Program Contact: Kathleen Simione 203-582-8519

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting program at Quinnipiac University provides a foundation in the principles, concepts and practices of accounting, and equips graduates with general business knowledge along with technical expertise that is necessary for success in early careers in accounting and related fields.

Quinnipiac accounting graduates often receive job offers in the summer before their senior year. They connect with potential employers early in their studies by participating in career fairs and accounting networking events on campus, which bring representatives from local, regional and international accounting firms, as well as representatives from industry and government. Accounting majors also use these opportunities to interact with alumni and other representatives from their future profession.

Through these contacts and through the support of career services staff, many students obtain internships. These on-the-job experiences provide opportunities to integrate classroom learning into a real-world environment to clarify career goals.

Upon graduation, many accounting majors join public accounting firms. These firms generally offer services including auditing, consulting, income tax planning and preparation, and the compilation and review of financial statements. Some graduates go into management and private industry accounting, where they prepare financial statements, develop budgets, perform cost analyses or conduct internal audits. An accounting background is highly valued in business; many CEOs and presidents come from accounting and finance departments.

BS in Accounting Curriculum

A total of 122 credits is required for graduation with the degree of BS in Accounting. The accounting curriculum provides students with the foundational accounting skills to take on accounting and financial leadership roles in organizations and provides the flexibility for students to take electives that best align with their career interests.

Business Core Curriculum
Complete the Business Core Curriculum43
University Curriculum
Complete the University Curriculum for School of Business34
Accounting Core
AC 305Intermediate Accounting I3
AC 306Intermediate Accounting II3
AC 307Intermediate Accounting III3
AC 335Accounting Systems3
AC 411Auditing Theory and Practice 3
AC 431Federal Income Taxation of Individuals3
Accounting Electives (select two from the following list)6
Cost Accounting *
Data Analysis With Excel
Advanced Accounting *
Advanced Auditing *
Federal Income Taxation of Business Entities *
Open Electives
Select 21 credits21
Total Credits122

*CPA CONCENTRATION - BUSINESS ANALYSIS AND REPORTING (BAR)

Students may elect to enroll in the CPA concentration within the accounting major. The program exposes students to advanced technical accounting topics in preparation for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and careers in public accounting. (Students should verify their state’s CPA requirements as part of their planning process.)

To earn the business analysis and reporting concentration, students must complete all the following accounting electives: AC 323AC 405, AC 412, AC 432.

*CPA CONCENTRATION - TAX AND PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

The tax and personal financial planning concentration will prepare students to sit for the tax compliance and planning discipline section of the CPA exam. 

To earn the tax and personal financial planning concentration, students must complete all of the following accounting electives: AC 371, AC 412, AC 432, AC 471, and AC 475.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Business Knowledge: Students apply basic business theories and concepts to understand and solve business problems.
  2. Business Analytics: Students effectively gather, assess and utilize data to understand, improve and communicate business decisions using Excel and other analytical tools.
  3. Communication: Students communicate business ideas effectively through written communications, oral communications and presentations, and digital media.
  4. Critical Thinking: Students utilize information and research findings to analyze problems and determine appropriate solutions.
  5. Business Ethics: Students apply ethical frameworks to evaluate situations and determine appropriate solutions.
  6. Cultural Adaptability: Students recognize and apply knowledge of diversity within and across individuals and groups.
  7. Professionalism: Students exhibit professional behavior, including a strong work ethic in their classes, in their interactions with faculty, staff and colleagues, and in their team assignments.

Admission Requirements: School of Business

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate School of Business programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Accounting

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Accounting program.  Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years prior to matriculation at Quinnipiac University.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
Introduction to Business 3
Microeconomics 3
Business Statistics 3
History Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
English II 3
Macroeconomics 3
Financial Accounting 3
Information Systems 3
Marketing 3
 Credits15
Second Year
Fall Semester
Managerial Accounting 3
Finance 3
International Business 3
Management 3
Art Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring Semester
Operations Management 3
Business Law 3
Science Elective with Lab 4
Social Science Elective 3
Additional Elective (Business or other) 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits61