Accounting BS and Minor Program Specifics

Prepared for a Job, on Track for a Career

The BS in accounting prepares you for entry-level positions in the field of accounting; however, the potential for growth can be great. Many graduates start off as:

staff accountants or junior auditors in public accounting or
assistants in the controller’s office in private agencies

After becoming established and gaining experience, career advancement can be achieved through on-the-job performance and additional education or certifications.

Depending on the accounting courses you take, RIC’s BS in accounting program will prepare you for certification. Whichever path you choose, if you’re studying accounting, you’re learning practical skills that employers need.

BS and Minor Program Details

Course Information

Here we provide information on course requirements, course descriptions and an Academic Rhode Map for each program, a semester-by-semester plan to help you toward graduation in four years.

Program/Learning Goals

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

demonstrate fundamental accounting knowledge relating to financial statement preparation and analysis, management decision making, internal controls and business processes, and principles of federal income taxation
analyze, integrate and communicate complex information to facilitate management decision making
work well in a team and communicate results effectively, in both oral and written form
think analytically and critically, and research basic problems independently
be aware of their professional responsibilities concerning the ethical choices they will encounter in the accounting and financial reporting area

Writing in the Discipline

Why or in what ways is writing important to your discipline/field/profession?

Accounting professionals need to have the ability to communicate with many constituencies and in many forms as well as communicate to a variety of stakeholders in order to facilitate decision making and provide information. Accountants explain and interpret accounting standards, provide analysis of financial reports and summarize accounting information. In short, writing is an essential skill in the accounting field.

Which courses are designated as satisfying the Writing in the Discipline (WID) requirement by your department? Why these courses?

ACCT 311, ACCT 312 and ACCT 461 are designated as Writing in the Discipline courses for the Accounting Program. These courses provide students with the opportunity to explain and interpret accounting standards, apply standards to financial reporting issues, construct persuasive arguments, analyze case studies and receive feedback to improve their writing skills.

What forms or genres of writing will students learn and practice in your department’s WID courses? Why these genres?

In the Accounting Program, our WID courses include writing financial statements and related analyses, tax returns and tax advice, audit reports, client proposals and recommendations. These are necessary to communicate important information to stakeholders.

What kinds of teaching practices will students encounter in your department’s WID courses?

Students will find a range of teaching practices. For example, students in WID courses are frequently given case studies and asked to write reports that analyze the accounting policies and financial statements of a given company and to make recommendations, supported by analysis, on various aspects of the case. Typically, the instructor does one sample case at the beginning of the semester to provide a model for students to follow in these assignments.

When they’ve satisfied your department’s WID requirement, what should students know and be able to do with writing?

Once they’ve completed their WID courses, accounting majors should be able to effectively communicate in written form, including explaining industry standards and reports, constructing persuasive arguments and analyzing case studies.

Minor in Accounting

Declaring a minor allows you to explore other areas of interest and make interdisciplinary connections. Minor areas at RIC complement and reinforce all major areas of study. By declaring a minor, you can set yourself apart as a candidate for job, internship and volunteer opportunities.

Information on Our Minor in Accounting

Certification Requirements

To become a licensed CPA, you must have completed 150 credit hours of education and meet additional requirements, including an experience requirement, and pass the CPA exam.

More Information on Accounting Certification Requirements

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides specific requirements to qualify for the exam in Rhode Island,

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation provides specific requirements to become certified, including experience requirements.