May 01, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

Accounting, B.S.


The Accounting, B.S. degree program from the College of Business  is designed to provide students with the basic body of knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to enter the accounting profession (public, government, or business and industry).

Students planning to obtain the CPA certificate must complete 150 credit-hours and are encouraged to complete the coordinated 150 hour Accounting, B.S. and M.S.. See the relevant section of this catalog for more information on the Accounting, M.S.  program.

Program Expected Student Outcomes

1.Functional Business Knowledge

1.1 Learners will demonstrate broad functional knowledge across all areas of business.

1.2 Learners will apply appropriate technological tools in support of business decision-making.

2. Effective Business Communication

2.1 Learners will write clear, concise, and well-organized business reports.

2.2 Learners will produce and deliver professional quality oral presentations.

3. Ethics and Values

3.1 Learners will recognize basic concepts and theories related to business ethics and social responsibility.

3.2 Learners will recognize the ethical dilemmas and social responsibility in a business situation and recommend courses of actions to address the issues.

4. Global Business Issues

4.1 Learners will understand the complexities of the cultural, economic, regulatory, and social environments as they impact business in a global economy.

4.2 Learners will develop viable alternatives and make effective decisions in an international business setting.

5. Technical Accounting Knowledge

5.1 Learners will demonstrate knowledge of financial accounting

5.2 Learners will demonstrate knowledge of managerial accounting

5.3 Learners will demonstrate knowledge of taxation

5.4 Learners will demonstrate knowledge of auditing

5.5 Learners will demonstrate knowledge of accounting information systems

Professional Licensure Disclosure:

Federal law requires GovState to disclose information related to the educational requirements for licensure and certification in U.S. state and jurisdictions.

The Accounting, B.S. at GovState meets the educational requirements to sit for the four sections of the CPA exam in the state of Illinois. Students may also need 150 total credit hours to sit for the exam. Additional information about the educational requirements as well as the licensure requirements after passing the CPA exam are available on the Illinois Board of Examiners website: https://www.ilboe.org/

GovState has not made determination for licensure in other states and jurisdictions. Please visit https://nasba.org/stateboards/ to find each state’s licensure requirements. Students should note that many states and jurisdictions may also require 150 total credit hours and work experience being licensed.

5-Year MSA Admission Requirements - Special Sequence for students enrolled in the GovState Accounting, B.S.:

Students enrolling in the Accounting, B.S. program with the long term goal of completing a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), may consider enrolling in the 5-Year MSA track. Special Admission requirements for this track are listed in the Accounting, M.S.  page of this catalog. Students interested in pursuing this track should meet with their Undergraduate Academic Advisor to assure that the program of study reflects this 5-Year MSA option.

Degree Requirements


Students must meet all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

Students must meet the collegial degree requirements listed at the beginning of this section.

General Education Courses (37-38 Hours)


See the Catalog Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for detailed information about the General Education Requirements for transfer students and students admitted as a freshman.

  • Communications (9 credit hours)

    • Two courses in written communication (6)
    • One course in oral communication (3)

    Mathematics (3 credit hours)

    Physical and Life Sciences (7 - 8 credit hours), including at least one laboratory course

    • One course from Life Sciences (3-4)
    • One course from Physical Sciences (3-4)

    Humanities (9 credit hours)

    • At least one course from humanities and at least one course from fine arts

    Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 credits)

  • One additional Social and Behavioral Science Course (3)

Electives (10-11 Hours)


Total - 120 Hours


NOTE: Students preparing for professional certifications should choose electives as follows: