State of Michigan. Students who successfully complete the BBA with an accounting major will waive the MSA foundation course leaving only 30 credits (10 courses) to complete their MS in Accounting degree. See the Graduate Programs website for more details on the MSA.
Completion of SOM’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), will allow students to meet all of the requirements for the CPA exam and educational portion of the state licensure. Review the detailed MSA program curriculum.
Timothy McGlinchey
Accounting and Finance, 2021
Getting my degree from UM-Flint not only allowed me to advance my knowledge about business, accounting, and finance but it opened up doors that helped define who I am. Getting involved with various clubs and councils such as Club Sports, Entrepreneurs Society, or Greek Life on campus allowed me to make new connections and advance myself in my career, but also gave me a support system that I could go to for problems that I had in every aspect of my life. The experiences have brought me success and failure, teaching me to adapt and overcome, making me forever grateful for choosing UM-Flint as my college.
Accounting Career Outlook
UM-Flint accounting students from 2019-2021 have interned: A&A Accounting, UM-Flint Fin Service & Budget, Plante Moran, Fernco Inc., Ann Arbor Spark, Flint Institute of Barbering, Hoemer & Geer CPA, Flora Craft, Hausebeck Pickke Co. Autoneum, VADE Nutrition, Deloitte, and more for university course credit.
UM-Flint SOM alumni are currently employed at a variety of organizations ranging from non-profits, corporations, self-employed, or Fortune 500 companies. Accounting alumni work at companies such as Plante Moran, EY, PWC, Roy Noye & Warren, Yeo & Yeo, Andrew Hooper & Pavlic, Lewis & Knopf, United Shore, University of Michigan, and more.
The average salary for an accountant and auditors is $73,560 per year in 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The projected percent change in employment from 2019 to 2029 is growing as fast as average at 4%.
The top occupations for someone with an accounting degree are:
- Certified public accountant (CPA)
- Management accountant
- Internal or external auditor
- Tax accountant
- Forensic accountant
Top Industries:
- Business
- Consulting
- Criminal justice
- Finance
- Government
Accounting Career Services
The School of Management enhances students’ employability skills by improving graduates’ competencies of being career-ready by providing tools and resources to accounting students to land quality internships and career opportunities. UM-Flint’s SOM full-time career planning counselor prepares students in every aspect of the job search all the way to negotiating an offer. The SOM Student Success Center offers guided support to ensure our graduates reach their full potential.
Accreditation
The UM-Flint BBA program is accredited by AACSB International, the highest accrediting body for business schools worldwide. Only 5.5% of business schools are accredited by AACSB. In accordance with AACSB, we subscribe to the highest standards in management education. We prepare students to contribute to their organizations and the larger society and to grow personally and professionally throughout their careers.
Learn More about the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
UM-Flint is here to help you. Learn More about our bachelor’s degree in accounting program Accounting can open up the world of business to you. Are you ready to discover how you’ll succeed with a UM-Flint Accounting degree? Apply today or contact us to learn more.