Accounting Degree

Accounting is a fast-growing field that offers excellent pay and job security. At Hardin-Simmons University, we offer an affordable, flexible accounting degree that will prepare you for high-demand business careers, while helping you gain practical skills that will serve you throughout your life.

Real-world training is a key part of our accounting major. For example, in one class, you’ll prepare an income tax return by hand to become familiar with the forms and process — developing life skills that will serve you at work and at home. Our faculty are CPA certified accounting experts with real-world professional experience. They are also dedicated teachers and mentors here to answer your questions and help you succeed.

Some accounting courses are offered in person, some fully online, and some in a hybrid format, offering added flexibility to study at a time and place that best fits your needs. We also offer a fast track B.B.A.-M.B.A program that enables you to earn your master’s degree with some additional coursework.

CPA Track for Public Accountants

If your goal is to pursue a career in private industry or the nonprofit sector, our traditional B.B.A. accounting degree will prepare you with all the knowledge and skills you’ll need. However, if you’re planning on going into public accounting, you’ll need to take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and meet its prerequisites — which includes 26 hours beyond the 124 hours required for the B.B.A. degree — offered through our new CPA track for public accountants.

Also check out the Fifth-Year Accounting Student Scholarship Program, offered through the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, which provides financial assistance to students intending to take the CPA examination as Texas applicants.

Program Contact

Shaylee Piland-Associate Professor of Accounting

Shaylee Piland

Associate Professor of Accounting

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Why Earn Your Accounting Degree at Hardin-Simmons?

HSU President presents a plaque to a graduating student.

Joint Bachelor and Masters Program

The Kelley College of Business at Hardin Simmons offers the joint B.B.A.-M.B.A. program so that students working toward the 150-hour Certified Public Accountant requirement can obtain a master’s degree with little additional coursework.

MSIS Professor conducting lecture via Skype to room of students

Real-World Experience

Numerous hands-on learning experiences are built into our core accounting curriculum — from preparing tax returns to participating in weekly discussion boards. Career services and accounting faculty also work closely with local CPA firms to coordinate internship opportunities.

HSU students in lecture hall taking notes

Skills to Succeed in a Changing World

The role of accountants in business continues to evolve with the accelerating demands of a global economy. Our program supplements financial expertise with technical and communication skills that the next generation of accountants will need to analyze financial information and convert those results into predictive tools.

What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?

Successful businesses are managed by financial information, and no one is better prepared or qualified to produce, analyze, and interpret that information than an accountant. It’s one of the reasons why 36% of all Fortune 500 CFOs are Certified Public Accountants.

When you earn your B.B.A. in accounting at Hardin Simmons, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in the business career of your choosing — 83% of our accounting bachelor’s program alumni are working in a field directly related to their major. Many of our accounting bachelor’s degree graduates also go on to earn their M.B.A. and M.P.A. degrees.

Top jobs for our accounting degree graduates

  • Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Financial manager
  • General/operations manager
  • Office manager/administrative supervisor
  • Tax manager
  • Financial and investment analyst
  • Financial risk specialist

How much can you make with an accounting major?

The estimated salary for alumni of our bachelor’s in accounting degree is $60,331. However, how much you earn will depend on the specific business field you choose to pursue. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors in the state of Texas earn an average of $80,170 per year. Financial managers make $148,860, while financial analysts can expect to earn $87,870, on average.

Program Details

Keep in mind that, if you’re a planning to sit for the CPA exam, you’ll need to take 26 credits beyond the 124 credits required for the B.B.A. degree. To meet the additional requirement, you may want to consider our B.B.A.-to-M.B.A. Early Admission program.

Bailey SchererBailey Scherer – Tax Accountant, Eide Bailly LLP

Hardin-Simmons provides a unique environment for growth and self-discovery. HSU surrounds you with professors that genuinely want to get to know you and help you succeed. Hardin-Simmons is a place that pushes you to be your best self and discover your dreams among peers and professors who will help you reach those dreams.”

Kevin HarrisKevin Harris – Accountant, Eide Bailly LLP

At HSU, I was surrounded by people that pushed me spiritually and intellectually. HSU paved the way for me and my professional career. I consider HSU to be a cornerstone of how I got to where I am today. The business professors at Hardin-Simmons taught me more than accounting, they taught me what the business world is really like.”

 

 

If you’re thinking about an accounting major, here are other programs available at Hardin-Simmons University you might be interested in learning more about: