Business Administration Major: Accounting Option (B.S.)

Business Administration Major: Accounting Option (B.S.)
Three Paul College students sit at a table, two with open laptops and UNH apparel. In the background are windows with soft lighting streaming in through trees.

The business administration accounting major at UNH is your ticket to a recession-proof career with great job prospects. Accountants aren't just "number crunchers" – they tell the financial story of a business.

Learn how to dive into any company's finances and transform data into insights that guide major business moves. Plus, our accelerated program lets you grab a master's degree in only 4½ years.

UNH Paul has one of the highest CPA exam pass rates in New England, so you'll stand out right away when you are ready to look for a job. Our students get offers for well-paying jobs across various industries, often before they graduate.


What is accounting?

Accounting is called “the language of business” because it is used to record and communicate everything that happens within an organization. Companies have different business models, which requires accountants to make decisions to ensure information accurately reflects a firm’s underlying operations. They do not spend their time performing monotonous duties like adding columns of numbers or recording journal entries— tasks that have been automated for decades. Accountants enjoy high salaries and unparalleled job security because of their ability to apply generalized accounting rules to firm-specific situations. Accounting is an exciting career because you get paid to think critically and make complex decisions.

Why study accounting at UNH?

The business administration accounting major at UNH will prepare you for any number of accounting-related positions, including internal and external audit, managerial accounting, tax preparation and planning, fraud investigation, and financial consulting. You’ll possess the qualifications necessary to obtain certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). You can opt for an accelerated track to earn an M.S. in Accounting in 4.5 years, positioning you as a leader in the field and allowing you to save on tuition. The Financial Leadership in Accounting pathway provides structure for this accelerated track and even guarantees well-paid internship opportunities.

Potential careers

  • Certified public accountant
  • External or internal auditor
  • Controller
  • Chief financial officer
  • FBI agent
  • Forensic accountant
  • IRS agent
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Curriculum & Requirements

The Option in Accounting prepares students for careers in a “recession proof profession” with excellent placement and salary statistics.  Accounting is referred to as the “language of business” because all businesses rely on accounting information for decision-making.  Because accounting is inherently subjective, accounting students learn the analytical skills necessary to make idiosyncratic decisions.  However, in contrast to other professions, accountants also learn a technical knowledge base that allows them to understand how accounting choices can affect the information used for decision-making in all disciplines.  This deeper understanding of business data helps accounting professionals provide value to clients and employers.

Because every business relies on accounting information, accounting students can select an industry and position that aligns with their personal interests.  Examples of commonly selected positions include audit, tax, financial consulting, and management.   The Option provides students with the requisite knowledge to obtain certifications in a variety of areas, including accounting (CPA), management (CMA), internal auditing (CIA), forensics (CFE), and information systems (CISA). Students may also take advantage of the four-one (5 year) program to earn a M.S. in Accounting at Paul College, which can speed career progression.  Irrespective of the position or educational pathway an individual student selects, the demand for accounting professionals exceeds supply, making accounting a great career choice.

Sample Degree Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ADMN 400
or ADMN 410
Introduction to Business
or Management Information Systems
4
ECON 401
or ECON 402
Principles of Economics (Macro)
or Principles of Economics (Micro)
4
MATH 422
or MATH 424A
Mathematics for Business Applications
or Calculus for Social Sciences
4
PHIL 431 Business Ethics 4
ADMN 403 Computing Essentials for Business 1
PAUL 405 Freshman Academic Experience I 1
 Credits18
Spring
ADMN 410
or ADMN 400
Management Information Systems
or Introduction to Business
4
ECON 402
or ECON 401
Principles of Economics (Micro)
or Principles of Economics (Macro)
4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
Discovery 4
PAUL 406 Freshman Academic Experience II 1
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
ADMN 502 Financial Accounting 4
ADMN 510 Business Statistics 4
Discovery 4
Discovery 4
 Credits16
Spring
ADMN 503 Managerial Accounting 4
ADMN 570
or ADMN 575
Introduction to Financial Management
or Behavior in Organizations
4
Discovery 4
Discovery 4
PAUL 660
or PAUL 690
BiP-Social Intelligence Topics
or BiP-Professional Intelligence Topics
2
 Credits18
Third Year
Fall
ADMN 575
or ADMN 570
Behavior in Organizations
or Introduction to Financial Management
4
ADMN 580
or ADMN 585
Quantitative Decision Making
or Marketing
4
ACC 621 Intermediate Financial Accounting I 4
Discovery 4
BiP Business in Practice Course (PAUL 660, 670, 680 or 690) 2
 Credits18
Spring
ACC 622 Intermediate Financial Accounting II 4
ADMN 585
or ADMN 580
Marketing
or Quantitative Decision Making
4
Accounting option course 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
BiP Business in Practice (PAUL 660, 670, 680 or 690) 2
 Credits18
Fourth Year
Fall
ADMN 775
ADMN 700
Strategic Management: Decision Making
and PAUL Assessment of Core Knowledge
4
Accounting option course 4
Accounting option course 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
BiP Business in Practice (PAUL 660, 670, 680 or 690) 2
 Credits18
Spring
Accounting option course 4
Accounting option course 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits139
1

Students can explore a second option, second major, minor, or general electives.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

A typical plan of study follows, showing the major-required courses. Students take 16-18 credits per semester. Discovery Program requirements (including the Inquiry requirement in the first two years) and elective courses are taken as well. Students are expected to follow this course plan. In the first three semesters, students cannot take more than two major courses in a single semester. The options have additional requirements as noted. For a detailed schedule/plan of study for each option, students should check with the Paul College Undergraduate Programs and Advising Office for specific recommendations.

Required Courses
ADMN 400Introduction to Business4
ADMN 403Computing Essentials for Business1
ADMN 410Management Information Systems4
ADMN 502Financial Accounting4
ADMN 503Managerial Accounting4
ADMN 510Business Statistics4
ADMN 570Introduction to Financial Management4
ADMN 575Behavior in Organizations4
ADMN 580Quantitative Decision Making4
ADMN 585Marketing4
ECON 401Principles of Economics (Macro)4
ECON 402Principles of Economics (Micro)4
MATH 422Mathematics for Business Applications4
or MATH 424A Calculus for Social Sciences
PHIL 431Business Ethics4
PAUL 405Freshman Academic Experience I1
PAUL 406Freshman Academic Experience II1
PAUL 660BiP-Social Intelligence Topics 22
PAUL 670BiP-Analytical Intelligence Topics 22
PAUL 680BiP-Competitive Intelligence Topics 22
PAUL 690BiP-Professional Intelligence Topics 22
Capstone
ADMN 775Strategic Management: Decision Making 14
Total Credits67
Accounting Option Requirements
Required Courses
ACC 621Intermediate Financial Accounting I4
ACC 622Intermediate Financial Accounting II4
ACC 623Advanced Managerial Accounting4
ACC 626Introduction to Federal Taxation4
ACC 724Auditing4
ACC 747Business Law4
Select one course from the following:4
ACC 627
Financial Statement Analysis
ACC 620
Topics in Accounting (Accounting Analytics)
ACC 751
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
ACC #725
Independent Studies in Accounting
ACC 799
Honors Thesis in Accounting
Total Credits28

Depending of the choice of option and the specific requirements thereof, students may be able to take PAUL or non-PAUL electives in their junior or senior year.

1

This is the capstone course in the business administration  program, and satisfies the capstone requirement of  the Discovery Program. Students may be required to concurrently enroll in ADMN 700 PAUL Assessment of Core Knowledge (zero credits) for AACSB accreditation purposes.

2

Students may satisfy PAUL 660, PAUL 670, PAUL 680, PAUL 690 requirements through other courses/experiences with approved intelligence attributes assigned.  

  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in the core content areas of business.
  • Students will think critically to address business situations.
  • Students will demonstrate communication skills to interact effectively in business situations.
  • Students will identify and understand the ethical dimensions and implications of business decisions.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze a business situation by applying a multiple stakeholder lens.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of business practices as they relate to local, national and global competitiveness.

Explore Program Details

Students interested in our Business Administration Accounting major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings:

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This distinct program for high achieving UNH accounting students saves you time and money. Earn your undergraduate degree, complete an internship, and earn your Master's of Science in Accounting in only 4.5 years!

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