Offered at the following campuses:

Build a steady career with an Accounting degree.

Sullivan University's Associate of Science degree in Accounting builds heavily upon solid accounting principles and tax procedures, and relates their application to all forms of business. Graduates are prepared for accounting and management positions in the business world.

For individuals looking for more advanced accounting positions, Sullivan offers a Bachelor of Science degree, which focuses on accounting, business, communication and IT skills in order to build a broad and marketable businessperson. Students can tailor their degree to their individual goals through upper division electives.

Degrees Offered:

Associate of Science Degree

Bachelor of Science Degree

Get to know the program.

Lori Vowels and Sharon Williams are the assistant deans of the School of Accountancy.

What type of person would this program appeal to?

This program would appeal to you if you're interested in an accounting position. It's important to note that accounting is not about math; it is about understanding mathematical relationships, and it's also about being organized, analytical, attentive to detail, being able to work and communicate with others and being a problem solver. And of course, you must be able to apply your accounting education to real-world business situations.

What specific skills or knowledge are taught in the program?

The accounting skills taught range from recording basic journal entries to financial statement preparation and analysis. Accounting students will:

Learn QuickBooks
Learn how to record business transactions using General Ledger Computer Software
Learn about payroll with a simulation model both as a "manual system" and a computerized system
Have the opportunity to use a "Practice Set" that provides a full understanding of the accounting cycle from initial entries through financial statement preparation
Learn how to design an accounting system
Learn about tax law through preparation of "true-to-life" tax returns for individuals and corporations
Integrate textbook learning with industry practices and issues through various research projects and papers
Experience a capstone business policy project where the "accountant" interacts with other team members from various disciplines in monitoring their own company, making business decisions and evaluating those results

What are potential jobs or employment settings for graduates?

Bookkeeper
Accounts payable or receivable specialist
Payroll manager
Accounting manager/supervisor
Internal auditor
Cost accountant
Tax manager
Managerial accountant (CMA)
Controller
Forensic accountant
CPA
Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
Owner
FBI Agent.

What is the most important or unique aspect about this program?

The accounting program at Sullivan University follows a stair step process starting with an associate degree (providing the skill set needed for an entry level position), progressing on to a bachelor's degree (providing the knowledge and understanding for a management position), and culminating in a master's degree with an Accounting concentration (leading to a CPA certification and/or controller or senior manager position).

Also, Sullivan University partners with the Becker CPA Review course to use Becker review materials in the graduate accounting classes, preparing students to sit for the CPA Exam. The accounting faculty is comprised of full-time and adjunct instructors, all of whom have held various accounting positions, providing students with insight into the real world. Additionally, small class sizes in the major field of study allow individualized attention and coaching in career opportunities.

What are good resources for finding out more on this career field?

Websites:

http://www.careers-in-accounting.com/ - This is a useful site with information about accounting careers and helpful links. It also contains a helpful resource listing of books about accounting jobs.
http://bls.gov/ - This is the Bureau of Labor Statistics site. In search field, enter "Accountants and Auditors" for Occupation Outlook Handbook 2010-11 edition, which discusses types of accounting positions, training and qualification, job outlook, earnings, etc.
http://about.intuit.com/futureofsmallbusiness/ - This site has the Intuit 2020 Report as well as the Accounting 2020 report, which examines overall business trends and the effect on the accounting profession.
http://www.roberthalffinance.com/ - This is the website for the 2013 Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance positions. You can download or review the guide, which also regionalizes salary ranges.
http://www.aicpa.org/ - This is the site for the American Institute of CPAs. Look for the "Become a CPA" tab for resources needed to get you started on the road to becoming a CPA.
http://www.kycpa.org/ - This is the Kentucky Society of CPAs website. Look under "Membership & Benefits for Student Membership," which has several useful and fun links and information.
http://www.imanet.org/ - This site is useful for those particularly interested in managerial accounting and the certified management accountant designation.

Associations:

The Kentucky Society of CPAs (each state has its own society of CPAs that addresses the specific needs of the CPAs licensed in that state)
National Society of Accountants
American Accounting Association
National Association of Tax Professionals

Program Success

Program can be completed entirely online.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING

Time length for program completion will vary depending upon the number of courses taken per term, developmental courses when required, transfer credit accepted, lack of continuous enrollment, etc.

Course	Titles	Credit Hours
ACT 001	Accounting Associates Competency Review	0
ACT 101	Principles of Accounting I	4
ACT 102	Principles of Accounting II	4
ACT 103	Principles of Accounting III	4
ACT 111	Computerized Accounting	4
ACT 121	Payroll Accounting	4
ACT 201	Intermediate Accounting I	4
ACT 202	Intermediate Accounting II	4
ACT 203	Intermediate Accounting III	4
ACT 211	Cost Accounting	4
ACT 264	Federal Taxation I	4
BUS 204	Introduction to Business Law and Ethics	4
BUS 224	Professional Development	4
COM 214	Public Speaking	4
CSC 106	Computer Concepts	4
CSC 118	Computer Applications I	4
CSC 218	Computer Applications II	4
ECO 201	Microeconomics	4
ENG 101	Composition I	4
ENG 102	Composition II	4
FYE 101	Information Literacy	4
MGT 114	Business Organization and Management	4
MTH 101	College Mathematics	4
ELECT	General Studies Electives	8
	Total Credit Hours	96

*Courses subject to change.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING