Accounting Major

Accounting is a profession that deals with providing financial information used in making business decisions. Accounting involves a range of skills that includes collecting, measuring, interpreting, analyzing, and communicating financial activity. A major in Accounting focuses on the development of such skills along with an understanding of the legal, social, and ethical responsibilities involved in the accounting profession.

Financial accountants prepare financial statements used in investing and lending decisions. Auditors examine financial statements and attest to their status. Management accountants evaluate and communicate internal financial information used by managers to operate a business. Forensic accountants specialize in the investigation and detection of, and protection against, fraud and abuse. Accountants also provide tax advisory services to firms, clients, and governmental agencies. With their specialized knowledge concerning the internal operation of a business, many accountants provide management advisory services. Also, because of the specialized knowledge, many accountants advance into management positions.

Students majoring in Accounting are required to learn how to apply technology in business and must take courses in many other aspects of business to understand how an accountant’s work relates to marketing, management, finance, and production.

This four-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting. Completion of this program qualifies students to take the examinations required to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Students interested in sitting for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam need an additional 28 credit hours beyond the 122 credit hours required for the Accounting major. Students are encouraged to satisfy the additional credit hours through the Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) degree. Additional information about the M.Acc. program can be found in the Graduate Bulletin online. 

Accounting Minor

Students earning majors in other fields may select a minor in Accounting. A minor includes ACCT 200 Elements of Accounting I, ACCT 201 Elements of Accounting II, ACCT 311 Intermediate Accounting I, and ACCT 320 Cost Management Systems, plus six credits in approved accounting courses. In addition, students must earn a 2.50 cumulative grade-point average in the accounting courses to be awarded a minor. A minor approval form is required and can be found at www.ndsu.edu/business . Completion of a minor in Accounting provides students with additional depth in accounting that many employers prefer.

Degree Requirements and Notes

• Students follow the published curricula for the accounting program of study from the semester/year of entrance in the College of Business to graduation provided enrollment at NDSU has not been discontinued for more than one year. Students who change their major are subject to meeting the curricular requirements in effect at the time the new major is declared.
• Business courses from programs that do not hold AACSB International accreditation cannot be used for major or minor requirements in the College of Business (CoB); such courses may be eligible for use as free electives.
• The CoB accepts a maximum of nine credits of non-NDSU 300-400 level business courses from AACSB programs with approval of the department.
• Admission into the Accounting Major: Students must earn a 'B' or better in ACCT 200 Elements of Accounting I and ACCT 201 Elements of Accounting II, a 'C' or better in the pre-college and pre-accounting major courses that are indicated with an asterisk (*), achieve junior standing (60 credits), and earn a 2.50 institutional cumulative grade point average.  Students must submit an online application to the CoB.
• Admission to the Accounting major is required to enroll in advanced 300- 400 level CoB courses.
• A grade of 'C' or better is required in transfer courses accepted for all 300-400 level accounting, business administration, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing courses.
• A 2.50 cumulative GPA is required to enroll in 300-400 level CoB courses.
• A letter grade must be earned in any course that fulfills a major requirement (with the exception of some practicum options and BUSN 301).
• Students must earn a 2.50 institutional GPA to graduate.                                             
• Students must be accepted to the accounting major prior to the completion of the last 30 credits in 300 and 400 level CoB courses.
• Of the credits completed in residence at least 30 credits must be in 300-400 level CoB courses.
• A Business Administration minor is NOT offered with this major.                                              
• For multiple majors within the CoB, at least 15 unique credits of 300-400 level CoB courses must exist between the majors.
• Prerequisite for Accounting Practicum: ACCT 311 with a grade of C or better.
• Students should refer to www.ndsu.edu/business for current and complete listing of the major requirements.