
Accounting
Build Business Skills and Your Professional Network
When you earn a St. Thomas undergraduate business degree with a concentration in Accounting, you’ll gain the business skills and practical experience you need to thrive in the accounting field. Our engaging, hands-on curriculum prepares you to succeed in a variety of settings, whether in a public accounting firm, private business, government or nonprofit organization. A highly engaged faculty and small class sizes ensure that you receive plenty of individual attention, and your faculty advisor supports and guides your student journey. Your studies will prepare you to:
- Handle financial statements
- Conduct audits and other assurance work
- Design accounting systems and budgets
- Prepare tax work for individuals or companies
- Analyze and interpret financial information reflecting an organization's performance
- Participate in the management of an organization
If you’re interested in a well-rounded degree that shapes you into a skilled accountant and innovative business leader, look no further than St. Thomas.
Program Overview
All undergraduate business students are required to take core courses, concentration courses related to their major, and allied courses, which take place outside of the Opus College of Business.
The University of St. Thomas Accounting program meets the current education requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination, and for CPA licensure.
Year 1
ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I (4 cr)
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good (2 cr)
ENTR 100 Introduction to Entrepreneurship & Innovation (2 cr)
Allied courses in economics, math, and statistics
Year 2
ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service (0 cr)
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 300 Operations and Supply Chain Management
Years 3 & 4
As a junior and senior, you’ll take courses specific to your chosen concentration as well as business electives. And, if you choose to study abroad, you’ll likely do so sometime during year 3 or 4.
In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take courses in the St. Thomas Core Curriculum throughout your four years.
Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.
St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.
Course Requirements
All undergraduate business students are required to take core courses, concentration courses related to their major, and allied courses, which take place outside of the Opus College of Business.
The University of St. Thomas Accounting program meets the current education requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Accountancy to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination, and for CPA licensure.
Four-Year Plan
Year 1
ACCT 100 Principles of Accounting I (4 cr)
BUSN 100 Business for the Common Good (2 cr)
ENTR 100 Introduction to Entrepreneurship & Innovation (2 cr)
Allied courses in economics, math, and statistics
Year 2
ACCT 200 Principles of Accounting II
BETH 300 Ethical Principles in Business
BLAW 300 Law for Business Leaders I
BUSN 200 Business Learning Through Service (0 cr)
FINC 310 Core Financial Management
MGMT 200 Working Skillfully in Organizations
MKTG 200 Introduction to Marketing
OPMT 300 Operations and Supply Chain Management
Years 3 & 4
As a junior and senior, you’ll take courses specific to your chosen concentration as well as business electives. And, if you choose to study abroad, you’ll likely do so sometime during year 3 or 4.
In addition to your major courses, you’ll also take courses in the St. Thomas Core Curriculum throughout your four years.
Degree Awarded
Tutoring
Your professor is always available to help you with your coursework. If you need extra help with your core courses in accounting, finance, or operations, free tutors are also available. Whether you’re stuck on an assignment or want help preparing for an exam, our tutors are always glad to work with you. You can schedule a 30-minute one-on-one appointment, or drop in during open hours.
Internships
St. Thomas maintains a large network of alumni and local business connections, which leads to real-world learning opportunities, internships and—oftentimes—employment after graduation. When you’re ready for an internship, the Career Development Center can help you find a position that supports your professional goals.
Scholarships
Accounting Department Scholarships
Scholarships
GHR Fellows Program
GHR Fellows receive:
- Full tuition and fees for four years (and may, pending demonstrated financial need, receive grant funds that cover room and board at St. Thomas)
- A fully funded J-Term study abroad experience
- Professional coaching and mentorship
- Networking opportunities with Fortune 500 business executives and community leaders
Build your network
Accounting students have many opportunities to develop professionally, both in and outside of the classroom, allowing them to begin building their network early on in their college career.


Connect with Faculty

Connect with Alumni
Faculty at the forefront of practice and theory

Diane Matson, PhD
In her courses, Diane Matson encourages students to look beyond the numbers to discover patterns and relationships.

Brian Shapiro, PhD
Brian Shapiro’s current scholarly work focuses on understanding how organizations incorporate their espoused values into their everyday practices to advance effective enterprise risk management, employee development, and ethical financial reporting.

Lawrence Chui, PhD
Lawrence Chui's research focuses on improving auditors' judgment and decision performance. He aims to develop tools that help auditors assess fraud risk more effectively.
Learning Through Service: Business 200
We believe that businesses need to be socially responsible in the communities where they operate. All undergraduate business majors and minors are required to complete BUSN 200, a zero-credit, tuition-free course that includes 40 hours of community service and a series of reflective seminars. This service learning helps you grow into a highly principled global business professional, and an effective and ethical leader who’s prepared to make positive contributions in both your profession and community.
St. Thomas Career Services
The experts in the Career Development Center can help you find internships, develop job search skills, and put you in touch with business leads—both alumni and St. Thomas connections in the broader Twin Cities business scene. We can help you:
- Clarify your strengths and how they relate to majors and career fields
- Map out a career plan
- Create your résumé and prepare for interviews
- Look for internships and jobs

Career Opportunities
Typical accounting jobs include:
- Auditor
- Account Manager
- Systems Analyst
- Budget Manager
- Revenue Audit Supervisor
- Accountant (financial, tax, corporate, investment)