B.S. in Accounting

Accounting students at Siena are educated in advanced principles, theories and real-world applications of accounting.

The Accounting Program encourages students to seek as broad an education as possible by completing minors in the liberal arts and sciences, in such fields as computer science, international business, history or political science. After successful completion of the requisite major or certificate courses, students also fulfill basic requirements for admission to the licensing exams for Certified Public Accountancy in New York State, as well as other professional certifications. Students can sit for the CPA examination after earning 150 credit hours.

Accountant, audit associate, controller, fiscal analyst, tax auditor—an accounting degree can lead to a host of careers, but to really excel in any, you need strong analytical, communication, technological and teamwork skills. That’s why we emphasize each here at Siena College, a high-impact learning institution located in the heart of New York’s Capital Region. Whether you think you’d like to work right away in the accounting field or pursue a master's, Siena has you covered.

Expand Your Knowledge

Our accounting program encourages students to seek as broad an education as possible by completing minors in the liberal arts and sciences, in fields such as computer science or history.

Intern & Work for the Top

Employers of graduates and student internship sites include Ayco, Deloitte, GE, IBM, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and UHY Advisors.

Requirements for the Major (30 credits) ACCT200 - Financial Accounting 3 credits

The first half of the introductory course in accounting emphasizes the role of accounting as an information and communication system necessary for economic decisions. The accounting process, systems and resulting classified financial statements are covered. Financial accounting concepts and practices relating to topics such as current and long-term assets, inventories, current liabilities, equity and long-term liabilities are included. (ATTR: BUS, ISP)

Lecture Hours: 3

ACCT205 - Managerial Accounting 3 credits

The second introductory course in accounting focuses on the managerial aspect of accounting. The emphasis is placed on internal uses of accounting information to make managerial decisions. The coverage will include topics such as: cost volume profit analysis, cost behavior, activity-based costing, short-term decision making, income tax considerations, budgeting, responsibility accounting, performance measurement, and cost control. Lab problems required. (ATTR: BUS,ISP)

Lecture Hours: 3

ACCT300 - Intermediate Accounting I 3 credits

This course is the first in the two-course sequence in Intermediate Accounting. It provides a comprehensive review of the accounting process, a study of the conceptual basis of accounting, and a review of the preparation and understanding of classified financial statements. The course will focus on the study of contemporary accounting theory and the application of generally accepted accounting principles to various specific topics and financial statement items. (ATTR: BUS)

Lecture Hours: 3

ACCT305 - Intermediate Accounting II 3 credits

Continued study of contemporary accounting theory and the application of generally accepted accounting principles to various financial statement items. (ATTR: BUS)

Lecture Hours: 3

ACCT340 - Taxation I 3 credits

A study of the principles of Federal income taxation primarily focused on taxation of individuals. The course includes an introduction to tax research. Reference will be made to state tax laws to corporate taxation. Lab problems required. Lab fee. (ATTR: BUS)

Lecture Hours: 3

ACCT350 - Cost Accounting 3 credits

The principles and objectives of cost accounting, production control, and inventory control as they relate to the management decision making and control processes within the firm. Lab problems required. (ATTR: BUS)

Lecture Hours: 3

ACCT370 - Accounting Information Systems 3 credits

An introduction to accounting information systems and their roles in the accounting environment. Systems covered include manual accounting, computerized accounting and Internet electronic commerce applications. Emphasis is upon developing students’ abilities to understand the processing of accounting data and the controls that are necessary to assure accuracy and reliability of the data processed by the accounting system. (ATTR:BUS)

Lecture Hours: 3

BUDV450 - Organizational Strategy 3 credits

This course deals with the development and implementation of organization strategy. It focuses on the perspectives, analytical techniques, and capabilities utilized by business professionals to improve an organization’s probability of attaining sustainable competitive advantage and success in the long term. It is considered a capstone course, which implies that students will be asked to integrate much of what they have learned in other courses into the analytical and decision-making processes. In this course, students will be expected to integrate knowledge and skills from courses in the business core, work effectively in teams, demonstrate leadership skills, communicate effectively, engage in the analysis of complex business situations, and make enlightened decisions based upon reasoned judgments. This is a multidisciplinary course, emphasizing the development of strategies that integrate accounting, financial, economics, and marketing, and management considerations. The course will be taught by professors from a variety of disciplines, but always with an emphasis on multidisciplinary integration. This course must be taken and completed successfully at Siena. (ATTR: BUS)

Lecture Hours: 3

Accounting Electives (6 credits)

Accounting electives and other business electives will be selected after consultation with an academic advisor to determine the best mix of courses to prepare the student for their career and educational goals. Students planning to attend graduate programs in accounting should take BLAW 210 - Commercial Transactions as a business elective.

Auxilary courses (3 credits)

Any CSIS course 110 or above (3 credits)

Success Stats

• The job placement rate upon completion of Siena’s MS in Accounting program is 99%
• 75% said a Siena internship led to the current job
• The freshman retention rate is 89%
• 86% participate in internships
• The four-year graduation rate is 77%
• Over 50% of recent accounting graduates have entered the MS in Accounting program

Employers of our Graduates and Student Internship Sites

• Ayco
• Deloitte
• GE
• IBM
• KPMG
• Morgan Stanley
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• UHY Advisors

Job Titles of Recent Graduates

• Accountant
• Accounting Analyst
• Accounting Manager
• Assistant Comptroller
• Audit Associate
• Controller
• Cost Accountant
• Fiscal Analyst
• Government Contracts Accountant
• Global Manager, Compensation and Benefits
• Investment Officer
• Senior Accountant
• Tax Auditor
• Underwriter

A Siena education is an education with soul. Located in Loudonville, New York—just 10 minutes from the state capital of Albany—the Siena experience is built for a new generation of leaders eager to create a more just, peaceful, and humane world. It empowers them through a transformative journey of intellectual, spiritual, and personal discovery.

At Siena education isn’t something you get, it’s something you get to do. With 40 majors, 80-plus minors and certificates, and prestigious joint-degree programs in liberal arts, science, and business, Saints have over 1,200 unique ways to reach their personal and professional goals. But that’s just the beginning. Our 3,000 Saints engage personally with top scholars in a dynamic, customized learning environment. From internships to research to service, they get real-world experience now, not later. The result: sought-after graduates prepared to succeed in an ever-changing global society.