Bachelors of Business - Accounting

The Accounting concentration within Franklin College's Bachelor of Business program is meticulously structured to provide students with a strong technical, analytical, and personal understanding of financial, managerial, tax, and auditing concepts. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the complexities of processing and communicating financial information clearly and persuasively. A notable feature of the program is its four-year plan that can enable graduates to meet the 150-hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam, a significant advantage for aspiring certified public accountants. The program stresses problem-solving, data analysis, and strong communication skills, preparing graduates to adapt to the rapidly changing economic landscape.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the Bachelor of Business - Accounting is comprehensive, combining a core business foundation with specialized accounting coursework. Required accounting courses include Principles of Accounting I & II, Intermediate Accounting I & II, Managerial-Cost Accounting, Introduction to Taxation, and Auditing. Students also delve into Advanced Accounting and a Strategic Implementation Project, often culminating in a Senior Competency Practicum. Complementary courses from related fields such as Principles of Economics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Business Law I, Business Finance, and Introduction to Computing (including data management and analysis) ensure a well-rounded business education. The program uniquely incorporates case studies where students apply their knowledge to solve real-life business challenges, often presented by Franklin College alumni or local businesses, fostering critical thinking and strategic problem-solving.

Research Focus: While the primary focus of an undergraduate accounting program is on practical application and professional preparation, Franklin College's curriculum implicitly integrates a form of "applied research" through its emphasis on problem-solving, data analysis, and case studies. Students are challenged to synthesize material from all business, economics, and accounting courses to analyze complex business problems, propose solutions, and present their findings. The Senior Competency Practicum often involves working in teams on real-life business challenges, requiring students to research relevant financial data, apply accounting principles, and formulate strategic recommendations. This hands-on approach cultivates research-like skills in data interpretation, financial modeling, and the critical evaluation of business scenarios.

Industry Engagement: Franklin College places a very strong emphasis on industry engagement to ensure its accounting graduates are "real-world ready." A mandatory internship is required, with two internships highly recommended, often during the Immersive Term or summer. These internships provide invaluable supervised professional training and experience in actual work environments, allowing students to apply classroom learning and build professional networks. The college's faculty often have significant professional experience in various accounting roles (e.g., Audit Senior, Controller, Tax Senior) and actively connect students with employers. Additionally, business and accounting clubs, along with events that bring executives to campus, provide ample opportunities for students to develop professionalism, poise, and direct industry interaction.

Global Perspective: While the Bachelor of Business - Accounting program at Franklin College primarily focuses on U.S. accounting standards and practices, a global perspective is inherently woven into a well-rounded business education. The program aims to prepare graduates to respond to a "rapidly changing global economic situation." Franklin College as an institution strongly promotes global education through various study-away opportunities, including month-long Immersive Term study-away courses and semester-long programs at partner universities worldwide. Although not specifically detailed for the accounting program, these institutional avenues allow students to gain exposure to international business environments, diverse cultural contexts, and potentially different accounting practices, broadening their understanding of the global financial landscape and preparing them for an increasingly interconnected professional world.

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Application Fee: $40

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their previous academic qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall band score of  6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
• PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
• DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.

Franklin College offers a range of scholarship opportunities to support international students in pursuing their academic goals. These scholarships are designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement, making higher education more accessible and affordable for students from around the world.

Merit-Based Scholarships: International students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships upon admission. These awards are competitive and primarily based on academic performance, standardized test scores, and personal achievements. Scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and may be renewable each year based on satisfactory academic progress.

Specialized Scholarships: In addition to general merit awards, Franklin College provides targeted scholarships for students excelling in specific fields such as science, arts, athletics, or community service. Some scholarships also focus on promoting diversity and inclusion by supporting students from underrepresented regions or backgrounds.

Franklin College's Bachelor of Business with an Accounting concentration provides a robust and highly practical education, preparing graduates for diverse roles within the financial world.

Staff Accountant: This is a common entry-level position where graduates manage financial records, prepare journal entries, reconcile accounts, assist with financial statements, and contribute to the overall financial health of an organization. They work in various industries, from corporations to non-profits and government agencies.

Auditor (Internal or External): Auditors examine financial records to ensure accuracy, compliance with regulations, and efficiency of operations. External auditors work for public accounting firms, verifying financial statements for clients. Internal auditors work within an organization to assess and improve internal controls, risk management, and governance processes.

Tax Accountant: Specializing in tax laws and regulations, tax accountants prepare tax returns for individuals and businesses, provide tax planning advice, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements. They can work in public accounting firms, corporate tax departments, or be self-employed.

Financial Analyst: While distinct from accounting, the strong financial acumen gained from an accounting degree makes graduates suitable for financial analyst roles. They evaluate investment opportunities, analyze financial performance, forecast economic trends, and provide recommendations to guide investment and business decisions.

Cost Accountant: Working primarily in manufacturing or production environments, cost accountants analyze the costs associated with producing goods or services. They help businesses determine pricing strategies, identify areas for cost reduction, and improve operational efficiency.

Bookkeeper/Accounting Clerk: These roles handle the day-to-day recording of financial transactions, managing accounts payable and receivable, and maintaining ledgers. While some aspects can be automated, human oversight and analytical skills are still crucial.

Budget Analyst: Graduates can work for organizations to assist in preparing, analyzing, and managing budgets. They monitor spending, ensure compliance with budget guidelines, and help departments allocate resources effectively to achieve financial goals.

Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist: These specialized roles focus on managing either money owed by the company (accounts payable) or money owed to the company (accounts receivable). They handle invoicing, payments, collections, and reconciliation.

Financial Examiner: These professionals ensure compliance with laws governing financial institutions and lending practices. They evaluate the financial health of banks and other financial entities, and work to protect consumers from risky loans.

Consultant (Entry-Level): With their strong analytical and problem-solving skills, accounting graduates can enter consulting, advising businesses on financial strategies, operational improvements, and various business challenges. This often involves leveraging their understanding of financial data to identify efficiencies and growth opportunities.