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

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. 
accounting students
accounting students and speaker
business club students

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. 

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. 


Contact Us

Cheryl Moore, Ph.D.
Program Director, Accounting
Office: Preston 319
Phone: 814-824-3082
Email: cmoore2@mercyhurst.edu