As an accounting student at KU, you will prepare to work in fields including industry, nonprofit, government, higher education or public accounting. You will receive a well-rounded education in business, as well as specified training in accounting. Supplement your major with a concentration to give you specialized training in an area of interest and to make you more competitive in the job market.
Accounting
Undergraduate - Business Students
Full-time Program
Recent Graduate Data
Median Starting Salary
$48,425
At Time of Graduation
72% Placement
Refer to the Program Guide in the Advising Handouts for the complete list of requirements.
Required Courses
- ACCT 303: Intro to the Accounting Profession
- ACCT 320: Financial Accounting II
- ACCT 325: Managerial Accounting II
- ACCT 311: Information Systems for Accounting
- ACCT 330: Intro to Taxation
- ACCT 410: Financial Accounting III
- ACCT 543: Intro to Auditing
- +2 Advanced Business Electives
Advanced Business Electives (320 or higher)
- Business Law
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Information Systems
- International Business
- Management
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Internship Credit
Accountants are pivotal to the success of every company, particularly in heavily regulated industries and industries with an emphasis in financial transactions. As an accountant, you will have plenty of room for advancement.
Many accounting graduates start as an auditor. You can move from there to audit director, controller, vice president of finance and even chief financial officer. To get an accounting position, it is important to get internships and network during your time at KU. For more information about careers in accounting, check out Business Career Services.
Typical positions include:
- Tax Associate
- Audit Associate
- Interal Audit
- Tax Planning
- Forensic/Investigative Accounting
- Personal Financial Planning
- Financial Reporting
Admissions
Freshman Direct Admission
Incoming freshmen are eligible for direct admission to the School of Business if they meet all of the following requirements:
- Earn an ACT score of 25 or above or a SAT combined score of 1200 or above (math and critical reading)
- Earn at least a 3.25 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Indicate a business major on application to KU
Competitive Admission
Current KU students that wish to enter the School of Business must go through the Competitive Admissions process. There are two application cycles each year – a February 15 deadline for fall admission, and a September 15 deadline for spring admission.
Students apply during the semester they will complete the following minimum application requirements:
- Junior standing (60 credit hours)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA overall AND in business and economics coursework (both KU and non-KU credits)
- Completion of foundation coursework (list of coursework)
Applicants satisfying these requirements are ranked by academic merit and considered for admission based on rank and available space.
Transfer Students
Only students admitted to KU through Office of Admissions (domestic students) or International Undergraduate Admissions (international students) are permitted to complete the KU School of Business application. Admission to the School of Business is done through the Competitive Admission process.
International Students
International students must be admitted to KU through International Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions prior to completing the KU School of Business application.
Incoming international freshmen who meet the following requirements will be admitted directly to the School of Business:
- ACT composite: 25+ (SAT equivalent: 1200+ critical reading and math)
- 3.25+ high school GPA
- English-language proficiency (see below)
International students may also enter the School of Business through the Competitive Admissions process. There are two application cycles each year – a February 15 deadline for fall admission, and a September 15 deadline for spring admission.
Students are eligible to apply to the School of Business during the semester they will complete the following minimum application requirements:
- Junior standing (60 credit hours)
- Minimum 2.5 GPA overall AND in business and economics coursework (both KU and non-KU credits)
- Completion of foundation coursework (list of coursework)
TOEFL Requirement
- TOEFL total score of 92 or higher, as well as minimum subscore of 23 on the written and speaking components of the TOEFL exam (see policy details below)
Learn more about applying to the School of Business as an international student.
Edwards Campus BBA
For adult non-traditional students in Johnson County and the metropolitan Kansas City area, the KU School of Business offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at the KU Edwards Campus.
Contact Student & Academic Services
1160 Capitol Federal Hall
1654 Naismith Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045
1654 Naismith Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045
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