What Electives are Available in a Bachelor’s in Accounting Program?

electives for accounting bachelors

Accounting majors who may be wondering what electives are available in a Bachelor’s in Accounting degree program have come to the right place. Students who choose to enroll in an accounting program will be required to take various electives to complete the requirements of their degrees. It is wise for students to choose these courses carefully and pick those that match their particular career goals. Although the elective courses for accounting programs may vary a bit from one school to another, some of the most common ones are described briefly below.

Government and Public Accounting

Government and Public Accounting is the perfect course for students who would like to work for government or public organizations after earning their bachelor’s degree in accounting. This course examines accounting practices necessary for such organizations as local, state, and federal government agencies as well as hospitals, educational facilities, and welfare organizations. Topics covered include managing financial reports, budgeting, purchasing, and the classification of funds.

Accounting Theory

When choosing electives to complete an accounting degree program, students who wish to delve into the theories behind accounting processes might want to complete an Accounting Theory course. This course examines the various financial issues in accounting and emphasizes the relationships between accounting theories and accounting policies. Other topics covered in this course include the history of accounting, economic influences on accounting practices, and the establishment of accounting standards.

Forensic and Fraud Analysis

Students enrolled in Bachelor’s in Accounting degree programs who are aspiring to work for the Internal Revenue Service or the Financial Accounting Standards Board may want to consider completing the course known as Forensic and Fraud Analysis. In this course, students will learn how to detect financial fraud and the most common reasons why it occurs. They will also learn about techniques to investigate financial fraud and the most effective ways to prevent it.

Financial Statement Analysis

An elective that will help accounting students understand the various accounting practices associated with businesses is Financial Statement Analysis. This course examines the evaluation of financial statements based on the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Samples of some of the topics covered in this class include techniques of financial statement analysis, objectives of financial statement analysis, applications of financial statement analysis, and credit analysis.

Advanced Federal Income Taxes

For those accounting students who plan on obtaining positions as tax preparation professionals after graduating, one course they may want to add to their list of electives is Advanced Federal Income Taxes. This class focuses on tax laws that are applicable to such things as tax planning, gift taxes, estates and trusts, corporations, and partnerships. Most schools require students to complete a basic State and Federal Income Tax course prior to completing the Advanced Federal Income Taxes course.

Accounting is a flexible field that offers many different career opportunities. For students who are majoring in accounting, they will want to be sure to pick elective courses that match their occupational goals. There are many electives available for a Bachelor’s in Accounting program, but those described above are some of the more popular choices today.

Related Resources: