Bachelor of Science - Accounting

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants calls accounting “a career without limits” for a good reason.

Accounting is more than bookkeeping or number-crunching. You’ll learn the skills needed to become a strategic business adviser who can anticipate organizational challenges. You’ll also be encouraged to develop your talents as a critical thinker and creative problem-solver.

In addition to preparing you for the traditional roles of CPA, cost accountant, government accountant or internal auditor, the Accounting degree program can be a solid foundation for your career in underwriting or actuarial science, financial services, forensic investigation, or the law. There isn’t an industry or sector of the economy that doesn’t employ accountants, which gives you a wide range of career options. For example, our B.S. in Accounting graduates have started their careers as budget analysts, trade specialists, underwriters, business management analysts, assurance associates, financial institution examiners, and internal auditors. Accounting alumni with more experience hold positions that include chief accounting officer, tax senior manager, partner, and special agent for the IRS’s criminal investigation unit.

Penn State Behrend has a history and future of developing thinkers, creators, and innovators who build opportunities out of challenges, competence out of curiosity, and proficiency out of potential.

We produce graduates who are prepared for success in their professions, passionate about their work, committed to lifelong learning, open to new experiences and diverse perspectives, and possess interdisciplinary knowledge and a global and ethical outlook—all critical to thriving in an ever-changing world.

We empower our students through highly engaged instruction, research, and out-of-class opportunities, combined with a distinctive Open Laboratory model of learning and discovery that connects students to business, industry, alumni, and community partners—giving them real-world experiences while benefitting these partners.

With purpose, we develop graduates who are widely recognized for the contributions they make to their professions, their communities, and the world around them.