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Academics: Accounting Majors

Study Accounting at Calvin

General overview

The bachelor of science in accountancy and the bachelor of science in public accountancy degrees are intended for students who want to prepare for a career in accounting in the context of a Christian liberal arts education. Calvin's students receive a broad education both in business and in the liberal arts to become competent accounting specialists who also understand and relate well to the world around them.

B.S. in Accountancy (BSA) Program

The B.S. in Accountancy program is designed for students who are interested in a career in accounting other than public accounting (C.P.A.). It includes courses in accounting, management, marketing, business law and courses in economics. It also requires courses in mathematics and computer science. Students who enroll in this four-year program find positions in banking, industry, and not-for-profit institutions. There are some exemptions from general college core requirements. Interested students are encouraged to speak to an advisor.

Program requirements

Visit the Course Catalog for complete course descriptions:

  • Business 160
  • Business 203
  • Business 204
  • Business 215
  • Business 301
  • Business 302
  • Business 305
  • Three from Business 306, 310, 311, or 315
  • Business 350
  • Business 370
  • Business 380
  • Two from Business 363, 367, or 396 and Economics 324-339 (may only take one from Business 367 or 396)
  • Economics 200
  • Economics 211
  • Economics 222
  • Mathematics 143, 243, or 343
  • Mathematics 201
  • Information Systems 171

B.S. in Public Accountancy (BSPA) Program

The BSPA (a five year program) is designed to meet the 150 hours education requirement for CPAs adopted by Michigan and most other states. It includes the coursework listed above for the B.S. in Accountancy plus two additional accounting courses and the liberal arts core (with some reduction in the foreign language requirement). Students interested in this program are encouraged to speak to an advisor.

Calvin accounting graduates have consistently performed well on the CPA exam. Over the past several years, rates for successful completion of the entire exam have ranked in the top ten in the State of Michigan.

Certified Public Accountant licensing

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan involves meeting education, work experience, and examination requirements established by the state. To learn more about requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination and to apply for a CPA certificate, as well as other information about Certified Public Accountant licensing see the State of Michigan website.

Program requirements

All courses listed for the BSA plus:

  • Business 306
  • Business 307
  • Business 310
  • Business 311
  • Business 315
  • Three from Business 363, 367 or 396 and Economics 323-339 (may only take one from Business 367 or 396)

Secondary Content heading

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Real-world learning

In accounting at Calvin, take advantage of these opportunities:

Connect with potential employers at regular events including networking nights

Find an internship through the business and accounting internship course

Explore global markets by studying off-campus in places like China, New York and Germany

Provide tax preparation assistance to low-income and elderly individuals in the community