What is Accounting?

The School of Accountancy aspires to be a nationally recognized leader in influencing the accounting profession by educating our students, performing relevant research, and engaging with the profession.

Accounting provides the tools to measure, interpret and communicate economic information for decision-making. A basic understanding of financial and managerial accounting information is necessary for all business majors. Accounting Majors develop their knowledge of accounting within the framework of accounting information systems. The development of a student’s technical, communication, computer, critical-thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills are critical consequences of the program.

students in class at ksu using laptops

Coles College of Business

Learn More About Accounting 

Admission Requirements

Students may initially declare an "-Interest" based major in this subject, but must still meet additional requirements to be formally accepted into the degree program.

Before a business major can be admitted to the Coles College Undergraduate Professional Program and enroll in any upper-division business courses (3000-4000 level), she or he must meet the Coles Sophomore GPA Requirement. This involves earning an Adjusted GPA of 3.00 or greater for the following seven courses:

  • ACCT 2101 Principles of Accounting I
  • ACCT 2102 Principles of Accounting II
  • ECON 2106 Principles of Microeconomics
  • ECON 2105 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • ECON 2300 Business Statistics
  • IS 2200 Information Systems & Communications
  • BLAW 2200 Legal and Ethical Environment of Business

Students should also take BUSA 2150. Successful completion of this course is a requirement for admission to the Coles Undergraduate Professional Program.

General Education Core IMPACTS Curriculum Requirements Specific to This Major

M: MATH 1111 or higher

Double Owl Pathways

Related Minors or Certificates Available

  • Accounting Minor
  • Business Fundamentals Certificate

Sample Classes

  • Focuses on the fundamental principles and concepts applicable to tax liability determination and tax planning, including an introduction to tax research methodology.
  • This course teaches audit theory, attestation, and assurance services. It focuses on the concepts of risk, control, evidence, and ethics for financial reporting and internal control purposes.
  • Introduction to accounting-related skills, tools, and knowledge sets useful in the context of investment in and management of international enterprises. Covers translation of foreign currency financial statements, accounting for foreign-currency transactions and hedges, comparative accounting and disclosure, ethics and other relevant topics.
  • This course will introduce students to a variety of fraud topics, including occupational fraud and fraudulent financial reporting. In addition, the students will explore the foundations of forensic accounting, including fraud examination techniques. The course uses a mix of articles, cases, and classroom discussion.