Accounting
The language of business.
Our Accounting program ensures that graduates are competent in advanced theories, principles, applications of financial accounting, cost analysis, auditing, and tax procedures. Students are prepared as well-rounded business professionals, ready to pursue one of many in-demand careers in accounting. Our Accounting majors are fully prepared to pursue either corporate/non-profit accounting or public accounting following graduation, or continue on to complete a master's degree in just one more year with Mercyhurst's 4+1 program, which includes graduate programs in data science and organizational leadership.
Additionally, students have the option to earn the 150 credits required to pursue their CPA licensure by completing a graduate program at Mercyhurst or taking an additional 30 credits. Our Accounting faculty have experience working in corporate, public, and nonprofit accounting. Previous job titles have included CPA, staff accountant, controller, manager, accounting services specialist, financial consultant, textbook editor, business owner, CEO, and treasurer. Providing personal examples of the accounting industry gives our students a first-hand look into today’s top practices and allows them to apply classroom topics to real-world situations.
- ACCT 101: Principles of Accounting I (3 credits)
- ACCT 102: Principles of Accounting II (3 credits)
- ACCT 201: Intermediate Accounting I (3 credits)
- ACCT 202: Intermediate Accounting II (3 credits)
- ACCT 230: Tax Accounting (3 credits)
- ACCT 340: Cost Accounting (3 credits)
- ACCT 401: Advanced Accounting (3 credits)
- ACCT 101: Principles of Accounting I/Financial
- ACCT 102: Principles of Accounting II/Managerial
- BADM 310: Business Law I
- ECON 105: Macroeconomics
- ECON 106: Microeconomics
- FIN 280: Financial Management
- MGMT 120: Principles of Management
- MKTG 162: Principles of Integrated Marketing
Accounting students are introduced to the language of business and the principles of accounting and become professionally competent in advanced theories and applications of financial accounting, cost analysis, auditing, and tax procedures. The accounting program is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Minor Requirements
The minor in business administration is open to non-business majors only. This minor includes eight courses (24 credits) designed to prepare students with general knowledge of the world of business, along with the communication skills and decision-making tools needed to succeed in business. No minor course may be taken on a pass-fail basis, and students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the required business courses to meet minor program requirements.
Minor Requirements
Learning Outcomes
- Competency in both oral and written communication
- The ability to work effectively in groups and teams
- The ability to apply ethical principles in solving business problems
- The ability to critically apply theory and practice in the functional areas of business to identify, analyze, and solve business problems
Why Choose Accounting At Mercyhurst?
Corporate/Nonprofit Accounting
Students who choose to pursue a career in corporate/nonprofit accounting can begin working in the field immediately following graduation. Accounting majors earn successful careers following graduation in a variety of corporate organizations including: Alliance Plastics, Inc., BP America, Cleveland Marriott, Country Fair, Inc., Dick's Sporting Goods, Dollar Bank, Erie Insurance Group, FirstEnergy Corp., Mayo Clinic Health System, Mellon Financial Group, Mutual of Omaha, Nike, Progressive Insurance, PNC Bank, U.S. Government, and many more. Our Accounting major also prepares students to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam following graduation if they so choose.
Public Accounting
Students who choose to pursue a career in public accounting can begin working in the field and sit for the CPA exam following graduation. Accounting majors earn successful careers in a variety of major public accounting organizations including: Deloitte & Touche; Ernst & Young; KPMG; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Grant Thornton, LLP; Hill Barth & King Inc; Diefenbach Delio Kearney & Dedionisio; Schaffner Knight Minnaugh & Co.; Maloney Reed Scarpitti & Co.; Freed Maxick, CPAs; and many more.
Crunch the Numbers
Business Core Curriculum
The defining element of a Mercyhurst business degree is a series of core courses that all business majors take, which provide a curriculum designed to foster well-rounded business leaders through hands-on learning in a variety of disciplines. Business students will build a foundation in six different areas of study, which prepares our graduates to be adaptable, collaborative leaders that are ready for today’s market. Adding a double major or a minor in another area can only also add marketability for any chosen industry!
State Authorization
This program may fulfill a portion of the requirements leading to licensure within this field. Please visit the State Authorization webpage to review the requirements for licensure by state or program.
Mercyhurst Accounting majors consistently score above average when compared to the average scores of all other IACBE Accredited Schools, according to the latest NASBA Report. Mercyhurst’s All Testing Events Pass Rate is 57.9%; IACBE Accredited Schools Average Pass Rate is 46.5%. Mercyhurst’s First Time Testing Pass Rate is 50%; IACBE and ACBSP average pass rate is 46%. Our program takes care in preparing the next generation of accounting professionals to succeed. We are proud to see our students score consistently higher than other universities.
- Analyst
- Assistant Controller
- Business Owner
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Controller
- Cost Accountant
- Director of Finance
- Director of Operations
- Financial Analyst
- Fund Tax Analyst
- Manager Internal Audit
- Payroll Supervisor
- President
- Senior Tax Analyst
- Staff Accountant
- Treasurer
- Accountant
- Accounting and Auditing Manager
- Auditor
- Manager Assurance Services
- Principal Accountant
- Senior Accountant
- Senior Assurance Associate
- Senior Auditor
- Senior Consultant
- Senior Manager
- Tax Accountant
- Tax Consultant
- Tax Partner
- Tax Senior Manager
- Trust Tax Associate
- Value Advisory Analyst
- Erie Insurance, Erie
- TC LogiQ, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Global Security IQ, Buffalo, New York
- MCPC, Cleveland, Ohio
- Strategy Solutions, Erie
- Erie Management Group, Erie
- Fountain Point Resort, Lake Leelanau, Michigan
- E.J. Hannah Boutique, Youngstown, Ohio
- United Way of Erie County, Erie
- Mason Jars Company, Erie
- Deloitte & Touche, Cleveland, Ohio
- Nichols & Company CPAs, Westerville, Ohio
- Maloney Reed and Scarpitti, Erie
- Schaffner Knight Minnaugh, Erie
- Hill Barth & King, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Mercyhurst University’s Accounting Program requires all classes that will allow a student to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in the state of Pennsylvania. Students can be certified if they take the additional 30 credits required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy. The additional credits can be used to earn a second undergraduate degree or graduate degree. Information on the requirements of each particular state are available on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website or by contacting the State Board of Accountancy in the state of interest.
Where will your Mercyhurst Accounting degree take you? Check out some of the current job titles of our Accounting alumni:
Corporate/Nonprofit Accounting
Public Accounting
Students are encouraged to complete at least one internship during the course of their studies. Previous internship locations have included:
Corporate/Nonprofit Accounting
Public Accounting
The Accounting Association provides students with real-world accounting experiences through the use of tools and resources such as QuickBooks, tax returns, and budgets. The club invites professional guest speakers to provide students with networking opportunities and industry advice. Students also keep up-to-date on current tax changes, Financial Accounting Standards Board updates, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles updates, through faculty-guided research.
Business Club guides students in hands-on experience in the business and accounting industries through speakers, events, and excursions related to the diverse field of business.
Meet the Faculty
Business
Kimberly Zacherl, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Program Director, Human Resources Management, Assistant Professor
Cheryl Moore, Ph.D.
Program Director, Accounting
Office: Preston 319