B.S. Accounting

Major Minor

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A degree in accounting from Concordia University, Nebraska gives you the education to succeed in just about any aspect of the business world. Here, you get the foundation you need to become a certified public accountant, work for government institutions or in a private accounting firm, pursue a career in finance or corporate management accounting or become an entrepreneur. 

When you major in accounting at Concordia, you will: 

  • Be prepared with the qualifications to become an accountant or to work in an accounting-related field.  
  • Earn your accounting degree from a university that intentionally intersects Christian faith, life experiences and academics to help you grow as a whole person.  
  • Find an accounting internship that fits your interests, so you get hands-on training. 
  • Serve your community and expand your knowledge and interpersonal skills. 
  • Gain the professional and personal insight you need to succeed in your accounting career after graduation. 

Accounting Courses

120 credit hours
100% career outcome rate1
21.6 average class size2
14:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
 

Become an ethical servant-leader in your organization.

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Program Highlights

WHY STUDY ACCOUNTING AT CONCORDIA?

As an accounting major at Concordia University, Nebraska, you’ll find a distinctive blend of faith-based instruction and real-world, hands-on experience, including: 

  • One of the elite accounting programs in Nebraska, with award-winning professors, many of whom are practicing accountants and business professionals.  
  • An inextricable foundation of Christianity woven throughout Concordia's accounting program: from faculty and administration to student activities.  
  • A focus on being good stewards of the resources God has entrusted us to manage and acting out our faith in an ethical way. 
  • The chance to grow in your faith and find your vocation in accounting. 

MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY 

As experts in accounting, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom. 

Meet the faculty

Meet our students

“Without my quality education and professors who pushed me to see all the opportunities in accounting, I would not be where I am today. The accounting program at Concordia opened so many avenues to pursue and grow in my professional career.”

Annie Schmidt
Parker, Colorado

Accreditation

The College of Business at Concordia University, Nebraska has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).  

Degree Goals

An accounting graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:  

  • Employ the theory, language and practice of accounting in ethical ways. 
  • Implement core financial concepts such as ratio analysis, capital budgeting, dividend policy, leverage and acquisition valuation. 
  • Apply accounting theory to various businesses and organizations within global and ethical frameworks. 
  • Define and meet the needs of various companies and accounting clients. 

Business Minors and Concentrations

Minors

  • Accounting  
  • Business  
  • Computer Science 
  • Marketing 
  • Mathematics 

Concentrations

  • Accounting 
  • Agribusiness 
  • Business 
  • Communication  
  • Entrepreneurship  
  • Finance 
  • Leadership 
  • Marketing 

Career Outcomes

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 

  • Assist businesses and individuals with financial planning 
  • Advise on investments 
  • Compile and file taxes 
  • Help complete mergers and acquisitions 
  • Offer consulting and auditing services 

Financial Analyst 

  • Help businesses make investment decisions 
  • Gather information and data about stocks, bonds and other investment opportunities 
  • Advise clients on prudent options to grow their financial portfolio 

Auditor 

  • Prepare and examines financial records for businesses or individuals  
  • Ensure financial records are accurate 
  • Assess financial operations 
  • Advise organizations to help them run more efficiently and ensure the company is running with accuracy, efficiency and integrity 

Tax Accountant 

  • Research, understand and translate an ever-growing collection of tax statutes governing the international, federal, state and local tax codes 
  • Help businesses or individuals prepare their tax returns  
  • Consult to minimize tax liability and ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws, rules and regulations 

FAQs

Why should I choose accounting as my major?

Accounting students have found internships in a wide variety of fields and with a wide variety of organizations, including:

 

  • Government accounting offices, such as the State of Nebraska Department of Revenue
  • Small accounting firms, such as Gabriel, Burger & Else, CPAs
  • Large accounting firms, such as Deloitte
  • Small companies needing accounting support, such as Ulch Electrical & Construction, Inc.
  • Large companies needing accounting help, such as Kiewit Corporation
What types of accounting internships do students at Concordia participate in?

There are a number of local and national accounting internships where students at Concordia have worked in the past, including  

  • local public accountant agencies 
  • financial institutions  
  • Fortune 500 companies  

Past internships for accounting majors have included  

  • Gabriel, Burger & Else, CPAs 
  • Thrivent Financial for Lutherans 
  • Concordia Plan Services 
  • The Kiewit Corporation. 
What is a CPA, and what is required to become a CPA?

A CPA is a Certified Public Accountant, which is a license given to individuals who provide accounting services to the public. CPA services include financial audits, income tax preparation, business consulting, estate planning and any number of other accounting services for either corporations or individuals.  

To become a CPA in the United States, you must pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. Some states require 150 college credit hours in order to be eligible to take the exam. Other states, including Nebraska, require 120 hours.

Some states also require additional licensing, which can be received after a certain amount of work experience. 

Do I need a graduate degree to find a career in accounting?

A bachelor's degree in accounting is considered the minimum education requirement for those who plan to become CPAs.  Some states (not Nebraska) require 150 college credit hours to be eligible to take the CPA examination. Some students who are interested in becoming CPAs earn their master's degree in accounting or in business administration, though earning a master’s degree is not required. Other students choose to take additional classes at the undergraduate level.

There are also a number of careers in accounting that don't require additional school beyond a bachelor's degree in accounting. Accountants that work for businesses in management accounting, offer auditing services, or work as revenue agents or financial analysts don’t require a further degree. 

What types of careers in accounting are available?

One of the great things about a degree in accounting is that there is a wide variety of available career paths in the public, private, non-profit and government sectors. Because students at Concordia University, Nebraska learn to understand the theory and practices of business, accounting is a flexible major that can lead to many business-related professions.  

Many people who major in accounting go into traditional accounting fields, such as tax preparation, auditing or financial analysis. But accounting also lends itself to specialized industries. If you’re interested in the entertainment business, you might find yourself working as a CPA for a studio, production company or record company. Or if you’re more interested in problem solving, you might find a career as an FBI agent specializing in forensic accounting, investigating corporate fraud or embezzlement. Whatever your interest, you can find a job in accounting. 

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1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.

2Average Class Size for Representative Subject Most Aligned with Major, Over Last 5 Years.