Undergraduate Accounting Major

The Bachelor of Science in Business accounting curriculum prepares students for careers in auditing, corporate accounting, consulting, government and not-for-profit organizations, and taxation. The accounting curriculum also provides an excellent foundation for the student who wants to pursue graduate work in business, public administration, or law. Because this curriculum is highly structured—most of the courses must be taken in a certain order—interested students should select this major as soon as possible in order to graduate within four years.

Accounting Major Requirements (31 credits):

Required Grades and GPA: Minimum grade of C in all courses that are prerequisites for subsequent required courses. Minimum grade of C required in BUS-A 325 if taking BUS-A 437. Major GPA of 2.0: GPA includes all courses counting toward the Accounting major (includes supporting major coursework).

• BUS-A 311, Intermediate Accounting I
• BUS-A 312, Intermediate Accounting II
• BUS-A 325, Cost Accounting
• BUS-A 329, Taxes and Decision Making
• BUS-A 303, Communication for Accountants
• BUS-A 337, Accounting Information Systems (cross-listed as BUS-S 400)
• BUS-A 424, Audit & Assurance Services
• Accounting elective (3 credit hours required, select one of the following):
  • BUS-A 422, Advanced Financial Accounting I
  • BUS-A 437, Advanced Management Accounting
  • BUS-A 440, Applied Research in Accounting
  • BUS-A 455, Topics in Accounting: Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
• 9 credits of supporting major coursework from a business discipline other than accounting

CPA & Graduate Accounting Options for Kelley Students:

3/2 Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration in Accounting (MBA/A) is referred to as the “3/2 MBA program” and is designed for Kelley School students majoring in accounting or finance. Students spend three years in undergraduate study at Kelley, apply for admission in the fall of the junior year (or earlier if desired), and then complete two years in graduate study. After completing the 1st year business core, 2nd year students select a concentration in accounting or finance. Graduates take positions in financial services, investment banking, and public accounting (audit, tax). Students earn both a B.S. and an M.B.A degree, as well as satisfying the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam, if they choose. Admission to the program is competitive. Students interested in the program should meet with an undergraduate business advisor to plan a course of study that includes the necessary prerequisite coursework and stay “MBA ready.” 

Master of Science in Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) is a one-year graduate accounting degree program open to qualified individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University or another accredited college or university. Work experience is not required. MSA students develop valuable advanced skills in a technical accounting curriculum while gaining “real-world” experience in a team-based, corporate-sponsored consulting project. Students take coursework in audit, taxation, or a blend of the two.

CPA

Accounting graduates who meet the requirements of the State Board of Public Accountancy of Indiana are eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Indiana. Those who wish to engage in public accounting practice in Indiana as certified public accountants should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations issued by the Indiana State Board of Public Accountancy, 912 State Office Building, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Most states, including Indiana, now require accounting professionals who wish to be licensed as certified public accountants to complete 150 credit hours of education. The Kelley School Graduate Accounting Program offers two graduate degrees for individuals who wish to fulfill the education requirements necessary to sit for the CPA examination while preparing for a lucrative career in the accounting profession. Students planning to practice outside Indiana should consult the CPA licensing board in their intended state of residence. More information can be found at www.cpa-exam.org or www.nasba.org.