Accounting, B.S.

Accounting is the language of business decision-making and is a primary means of organizational communication. The accountant’s role has changed substantially over the past decade. Today, accountants are actively involved in analyzing and interpreting financial data and work with other executives in decision-making and problem-solving activities.

The accounting major offered by Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business will help you develop strong technical and professional accounting skills, including communication, problem-solving and analytical skills.

I have experienced exponential growth in my ability to think critically, perform confidently, and engage with industry professionals due to the knowledge and opportunities provided by the accounting department." ⁠—Mi’Angila Graham, Class of 2021

SLU's accounting graduates have a long history of success on the CPA exam, with pass rates exceeding both the Missouri and national averages. Many of our graduates have passed all parts of this critical exam on their first attempt. The 2021 CPA Success Index, published in Accounting Today, ranked SLU 26 in the country among large accounting programs.

Students may also choose to pursue an accounting minor in addition to their chosen major.

Curriculum Overview

SLU students may choose to graduate from the accounting program with the 120-credit bachelor's degree; however, those who plan to be licensed after taking the CPA examination are required to complete 150 college credits in most states.

Students may accumulate the 150 required credits in several ways:

• Complete 150 credits at the undergraduate level (often by pursuing a double major).
• Complete the 120-credit bachelor's degree and complete the 30-credit Master of Accounting degree sequentially.
• Or complete the Integrated Accounting Program, which allows you to complete both the undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting simultaneously.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) requirement for entry into the Master of Accounting program will be waived for accounting undergraduates with a minimum 3.40 cumulative SLU grade point average (GPA). The Department of Accounting also offers an Accounting Scholars Program for qualified incoming freshmen.

Internships/Student Organizations

Undergraduate accounting students have the opportunity to work a full-time, busy season accounting internship in their final semester and remain on track for graduation. St. Louis' metropolitan location provides numerous internship opportunities, allowing students to gain career-related work experience while applying classroom knowledge to practice. Most internships are paid, and students may earn academic credit. Supervised by both a representative from the organization and a faculty mentor, SLU's accounting students have interned with public accounting firms, Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions and governmental agencies. 81% of SLU Accounting graduates in the Class of 2021 completed at least one internship by graduation.

The Saint Louis University chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international scholastic and professional honor society for financial information professionals, provides a vital link between students and the accounting profession. The chapter presents numerous guest speakers from various disciplines and industries each semester. In addition, membership offers students opportunities to establish networking relationships with potential employers. The chapter is regularly recognized for its continued excellence.

Careers

In a survey of SLU's most recent accounting graduates, 100% reported they were either employed or attending graduate school within six months of their graduation. They join a global network of nearly 20,000 alumni from the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. Accounting graduates from the Chaifetz School have earned employment with prestigious organizations such as AB In-Bev, Boeing, FedEx and TD Ameritrade.

Possible career paths for graduates with an undergraduate degree in accounting from SLU include:

• Auditor
• Budget analyst
• FBI agent
• Financial planner
• Forensic accountant
• IRS agent
• Risk management consultant
• Tax professional

The Chaifetz School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world's largest business education alliance and accrediting body of business schools, ensuring continuous quality improvement in terms of curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career placement and intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty. Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation. 

The Accounting program is also separately accredited by the AACSB, one of only 190 schools to have earned this distinction.

Admission Requirements

Freshman

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App. 

All applications are thoroughly and carefully reviewed. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary criterion in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. 

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.

Transfer

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 credits or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s).

Transfer students must have a cumulative 2.70 GPA to be admitted to the accounting program and a 2.50 GPA for all other majors. In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

International Applicants

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. 

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• You must demonstrate English Language proficiency.
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Accreditation

Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier business school accrediting body. Achieving AACSB accreditation ensures continuous quality improvement in the learning environment through enhancements to the curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career planning and placement and the intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty.

Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation. The accounting program is also separately accredited by the AACSB, one of only 183 schools to have earned this distinction.

1. Graduates will have the ability to apply relevant accounting standards for financial reporting purposes and apply the appropriate tax laws for planning and compliance issues.
2. Graduates will be able to recognize and evaluate areas of risk in operations, decision making and information technology.
3. Graduates will be able to apply analytical and quantitative techniques to analyze accounting-related issues.
4. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.
5. Graduates will be able to make professional and ethical judgments and demonstrate professional conduct and demeanor.

Eighteen credits in addition to ACCT 2200 Financial Accounting (3 cr) and ACCT 2220 Accounting for Decision Making (3 cr), which are taken as business Common Body of Knowledge requirements.

Accounting students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses used to fulfill major requirements and a minimum 2.70 cumulative SLU GPA is a prerequisite for all 3000 and 4000 level accounting courses. (All courses are three credits.) 

*

In addition to completing lower and upper division coursework in all areas of business, each student typically selects a business major before or during the first semester of the junior year. 18 major-specific credit hours are required as determined by the appropriate department. To broaden their expertise, students may complete more than one major in business, or a major and a minor in business.  Outside of the Business Common Body of Knowledge (CBK), however, a maximum of one business course (3 credit hours) may be used to fulfill requirements in two business majors/minors.

†

Students in the Integrated Accounting Program are required to take MGT 4500 Legal Environment of Business II (3 cr), during the last semester of master’s level coursework.

‡

General electives may be selected from any area of study within the University, giving the student the opportunity to diversify their experiences.  Students should consider University Undergraduate CORE attribute requirements when selecting electives.

Continuation Standards

Accounting students who have commenced their major coursework will be on program probation if their cumulative SLU grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.70. Students will have one semester to increase their cumulative SLU GPA to a 2.70; if not, students will not be allowed to register for 3000 or 4000 level accounting courses.

Students will be automatically placed on University probation if any of the following occur:

• Their Saint Louis University cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00
• Their Saint Louis University semester grade point average is below a 1.00
• More than two "Incomplete" or two "In-Progress" grades on their academic transcript

During the probationary period, advisors help students achieve academic success by closely monitoring their academic performance. In order to improve scholastically and demonstrate the ability to make progress toward a degree, students on University probation may not register for more than 12 credits of coursework in the fall and spring semesters, three credits in the winter term, and no more than one course/four credits in any single summer session term.

The conditions under which a student is dismissed from the school include:

1. Inability to eliminate probationary status within the two semesters subsequent to the assignment of probation or
2. A grade point average deficit points of more than 15 points

For more information, see the University Academic Policies and Procedures section.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

¹

Must complete in the first 36 credit hours at SLU.

²

Must complete in the first 60 credit hours at SLU.

³

Must take second semester sophomore year unless studying abroad.

⁴

Must have SLU cumulative GPA of 2.7.

⁵

ENGL 4000-Professional Writing highly recommended.

⁶

Must have completed all other Business Common Body of Knowledge courses.

⁷

Students are encouraged to take ACCT 4200 Accounting Data Analytics as an elective.

2+SLU programs are formal  transfer agreements for students seeking an associate degree at a partner institution. 

• Accounting, B.S. (Jeffco 2+SLU)
• Accounting, B.S. (STLCC+SLU)