BBA in Accounting

Why Accounting?

Accounting is the language of business. The accounting profession offers boundless opportunities for men and women to build exciting and rewarding careers. Technology is changing the way business is done, which means more new opportunities for accounting professionals as organizations of all sizes and structures struggle to harness the enormous potential of information and the technologies used to deliver that information. As America’s most trusted information professionals, accountants are uniquely situated to lead business into the 21st century. Georgia Southern’s separately accredited AACSB accounting program offers three educational tracks.

Accounting as a Career Choice

What is Accounting?

The accounting function is responsible for assessing the bottom-line productivity of all types of organizations from businesses to governmental units to not-for-profit organizations. Accounting systems capture, summarize, and report financial information for use in charting an organization’s future. In short, accounting provides “big picture thinking” and an understanding of how financial data impacts every aspect of any organization.

What do Accountants do?

Surveys confirm that accountants are among the most respected of all professionals. Using their analytical abilities, accountants turn financial information into strategies for the continual longevity of their companies and clients. Accountants are people-oriented and are charged with solving a variety of problems. These problems require accountants to get to know the most intricate details of the situation, such as the individual and the individual’s specific business needs and wants. There are a variety of career fields that accountants may work that are not related to a traditional accounting firm. Many accounting graduates go on to pursue careers in law, law enforcement, politics, education, and government work, such as with the FBI. There is a world of opportunity for accountants in today’s ever-changing business environment.

Why Georgia Southern University?

Surveys confirm that accountants are among the most respected of all professionals. Using their analytical abilities, accountants turn financial information into strategies for the continual longevity of their companies and clients. Accountants are people-oriented and are charged with solving a variety of problems. These problems require accountants to get to know the most intricate details of the situation, such as the individual and the individual’s specific business needs and wants. There are a variety of career fields that accountants may work that are not related to a traditional accounting firm. Many accounting graduates go on to pursue careers in law, law enforcement, politics, education, and government work, such as with the FBI. There is a world of opportunity for accountants in today’s ever-changing business environment.

• International accreditation from the AACSB. Only institutions with proven track records of academic excellence are able to obtain this important stamp of approval, so you can count on receiving a high quality educational experience.
• A caring environment. Georgia Southern provides a student-centered government led by administrators and faculty and staff who genuinely care about your success.
• Interaction with faculty and business leaders. Our classes are taught by qualified professors, not graduate students, and class sizes are often smaller. Regional and national speakers come to campus regularly to participate in our annual Executive-In-Residence and Accounting Day programs.
• First-rate facilities and computer labs. The School of Accountancy is housed in the College of Business Administration building, which has state-of-the-art multi-media classroom facilities and four computer labs with the latest technology.
• Outstanding student organizations. The School of Accountancy’s two student organizations offer lots of opportunities to build leadership skills and lasting friendships with fellow students and faculty members. The Accounting Association and Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honor fraternity, prepare you for professional life through a variety of professional development programs, tutoring services, and meaningful community service projects.
• Internship opportunities. Internships help you better integrate academic knowledge with its practical applications. Exposure to accounting practice and business environment can also help you decide which career path is right for you and help jumpstart your professional development before entering the workforce on a permanent basis.

BBA Student Learning Outcomes

In addition to the characteristics ascribed to all Georgia Southern graduates and to all Parker College of Business graduates, the characteristics that distinguish a Georgia Southern accounting graduate is his or her ability to:

• Outcome 1: Graduates will be able to synthesize financial and other accounting information by preparing financial statements that fairly reflect economic events.
  University Theme and Parker College of Business Goal: Critical analysis and synthesis of information.Evidence of Progress: Prepare financial statements that correctly reflect economic events.
• Outcome 2: Graduates will be able to apply an appropriate Code of Professional Conduct to resolve ethical conflicts.
  University Theme and Parker College of Business Goal: Ethical and informed decision making.Evidence of Progress: Apply the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct to resolve ethical conflicts.
• Outcome 3: Graduates will be able to make an oral presentation on an accounting or related technical matter for the appropriate audience that is: (a) well-organized and (b) grammatically correct.
  University Theme and Parker College of Business Goal: Effective communication.Evidence of Progress: One-on-one presentations.
• Outcome 4 Graduates will be able to prepare written reports that represent accounting information for the appropriate audience that are: (a) well-organized, (b) concise, and (c) grammatically correct.
  
  University Theme and Parker College of Business Goal: Effective communication.Evidence of Progress: Written memos.
• Outcome 5 Graduates will be able to use personal and professional information technology applications in the accounting environment
  University Theme and Parker College of Business Goal:  Use of data and information effectivelyEvidence of Progress: Utilize technology applications in completing work.