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Accounting

Bachelor of Arts

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.

Minors

Accounting

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

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)

Business Administration

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

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

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

136,000

Accounting Jobs Opening Annually

$77,250

average salary for accountants/auditors

11.4%

higher CPA pass rate than IACBE average

4 top

accounting firms employ MU alumni

Accounting In the News

Budget Categories, Feb. 5, 2025, WalletHub

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.

Disclosures for Accounting Programs

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.

Career Outcomes

Where will your Mercyhurst Accounting degree take you? Check out some of the current job titles of our Accounting alumni:

Corporate/Nonprofit Accounting

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

Public Accounting

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

Internships

Students are encouraged to complete at least one internship during the course of their studies. Previous internship locations have included:

Corporate/Nonprofit Accounting

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

Public Accounting

Deloitte & Touche, Cleveland, Ohio
Nichols & Company CPAs, Westerville, Ohio
Maloney Reed and Scarpitti, Erie
Schaffner Knight Minnaugh, Erie
Hill Barth & King, Meadville, Pennsylvania

Clubs and Organizations

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.

Mercyhurst Clubs