Accounting Concentration

When you choose to study Accounting at Colorado State University you join a network of faculty, students and professionals ready to support you from the classroom to a career. With courses spanning all 11 College of Business concentrations, you’ll gain an education that will fully prepare you for working in the field.

Accounting is more than an asset on the balance sheet, or a dollar on the income statement. By studying accounting, you’ll learn how to run the numbers and file tax forms, but you’ll also develop the transformative skills to guide individuals and businesses, non-profits and government organizations toward stronger financial futures – playing a key role in their growth.

Successful accounting professionals translate financial data, craft compelling narratives and use their expertise to inform major business decisions, while predicting short- and long-term effects. 

Accounting and Business for a Better World 

Our accounting students have a history of excellence, not just in the classroom and at case competitions, but in helping others. Our Biz Rams have given back in compelling ways, from helping local non-profits with their taxes and finances to volunteering for AARP’s annual Tax-Aide program, where students get hands-on experience providing free filing assistance for people in our community. This past year, they helped process 100 returns and secure full refunds.

Value-Driven Coursework

You'll take courses that explore the core values of the College of Business with a focus on sustainability, ethical practices, and using business for a better world. These values are woven throughout your entire degree and will help inform your decision-making processes as you begin a career in the accounting field.

After choosing your concentration, you’ll take 23 credits of accounting-specific courses alongside other College of Business and All-University Core Curriculum classes. Some of these AUCC courses are offered by the College of Business, so you can simultaneously get ahead on both your degree and general education requirements.

Full Curriculum Details

Faculty with Real-world Experience

Accounting professionals are responsible for solving complex problems within the business world, meaning that students must have a variety of tools and skills at their disposal. To fully prepare students for future career opportunities, our faculty are highly experienced in a number of fields across the industry, including:

• Auditing – examining financial records to form an opinion as to their fair representation of economic events
• Financial reporting – preparing an organization's finances for external review
• Taxation – analyzing the effect of tax rules on businesses and individuals
• Forensics and fraud – investigating criminal actions and financial improprieties
• Ethics – a foundational skillset of all our business graduates

Meet the CSU Accounting Advisory Board

"It gives the students the opportunity to understand there's another side of the world."

— Bill Mister, professor emeritus of accounting, on AARP's Tax-Aide Program

Careers in Accounting 

From budget analyst to chief financial officer, your education will ensure you’re ready for a number of different career paths.

There’s always a need for trained and enthusiastic accountants, and the College of Business recognizes that there’s more to job-readiness than just coursework. The Career Management Center serves students within the College of Business exclusively, helping to connect you with internship opportunities, professional mentoring, and even offers support during your job search.

What can you do with a concentration in Accounting?

"The accounting program at CSU is great about encouraging students to think about their future and think about internships really early on."

— Kathryn Coleman​, Accounting Graduate, Read her story

"We go beyond the numbers to meet market demands and prepare our students to become the future of the accounting profession."

— Lisa Kutcher, PhD, Professor and Accounting Department Chair

Join the College of Business

A concentration in accounting prepares you for a dynamic and lasting career. Becoming a business major is the first step in shaping your undergraduate experience at Colorado State University.

If you’re not yet a business major, you can take the first step toward joining the College of Business by attending one of our upcoming info sessions, asking questions using the form at the bottom of this page or beginning your application.

If you’re already a business major, contact your academic advisor to learn more about the accounting concentration.

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