Why Study Accounting?
Quick Facts
General Education Requirements: 37 – 38 hours
Business Core Courses: 45 hours
Accounting Core Courses: 18 Hours
Accounting Selectives: 9 hours
Electives: 10 – 11 hours
Total: 120 hours
Full Program RequirementsOrganizations
rely on accountants to inform financial decisions ranging from overall budget
to tax savings. Governors State’s Bachelor
of Science in Accounting will prepare you with the knowledge and skills to
enter the accounting profession in the public, private, and government sectors.
In your core business courses, you will also learn how increasingly globalized
markets affect financial and tax scenarios.
To earn your
CPA certificate in the State of Illinois, you will need 150 college credit
hours. Earn both your needed credits and a graduate degree through GSU’s
coordinated 150-hour B.S. and M.S. in
Accounting.
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Reach your career goals.
Graduates of
GSU’s Accounting program have entered positions both in local firms and Big
Four firms, such as Deloitte. Many students receive real-world
preparation through internship placements—in 2018, five out of 25 Mary T.
Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program recipients were GSU accounting
students.
Strong economic
conditions create high demand for accountants, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics
projects to grow by 10% over the next decade.
Student Highlight
Amanda Spayer, a current student in the Accounting (B.S.) program, is the 2019 Lincoln Laureate because of her display of academic excellence and outstanding leadership; she currently holds a 4.0 GPA and a position as the president of the Account, Finance, and Economics Club.
Contact:
Ting Wang
Program Coordinator
708.534.4965
twang@govst.edu
Office: G191
Undergraduate Academic Advising Center (UAAC)
advising@govst.edu
708.534.8043
Office: C3385
The analytic and interpretive
financial skills you learn in our accounting program can help you in many jobs.
Here are some of the most common positions students with a Bachelor of Science
in Accounting can set as their career goals:
- Auditor
- Certified public accountant, or CPA
- Financial manager
- Account manager
- Investment banker
- Chief financial officer, or CFO
Auditing is an essential service,
and your BS degree can prepare you for a successful career as an auditor. Use
your financial skills to search for fraudulent procedures and investigate any
areas of non-compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
An accounting degree also prepares
you to manage teams of financial professionals. Mentorships with professors in
your industry allow you to grow your leadership skills and work closely with an
accounting or financing team to meet objectives and deadlines.
Management gives you the rewards of
training future accountants. If you enjoy teaching and connecting with other
accounting professionals, a career as a team manager may be right for you.
Lead a company and enjoy an average
income of $364,649 as a CFO. This essential role helps steer the direction of a
company’s financing. Most CFO positions require related work experience and a master's
degree, but a BS in Accounting is your
first step to a career as a CFO.
These positions play critical roles
in the financial industry. Lead teams, manage investments, or document company
financial decisions confidently thanks to the training and education received
at GSU. Your bachelor’s degree prepares you for a successful career, whether
you stay in Chicago or explore the job market throughout the United States.
Some students choose to expand
their options and use their accountant degree in other roles. Start your own
business or embark on another career path with the financial confidence and
decision-making resources that a BS in Accounting can foster.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for accountants and auditors is $71,550 per year
or $34.40 per hour. Most entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree, so
a Bachelor of Science in Accounting can help you secure one of these important
positions.
Accounting professionals are
currently in demand, and this demand is expected to grow in the future. If
you’re looking for an industry with a great job outlook in the modern job
market, studying to become an accountant or auditor is a great option. Discuss
your job prospects and other potential career options with our faculty to see
how you can create your career path and reach your goals.
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Learn More at GSU
Explore what other BS degree
accounting students are doing to prepare for successful financial industry
careers today. Whether you’re pursuing a career as a CFO or training to become an
auditor, apply online to start
your career path. A BS in Accounting is a rewarding step in your career path,
whether continuing to a master’s degree or entering the job market.