Niagara University

Accounting Degree Options

Introduction

Currently, students with a 4-year bachelor's degree in accounting are qualified for entry-level positions in all areas of the accounting profession, including public accounting, management accounting, government, and not-for-profit organizations.  Students are also eligible to sit for professional exams such as the CPA and CMA exams.  In addition to the education and exam requirements, two years of professional experience is required for CPA or CMA certification.

Beginning in 2009, New York State will require a 5-year degree in accounting as the minimum educational requirement for entry into the public accounting profession.  Candidates for the 2009 CPA exam must have a 5-year degree in accounting to sit for the exam.  Accordingly, students who wish to prepare for a career in public accounting should enter a 5-year accounting program no later than 2004 to complete the program by 2009.  For students with a 5-year degree, the professional experience requirement will be reduced to one year of public accounting experience for the CPA certification.

The 5-year requirement applies only to the CPA profession.  Students with a 4-year degree will still qualify for careers in management accounting, government, and not-for-profit organizations.

Accounting degree options

To help you achieve your educational objectives, Niagara University offers three accounting degree options: (1) the 4-year undergraduate BBA in accounting; (2) the 5-year BBA/MBA in professional accountancy; and (3) the MBA in professional accountancy.

1. 4-year BBA in accounting

This undergraduate program prepares students for careers in management accounting, government, and not-for-profit organizations.  Students are qualified to sit for the CMA exam and other professional exams, but not the CPA exam.  Students can be admitted into the program in the freshman year, or may transfer into the program from another college.  Two years of professional experience is generally required for professional certification.

2. 5-year BBA/MBA in professional accountancy

The program prepares students for careers in public accounting, and qualifies students to sit for the CPA exam.  In the first three years of the program students take a common core of accounting, business, and liberal arts courses.  Students typically begin taking some MBA courses in the fourth year of the program, and can complete the BBA/MBA program in one additional year.  Students are awarded the BBA degree after completing BBA requirements (usually 4 years), and the MBA degree after completing MBA requirements (one additional year).  Only one year of public accounting experience is required for the CPA certification.

3. MBA in professional accountancy

This program is intended for students who complete an undergraduate degree in a field other than accounting, and who wish to qualify for the CPA exam.  The program leads to the MBA in professional accountancy, and qualifies students to sit for the CPA exam.  The typical program is 33 semester hours for students with an undergraduate business degree, and up to 51 semester hours for students with a non-business undergraduate degree.  Only one year of public accounting experience is required for the CPA certification.

The MBA professional accountancy concentration is also appropriate for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting who wish to pursue an MBA degree to qualify for the 5-year accounting requirement in New York State.

Advisement

Please consult your academic advisor for assistance in preparing for the program you want.  Students interested in the 5-year BBA/MBA in professional accountancy typically begin taking some MBA courses in the fourth year of the program, and usually can complete the BBA/MBA program in one additional year.