College of Business

Traditional & Adult students earn the B.B.A. Accounting program and customized programs.

The Accounting program and courses are designed to:

1. Build a foundation of terminology used widely in the accounting community
2. Enhance communication skills through formal presentations and research papers
3. Prepare and analyze financial statements for decision-making purposes
4. Utilize accounting-related knowledge by performing on team-based problem-solving projects
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. Federal Internal Revenue Code and demonstrate an ability to prepare tax returns utilizing tax preparation software
6. Understand and be able to apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and become familiar with International Financial Reporting Standards
7. Be able to use spreadsheet software, gain a basic understanding of databases and basic accounting software.
8. Recognize how information about business processes are summarized in the accounting system and the role of internal control in businesses
9. Demonstrate the ability to perform the research process in answering an accounting question
10. Understand product costing and be able to apply that knowledge
11. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and gather the information needed to make short and long-term managerial decisions
12. Understand risk-based auditing and the role of the PCAOB
13. Become familiar with the current issues facing accountants
14. Cultivate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of accounting practice and the role of sustainability in this field

The program and major are designed to:

1. Prepare you for entry level positions;
2. Enable you to perform effectively in professional and career positions in management; and
3. Prepare you for graduate and professional study in business or management.

All students in this program will receive a thorough grounding in:

1. Economics (the theoretical basis for the discipline);
2. Mathematics and statistics (the tool subjects);
3. In the principles pertinent to all of the functional areas of business, accounting, finance, management, and marketing, in an integrated manner and with adequate focus on their international aspects; and
4. In financial and managerial accounting principles and applications, such that the formal requirements to sit for the CPA exam can be fulfilled.

The accounting major is designed so that the entire degree is available through day classes. The accounting major is also offered in time periods and formats that are designed for the needs of adult learners, offered through evening classes.

For further information please contact Adriane Ruiz, 630-829-6224, aruiz@ben.edu

• Admissions Events
• Apply Online
• American Institute of CPAs
• Certified Management Accountant
• Certified Information System Auditor
• Certified Internal Auditor
• Enrolled Agent
• Certified Global Management Accountant

Faculty

Lecturers

R. Fulton, M.S., C.P.A., Senior Lecturer
Bruce Fogerty, M.S.A., M.B.A
Michael Lang, M.B.A., C.P.A.

Requirements - Major:

Accounting majors must complete the University core requirements, which are partially satisfied by MGT 252 Business Ethics (which also counts as religion core) or one core approved philosophy course in ethics, MATH-S105(3) or S110(3) and C115(3). All business majors must complete either CMSC-180 and CMSC-184 or ACCT 310 Accounting Information Systems. ACCT 310 is recommended for accounting majors .

Majors must complete each of the business core courses with a "C" or better: ACCT-111(3), 112(3); ECON-C101(3), C102(3); FINA-300(3), MKTG-300(3), MGT-150(3), 251(3) and C300(3).

Accounting majors who are interested in meeting the requirements for taking the CPA examination should take the following 200 and 300-level courses, with a "C" or better: ACCT-211(3), 212(3), 311(3), 312(3), 313(3), 315(3), and380(3) along with ACCT-120(1) (VITA), ACCT-215(2) (Accounting Research), MGT-252(3) (Business Ethics) and MGT-237(3) (Business Communications).Accounting majors not interested in taking the exam must take the following accounting specialization courses: ACCT-211, ACCT-212, ACCT-380 and may choose three from the following accounting specialization courses: ACCT-310, ACCT-311, ACCT-312, ACCT-313 and ACCT-315. Accounting majors are encouraged to take MGT-235(3).

Students in the Second Major Program that is housed outside of the department must complete the ethics, mathematics and computer science requirements of the first paragraph above and all of the requirements of the second and third paragraphs above.

CLEP, life experience, work experience, internships, advance placement and other external credit do not substitute for upper-level (300) courses.

Accounting majors who elect to earn a second major in the Undergraduate Business Department must complete required unique "specialization courses" for the second business major. Specialization courses may only be used for satisfying the requirements for one business major.

Requirements - Minor:

Only courses in which a student has received a "C" or better may be applied to the minor. Students are limited to one minor in the accounting, business and economics, economics, finance, international business and economics, management and organizational behavior, and marketing programs.

Students (except for BAM students) seeking a minor in accounting must complete with a grade of "C" or better 21 semester hours which must include ACCT-111(3), 112(3), 211(3), 212(3); ECON-C102(3); and at least two 300-level courses in accounting. A Bachelor of Arts in Management student seeking a minor in Accounting must complete with a grade of "C" or better the following courses and their prerequisites: ACCT-211, ACCT-212, ACCT-311, ACCT-312, ACCT-313 and ACCT-315. A student who majors in Accounting may not earn a minor in the undergraduate business department.

Accounting Major Sheets: http://www.ben.edu/academic_programs/majorsheets/upload/Accounting_13-14.pdf

Graduate program –MBA website(4 plus 1 program) http://www.ben.edu/academic_programs/business/GradPrograms/MBA/#tabs-96223=1

Financial Aid: http://www.ben.edu/fa 

Concentrations in Integrated Marketing Communications, Managing Human Resources, Personal Financial Planning, Sports Management and Sports Marketing are available in combination with this major. Requirements listed below must be completed with a "C" or higher.

Integrated Marketing Communications Concentration: MKTG 330, 331, 332, 333 and COMM 208.

Managing Human Resources Concentration: MGT 330, 334, 335 and one of MGT 235, 302 or 320.

Personal Financial Planning Concentration: FINA 220, 320, ACCT 312 and one of MGT 235 or ACCT 120 along with FINA 120.

Sports Management Concentration: MGT-305, MKTG-305 and two courses from MGT-235, 297, 301.

Sports Marketing Concentration: MKTG-305, MGT-305 and two courses from MKTG-297, 330, INTB-371.

Potential Accounting Careers:

• Financial Analyst
• Internal Auditor
• Business Analyst
• Information Technology Auditor
• General Accountant
• Cost Analyst/Accountant
• Financial Reporting
• Tax Services
• Compliance Analyst

Starting salaries (Robert Half-2013 Salary Guide) range from $38,500-$59,500 for most positions.They range up to $66,000 for IT Auditors.