BBA in Accounting
Begin your career in the diverse and rewarding field of accounting
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in accounting is designed for students who want to pursue a business undergraduate degree with a specialization in accounting and related occupations. The program is designed to provide students with the quantitative, critical thinking, and data analysis skills they need to succeed within the modern workforce. Accounting courses build on the analytical skills developed in the core business courses. The curriculum is designed to increase and expand the knowledge needed for a variety of 21st-century careers, including tax professionals, auditors, analysts, underwriters, financial examiners, and more. Our curriculum meets requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination.
Why Earn Your BBA in Accounting?
A degree in accounting provides the skills required to succeed in a variety of careers, including analyst roles, tax consultants, auditors, bookkeepers, loan underwriters, and more. Moreover, there is much more demand for accountants than supply! A 2022 Deloitte Survey shows 82% of hiring managers are challenged to attract and retain accounting professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for various accounting occupations is approximately $75,000.
Students who wish to pursue more senior roles in these areas should consider pursuing a professional certification, such as the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) designation.
Simply put, careers in accounting offer students the best possible combination of high salary, high demand, career flexibility, and the opportunity to make a positive impact.
About the Program
Our accounting major was strategically developed to meet the changing needs of tomorrow’s professionals. Canvassing employers, alumni, and students, our faculty crafted a rigorous program that ensures our students graduate with the skills needed to launch a rewarding career. Our curriculum was developed with four major priorities:
- Career Readiness: Apply the skills and knowledge to launch your career from day one through project-based learning. Complete a variety of projects focusing on accounting, data analytics, and software tools used by today’s major companies.
- Student Focus: Learn accounting principles in small, intimate classes from compassionate faculty. Develop enduring connections with your professors and fellow students.
- CPA Preparation: Qualify to take the Certified Public Accountant examination upon earning your BBA in accounting. Continue in our MBA program to meet the 150-credit hour requirement.
- Experiential Learning: Take part in our experiential learning opportunities, including real world projects and internships.
With the rise of Big Data and Data Analytics across the workplace, it is increasingly important that accountants understand how to make use of the tremendous amount of information now at their fingertips. This program not only features a class in business analytics but also incorporates data analytics concepts into all accounting courses so our graduates gain the technical proficiency and confidence needed to secure top jobs.
Additionally, the accounting program works closely with a number of accounting firms who provide internship opportunities for our students. Students can also earn credit for up to two internship positions to meet graduation requirements and the 150-credit hours required to secure the CPA designation.
All courses are designed with the student in mind, including using current pedagogical best practices around inclusive teaching and accessibility.
In the accounting program:
- Students will be able to perform core financial accounting functions, including recording complex journal entries and creating and analyzing financial statements.
- Students will be able to use contemporary software tools to perform accounting and data analysis tasks.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of accounting information systems, internal controls, and the auditing process.
- Students will be able to prepare tax returns.
Why study accounting at SXU?
- Small class sizes and compassionate faculty allow for close interaction with your professors and student colleagues.
- You will develop the skills to succeed in a wide variety of well-paying careers.
- Saint Xavier University’s core values of service, integrity, and excellence support your development as an asset to your employer and community.
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Contact the Office of Admission
- 773-298-3050
- Toll Free: 844-GOTO-SXU (844-468-6798)
- Fax: 773-298-3076
- Email: admissionFREESXU
- M-F: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dual-Major Opportunities
Many students combine an accounting major with one of the following majors:
SXU's strong reputation and affiliations with prominent public accounting companies not only enhanced my confidence in the institution but also presented invaluable networking opportunities and potential pathways to future career success in the accounting field.
Saint Xavier is a place where you meet others striving for the same goal of starting a career – a place where you are encouraged to do the best for the benefit of your future. SXU is affordable while maintaining high standards of excellence in education and career progression, and faculty lead you to the path you are striving toward.
The University has a strong reputation for academic excellence and a commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment. I love the meaningful discussions, personalized attention, and mentorship offered by faculty and the opportunities to engage in hands-on research and experiential learning.
Student testimonial
“Saint Xavier has a close community and welcoming atmosphere, which was important since I was involved on campus in numerous organizations such as Sin Limites, Unidos and Women Entering Business. My interactions with students, staff and faculty have been positive and engaging, and the advisors and counselors are so helpful.”
Meet the Faculty
Josh Anderson
Lecturer
Phone: 773-298-3614
Email: janderson@sxu.edu
Vincent Cicchirillo
Assistant Professor
Phone: 773-298-3633
Email: cicchirillo@sxu.edu
Jeffrey English
Assistant Professor
Phone: 773-298-3152
Email: jenglish@sxu.edu
Indranil Ghosh
Director of GSM
Phone: 773-341-5015
Email: ghosh@sxu.edu
Brian Hill
Associate Professor
Phone: 773-298-3680
Email: bhill@sxu.edu
Monzurul Hoque
Professor
Phone: 773-298-3616
Email: hoque@sxu.edu
Alexander King
Associate Professor
Phone: 773-298-3632
Email: aking@sxu.edu
Cheryl Luczak
Associate Professor
Phone: 773-341-5014
Email: luczak@sxu.edu
Gina McNally
Professor
Phone: 773-298-3630
Email: mcnally@sxu.edu
Hamid Mohammadi
Professor
Phone: 773-298-3621
Email: mohammadi@sxu.edu
David Parker
Associate Professor
Phone: 773-298-3664
Email: dparker@sxu.edu
Faisal Rahman
Professor
Phone: 773-298-3606
Email: rahman@sxu.edu
Featured Alumni
Sarah Williams, Alumna, Class of 2020
Sarah Williams completed a summer tax internship at Deloitte, the largest professional
services firm in the world. After an amazing summer of learning from some of the most
talented tax professionals in business, she was extended a job offer to begin a career
with Deloitte Tax in summer 2020. While a student at SXU, Williams maintained a 4.0
GPA and was very involved in extracurriculars, committed to driving change on campus.
She was the president of Women Entering Business, secretary of the Accounting Student
Organization, and sat on the Student Advisory Board at the Northwest Community Credit
Union at SXU.
Williams was an active member of Business Student Association, Financial Management
Association, and a Schmitt Scholar. Williams was the recipient of three awards at
GSM, the Jim McCabe Scholarship, the Elizabeth Hunter Scholarship and 2019 Finance
Department Award. She was also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the exclusive business
honor society associated with AACSB-accredited schools. During the 2019 tax season,
Williams participated in the Ladder Up Program, a program that prepares tax returns
for individuals and low-income families. Williams plans to work with Ladder Up each
tax season to prepare returns for these individuals and give back to her community,
something she is extremely passionate about.