The department of accounting provides a rigorous course of study in the accounting discipline. The goal of the program is to leverage the liberal arts environment of the college and develop skilled problem-solvers with a solid foundation in accounting. The program provides opportunities for students to develop their:

1) critical thinking skills, 2) communication skills, 3) ability to utilize quantitative and qualitative information for decision-making, 4) ability to make value judgments, and 5) learning to learn skills, while providing the theoretical accounting foundation necessary for success in future endeavors.

Those future endeavors may include, but are not limited to, graduate study; sitting for a professional examination (e.g., CPA, CMA, CIA); or employment with a large corporation, CPA firm, or public entity.

The required program of study provides a broad program of study and emphasizes understanding the “big” picture instead of mastering a myriad of technical detail without understanding the context for those details.

Accounting knowledge and measurements are developed in an environment which is continuously evolving in response to political, social, and economic factors. In our courses we explore the historic reasons for current practices, evaluate alternative measurement models, and discuss ethical values affecting the accounting profession.

Accounting Major
The following courses are required for a major in accounting:
Accounting 213, 214, 304, 353, 354, 363, 383, and 403; Business Administration 105, 211, 212, 218, 305 or 307, 306, and 322; Economics 200; and Mathematics 106.

Accounting Minor
The following courses are required for a minor in accounting:
Accounting 213, 214, 304, 353; Business Administration 322; Economics 200; and One course from the following: Accounting 354, 363, 374, or 383.

Students who anticipate meeting the 150-semester hour requirement for sitting for the Certified Public Accounting exam through graduate study should consult with a departmental advisor. This is important as Monmouth College has articulation agreements concerning graduate study with several colleges and universities which have differing requirements – proper planning will allow the student to meet graduation requirements and articulation requirements within the normal 4 years of study at the college.

Equipment/Facilities
The third floor of McMichael Academic Hall houses the faculty offices and classrooms which serve accounting majors. Two classrooms (Poling Room and MH 312) are equipped with video/computer projections systems. Most classrooms have tables to facilitate the learning process. A computer lab with 11 workstations is available for student use and facilities providing individual instructional help for computer projects.

Off-Campus Programs
The department encourages and facilitates the participation of its students in a range of off-campus programs. In the past, students have spent a semester in Paris at ESCGI which has permitted them to gain exposure to international accounting and business practices. Students who are interested in off-campus programs need to consult with their advisor early in their academic career to ensure completion of graduation requirements in eight semesters.

Graduate School Opportunities
Graduate school is an option for accounting majors. Monmouth College graduates are prepared to enter MBA or MS in Accounting programs with proper scheduling of classes in consultation with their academic advisor. Illinois currently requires 150-semester hours of education to sit for the CPA exam including a bachelor's degree in accounting.  Some students have elected to enter graduate school directly after graduation, others have elected to enter the workforce and plan to enter graduate school later. In some cases, a graduate's employer will pay for the cost of graduate school if the individual is willing to work full-time and go to school part-time.

The department has developed articulation agreements with several graduate programs which allow students to enter the graduate program immediately upon graduation. These agreements require students to complete courses beyond the major requirements. If this option is desired, early contact with an academic advisor in the department is recommended to ensure meeting requirements of the graduate program the student intends to matriculate.

As part of the department's assessment program, the Master Field Test (MFT) in Business is administered to accounting seniors in the spring. Data from the spring 2000 administration indicated that Monmouth accounting graduates are prepared similarly to graduates of other 4-year institutions which generally require more business, finance, and accounting courses to graduate. Monmouth graduates placed in the 90th percentile in Accounting, Economics, and Finance.