Program Overview

Cal Lutheran's program in accounting prepares students not only for a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), but also for employment in private industry, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and government agencies. The curriculum provides a careful balance of practice and theory, and consists of a solid liberal arts core, a carefully selected set of business-related classes, and intensive work in various aspects of accounting. Accordingly, students are also well-prepared for graduate studies and have been successful in passing the CPA exam.

Accountants perform an essential and highly-valued service for business and industry. Moreover, they perform a myriad of tasks in a variety of settings. They may compile detailed records of business transactions, prepare financial statements, perform audits, prepare tax returns, and assist in tax planning and managerial decision-making. They may also analyze financial information and provide small-business consulting services. Since the accountant of today must be a "jack-of-all-trades" who can fit comfortably into any business setting, Cal Lutheran's accounting majors receive extensive preparation in both general business and the liberal arts.

Many of Cal Lutheran's accounting majors have been successful in securing internships with local businesses and accounting firms, and many are offered full-time positions upon graduation. These opportunities enable Cal Lutheran's accounting students to gain hands-on experience as they begin to narrow their focus to a particular career path. In recent years, students have been employed by Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, CBIZ, Sony Pictures, NASA, Walt Disney Company, and many others. According to many studies, employment opportunities for accountants are expected to continue to grow at a faster pace than most other professions.

The Accounting Association, a student-run organization at Cal Lutheran (with faculty advisers), has been in place since 1984. This student club arranges for guest speakers, social events, and fundraisers. Many Cal Lutheran students get their first "taste" of the accounting world, and form key friendships, by attending Accounting Association functions.