Major in Accounting: Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Accounting

4+1 MBA
Apply for this option during your junior year
Boost your employability and earning potential by earning your MBA. With GMercyU's unique  4 +1 MBA,  students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can earn both a bachelor of science degree in finance  and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in just five years.

Skip the grad school entrance exams by taking graduate credits during your senior year – as part of your undergraduate tuition – and then seamlessly complete your MBA the following year.

Joining one of the top accredited accounting major programs in the country means you’ll be on the right track to achieve your career goals.

• With a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, GMercyU provides all accounting majors with a personalized approach, offering the support you need to launch a successful college and professional career. Whatever your career goals, your faculty advisor will help tailor your education to those specific goals.  
  
  
• GMercyU accounting majors are offered a student membership to Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). Students are also encouraged to join the Student Chapter of the North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
  
  
• Student internships take your education beyond the classroom and are required for Accounting majors. You can earn real-world experience through paid internships at public accounting firms, non-profits, and industry and government organizations.
  
  
• After sophomore year, students can also participate in a paid 240-hour work experience to help you hone the practical application of accounting principles and build your resume and networking connections. To make this semester-long internship possible, GMercyU arranges your course schedule around it with online and evening classes. Many of our students receive job offers as a result of these internships. 
  
  
• In addition to learning the process of managing, recording, and analyzing financial business transactions, you will also develop key skills that employers want, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 
  
  
• Interested in pursuing your CPA after graduation? GMercyU's Accounting degree already satisfies the required accounting and business courses to obtain the CPA license. To meet the CPA's 150-credit hour requirements, take an additional 25 credit hours through either additional undergraduate or graduate study. You could pick up a second major like Finance or Management and/or take advantage of the 4+1 MBA to get you closer to the 150 credits.
  
  
• The Griffin Edge, which will help you connect the dots between your GMercyU experiences and your future aspirations, so you can ace future job interviews and launch a successful career. Learn more about The Griffin Edge here. 

In addition to general education requirements, our accounting program students will complete the following courses:

Foundations of Business - 15 credits

 Accounting Core - 36 Credits

Business Core - choose 3 credits

Management Core - 18 credits

Undergraduate Minors

Increase the value of your accounting degree by adding an undergraduate minor. GMercyU offers a wide variety of minors so you can choose the one that best meets your personal and professional goals.

Wondering what your classes will look like as an accounting major? Here are just a few GMercyU Accounting program courses:  

ACC 205 Intermediate Accounting  
This course provides a study of generally accepted accounting principles and introducing international financial reporting standards, as they relate to financial reporting. The conceptual framework is established and accounting theory developed as the foundation for accounting principles, constraints and qualitative characteristics. Problems relating to income determination, classification and form and content of financial statements are stressed.

ACC 316 Investment and Business Taxation
A course designed to examine federal taxation of property transactions and the taxation of various forms of business organizations such as corporations, partnerships and S corporations.

ACC 405 Advanced Accounting  
This course includes aseries of discrete topics not previously included in other courses plus topics considered in greater depth here than in previous courses. Included are GAAP accounting, business combinations, government accounting, foreign currency translation and derivatives.

For all Accounting course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.

Luigi Corrado, Jr., CPA, MT
Position: Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator, Accounting
Did You Know? Professor Corrado spent nearly 20 years in the accounting industry as a financial statement auditor, corporate controller, and senior consultant with a variety of firms.  
Read bio

Alan Harper, MBA, PhD
Position: Associate Dean of Operations in Academic Affairs, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Finance and Management programs
Did You Know? Dr. Harper has 20+ years of management experience and has published more than 15 peer-reviewed articles.
Read bio

Margaret Rakus, EdD
Position: Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Digital Communications and Marketing programs
Did You Know? Dr. Rakus has held industry positions in marketing and public relations. She holds certifications in Tableau, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Google AdWords, and more.
Read bio

Melissa Dennis, DBA
Position: Assistant Professor, Marketing
Did You Know? Dr. Dennis spent 15 years working for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in customer relationship and customer engagement, supporting Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Vacation Club, and the Disney Cruise line businesses.
Read bio

Maddie Herman, EdD
Position: Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, Sport Management
Did You Know? Herman has worked for the Philadelphia 76er's and Wells Fargo Center, and ran GMercyU's Intramurals and Recreation program.
Read bio

To meet the graduation requirements for GMercyU’s accounting degree, you must complete at least one internship. For example, this local accounting firm hires GMercyU accounting majors every January to April to help with tax preparation. 

After sophomore year, you could also participate in a paid 240-hour work experience. To make this semester-long internship possible, GMercyU arranges your course schedule around it with online and evening classes. Many of our students receive job offers as a result of these internships. 

GMercyU's relationships with area businesses can connect you to an internship. In the past, GMercyU accounting students have interned at companies such as:

• Ascensius
• Baum, Smith, Clemmens
• Bee, Bergvall & Co
• Clifton Larson Allen
• Comcast
• Forensic Business Solutions
• Herbien + Company Inc.
• KPMG
• Mallie & CO
• Marcum LLP
• Physicians Endoscopy
• Resnick Amsterdam  Leshner, P.C.
• Wouch Maloney, CPA

Working closely with industry professionals allows you to ask questions, seek feedback, and develop mentoring relationships that last beyond your time in school. Internships can also enhance your resume with relevant work experience and references.

Whether your goal is to work for an established company or eventually have a private practice, a BS degree in accounting offers you opportunities in several career specialties with continued growth.

Top Jobs for Accounting Majors

CPA
Description: A CPA handles financial records, tax auditing, and general accounting. They often work with individuals, businesses, and other types of organizations.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Accounting (150 hours), plus CPA certification

Government Accountant 
Description: Accountants that work in federal, state, and local governments can do all types of government accounting — preparing budgets, tax auditing of businesses and individuals. You can even work for the FBI.
Degree Requirement: Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Industry Accountant
Description: These types of accountants conduct cost accounting, internal auditing, statement preparation, financial analysis, and more.
Degree Requirement: Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Average Salary for Accountants in the Philadelphia area: $93,710 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023. Those with years of experience and/or CPAs can command six-figure salaries, depending on where you live.