Course Requirements

Students majoring in accounting have two options: the managerial accounting major and the public accounting major. The managerial accounting major is for students interested in pursuing a career in private industry or the not-for-profit sector. The public accounting major is for students interested in practicing public accounting and those desiring the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) designation. Because of the identical core course requirements in the managerial accounting and public accounting majors, only one of the two majors can be elected by a student. A student receiving a managerial accounting major may pursue a post-baccalaureate major in public accounting, but when completed, the public accounting major would replace the managerial accounting major in the student’s records.

Requirements for becoming a CPA differ from state to state. All states require students to pass the Uniform CPA examination, and many require the completion of 150 semester-hours of education prior to certification. The 150 hours can be completed in undergraduate or graduate programs. To become a CPA in Iowa, the Iowa State Board of Accountancy requires students to pass the CPA examination, complete 150 semester hours of education and complete specified coursework in accounting and business subjects. Students majoring in accounting, business or economics are required to have a minimum of 24 of their 150 semester hours in financial accounting, auditing, taxation and management accounting courses above the elementary level. If students majoring in any other field wish to become a CPA in Iowa, they must, in addition, complete at least 24 semester hours in business-related courses (not including internships). (One course credit completed at Coe is counted as four semester hours.)

Sample Four-Year Plan — Managerial Accounting

The following represents one of many paths you can take to complete a major in managerial accounting. Note that students typically take four courses per semester for a total of eight each year. Check the Coe catalog to review all of your options.

First Year

BUS-205 Principles of Accounting I
BUS-215 Principles of Accounting II
ECO-205 Principles of Macroeconomics

Second Year

ECO-215 Principles of Microeconomics
BUS-235 Computer Applications – Accounting
BUS-240 Statistical Analysis

Third Year

BUS-315 Business Law I
BUS-405 Intermediate Accounting I
BUS-415 Intermediate Accounting II

Fourth Year

BUS-435 Managerial Accounting
BUS-505 Auditing
BUS-555 Advanced Managerial Accounting

Sample Four-Year Plan — Public Accounting

The following represents one of many paths you can take to complete a major in public accounting. Note that students typically take four courses per semester for a total of eight each year; however, for public accounting, many students take advantage of reduced tuition to spread the courses out over five years. Check the Coe catalog to review all of your options.

First Year

BUS-205 Principles of Accounting I
BUS-215 Principles of Accounting II
ECO-205 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECO-215 Principles of Microeconomics
BUS-235 Computer Applications – Accounting

Second Year

BUS-240 Statistical Analysis
BUS-315 Business Law I
BUS-405 Intermediate Accounting I
BUS-325 Business Law II

Third Year

BUS-425 Fraud Examination
BUS-415 Intermediate Accounting II
BUS-445 Tax Accounting
BUS-505 Auditing

Fourth Year

BUS-435 Managerial Accounting
BUS-455 Advanced Tax Accounting
BUS-615 Fund Accounting and Advanced Topics
BUS-545 Advanced Auditing