Students enrolled in a Bachelor’s in Accounting program must complete the core curriculum to graduate, but they must also select electives that interest them or focus on the area of accounting they would like to work in. Each accredited accounting program delivered at the bachelor’s level will have a different subset of electives centered on accounting-related topics for students to choose from. Here’s what you should know about popular accounting options.
Related Resource: 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting
What are the Core Accounting Courses When Earning a Bachelor’s?
The AACSB is in charge of setting and modifying the Accounting Accreditation Standards when necessary. Any school that voluntarily goes through the accreditation process will need to meet core curriculum accounting standards before being considered as an accredited accounting program. All students are expected to complete core curriculum as they study for a Bachelor’s in Accounting. Some of the core business curriculum standard enforced by the AACSB include:
- Financial analysis
- Internal auditing
- Financial statements
- Managerial accounting
- Business management
- Accounting systems
- Financial accounting
- Taxation
What Types of Elective Curriculum Can You Choose From?
While the core curriculum requirements for undergraduates in accounting programs are very rigid, there is some flexibility in tailoring your degree program to suit your career interests by selecting areas that interest you. Elective coursework in college provides optional courses of study that are still major related.
These accounting elective courses tend to go more into depth on a specific area of accounting that you may need to be more of a master at if you were pursuing a specific accounting title or certification. Students must complete major elective studies, usually around 12 credits of these upper division courses, to earn their degree. Some guided accounting classes you may choose in addition to core and major curriculum include:
- Accounting internship
- Management internship
- Database systems
- Financial statement analysis
- Business valuation
- Database systems
- Personal financial planning
- Entrepreneurial finance
- Financial modeling
- Resource planning
How to Select the Right Guided Upper Division Classes
Most programs will require students to complete at least 12 credits of upper-division elective courses and then another four to six credits of free electives that are approved by the institution. If you are trying to decide on the elective that you will take relevant to your major, it’s important to complete some of your core and major curriculum first. This will help guide you so that you can assess which area of accounting interests you the most.
Many college students choose a major too early in their college career just to change their mind after taking core and elective courses that have peaked their interest. By letting your accounting student experience guide you, you can select the right elective courses in your catalog to build on your knowledge.
Most recommend balancing your more difficult elective coursework with the easier major courses. Taking easier free choices with the more challenging major curriculum is wise as well. This will ensure you can immerse yourself in the experience without overwhelming yourself in a course load that is too challenging. Map out your best route to a Bachelor’s in Accounting and build your knowledge to start your accounting career.
