B.S. in Accounting

Accounting is a complex, in-demand career — one that requires a high level of technical skill and ethical standards. As a Biola accounting major, you’ll develop the expertise needed to oversee the budgeting, taxes and financial reports for a variety of businesses and organizations. And with an additional year of study after graduation, you can seamlessly earn a Master of Professional Accountancy, which meets the academic requirements for becoming a certified public accountant (CPA).

In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s accounting program offers several key advantages:

Biola accounting graduates have a very high job placement record — including placement with the “Big Four” national accounting firms — due in part to their reputation of being trustworthy, skilled workers.

The Biola Accounting Society is a great resource that hosts meetings with local professionals, offers career guidance and sponsors an annual “Meet the Firms” event featuring national, regional and local CPA firms.
Biola’s Crowell School of Business has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) since 1997.

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Courses

What will I study as an accounting major?

Throughout the accounting program, there will be a focus on business law, mathematics, economics and accounting principles. Some of the topics and course highlights include:

Corporate accounting concepts and techniques
The legal and regulatory environment of business
Strategic management through research
Digital communication strategies
Estate taxation
International trade and accounting
Supply and demand analysis
Principles of management in a global environment
Ethics and faith in business practices

Bible and Theology Coursework

As part of Biola’s commitment to a biblically centered education, most undergraduate students complete 30 credits of biblical and theological studies as a part of their degree program. Learn more about our Bible and theology core.

Career Outlook and Preparation

What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting?

Many career opportunities in audit, tax, consulting, business, government and law await future graduates of Biola's accounting program. As a well-equipped professional, you can expect to impact the world for Jesus Christ in professions such as:

CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
Controller
Financial planner
Financial analyst
Forensic and fraud accountant
Financial consultant

In addition, many Crowell School of Business students pursue graduate studies while others have moved directly into professional roles at major corporations. Highlights include:

Deloitte
KPMG
Ernst & Young
PwC
BDO
Grant Thorton
RSM
FBI
Walt Disney
Starbucks

9% job growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for financial analysts is projected to be much faster than average between 2023 and 2033.

BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.

Biola's accounting program does an excellent job of preparing students for the workforce. Professors willingly help you in your studies, your recruiting and any other questions you may have.

Kevin Vandekamp

Accounting, B.A., MPAcc.

Admissions

Admissions Process

Learn about Biola’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.

Program-Specific Admissions Requirements

Admission into Biola University does not guarantee admission as an accounting major in the Crowell School of Business, nor permission to enroll in upper-division accounting courses. The following requirements must be observed:

Complete, with a minimum of a "C" (2.0) grade in each of the following courses (totaling 18 semester hours), or the equivalent; with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50:
1. BUSN 201 or BUSN 202 — Principles of Macroeconomics
2. BUSN 211 — Principles of Accounting I
3. BUSN 212 — Principles of Accounting II
4. ENGL 100 — Studies in Critical Thinking and Writing with Studio OR ENGL 112 — Studies in Critical Thinking and Writing I
5. MATH 190 — Business Statistics
Accomplish an overall cumulative GPA of 2.50 in all college level course work completed at the time of formal application to the Crowell School of Business.
Complete all portions of the application for admission to the Crowell School of Business. The application should be filed the semester in which the student is in progress of completing the prerequisite course requirements.
Complete the ePortfolio assignment. Contact the academic advisor for more details on how to complete this assignment.
Meet approval of the academic advisor of the Crowell School of Business. The process may require an interview.

Schedule a Visit

Learn more about this program by attending an upcoming event for prospective students and parents, or by scheduling a personalized visit.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

Attaining a degree from Biola is more affordable than you might think — dramatically lower than the “sticker price” in most cases — with 100% of incoming undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid.

Faculty

Faculty Spotlight

Philip Woodward

MPAcc Program Chair

MBA, California State University, Fullerton
M.B.T., University of Southern California
B.S., University of Southern California
CPA, State of California

Faculty Spotlight

Randy Markley

Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance

DBA, Warrington College of Business, University of Florida
MPA, University of Southern California
MBA, University of La Verne
B.A., University of La Verne

Faculty Spotlight

David Bourgeois

Professor of Information Systems, Business Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence

Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University
M.S., California State University, Fullerton
B.S., Biola University

Meet All Program Faculty

Learning Opportunities

The Biola Accounting Society

Participating in the Biola Accounting Society is a vital part of making accounting students successful in the business world. Professional development opportunities and highlights include:

Weekly meetings with local professionals who share their perspectives on the accounting profession, interviewing techniques and resume writing.
"Meet the Firms," an annual event consisting of panel discussions and a professional mixer. This allows students to talk to representatives from the Big Four, as well as private and public, industry and governmental accounting firms.
Mock interviews, office tours and social events planned throughout the year.

B.S. in Accounting

Program at a Glance

Format

Total Credits

Standard Completion Time

Accreditation

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Courses

What will I study as an accounting major?

Bible and Theology Coursework

Career Outlook and Preparation

What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting?

9% job growth

Admissions

Admissions Process

Program-Specific Admissions Requirements

Schedule a Visit

Tuition and Financial Aid

Faculty

Philip Woodward

Randy Markley

David Bourgeois

Learning Opportunities

The Biola Accounting Society

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