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.
136k accounting jobs opening annuallly
$77,250 average salary for accountants/auditors
11.4% higher CPA pass rate than IACBE average
4 top accounting firms employ MU alumni
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)
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
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.


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 percent; IACBE Accredited Schools Average Pass Rate is 46.5 percent. 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.
Resources
Contact Us
Cheryl Moore, Ph.D.
Program Director, Accounting
Office: Preston 319
Phone: 814-824-3082
Email: cmoore2@mercyhurst.edu