Why Choose Accounting at Bethel University?
Accounting is the language of business, and Bethel University's Accounting major gives you fluency in it. You will move from the fundamentals of the accounting cycle all the way through intermediate financial accounting, cost accounting, federal income tax, and auditing, while also building a full foundation in management, marketing, finance, business law, and economics. The result is a graduate who understands not just how to keep the books, but how a business actually runs.
Bethel's curriculum is designed to help you build a strong foundation toward that CPA pathway, wherever your career takes you. Along the way, you will learn from faculty who know your name and your goals, offer real mentorship, and help you connect your coursework to the credentials and career you are working toward. With smaller classes and personal attention, you get the kind of guidance that makes a complex field feel approachable and keeps you moving with purpose.
What You'll Learn
You will develop the following:
- A command of generally accepted accounting principles and the full accounting cycle, from journal entries and adjusting entries through financial statement preparation and analysis
- Intermediate financial accounting skills covering cash, receivables, inventories, plant assets, liabilities, and corporate equity
- Cost and managerial accounting techniques, including job order and process costing, overhead and variance analysis, and budgeting
- Federal income tax knowledge as it applies to individuals and businesses, including gross income, deductions, and gains and losses
- Auditing theory and practice, including auditing standards, internal controls, professional ethics, and audit reporting
- Hands-on proficiency with accounting software for general ledger, payroll, payables, receivables, and reporting
- A broad business core in management, marketing, finance, management information systems, and business law
- An understanding of macroeconomic and microeconomic principles that shape business decisions
Course Requirements
These are the core accounting and business courses that define the major:
ACT 201, Principles of Accounting I
ACT 202, Principles of Accounting II
ACT 203, Integrated Accounting Software
ACT 301, Intermediate Accounting I
ACT 302, Intermediate Accounting II
ACT 311, Cost Accounting I
ACT 401, Advanced Accounting
ACT 411, Federal Income Tax
ACT 421, Auditing
BUS 301, Principles of Management
BUS 302, Principles of Marketing
BUS 304, Business Finance
BUS 307, Management Information Systems
BUS 310, Business Law I
BUS 413, Business Policy and Strategy
BUS 418, Production and Operations Management
ECO 211, Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO 212, Principles of Microeconomics
Plus 6 hours of upper-level accounting electives, chosen from courses numbered 300 or above. Options include Cost Accounting II, Managerial Accounting, Governmental Accounting, Fraud Examination, Applied Data Analytics, and Internal Auditing
Career Possibilities
Auditor
Examines financial records and internal controls to verify accuracy, ensure compliance, and report findings to stakeholders.
Financial Analyst
Evaluates financial data, builds forecasts, and helps organizations make informed investment and budgeting decisions.
Forensic Accountant
Investigates financial records to detect fraud, trace transactions, and support legal and regulatory matters.
Accounting Manager
Oversees an accounting team and the day-to-day functions of an accounting department, including reporting and internal controls.
Budget Analyst
Develops and monitors organizational budgets, tracks spending, and recommends adjustments to keep finances on target.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
A licensed accounting professional who performs audits, tax, and advisory services. Tennessee licensure requires 150 semester hours, the Uniform CPA Examination, an ethics exam, and qualifying work experience.
Related Degrees and Programs
If you’re interested in this degree or program, here are others you might find intriguing.
See All
