Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California give students the chance to complete four of the five years of education required before they can take a professional licensing exam. Some of the top schools in the state have a high pass rate and see more than 90% of graduates pass those exams with six months of getting their degrees. Prospective students may find some 4 + 1 programs designed for those who want to get two degrees in five years. The best programs in The Golden State prepare students for working in some of the top firms in the west.
First, see: Bachelor’s in Accounting Programs in California (A-G)
Holy Names University
Undergraduate Programs
Located in Oakland, California, Holy Names University has a convenient location. It is close enough to San Francisco that students who don’t mind the traffic can commute to the university. A large number of students also live in some of the residence halls on its campus. Holy Names is a private university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It has a large and very active alumni network that students can use as they major in any field. Accounting majors can network with those professionals and find firms that will hire them later or offer them internships while in school.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Accounting majors at Holy Names will find that its program differs from other Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California. It includes a preparation track that features courses designed to help students understand the advanced courses they will later take. This track includes 13 courses such as:
- Statistical Methods
- Financial Accounting
- Spreadsheets
- Principles of Economics (Macro)
- Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting
Students will also take a capstone class and 12 other required courses after declaring their majors. Those classes include:
- Decision Analysis for Business
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Principles of Marketing
- Professional Writing
- Financial Information Analysis.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
3500 Mountain Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 436-1000
Humphreys University – Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Academics
Humphreys University has campuses in both Modesto and Stockton. Each campus offers opportunities for local students as well as those coming from outside of California. As a nonprofit university, Humphreys believes that every student deserves access to the same community-based learning experience. Students will work together in their classes and in any organizations they join. Humphreys also offers affordable courses and is home to one of the most affordable Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California. Students can build and design their own schedules too, with a combination of online classes and classes that meet after business hours during the week.
Accounting
The Associate in Arts program offered by Humphreys University can help students gain the fundamental knowledge needed in its bachelor’s program. Students will then have the chance to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in either Management Accounting or Public Accounting. The public accounting track prepares students for working with nonprofit groups, while those in the management accounting program develop the skills required to work for private corporations and employers. Some of the available courses that students in both tracks will take include:
- Computerized Accounting
- Accounting Ethics
- Business Law
- Personal Financial Management.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
6650 Inglewood Ave.
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 478-0800
La Sierra University
Business & Management
La Sierra University offers scholarships designed specifically for students majoring in any business or management field. Accounting majors can use those funds with their federal and state aid to make the program more affordable for them. As the university is so close to the beach, students can actually spend their days relaxing by the water when they don’t have classes. The university has its own club for business majors who take day trips to the beach. It puts on special events every month. Students also have the chance to work with their peers and with some of their professors on research projects.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
It takes students an average of four years to finish the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program offered by La Sierra University. Students will take more than 30 credits of general education courses and at least 80 credits of required business and accounting classes. This is one of the top Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California for students who want to gain more experience. This program allows majors to work in the Conflict Resolution Center, Innovation Lab and similar centers on its Riverside campus. Accounting majors will take classes such as:
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Marketing Principles
- Management Strategy.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
4500 Riverwalk Parkway
Riverside, CA 92505
(800) 874-5587
Loyola Marymount University
Undergraduate Programs
Students looking at Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California available from private colleges should consider the program offered by Loyola Marymount University. This private university offers small class sizes and has a convenient location in Los Angeles. Those small class sizes help students feel confident in sharing their opinions and allows them to for better working relationships with their instructors and peers. The accounting program teaches students how to analyze any type of financial document and the basics of tax preparation. The university’s Accounting Society offers even more opportunities for students to discuss finances with their peers outside of their classes.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Like other schools, Loyola Marymount University requires that accounting majors take general education courses. Students will also complete the accounting core and take some electives as well as required accounting classes. Fraud Examination is a newer course offered by the university that deals with the top types of financial frauds and how professionals investigate those crimes. The university asks students to take a class called Accounting Ethics, Professionalism and the Public Interest to learn how to represent themselves in the field too. Other required classes include:
- Accounting Information Systems
- Accounting Information for Decision Making
- Intermediate Accounting I and II.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
919 Albany Street,
Los Angeles, California 90015
(213) 736-1000
Menlo College
Degrees
Most accounting programs in California require that students take a small number of business classes, but Menlo College takes this a step further. It actually offers an accounting degree that awards students a Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in accounting. The college expects students to take business courses in their first year. They will then build upon the knowledge they gained as they take accounting classes. Menlo College also allows accounting majors to take courses from many different related disciplines, including:
- marketing
- sports management
- finance and real estate
They learn how to apply accounting principles to other fields.
Accounting Degree
One of the only Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California with an emphasis on communication within the accounting profession is this Menlo College program. Students must take classes on both oral and written communications and demonstrate that they understand how to communicate on the professional level with others. Many of the courses in this program ask students to do group and individual presentations in front of their peers too. The college also offers support for students who want to become a CPA. Its professors can help students understand the requirements for taking the exam and prepare for the test.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1000 El Camino Real
Atherton, CA 94027-4301
(800) 55-MENLO
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business
The Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business at Mount Saint Mary’s University offers more opportunities for accounting majors than almost any other college in California. Delta Mu Delta is a national honors society for business majors that welcomes those majoring in other disciplines. Students in the Accounting Club can meet with accounting professionals during lectures and other events, but they can also take part in a review panel that helps them prepare for the CPA exam. The university also hands out seven awards every year. Those awards provide students with funds they can put towards their tuition or special projects.
Accounting Major
Unlike other accounting programs that include a number of history classes, the Mount Saint Mary’s University program focuses more on the current state of accounting. Students will learn more about accounting practices and principles, including how they can use new forms of software. They also learn the theories behind accounting principles and why professionals use some practices over others. The university requires that students take just one business class and nine accounting courses. Students can also take courses not available from other schools such as:
- Forensic Accounting and Litigation Advisory Services
- Communication Skills for Forensic Accounting
- Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-6122
National University
School of Business and Management
National University is one of the only schools in the country with programs designed specifically for veterans and students enlisted in a branch of the armed forces. Founded by a veteran who wanted to offer more opportunities for other veterans, the university went from offering just a few programs to letting students earn degrees in dozens of topics. National University also offers a few graduate programs too. The university accepts students with no military experience, as well. The university has multiple locations throughout California and also offers online classes. Military students stationed overseas can take their classes through the university’s online campus.
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
As one of the only Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California, the National University program allows students to work on and complete their degrees anywhere around the world. Those living in California can enroll part-time or full-time at their closest campus or simply sign up for online classes. This is a transition program designed for students who want to go on to a Master of Business Administration graduate program. It includes courses such as:
- Financial Accounting Fundamentals
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Managerial Accounting Fundamentals
- Survey of Global Business
- Principles of Management and Organizations.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
9388 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
(800) 628-8648
Notre Dame de Namur University
Business and Management
Notre Dame de Namur University is a private university in Belmont, California that’s affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Established in 1868, it is also one of the state’s oldest colleges. Its accounting program is one of the top Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California because it lets students view course information before they apply. Each professor puts his or her syllabus online. Students can check out the syllabus for each class they want to take and see the assignments they must do and the textbooks they will need for those courses before they start.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Also called NDNU to separate itself from other schools with similar names, Notre Dame de Namur University offers one of the state’s best accounting degree programs for undergrads. Students who maintain high grades can take graduate courses in their senior years and begin working on a degree from the university’s School of Business and Management. They can earn up to six credits that will count towards two different degrees. The NDNU program features both prerequisites and some required classes. Accounting majors will take courses that include:
- Management Principles and Organizational Behavior
- Legal Environment of Business
- Intermediate Accounting I, II and III
- Cost Accounting.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
1500 Ralston Ave.
Belmont, CA 9400
(650) 508-3600
Pepperdine University
Business Administration Division
Pepperdine University is one of the top schools in California and is a popular choice among the rich and famous. Numerous celebrities attended the university over the years, including the singer and actress Brandy. Any students majoring in a program in its Business Administration Division can choose a business minor such as marketing or nonprofit management. The marketing minor allows students to learn how accounting principles apply to the advertising campaigns that companies and organizations use. Those who minor in nonprofit management will learn how to use accounting practices when creating annual budgets and running nonprofit organizations.
Accounting Major
Accounting majors attending Pepperdine University can take part in a service learning project, an opportunity that not many other Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California offer. This lets them go out into the community and help others in need. Students can also take part in the university’s nonprofit leadership collaborative and help nonprofit organizations near the campus. During their junior years, students must take a writing intensive course and put together a portfolio of the business writing they did that year, which they will then present. Pepperdine is one of the only colleges that offers a sophomore study abroad program for accounting majors.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
(310) 506-4000
Point Loma Nazarene University
Programs
Business administration is one of the top majors for undergrads today. Point Loma Nazarene University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting for students who want to study business while also learning accounting principles. The university ranks as the third best school in California in terms of highest scores its graduates received on the CPA exam and the largest number of students who passed that exam on their first attempt. Point Loma, as students often call it, offers a number of prep courses and programs that give students tips and information on taking the exam.
Accounting, B.S. Business Administration
As one of the top Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California for students who want to take the CPA exam, the Point Loma program includes classes that go over all the topics addressed on that test. Its Finance and Investment Society and Student Accounting Society both offer opportunities for students who want to put their knowledge into practice and those who want to learn more about the accounting field as a whole. The university offers both lower division and upper division accounting classes such as:
- Introduction to Statistics
- Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
- Administrative Communication
- Business Finance.
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 849-2200
San Francisco and Los Angeles are just two of the largest cities in California. Students can work for firms in these cities and anywhere else in the state or the country after finishing an accounting program. The top Bachelor’s in Accounting programs in California offers students the chance to network with professionals too.
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
- Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (A-G)
- Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (S-Z)