Skip to Main Content

College of Management and Human Potential: Undergraduate:
BS in Accounting

This program is not currently accepting new students. Current students must complete their programs of study in accordance with Walden’s Time-to-Degree Completion policies.

Students in the BS in Accounting program are provided with a comprehensive professional accounting knowledge base mapped to American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) competencies in functional accounting and professional and ethical standards. In today’s diverse, global, and technologically sophisticated accounting environment, these competencies are highly sought by employers. Through this program, students gain a practical knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and professional practices used in today’s global accounting environment.

In core courses, students learn about professional accounting products, master the intricacies of developing those products, and explore how to interpret financial information to support business and organizational decision making. Students also master the digitization of accounting data and the technology that support international financial reporting.

Students can choose the Public Accountancy concentration or the General Program and then focus on gaining the knowledge required to become certified public accountants (CPAs)* or prepare for other professional certifications. By combining a solid foundation in accounting principles with the flexibility to choose career-focused coursework, the BS in Accounting program ensures students gain professionally relevant skills that can be directly applied in the working world.

The program is results-oriented and extends beyond theories and conceptual understanding to practical application. Learning outcomes are achieved through coursework completed in specific area requirements for general education, as well as through both lower- and upper-division content courses.

Learning Outcomes

The BS in Accounting program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles and practices, combining functional skills with a larger perspective of accounting’s role in business.

At the end of this program, students will:

  1. Apply problem-solving skills to multiple accounting situations, including those occurring in the international setting.
  2. Communicate effectively about accounting and business practices within the context of larger organizational frameworks.
  3. Access relevant accounting/financial guidance and apply it in their accounting practice.
  4. Demonstrate well-developed competency in their accounting techniques.
  5. Demonstrate collaborative skills across accounting and functional business areas.
  6. Analyze sources of organizational risk.
  7. Apply knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in which the accounting profession operates.
  8. Apply ethical reasoning in their accounting practices.

Degree Requirements

  • 181 total quarter credits
  • General Education courses (45 credits)
  • Core courses (106 credits)
  • Concentration courses (0–20 credits, depending on concentration)
  • Electives (5–25 credits, depending on concentration)
  • Capstone course (5 credits)

Curriculum

General Education Courses (45 credits)

See the  General Education section of this Walden University Catalog.

Note: A minimum of 55 quarter credits must be completed at the 3000 or 4000 level in order to meet program requirements. In some cases, this means that students will need to select 3000 or 4000 level courses as either General Education or elective options. Students should consult their student success advisor if they have questions about individual program requirements.

Core Courses (106 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Concentration Courses (0–20 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the course list on each concentration page.

Electives (5–25 credits)

Electives are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the elective requirements on each concentration page.

Capstone Course (5 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular concentration. Please see the course list on each concentration page.

Accreditation

Walden’s BS in Accounting program is accredited by ACBSP and has earned the organization’s Specialized Accounting Accreditation. ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association that identifies and supports excellence in business education.

Note on Licensure

Most states require individuals to complete 150 semester (225 quarter) hours in certain subject areas in order to be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and/or obtain a CPA license. Walden’s accounting programs can help graduates progress toward meeting those requirements. The BS in Accounting offers 120 quarter (80 semester) credit hours that include upper-level courses in topics such as financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. The MS in Accounting program offers 30 semester (45 quarter) credit hours, while the MBA Accounting specialization offers nine semester (13.5 quarter) credit hours. These programs include graduate courses in topics such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, and legal and ethical accounting practices. This will require students to complete additional coursework to meet state requirements.

In each state, there are specific policies that must be followed when an individual is seeking to become a licensed accountant. Some states will not allow individuals who complete the Walden accounting programs to sit for the CPA licensing exams due to state-specific issues such as professional accreditation or face-to-face instruction. For information on the educational requirements for your state, refer to the state’s Board of Accountancy or related agency.

Walden enrollment specialists can provide guidance about accountant licensure; however, it remains the responsibility of the individual enrolling in the program to read, understand, and comply with the licensure requirements in the state where he or she resides. Additionally, prospective students are advised if they choose to relocate to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

Walden University can make no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of a Walden program, or coursework for credit within a program, will make a graduate eligible to sit for a licensure exam or to obtain state licensure.