two Saint Joseph's University business students inside a classroom

Department of Accounting

The Department of Accounting provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to become competent, responsible, and ethically minded business decision-makers. The department offers an undergraduate major in accounting and a variety of basic and advanced courses in undergraduate, graduate and executive programs.

Accounting is the very language of business, and every business discipline – from management to marketing to finance – utilizes the financial statements developed by accountants. The undergraduate accounting program is an intensive program designed to develop a professional accountant. The coursework will focus on cost accounting systems, tax and auditing and will prepare you for an accounting career in industry, government or public accounting. Practical exercise, as well as theoretical discussion, provides adequate preparation for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.

The accounting major is designed to provide flexibility in the selection of arts and science courses from broad groupings to augment the professional development of the student. Additionally, a concentration is offered within the MBA program that offers a broad managerial focus stressing the user perspective of accounting information. Classes are taught by a distinguished and committed full-time faculty who are devoted to teaching and student development. Faculty are also enthusiastic about research and publish frequently. Small classes, close advising, interactive instruction and discussion-oriented seminars provide a personal atmosphere for learning.

 

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News and announcements

5 Questions with Professor Joe Ragan, the Accounting Department’s New Sutula ChairProfessor Joe Ragan, M.A., MBA, CPA, was recently appointed the accounting department’s new Edward G. Sutula Chair. The Sutula Chair, founded in 1982 to honor distinguished Accounting Professor Edward G. Sutula, has supported Saint Joseph’s University’s vision of excellence in business education for the last 40 years.

5 Key Takeaways After 20 Years of Sarbanes-OxleySince 2002, The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or SOX, has increased auditing and financial regulations for public companies. Recently, Saint Joseph’s Erivan K. Haub School of Business’s accounting department, in partnership with the Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Center for Business Ethics, hosted a panel of renowned business experts and alumni who discussed the impact SOX has had on the financial world.

At the dawn of the 21st century, several prominent public company accounting scandals — including Enron, WorldCom, and Cendan —prompted the U.S. Congress to enact the landmark Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. SOX, as the Act would come to be known, has had a significant impact on Corporate America and has forever changed the accounting profession. We have assembled a distinguished panel to examine nearly 20 years of SOX’s history.

Alumnus Gifts $100K to Create Scholarships for Newly Launched MPA ProgramAlumnus Michael J. Morris ’56 generously gifted $100,000 to create a scholarship fund for Saint Joseph's Erivan K. Haub School of Business’s new Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) program. The gift will provide scholarship support for accounting students and help to grow enrollment.

Student Volunteers Continue Tax Prep Program Despite Pandemic-related ObstaclesIn light of COVID-19, accounting students at Saint Joseph’s University have shifted to a virtual model to continue their participation in the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA delivers tax preparation services to elderly taxpayers as well as individuals with disabilities, low-to-moderate incomes and limited English skills.

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Throughout my courses here at Saint Joseph's University, I learned both my strengths and weaknesses while being pushed to my best abilities. I had a number of professors who were always willing to help and assist me in my success. I believe that my education here is unlike any other."

Kristin Maier '18

Kristin Maier '18

accounting and finance major

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