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

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

Smiling female student uses desktop computer in Paul College's Bloomberg stock ticker room.

Accounting is called the first language of business for good reason: the fate of many products and marketing campaigns hinges on the financial officer's final analysis.  For this reason, successful accounting professionals often assume leadership roles within their companies. Whether you are interested in working within an existing organization or in starting your own business, understanding financial matters is vital to your success.

What is accounting?

Accounting is called “the first language” of business for a good reason. It is a way to communicate the financial health of a business or an organization to all interested parties. Accountants evaluate the assets, liabilities, and cash flow of an organization for all current and future investors. The fate of many major business decisions hinges on the financial officer’s final analysis.

Why study accounting at UNH?

The business administration accounting major will prepare you for a career in in a variety of fields, including internal and external audit, tax preparation and planning, and consulting. You’ll possess the qualifications to obtain certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). UNH’s Paul College has one of the highest CPA first-time pass rates in New England, and its accounting graduates are highly sought after. You also can take advantage of the 4+1 (five year) program to earn a M.S. in accounting at Paul College.

Potential careers

  • Actuary
  • Certified public accountant
  • Commercial banker
  • Credit manager
  • External auditor
  • FBI agent
  • Internal auditor
  • Loan officer administrator
  • Tax accountant
  • Underwriter

Contact

Stacy Hokinson

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Administrative Assistant III
Phone: (603) 862-3380
Office: Accounting & Finance, Paul College- 10 Garrison Avenue Office 250, Durham, NH 03824
  • Accounting Major | Walpole, MA
    "Paul College is like a second home to me. This school gave me not only my best friends but the confidence to be who I truly am."
    Accounting Major | Walpole, MA
    "Paul College is like a second home to me. This school gave me not only my best friends but the confidence to be who I truly am."
  • Accounting Major with a Leadership Minor
    Natalie Haddon '22 is from Hooksett, NH and majoring in accounting with a minor in leadership. At UNH she is a resident assistant in Stoke Hall, a Paul College...
    Accounting Major with a Leadership Minor
    Natalie Haddon '22 is from Hooksett, NH and majoring in accounting with a minor in leadership. At UNH she is a resident assistant in Stoke Hall, a Paul College...
  • Janet Khoury '18, ‘19G earned her B.S. and M.S. in Accounting at Paul College, helping her standout in the workforce
    After earning a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in accounting at Paul College in 2018, Janet Khoury decided to immediately pursue a master’s degree to earn the credits required for a CPA license. Although she had a lot of choices when it came to graduate accounting programs, ...
    Janet Khoury '18, ‘19G earned her B.S. and M.S. in Accounting at Paul College, helping her standout in the workforce
    After earning a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in accounting at Paul College in 2018, Janet Khoury decided to immediately pursue a master’s degree to earn the credits required for a CPA license. Although she had a lot of choices when it came to graduate accounting programs, ...
  • Eddie Alhamdan '17 came all the way from Amman, Jordan, to study accounting at UNH. “When I was on the plane coming here, a lot was going on in my mind. There was a life I left behind me and a new life about to start for me. I was very nervous, especially in my first year.” He needn't have worried...
    Eddie Alhamdan '17 came all the way from Amman, Jordan, to study accounting at UNH. “When I was on the plane coming here, a lot was going on in my mind. There was a life I left behind me and a new life about to start for me. I was very nervous, especially in my first year.” He needn't have worried...

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.

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.

Business Adminsistration core requirements
ADMN 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
ADMN 775Strategic Management: Decision Making 14
Other subject code courses:
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
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.  

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.

Option in Accounting

Required courses:
ACC 721Intermediate Financial Accounting I4
ACC 722Intermediate Financial Accounting II4
ACC 723Advanced Managerial Accounting4
ACC 724Auditing4
ACC 726Introduction to Federal Taxation4
ACC 747Business Law4
Select one of the following:4
ACC 727
Financial Statement Analysis
ACC 720
Topics in Accounting
ACC 725
Independent Studies in Accounting
ACC 799
Honors Thesis in Accounting
Total Credits28
  • 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.

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