Mercy College

Bachelor in Public Accounting

With a Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting degree, you’ll be prepared for the business world. That includes business concepts, the accountant's ethical responsibilities, and role in the business world.

You’ll learn:

• Accounting principles and procedures
• Federal income taxation
• Auditing standards and procedures

Want to take the Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) examination? Our courses will thoroughly prepare you. (By itself this program no longer qualifies students for CPA licensure.) The student interested in becoming a CPA will need to complete the 150 credit hour requirement by enrolling in the M.S. in Public Accounting program.

Future Business Leaders Academy

This year's Future Business Leaders Academy was our most successful yet. The highly select group chosen to join us at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY learned about personal branding, matching their personalities to career paths, and visited some of the top global corporations in New York.

Public Accounting Fast Facts

• Active service and professional learning through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for low-income citizens (VITA)
• Real-world Consulting Projects
• Fortune 500 Network
• Executive faculty

Public Accounting B.S. Curriculum

The stand-alone B.S. in Public Accounting Program is not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure-qualifying program in New York State. The Combined B.S./M.S. in Public Accounting is the only 150-credit-hour CPA licensure-qualifying program at Mercy College.

Students who choose the major concentration in Public Accounting must complete:

Business Core

• ACCT 120 Introduction to Financial Accounting
• ACCT 121 Introduction to Management Accounting
• FINC 235 Financial Management
• BLAW 240 Business Law I
• BLAW 340 Business Law II
• MGMT 225 Principles of Management
• MGMT 340 Organizational Behavior

Public Accounting*

• ACCT 240 Intermediate Accounting I
• ACCT 241 Intermediate Accounting II
• ACCT 250 Cost Accounting
• ACCT 261 Computer App for Accountants
• ACCT 320 Gov/Non-Profit/Special Topics
• ACCT 330 Advanced Accounting
• ACCT 340 Introduction to Federal Income Taxation
• ACCT 341 Advanced Federal Income Taxation
• ACCT 410 Accounting Information Systems
• ACCT 420 Auditing & Assurance Services
• ACCT 430 Topics: Professional Examinations for Accountants
• MGMT 460 Strategic Management (senior-level capstone course)

Open Elective

• Any course

*The College's 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of Public Accounting must be met with 12 credits in Accounting (ACCT) courses numbered 240 or higher, excluding ACCT 380 and ACCT 381, plus Management (MGMT) 460 (senior-level capstone course).

The major concentration in Public Accounting meets the educational requirements for candidates applying to take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Examination.

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Program Outcomes

At the end of this program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts in the business core curriculum
• Evaluate ethical issues in accounting, auditing, and business
• Use accounting and research tools to integrate business and accounting information in making strategic decisions
• Use oral, written, and presentation skills to communicate accounting information and auditing results

Career Opportunities

Public Accounting graduates may seek positions such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), government auditor, internal auditor, financial advisor, revenue agent, tax accountant, and management services accountant.