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School of Business & Entrepreneurship

Accounting

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Why pursue an accounting degree at North Central College?

Accountants are responsible for interpreting and analyzing financial statements. Our accounting program is designed to help you solve complex quantitative problems and learn the communication skills to be able to explain financial statements and results to CEOs, stockholders and individual clients. Accountants learn how to have sharp attention to organizational details, great communication skills and be mathematically and economically minded. At North Central, accounting majors will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience as early as their first year on campus. Whether you pursue Certified Public Account (CPA) status, graduate business school or something different, accountants create meaningful economic impact across industries.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Impactful Financial Advice: If you like the idea of helping organizations make smarter financial decisions, accounting gives you the tools to provide critical insights that guide successful business strategies.
  • Audit and Assurance: If you find satisfaction in examining records and verifying information, a career in auditing allows you to ensure the integrity and reliability of financial reporting for companies and institutions.
  • Making Sense of Taxes: Interested in the complex world of tax regulations? Accounting provides pathways to specialize in tax planning and advising, helping individuals and businesses navigate and optimize their tax strategies.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: For those excited about data analytics, accounting increasingly integrates big data, allowing you to leverage information technology for predictive insights and smarter decision-making. 
  • Versatile Career Paths: If you’re undecided on a specific industry, accounting offers flexibility—you can work in virtually any sector, from healthcare and sports to entertainment and government.

then an ACCOUNTING degree might be for you.

Why study accounting at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • 11-course comprehensive business core (including Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting and Corporate Finance)
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Auditing and Attestation
  • Cost Accounting
  • Intermediate Accounting I and II
  • Principles of Taxation
  • Two of the following:
    • Advanced Taxation
    • Accounting for Business Combinations
    • Accounting for Not-for-Profits
    • Fraud Examination
    • Seminar in Accounting

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Beyond the Classroom

As an accounting major, you can:

  • Secure an internship with prestigious accounting firms like PwC, EY, Deloitte, RSM or other local and regional firms.
  • Attend networking events, speaker series and social gatherings with the Student Accounting Society.
  • Work closely with faculty mentors to conduct research, explore graduate programs and understand career opportunities.
  • Sit for the CPA examination in Illinois or another state upon completed course requirements*
  • Explore opportunities to complete required credit hours for the CPA examination through graduate study—whether through North Central’s or other schools’ masters’ programs.
  • Apply for one of 10 scholarships awarded annually for study materials and fee waivers to take the Certified Management Accountant examination.
  • Volunteer for local non-for-profit entities through the income tax preparation program and attestation services.
  • Conduct market research and engage in data analytics using our state-of-the-art, 10-station Bloomberg Laboratory.
     

*Note that effective in January 2023, CPA candidates in Illinois (like many other states) may take the examination with a bachelor’s degree. However, candidates passing the examination will be required to complete 150 credit hours for state licensure. Students are encouraged to work closely with faculty mentors to arrive at a plan to meet these requirements.

More Department information

Accounting, B.B.A.

Accounting emphasizes the generation, analysis and reporting of key financial information to interested stakeholders. Graduates are employed in a wide variety of careers including, financial reporting, financial advising, consulting and data analysis. Accountants work for public accounting firms, private firms, governmental units and not-for-profit organizations.

The accounting curriculum provides the content specified in the Uniform CPA Examination. In Illinois, through        December 31, 2022, candidates are required to have 150 semester credit hours to sit for the CPA examination. Effective January 1, 2023, candidates may sit for the CPA examination with a Bachelor's degree.  However, successful candidates will be required to complete 150 semester credit hours for state licensure. Students may earn the additional credit hours through graduate studies, overloads, May or summer term courses. Additionally, advanced placement credits and college coursework not transferred into North Central College may be count towards the 150-hour requirement. Students are encouraged to work closely with faculty mentors to determine a plan of study that best meets individual circumstances.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Accounting.

Common SBE Core

Accounting Courses

Two of the following:

Accounting Minor

An accounting minor introduces students to key and core aspects of the generation, analysis and reporting of key financial information to interested stakeholders. A minor in accounting is appropriate for a wide-range of student majors and can provide the basis for continued graduate study in accounting at the masters' degree-level.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Accounting.

At least 22 credit hours in accounting, including:

Required Courses

Electives

Six credit hours from the following:

What Careers Can I Have as an Accounting Major?

Accounting emphasizes the generation, analysis and reporting of key financial information to interested stakeholders. Graduates are employed in a wide variety of careers including, financial reporting, financial advising, consulting and data/business analytics. Accountants work for public accounting firms, private firms, governmental units and not-for-profit organizations. Accounting graduates can also pursue a master's to start at higher positions with higher salaries.

Internships

  • Enterprise finance intern, Accenture, Chicago
  • Tax intern, McDonald’s Corporation, Oak Brook, Ill.
  • Audit services intern, KPMG, Chicago
  • Forensic accounting intern, Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Chicago
  • Assurance services intern, Grant Thorton, Chicago 
  • International tax services intern, Deloitte, Chicago 
  • Accounting services intern, Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, Naperville, Ill.
  • Employee benefits audit intern, Sikich, LLP, Naperville
  • Assurance Intern, PwC, Chicago
  • Accounting Intern, Cabot Microelectronics
  • Internal Audit Intern, Wolters Kluweer, Riverwoods, IL
  • Audit Intern, Sikich, Naperville
  • Assurance Intern, Plante Moran, Chicago
  • Tax Season Intern, Porte Brown LLC, Elk Grove Village, IL

Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in accounting have completed graduate degrees at:

  • Arizona State University
  • DePaul University
  • Loyola University
  • North Central College
  • Northern Illinois University
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Notre Dame

Careers

Recent graduates in accounting include:

  • Finance & Accounting Leadership Development Program, Navistar, Chicago
  • Assurance Staff, Plante Moran, Chicago
  • Accounting Outsourcing Services Associate, BKD, Oak Brook Terrace
  • Associate, DHJJ, Naperville
  • Tax Associate, PwC, Chicago
  • Associate, Transaction Services, RSM, Chicago
  • Audit Associate, RSM, Schaumburg
  • Pension Benefits Specialist, Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, Naperville
  • Associate Financial Analyst, Leadership Development Program, Exelon, Naperville
  • Tax Associate, RSM, Schaumburg
  • Financial services tax staff, Ernst & Young, Chicago
  • Audit associate, Sikich, LLP, Naperville
  • Audit associate, Deloitte, Chicago
  • Tax consultant, Deloitte, Chicago
  • Audit associate, Grant Thorton, Chicago

 

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