Accounting
Accounting is the language of business.
The accountant of today is a communicator of what data means and how it can be used to make decisions for the business enterprise. This ACBSP-accredited program will prepare you for careers in accounting firms or corporate accounting functions.
Prepare to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Cal Lutheran’s program in accounting will prepare you not only for a career as a CPA, but also for employment in private industry, nonprofit organizations, higher education and government agencies. The curriculum provides a careful balance of practice and theory with a liberal arts core, helping you to succeed in passing the CPA exam and in graduate studies.
Gain real-world accounting skills
Your coursework and case studies will teach you to identify real-world problems and use critical thinking skills to solve them. You’ll learn how to collaborate and communicate with people at all levels of the business, both internally and externally. Because the accountant of today must be a “jack-of-all-trades” who can fit comfortably into any business setting, Cal Lutheran’s accounting majors receive extensive preparation in both general business and the liberal arts.
Create your personal schedule
From day one, you’ll be on track toward graduation with a yearly plan. You won’t have to worry about what classes to take — we’ll help you create the perfect schedule with an academic plan that suits your personal journey.
Steven Dorfman Scholarship
Covering 75-100% of tuition, the Steven Dorfman Scholarship is awarded to selected admitted students for majors within the School of Management.
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Department
School/College
School of Management
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the accounting program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.
Degree requirements
Find out what it takes to earn a degree in accounting and explore the courses.
Highlighted Courses
Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.
BUS 352A: Intermediate Accounting
Includes detailed coverage of accounting theory and practice as applied to the corporate form of business. Topics include income statement, earnings per share, income tax allocation, compound interest, revenue recognition, price-level accounting, an introduction to fund accounting and a thorough treatment of balance sheet accounts.
See descriptionBUS 374: Business Law
The study of law as it relates to business. Topics include contracts, agencies, commercial paper, personal property, sales, real property and insurance.
See descriptionBUS 391: Principles of Finance
Introduces students to the field of finance through an applied conceptual framework using problem sets and computer software to analyze various financial dilemmas. Topics include security valuation, risk analysis, working capital management, financial budgeting and planning, time value of money concepts, financial ratio analysis and capital budgeting.
See descriptionBUS 453: Auditing
Covers the legal responsibilities, theory and procedures in the conduct of an audit and the making of an audit report.
See descriptionBUS 455: Ethics for the Accounting Professional
This course focuses on the role accountants and the accounting profession have in both business as well as in society as a whole. Students learn the history, legal, and ethical responsibilities of the accounting profession in addition to various legislation that has impacted it over recent years.
See descriptionBUS 462: Tax II
A study of tax laws and issues pertaining to business entities such as partnerships, C-corporations and S-corporations. Focuses on the taxation of estates and trusts and expands the study of personal taxation introduced in Tax I.
See description4+1 Option: Fast Track Your Graduate Degree
Add further value to your degree by choosing the 4+1 Option, which gives you a head start on earning a related graduate degree. With 4+1, you’ll be able to take graduate-level courses as part of your undergraduate curriculum. After graduation, you’ll only need one additional year to complete your degree at Cal Lutheran — saving you both time and money.
Recommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
Professor and Director, Economics, Executive Director, Center for Economics of Social Issues
Lecturer in the School of Management
Assistant Professor, Economics
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor
Lecturer, School of Management
Lecturer and Accounting Program Director, School of Management
Senior Lecturer, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
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Internships
Many accounting internships lead to full-time employment after graduation. Our students have interned at prestigious firms, such as Amgen, Ernst&Young LLP and HCVT. These internships enable Cal Lutheran’s accounting students to gain relevant and hands-on professional work experience as they begin to narrow their focus to a particular career path. By sharpening your skills in the workplace, you’ll get practical experience and the opportunity to demonstrate what you can do.
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Student Clubs
Join the Cal Lutheran Accounting Association — a dedicated, student-run organization that will connect you with business leaders and fellow students. You’ll meet monthly with Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms, corporate companies, graduate schools, and CPA review courses. Expand your network now, you’ll never know where that connection will lead you.
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School of Management Events
Throughout the year you can attend events that create opportunities to learn about new ideas and forge new relationships within a powerful and lively business community.
I knew I wanted to go to Cal Lutheran because of the individualized relationships that I could form with my professors and faculty in such a small setting. The doors that my professors, and members of the administration have opened for me have been beyond even my wildest dreams.
Elsa Klubberud '25
Accountants perform an essential and highly-valued service for business and industry. The demand for accounting professionals continues to be strong, with employment opportunities expected to grow at a faster pace than most other professions.
Potential Careers
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
See descriptionActuaries
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
See descriptionTax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.
See descriptionAccountants and Auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
See descriptionCredit Analysts
Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
See descriptionTreasurers and Controllers
Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.
See descriptionLooking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.
Employers
Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:
- Bank of America
- CBIZ MHM, LLC
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young LLP (EY)
- HCVT
- Internal Revenue Service
- Montecito Bank & Trust
- NBC
- Patagonia
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
- Sony Pictures Entertainment
- The Walt Disney Company
Graduate Schools
Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:
- Boston University
- California State University, Northridge
- California Lutheran University
- Golden Gate University
- Loyola Marymount University
- New York University
- Pepperdine University
- University of Denver
- University of Southern California
- University of Washington
Throughout my college career, I gained insightful experience through numerous internships with an array of employers. When it came time for me to establish my career, I knew what kind of employer I wanted and used the same determination to pursue them. Hard work and connections to Cal Lutheran alumni granted me the one thing I wanted to achieve by the time I graduated: a job with an employer I thoroughly enjoyed doing what I absolutely loved.
Jolly Moua '15
Staff Accountant, Farber Hass Hurley LLP in Camarillo, CA
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.
How We Prepare You for Success
We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.
Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.
After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.
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Scholarships & Grants
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5 Tips for Applying to College
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How to Afford College
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How to Choose a College Major
Your major will be a significant part of your academic experience. How do you pick the right one?