Seattle University quad and fountain looking north

Accounting, BABA

Seattle University Accounting—our top-ranked undergraduate accounting program is dedicated to developing ethical, inclusive, and innovative accounting professionals who lead and manage for the good of their organizations, society, and the planet.

About this Program

Inside and Outside the Classroom, Your Best Choice for an Accounting Degree

As one of the best accounting schools in the nation, we’ll build your technical skills and professional competencies, including teamwork, leadership, and communication skills needed for your career growth.

Our top-ranked undergraduate accounting program is committed to help you launch your accounting career so you can become a skilled accountant, a trusted business advisor, and an ethical leader who makes a difference in their community.

Our small class sizes mean it’s easy to connect with our excellent faculty. Outside the classroom, you have support from your advisers and the Albers Career Center to help you navigate your program and the job market.

Student clubs, such as Beta Alpha Psi, and activities give you more options for networking and leadership. At Seattle University, we encourage you to work towards your professional formation and to develop your whole person and full self.

Undergraduate Accounting at a Glance

Learn how this degree from the Department of Accounting will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University accounting degree can be.

Accounting, BA in Business Administration

In our rigorous academic program, you’ll build your accounting, business, and people skills for career success. We make sure you have all you need for CPA eligibility. Our Accounting program can also provide you career pathways and credential options with a four-year accounting degree including these credentials:

  • CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
  • CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
  • CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
  • EA (Enrolled Agent)

Choosing an accounting major opens doors to a dynamic realm of financial exploration. As you navigate courses in taxation, auditing, and managerial accounting, you'll hone analytical and people skills crucial for successful leadership. Your pursuit of an accounting degree equips you with versatile expertise sought by businesses worldwide. From balancing budgets to uncovering fiscal irregularities, you'll play a pivotal role in organizational success.

You Can Also Start Your Master’s in Accounting Early

Already planning to get a master’s degree in accounting? We’ll help you get a head start! You can earn both undergraduate and graduate credit for up to three graduate level classes worth nine credits. You can choose any three graduate level classes from a group of five that include Taxation for Business, a community engaged service practicum, internal audit, information technology audit, and advanced accounting. Contact your undergraduate adviser for information and scheduling.

Undergraduate Business Foundation

  • Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrate competent oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrate competent leadership skills.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the body of knowledge encompassed by the UG Business Foundation courses.

Accounting (ACCT)

  • Recommend a course of action in an external reporting situation using accounting standards to justify your rationale.
  • Propose alternatives in a managerial decision context using cost analysis to support your reasoning.
  • Evaluate the tax implications of an economic transaction by researching and applying authoritative tax codes.
  • Assess how business risks relate to risks in internal controls, financial reporting, and/or audit.
  • Weigh the ethical, stakeholder, and stewardship implications of an accounting decision.

Add a minor in accounting and broaden your impact in the business world by learning how to evaluate tax implications, assess business risks, create external reports and propose solutions to common business problems using cost analysis. Dive into financial reporting, taxation, and auditing, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape. Explore the intricacies of balance sheets and income statements, honing analytical abilities crucial for informed decision-making. Your accounting minor opens doors to diverse career paths, equipping you with a sought-after proficiency that transcends industries.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

checkmark badge icon

Top 5% World Business Schools & AACSB accredited 

Albers School of Business and Economics

checkmark badge icon

SU: ACCA Accredited 

Accredited Education Partner of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

100%

Placement Rate

For graduates of Albers School of Business and Economics

Meaningful Connections

Two women speaking in a hallway

Accounting Mentor Program

The Accounting Mentor Program was launched to increase students’ interactions with professionals currently practicing in the accounting field and also serve as a networking tool for students and mentors alike.

A group of students doing a team building activity

Accounting Student Club

The Seattle University chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), the Accounting Society's honors club, was formed in 1973. Designated the Delta Eta chapter by the national charter, it has consistently been recognized as one of the premier programs across the entire BAP organization for 50 years. 

Student members are leaders inside and outside of the classroom, with a vigilant attention to academic excellence, professional development, responsible community practices, inclusivity, and advocacy. Each active student member commits, at minimum, five hours to both professional formation and community service each quarter, which translates into dozens of interactive meetings with practicing professionals, hundreds of community service hours, and thousands of dollars raised for charity each year.

Back view of students walking to class in the fall

Practical Experience

Albers accounting students have multiple opportunities to learn from hands-on experience. Examples include the Armanino Financial Accounting Case Competition, the VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance) program, the Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition, and more.

A close-up of a laptop.

Accounting Lab

The Accounting Lab provides high-quality tutors, top students with good communication skills, to students seeking help with introductory accounting classes. In addition, it serves as a place for accounting majors to study and socialize. The lab has many of the textbooks used in class and is located within close proximity to accounting instructors.

From Our Alumni

McKenna Mau

McKenna Mau

“The accounting faculty here at Albers are fantastic. All of the professors that I have had are very engaging and really do push you to succeed. Furthermore, they really do care about your success in school and in your career and are more than happy to meet outside of class to discuss about future career paths, review resumes and cover letters, and just give general advice about the accounting field.”

'19, BABA Accounting

Accounting Internships with Top Seattle Companies

Your accounting major from Albers School of Business and Economics sets you apart! With high CPA pass rates, our students are highly desired by the best companies in Seattle, including:

  • Deloitte
  • EY
  • KPMG
  • PwC
  • Nordstrom
  • Moss Adams
  • PACCAR
  • Clark Nuber
  • Grant Thornton
  • Weyerhaeuser
  • Nth Degree

What Accountants Do And Job Titles

Albers Associate Accounting Professor Dr. Gabriel Saucedo describes accounting being about “ creating useful information so a company can make good decisions for long-term business success.” 

The skills you learn in your accounting major can launch a high-earning career in a variety of industries! 

Here’s a snapshot of some of an accountant’s responsibilities:

  • Ensure reliability of financial statements
  • Track company revenue and expenses
  • Examine financial records for errors or fraud
  • Ensure regulatory laws and rules are followed
  • Determine pricing of products and services
  • Calculate the monetary value of companies
  • Implement new accounting and finance technologies and systems
  • Manage and mitigate financial risk
  • Prepare tax returns and statements

Featured Faculty

Here to Help Learn More

For more information about the Accounting major or minor at Seattle U, contact:

Gabriel Saucedo

Chair, Department of Accounting

Get in Touch

We're here to help. If you have questions about the admissions process, contact: