Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Our accredited bachelor’s degree program in accounting is a high-quality, innovative, relevant and flexible undergraduate program that will prepare you for entry-level jobs in accounting, as well as the CPA licensure or CMA certification exams.
You’ll develop a foundation of job skills to get hired in the accounting or business industry. Whether you’re just starting college, transferring from another school or looking to change careers to work in, for example, public accounting, an accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree is your pathway to how to become an accountant and increased job mobility.
At Tarleton, we have one of the best business schools and colleges for accounting in Texas, with high professional exam pass rates, lower costs than other accounting bachelor’s degree programs and a selection of online coursework, including all of the core business courses.
View more information about AFE Labs.
View AFE Lab Hours and Contact Information.
What is Accounting?
Accounting is a versatile degree, and students who major in accounting are well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s challenging and competitive workforce. Our program at Tarleton is one of the most affordable bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Texas.
Accounting is the study and practice of recording, analyzing and reporting financial transactions to determine the financial health of a business, including profit, cash flow and value. Accountants serve an important role in making business decisions.
What Can You Do With Your Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting?
The bachelor’s in accounting is a versatile undergraduate degree that provides a wide variety of career opportunities for graduates. You could work in public accounting, financial institutions, government accounting or nonprofit organizations. You may also qualify for a variety of jobs in many business-related areas, including sales, production management, client management, product development, procurement, general management, banking and financial planning. A bachelor’s in accounting degree can be useful for entrepreneurs and business owners, such as physicians who want to run a private practice, as well.
Most of our graduates get hired as public or staff accountants, but some work in related areas such as:
- Auditing or assurance services
- Accounting in multinational organizations
- Personal financial planning
- Financial management (financial planning and analysis)
- Cost accounting
- Tax planning
- Budget analysis
- Accounts receivable
- Payoll services
You may also be interested in Tarleton’s Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program, which helps open up additional opportunities for jobs and careers in accounting.
Estimated Completion
120 Credit Hours (4 years)
Application Process
Cost
Locations Available
1Admission to some outreach locations, excluding select programs in Fort Worth, requires a minimum of 24 transferable credit hours, a 2.0 GPA and that a student be TSI complete.
College
Careers in Accounting
Our accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree program has one of the highest CPA exam pass rates in Texas. For 2019, Tarleton accountants achieved a 58% pass rate, significantly higher than the national average of about 54%.
How Much Do Accounting Graduates Make?
The median annual salary for accountants and auditors is nearly $70,000, and employment is projected to grow 10% from now to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Why Major in Accounting?
We offer a variety of opportunities for hands-on learning and experiences, such as study abroad, internships and student organizations.
Our students are placed in valuable internships with CPA firms, businesses and other organizations that need accountants. For example, some of our accounting majors have served prestigious internships with CliftonLarsonAllen, WhitleyPenn, TechnipFMC and the City of Burleson. Recent internships include four of the largest global accounting networks: BDO, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Nexia International and RSM US Alliance.
Many of our accounting majors volunteer their time and skills with service-learning projects that enable them to apply what they’ve learned in class to real-world situations. For example, our program sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to prepare actual tax returns for hundreds of lower-income taxpayers.
CPA firms and accounting departments provide learning and job opportunities to Tarleton accounting majors. Recent graduates have been hired for jobs in accounting, auditing and tax services with CliftonLarsonAllen, PWC, Whitley Penn, Pattillo Brown & Hill, RSM US, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Burgher Haggard, JRBT Waco, Boucher, Morgan & Young, JLL Real Estate, BDO USA, TechnipFMC and Weaver — just to name a few.
Accounting labs and tutoring are offered at all campus locations and online. Drop in or make an appointment to work with a graduate lab assistant or have one come to your study group. You can also access resources for all undergraduate students in the College of Business, including a career development coordinator and job fairs.
With a blend of educational and practical experience, we are well-trained and student-oriented. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you and engage with you in and outside the classroom. Many of us have worked as accountants, accounting executives and accounting business owners, which provides a first-hand perspective on how to become an accountant and how textbook concepts are applied in actual accounting jobs.
Program scholarships for accounting majors include the Patty Smith Scholarship. You may also qualify for university or private scholarships, as well as federal financial aid.
What Classes Will You Take as an Accounting Major?
Our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs provide courses recognized by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy in accounting/tax research and analysis, as well as accounting/business communications. BBA in accounting program courses fulfill 120 of the 150 required hours for students preparing to sit for the CPA exam to become certified public accountants.
Through the program coursework, you’ll develop skills needed to work in a variety of settings, from government auditing to small business tax law, while developing your personal ethical philosophy based on moral, ethical and imperative questions that are applicable in the accounting profession.
Our program curriculum provides an exciting, interactive and demanding course of study using current principles, practices and tools such as spreadsheets and general ledger software commonly used in businesses. Featuring high-demand content areas, course topics include governmental and not-for-profit accounting, accounting information systems, ethics for accountants and more. The remaining 30 hours can be completed through additional undergraduate courses or the MAcc program.
View all required classes for the accounting bachelor’s degree.
Accreditations
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
How Do You Get Started on Your Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting?
Take the next step toward earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting. We have the resources to help you get started.
Accounting in Waco
Learn more about Tarleton’s bachelor’s in accounting degree program in Waco at McLennan Community College.
Our program coursework is highly compatible with accountancy programs at other schools, particularly community colleges such as McLennan County, Tarrant County, Navarro County and Tyler. This helps students transfer into and out of Tarleton. In a recent period, Tarleton had one of the highest graduation rates among transfer students, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant and/or a Certified Management Accountant, refer to the following:
Getting involved with student and professional organizations provides access to opportunities outside the classroom, such as guest speakers, off-campus events and professional development. Join Tarleton’s Institute of Management Accountants Society. You may also be invited to join Delta Mu Delta, the honor society for all business majors.
What Bachelor’s Degrees are Related to Accounting?
- BS in Economics
- BBA in Finance
- BBA in Computer Information Systems
- BBA in General Business
- BS in Computer Information Systems
- BS in Agribusiness