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Accounting and Information Assurance Major

Accounting and Information Assurance Degree

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The Accounting and Information Assurance degree is a unique program that combines an accounting major with additional coursework principally in computer information science. This expanded degree will prepare you with a fundamental understanding of accounting practices, information system design, data forensic principles, data management and security, which will open up countless opportunities for you!

Small class sizes (typically 8-10 students in the upper-level courses) ensure that you receive quality, individualized instruction. SBU Accounting faculty genuinely care about their students and work closely with them for success in the classroom as well as to help them obtain internship and career positions.

The Accounting and Information Assurance degree is offered through SBU's Robert W. Plaster College of Business. 

Resources

Major Map (PDF)

Degree Plan

100%
Job
placement
rate

(100% of SBU accounting & information assurance majors graduating in 2021-22 had employment in their field at the time of graduation.)

SBU College of Business Job Placement and Salary Data (PDF)

SBU students outside at table

The SBU Advantage

  • More than 80% of SBU Accounting students achieve the required 150 credit hours for CPA licensure within four years
  • SBU students have a 70% first-time pass rate on the CPA exam versus the national average of only 53%! (Five-year rolling average, 2017-2021 grads; information available as of October 2022)
  • SBU Accounting alumni stay connected with the program, which benefits current students through scholarship offers, mentoring programs and networking opportunities

Faith Integration

As an SBU Accounting student, you will be equipped for a successful career as dedicated Christian faculty teach you the application of accounting concepts in current practice through a Christian worldview so that you are prepared to be both a skilled employee and a servant leader in the workplace.

Psalm 15 — SBU's College of Professional Programs and the Robert W. Plaster College of Business have a Psalm 15 initiative, which provides intentional integration of faith and academic discipline. Using Psalm 15 as a basis, the Colleges have identified eight character traits that should be the hallmark of the students and graduates. These character traits are emphasized in coursework and in a special lecture series. The highlighted character traits are: Integrity, Service, Respect, Charity, Faithfulness, Truthfulness, Humility and Perseverance.

Ethics and Professional Development — As part of an intentionally Christian education, students in the Robert W. Plaster College of Business take a senior-level course in Ethics and Professional Development. The course teaches Christian personal and professional ethics and equips students with life skills such as career development, etiquette, and servant leadership, with the goal of producing ethical business leaders who will be servant leaders in the workplace.

Career Examples

  • FORVIS
  • Miller Management Systems
  • Silver Dollar City

Internship Examples

  • KPMG
  • Missouri State Auditor's Office
  • Ozarks Community Health Center

Full-Time Faculty

Kristin Hamm

Kristin Hamm, Assistant Professor
 
Jenell Wagner

Jenell Wagner, Assistant Professor
 

Clubs and Organizations

Accounting Club

Join the SBU Accounting Club and participate in various activities throughout the year including an interview blitz, field trips to visit prestigious accounting firms, social gatherings, networking opportunities, and more!

Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

You are encouraged to join SBU's student chapter of IMA and may also join the national IMA organization to receive additional professional development benefits.

Accounting Scholarships

SBU Accounting students may apply for several privately funded departmental scholarships. Additionally, some incoming freshmen accounting majors are selected to receive scholarships funded by SBU Accounting alumni.

Scholarships

The College of Professional Programs and the Robert W. Plaster College of Business offer many privately funded scholarship opportunities for their students. During a recent academic year, more than $89,000 was awarded in private scholarships to students from these college-level scholarships. Some scholarships available to accounting students include:

  • FORVIS Public Accounting Scholarship
  • Elliott, Robinson & Co. Public Accounting Scholarship
  • Glenn A. & Kimberly B. Miller Excellence in Non-profit Accounting Scholarship
  • Integrity Tax & Accounting Scholarship
  • KPM, CPAs Scholarship
  • Paul A. Mott, CPA, Accounting Scholarship
  • Van & Pearl Clark Memorial Accounting Student Aid
  • SBU Accounting Alumni Scholarship

Accounting and Information Assurance Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

BIB 1013 Old Testament 3
UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
CIS 1033 Foundations of Computer Science 3
FAR 10_3 Intro to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communications 3
BUS 1013 Intro to Business 3
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
UNI 1121 Critical Thinking 1
BUS 1193 Business Calculus 3
ACC 2013 Principles of Financial Accounting 3
BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
CIS 1144 Computer Science I 4
Total hours 17
 

Sophomore

Fall Semester

ACC 2043 Managerial Accounting 3
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics 3
MGT 3013 Principles of Management 3
CIS 2213 System Analysis and Design 3
PHS 1114 Intro to Earth Science 4
SPF 2012 Spiritual Formation 2
Total hours 18

Spring Semester

KIN 1162 Fitness & Wellness 2
BUS 2013 Business Communications 3
ECO 2033 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
ACC 3033 Accounting Information Systems 3
CIS 1163 Introduction to Cybersecurity 3
BUS 2023 Business Statistics 3
Total hours 17
 

Junior

Fall Semester

ACC 3024 Intermediate Accounting I 4
FIN 3053 Business Finance 3
LDR 4043 Ethics and Professional Development 3
ACC 3063 Tax Accounting I 3
MGT 3033 Operations Management 3
Total hours 16

Spring Semester

ACC 3034 Intermediate Accounting II 4
ACC 4043 Auditing 3
MKT 3023 Principles of Marketing 3
ACC 3073 Tax Accounting II 3
CIS 3013 Digital Forensics 3
Total hours 16
 

Senior

Fall Semester

CIS 3303 Systems Management 3
BUS 3073 Business Law I 3
ECO 3023 Money and Banking 3
ACC 4013 Advanced Accounting 3
ACC 3023 Cost Accounting 3
Total hours 15

Spring Semester

ACC 4053 Accounting for Non-Profit and Gov't Entities 3
BUS 3083 Business Law II 3
ACC 4044 Auditing 4
MGT 4083 Strategic Management 3
CIS 3323 Databse Management 3
ACC 3211 Fraud 1
Total hours 16

NOTE: In order to reach the 150 hours required for CPA licensure, the student needs to transfer in some dual credit courses or take summer courses. This example assumes the student transfers in 12 hours including ENG 1113 English Composition I, PSY 1103 Psychology, POL 1113 American Government and HIS 2213 US History. General Education courses can be rearranged between semesters to meet scheduling preferences.

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements. Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation. The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Download in PDF format:
Accounting and Information Assurance Plan (PDF)