Accounting
Build the financial expertise that companies, public agencies, and nonprofits rely on. Shawnee State's Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in Accounting prepares you for the CPA, CMA, or CIA exams — on campus in Portsmouth or fully online.
Program Overview
Whether you’re pursuing certification as a CPA or launching a career in financial services, Shawnee State University’s Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in Accounting provides a strong foundation in both general business knowledge and accounting practices. With faculty who bring real-world industry experience into every course, you’ll gain the tools and skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced business world.
Students can choose from on-campus or fully online learning options. The online pathway offers the same rigorous curriculum with the flexibility working professionals need. From budgeting and auditing to cost management and tax law, the program equips you to take on roles in public accounting, corporate finance, nonprofit organizations, and beyond.
Our accounting program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) and is part of a university recognized for quality education and student support. Optional internships and elective course options allow you to shape your academic journey around your career goals.
At Shawnee State, you’ll be more than just a number. As a student in the College of Business & Engineering Technology, you’ll benefit from small class sizes, personalized advising, and faculty committed to your success. Whether you're preparing for graduate school or stepping directly into the workforce, our Accounting program offers the credibility, flexibility, and support to take your future further.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Accounting
Location
Advanced Technology Center, Main Campus or fully online
Start Date
6 entry points; next start date October 19
Why Study Accounting at Shawnee University
Your degree maps to CPA, CMA, and CIA exam eligibility. The accounting curriculum is built to meet the academic requirements for the major professional certifications — so when you graduate, the next step is already in reach.
Pick the format that fits your life. The program is offered fully online through Shawnee State Online or on campus in Portsmouth. The coursework and credentials are the same either way. You'll learn from faculty who've worked in the field.
Your professors bring real experience in financial reporting, auditing, tax, and business strategy — not just textbook theory.
Internships connect you to regional firms before you graduate. Optional internships with local and regional accounting firms give you a resume-ready credential and professional contacts.
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio. The Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee locks your rate flat for four years.
The B.S. in Business with an Accounting major combines a 33-hour business core with 30 hours of accounting-specific coursework, plus electives that let you tailor the degree to your goals. You'll cover the financial knowledge required for certification and the broader business context behind it.
- Business core: Financial & Managerial Accounting, Marketing Principles, Legal Environment of Business, Microeconomics & Macroeconomics, Professional Communication & Development
- Accounting core: Cost Accounting, Intermediate Accounting I & II, Taxation I, Business Policy & Strategy (capstone)
- Electives: Governmental & Institutional Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Auditing & Professional Ethics, Accounting Internship
You can complete a credit-bearing internship with a local or regional accounting firm. Internships aren't required, but they give you direct exposure to professional accounting work — and a foot in the door at firms that hire SSU graduates.
- Analyze and interpret complex financial data and transactions
- Apply ethical reasoning and professional standards to accounting practice
- Communicate financial information clearly to clients, stakeholders, and leadership
- Use industry-standard accounting software and tools
- Sit for the CPA, CMA, or CIA exam
The Accounting major is offered through the C. H. Lute School of Business in the College of Business and Engineering Technology. On-campus classes meet in the Advanced Technology Center on SSU's Main Campus in Portsmouth, Ohio. The same program is also available fully online through Shawnee State Online Campus.
Accountants work in nearly every sector. Graduates of this program go on to roles like:
- Staff accountant or senior accountant
- Auditor (internal or external)
- Tax accountant or tax analyst
- Cost or management accountant
- Forensic accountant
- Government or nonprofit accountant
- Financial analyst
Hiring sectors include public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, nonprofits, healthcare, manufacturing, and federal, state, and local government.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Accounting Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Accounting B.S.B. is available in a fully online format through Shawnee State Online, with the same curriculum and faculty as the on-campus version.
Yes. The curriculum is designed to meet the academic requirements for CPA licensure in many states, including Ohio. It also aligns with the CMA and CIA exams.
Basic calculus and quantitative reasoning. You don't need an advanced math background — but you should be comfortable with numbers and analysis.
Program handbook
For questions about program expectations, policies, or course requirements, contact:
Accreditation
The Accounting B.S.B. is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), and the curriculum prepares students to sit for the CPA, CMA, or CIA exam.
