Arkansas values entrepreneurship and welcomes small businesses, so Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in Arkansas are worth investigating. It is also home to some of the biggest companies in the US. Walmart, Sam’s Club, Dillard’s and Tyson Foods base their operations in the state. In addition, according to The Arkansas Economist, Arkansas personal income has the seventh-fastest growth rate in the nation. That makes the state fertile ground for business graduates to plant careers.
Students considering a degree program in accounting should look for schools and programs that are accredited by nationally-recognized organizations. Accreditation is the process of professional review that ensures each school is meeting standards of excellence and providing a curriculum that meets the needs of professionals in the business world. Accreditation is one thing employers consider when assessing the educational references of job applicants. Additionally, attending an unaccredited school may disqualify students from receiving certain types of financial aid. Here is a list of programs.
Arkansas Baptist College
Division of Business
This historically black, private liberal arts college was founded in 1884. It was called the Minister’s Institute and was administered by the Colored Baptists of the State of Arkansas. The US News and World Report ranks the school in the second tier of Regional Colleges-South, #65 -#85. The mission of the Division of Business which houses the accounting degree program is to produce graduates of high moral character who have leadership and communication skills.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
This 124-credit-hour Bachelor’s in Accounting program includes required Bible-based courses and freshman-year life skills classes. An internship the senior year is also a requisite. Areas addressed in the program are financial literacy, federal taxation, governmental accounting, accounting in non-profits and research methodology. There is a physical education requirement which may be met with one of several electives, as well as electives in the humanities and fine arts.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
Contact
Division of Business
Arkansas Baptist College
1621 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive,
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-420-1200
Stephanie.cox@arkansasbapist.edu
Arkansas State University
Neil Griffin College of Business
Arkansas State is a public research university. It was founded in 1909 in Jonesboro as the First District Agricultural School to provide high school courses to the area. In 1918 the school began offering two-year college degree programs. In 1930, the institution became a four-year school, and in 1967 it became a university. There are eight colleges making up the university: The College of Agriculture, the College of Business, the College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Language Arts and Communication, The College of Nursing and Health Professions, the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, the College of Sciences and Math and the College of Undergraduate Studies. The Neil Griffin College of Business, which houses the bachelor in accounting degree program, stresses the international nature of business.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
The school advises students not to take accounting courses the first year but to concentrate on orientation and fundamental courses. There are 120 credit hours in the degree program. Thirty-five of these are in required university general education. There are 39 credit-hours in business-common core classes that give a broad view of the business spectrum. There are 33 credit hours in the major including Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting with a Managerial Emphasis and others. Students take a minimum of 10 hours of electives. Because CPA licensure requires 150 credit-hours of education, students must take an additional 30 hours of classes if they wish to become CPAs. These must be approved by an advisor.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
Neil Griffin School of Business
Arkansas State University
PO Box 970
2007 Aggie Road
State University, AR 72467-0970
870-972-3960
Arkansas Tech University
Business College
This public research university is in Russellville, Arkansas. It was founded in 1909 as the Second District Agriculture School and offered high school diplomas to area youth. The school later offered two-year college programs and its name was changed in 1925 to Arkansas Polytechnic College. It assumed its present name in 1976. The US News and World Report ranks this school as #102 in Regional Universities-South. There are six colleges housing 27 degree programs at the school as well as four academic centers.
The focus of the business college is to produce graduates who add value to their employer and place of employment. The college offers business degrees in accounting, business data analytics, economics and finance, management, marketing, and business education. There is also an MBA program.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting
The learning outcomes of this 120 credit-hour bachelor’s in accounting program include communication skills and critical thinking abilities among other objectives. The university requisite curriculum consists of English composition, science courses, humanities, and introductory business courses. The second year the program features Principles of Economics I and II, Business Statistics, Operations Management, and other courses. While the program gives students an understanding of the areas covered in the CPA exam, licensure requires 150 credit-hours, so students must take additional classes.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
Business College
Arkansas Tech University
215 West O Street
Russellville, AR 72801
479-968-0612
pcarr@atu.edu
Central Baptist College
Business Department
Central Baptist College is a small liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas. It was founded in 1952 and has an undergraduate enrollment of about 745 students. More than 70 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, and the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. Central Baptist was ranked by the US News and World Report as #55 of Regional Colleges-South. The Business Department focuses on delivering a program that challenges the mind and uplifts the spirit. Students major in business administration, marketing or management, and take courses in finance, entrepreneurship, accounting, and international business as well.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
This 121 credit-hour degree program includes a two-hour orientation course, 44 hours of general education, 21 hours in lower-division business foundational courses, 15 hours in upper-division courses and 27 hours in the accounting concentration as well as 12 hours of electives. Some of the courses comprising the bachelor’s in accounting degree program are Business Communications; Computer Applications; Management Information Systems; Principles of Economics I: Macroeconomics; Principles of Economics II: Microeconomics; Accounting Principles I and II and other courses. Students can finish the program with an internship or by completing a special accounting project course.
Accreditation
- North Central Association, Higher Learning Commission
Contact
Business Department
Central Baptist College
1501 College Avenue
Conway, AR
72034
501-205-8790
Harding University
Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration
This private university affiliated with the Churches of Christ was founded in 1924. It has an undergraduate enrollment of more than 4,000, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The school has several international satellite campuses and nine colleges at its Arkansas campus. No fraternities or sororities are permitted at the school, but there are several clubs and organizations. This is a Christian school, and Bible classes and chapel services are mandatory. Students sign a lifestyle compact. The mission of the business school is to “prepare Christian business professionals for lives of service.”
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting Major
In addition to the 53 hours of required general education students in this undergraduate accounting degree program must take POLS 202 and BMIS 280 to get a global perspective of business. There is also a required economics class to give students the “individual and social environment” requisite. Students take 41 hours of business core classes, 27 credit hours in accounting, three credit hours in business electives and five hours of Bible electives. There are 129 hours in the program. Sample courses include Christian Business Ethics; Legal Environment of Business and Managerial Finance.
Accreditation
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration
Harding University
915 East Market Avenue
Searcy, AR
72149
501-279-4240
COBA@harding.edu
Henderson State University
School of Business
Henderson is a public liberal arts college in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. It was founded in 1911 as Arkadelphia Methodist College. It went through several name changes including Henderson-Brown College before assuming its current title. Henderson State University School of Business houses the only university-level aviation program in Arkansas. The university is comprised of five colleges and schools. The School of Business stresses the importance of its small class sizes, internships, and mentorships, competitions, and challenges.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
This 120 credit-hour bachelor in accounting program prepares students to enter the MBA program and equips them to take the CPA examination. Students should note that while the program covers all areas found in the exam, it does not provide the required 150 hours of additional courses. The school has a program called “Business Beyond the Classroom” that features internships, mentor programs, the Ross Whipple Student-managed Fund, and other components.
Accreditation
- North Central Association, Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
School of Business
Henderson State University
1100 Henderson Street
Arkadelphia, AR
71999
870-230-5345
email through website
John Brown University
Soderquist College of Business
This private interdenominational Christian university was founded in 1919. The school has more than 2,500 students including 1,972 undergraduates. There are 41 undergraduate majors at the university. Bible classes are required, and students sign a lifestyle covenant. The US News and World Report ranks this school as #13 of Regional Universities-South. The business school states its values as Christian faith; relationships; teaching and learning; global focus; intellectual curiosity and gratitude.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting or Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
This undergraduate accounting degree is offered in two formats. The BS is intended for those who wish to become professional accountants and the BBA in Accounting is intended for those who want a basic knowledge of accounting. The major difference is that the latter format takes a more generalist posture. Both formats require 124 hours for graduation. Students take university general education requirements, 46 credit hours in core classes and 42 hours in business courses. The BS in Accounting requires 30 hours in accounting, while the BBA requires 18 in accounting and 21 hours in a non-business minor.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
Soderquist College of Business
John Brown University
2000 West University Street
Siloam Springs, AR
72761
877-528-4636
greimer@jbu.edu
Lyon College
Department of Business and Economics
Lyon College is a small school characterized by an “intimate atmosphere.” It was founded in 1872 by the Presbyterian Church and is the oldest independent college in Arkansas. There are fewer than 700 undergraduates at the school. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Most classes have fewer than 20 students. At Lyon, students can earn Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 15 majors. There are also 21 minors and seven concentrations. The core program of the school is “Educating Productive Involved Citizens, or “EPIC.”
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
This degree features an emphasis in management or in finance. Students may elect to take an internship or a thesis option. The program involves management of a real fund. There Are 33 hours in the core requirements including Principles of Economics I and II and Essentials of Accounting. Students also take 42 hours in the major. Business administration courses include Principles of Accounting I and II; Accounting Systems and Business Law.
Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission
Contact
Department of Business and Economics
Lyon College
2300 Highland Road
Batesville, AR
72501
870-307-7209
Radek.szulga@lyon.edu
Ouachita Baptist University
Frank D. Hickingbotham School of Business
Ouachita is a private coeducational college affiliated with the Southern Baptist Church. The business school was founded in 1993 and features two majors: Accounting and Business Administration. The school has 1,545 undergraduate students and is ranked in National Liberal Arts Colleges, Tier Two by the US News and World Report. The university is comprised of eight schools and colleges. One of its most famous alumni is Mike Huckabee. Most classes have fewer than twenty students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1.
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting
This 120 credit-hour accounting bachelor degree requires students to complete a university general education core, a foreign language course, and a business core plus several required courses including Intermediate Accounting I and II; Cost Accounting; Institutional Accounting; Federal Income Tax; Advanced Accounting and Principles and Procedures of Accounting. The program prepares students to take the CPA exam. While the exam requires 150 credit hours, students may sit for the exam after completing this program, then take the other courses before becoming licensed. Additional courses include Advanced Federal Income Tax; Advanced Auditing; Accounting Information Systems and Government Accounting Issues and Topics. The department boasts it is a “solid academic program in a Christian environment.”
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association
- Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
Frank D, Hickingbotham School of Business
Ouachita Baptist University
410 Ouachita Street
Arkadelphia, AR
71998
870-245-5513
mckinneyb@obu.edu
Southern Arkansas University
David F. Rankin College of Business
This public four-year school was formerly Magnolia A&M and the Third District Agricultural School. The latter, founded in 1909, was intended to offer a high school diploma, but two years of college courses were added in 1925, and in 1937 the high school curriculum was dropped. The school assumed its current title in 1975. It offers 70 undergraduate majors through four colleges plus 19 programs through the graduate school. The business school has programs in accounting, information systems, finance, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, supply chain management, and general business.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
This Arkansas business bachelor’s degree program contains 120 credit-hours. The first two years students take introductory business classes in addition to university-required general education courses. Advanced courses begin in the junior year. Students are encouraged to take internships. Each student is assigned a faculty mentor/advisor. Learning outcomes of the program include the ability to communicate orally and in writing, social responsibility, critical thinking skills and use of technology among other assets.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
David F. Rankin College of Business
Southern Arkansas University
100 East University
Magnolia, AR
71753-5000
870-235-5612
dennisortiz@saumag.edu
University of Arkansas
Sam M. Walton College of Business
This public land-grant school is the largest university in Arkansas. Founded in 1871, it has an enrollment of 27,538. Ten colleges house more than 200 programs of study. The US News and World Report ranks the University of Arkansas as #133 of National Universities. The Walton College of Business stresses innovative courses in high tech facilities and national and global learning experiences. The average class size in the business school is 38 students.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting Major
This major can be completed traditionally, in an eight-semester format or online. There is also an accelerated format that allows students to earn the bachelor’s degree in accounting and the master’s degree in five years. The program includes 120 credit-hours including general education components, core classes, and 24 credits in the major. Some of the required accounting courses are Accounting Technology; Intermediate Accounting I and II; Fundamentals of Taxation I and II; Product, Project, and Service Costing and Audit Assurance Services. There are 24 hours of electives as well.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
Sam M. Walton College of Business
University of Arkansas
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
72701
479-575-4107
gfpeters@walton.edu
The University of Arkansas At Little Rock
College of Business
This public research university was founded in 1927 as Little Rock Junior College. It became a private school in 1957 but reverted to a public institution in 1969 and assumed its current name. There are more than 100 undergraduate and 60 graduate degrees offered through six colleges and a law school, traditionally or online. The US News and World Report ranks this school in the second tier of National Universities, and its business programs rank #172. The business college focuses on practice-oriented education.
Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Accounting
The learning objectives of this bachelor’s degree program in accounting are to give graduates professional and technical knowledge, an ability to communicate effectively, a sense of business ethics and skill in critical thinking. There are 35 hours in core requirements and 21 credit hours in general business courses such as Principles of Accounting I and II; Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics. There are also 28 hours in professional business studies and 30 hours in the major. With electives, the degree plan contains120 credit-hours. All Areas of the CPA exam are covered, but graduates will have to take additional courses to meet the requisites for licensure as a CPA.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
College of Business
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR
72204
501-569-8862
mffunk@ualr.edu
The University of Arkansas at Monticello
School of Business
The main campus of this liberal arts university is at Monticello, Arkansas, but the school also has satellite locations at Crossett and McGehee Arkansas. The university began as the First District Agricultural School in 1909. It became the Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1925 and became a university in 1971. The University of Arkansas at Monticello awards 31 baccalaureate, seven associate and six graduate degrees as well as 17 technical certificates. The School of Business is located in the Babin Business Center.
Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting Concentration
This undergraduate accounting degree program contains 120 credit hours. Of these, 48 are in the core. The school offers an eight-semester format whereby students finish the degree in four years. There is a general education component that covers communication skills and other liberal arts subjects including a science class with a lab. Graduates will be familiar with the theory and the practice of business, have critical thinking and problem-solving skills, be able to communicate effectively, to use business technology and to understand the global aspect of business.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
Contact
School of Business
University of Arkansas at Monticello
346 University Drive
Monticello, AR
71656
870-460-1041
clayton@uamont.edu
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
School of Business and Management
The University of Arkansas a Pine Bluff is a public, historically black school. Founded in 1873 as Branch Normal College, it is the second oldest public institution in Arkansas. The school is divided into eight divisions, and the accounting program is housed in the School of Business and Management. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has the only aquaculture program in Arkansas.
Bachelor in Accounting
This program contains 126 credit-hours and the university general education requisites provide a “broad general education in humanities and science.” The accounting bachelor’s degree also imparts an understanding of other disciplines that relate to current issues in accounting such as communication, economics, and behavioral sciences. Sample accounting courses include Intermediate and Advanced Accounting; Business Law; Income Tax Accounting; Auditing and others.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
Contact
School of Business and Management
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
1200 North University Drive
Pine Bluff, AR
71601
870-575-8469
awopetul@uapb.edu
University of Central Arkansas
College of Business
This public research university in Conway, Arkansas was founded in 1907. It began as the Arkansas State Normal School and is one of the oldest universities in Arkansas. Before UCA diversified, it trained most of the teachers in the state. There are six colleges including the Norman O. Schedler Honors College, one of the first honors colleges in the US. The school has a student body of more than 12,000 and the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The US News and World Report ranks UCA as # 71 of regional Universities-South. The College of Business stresses an experiential education which includes internships, networking opportunities, and integrated business experiences.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
Including the UCA general education component, this Arkansas Bachelor in Accounting program contains 120 credit hours. There 38 in the core, 33 in the business core, 30 in the accounting major and 19 in electives. Accounting students generally wait until their second year of studies to begin accounting courses. The business college encourages students to take internships. Some of the accounting degree courses include Legal Environment of Business; Principles of Accounting; Intermediate Accounting; Cost Accounting; Fraud Examination and others.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
College of Business
University of Central Arkansas
201 Donaghey Ave.
Conway, AR
72035
501-450-5311
swatson@uca.edu
University of the Ozarks
Business Programs
This school is a private four-year university affiliated with the Methodist Church. It has fewer than 700 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. It was founded in 1834 as the Cane Hill School and is the oldest university in Arkansas. It was also the first university in Arkansas to admit women. There are more than 60 programs with 27 majors. The university is home to the Jones Learning Center, which is the first program in the US to offer assistance at the university level to students with learning disabilities. The US News and World Report ranks the University of the Ozarks as #3 of Regional Colleges- South.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting
This Bachelor’s in Accounting program is generalist in nature. Students build depth into the program by adding a concentration or a minor. There are 39 semester-hours in the major including the business professional core. Sample classes are Advanced Statistics; Organizational Behavior; Managerial accounting and Calculus. The school encourages students to build on their business degree with skills in other disciplines as well, graduating with a major and two minors. This is known as the LENS program. In the accounting concentration students take Intermediate Accounting I and II; Cost Accounting; Auditing and two electives from the professional core classes that include Advanced Accounting I and II; Governmental Accounting; Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax and an accounting internship.
Accreditations
- North Central Association, Higher Learning Commission
Contact
Business programs
University of the Ozarks
415 North College Avenue
Clarksville, AR
72830
479-979-1462
jrossmai@ozarks.edu
Students who want to become CPAs should remember that the requirements vary from state-to-state, but they will probably need to take additional courses to become licensed. The Arkansas Bachelor’s in Accounting degree programs here have distinctive profiles and students may find that one fits their needs better than others.
Related Resources:
- Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
- How Can I Find an Accounting Internship?
- Top 35 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs
- 5 Great Tips for the CPA Exam
