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Accounting

Gain the knowledge and real-world experiences you need to provide general accounting, audit, tax, financial planning and management consulting services.

Why Study Accounting?

As an accounting major at USD, you will learn to focus on money management, financial strategies and fiscal reporting. Here, you will find a variety of experiential learning opportunities ranging from internships at Big Four firms to study abroad trips at a destination of your choosing. Our program provides you with rich experiences in and beyond the classroom, so you can pursue your career as a leader in accounting who keeps their company's finances in good standing.

Strive for accuracy, experience and detail as an accounting major.                                                                             

Degrees & Offerings

Accounting (B.B.A)

Major
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

A degree in accounting prepares students to become successful accounting and business professionals in an environment that promotes critical thinking and encourages ethical business practices. Led by a faculty empowered to contribute to the profession through the exchange of ideas among scholars and service to your stakeholders.

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Business Administration (B.B.A/M.P.A. Fast-Track)

Major
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

Accounting majors meeting requirements for entry into the M.P.A. program may opt to complete both the Accounting B.B.A. and M.P.A. concurrently. Students who pursue this fast-track option will be awarded their undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously, upon completion of the two programs.

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Business Administration (B.B.A/M.P.A. Fast-Track)

Major
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

Accounting majors meeting requirements for entry into the M.P.A. program may opt to complete both the Accounting B.B.A. and M.P.A. concurrently. Students who pursue this fast-track option will be awarded their undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously, upon completion of the two programs.

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Accounting (Business Majors)

Minor
  Vermillion Main Campus and Sioux Falls

A minor in accounting will help you develop analytical, fiscal thinking and leadership skills that will serve you in any career. This program is a great complement to the business administration major.

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Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

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Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

Student Opportunities

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
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The real-world experiences you gain through an internship will equip you with valuable skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

In the USD Beacom School of Business, you will benefit from a robust internship program that has placed students across the globe. You will gain rich experiential learning opportunities and will be able to apply the techniques you have learned in your courses to a real business setting. Plus, with our network of alumni around the world, you can access invaluable advice on how to achieve the career of your dreams.

Do you have your sights set on New York, Chicago, Germany, Hong Kong or Japan? The USD Beacom School of Business can help you get there. Our students have participated in conferences and faculty-led courses around the world, and our student aid helps make those experiences affordable.

The Beacom School of Business is home to several professional organizations and honor societies aimed at preparing business students to be effective members of the university community.

Beta Alpha Psi is a national honorary and professional accounting fraternity that recognizes outstanding academic achievements of accounting students, provides opportunities for other business professionals and sponsors activities such as professional speakers, social events and service opportunities.

In addition, accounting majors are often involved and hold leadership positions in other business school student organizations, including the Financial Management Association, Coyote Capital Management and Delta Sigma Pi.

Explore Student Organizations

As an accounting student at USD, your faculty and peers will help you make connections between your academic experience and your career path. You will grow personally and professionally during your time on campus and your career development begins on the first day of class.

The Career Success Center has career development services to support students every step of the way. You will build relationships with alumni, employers and graduate schools to optimize your internship, job and career opportunities. These partnerships assist you in developing co-curricular experiences that will help to ensure you are successful in your future pursuits.

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As a student in the Beacom School of Business, you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience helping businesses across South Dakota thrive through our innovative student-centered programs.

Coyote Business Consulting Group

Become a student consultant and work closely with your peers and a faculty advisor to help a business solve a critical problem in their organization. This semester-long program will give you real-world experience and connect you with business professionals across the state.

Beacom's Business Engagement for Students (BEST) Sioux Falls

Engage with businesses in South Dakota's largest city as a member of the BEST Sioux Falls program. Work with a team of students and a Sioux Falls business to tackle a specific project for the business. During this program, you will travel to Sioux Falls once a week and have the opportunity to meet with your consulting clients and gain hands-on experience.

To get involved or learn more about these programs, contact the Beacom Career Success Center. 

Departments & FACILITIES

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in accounting and finance. Our faculty are experts in their fields, bringing practical experience working in different business, finance, marketing or accounting firms.
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Accounting & Finance

Accounting and finance are among the most needed skill sets in the business world. The Division of Accounting and Finance prepares students through hands-on-experience in and out of the classroom so they can lead successful financial careers in any field.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Division of Accounting & Finance. Our faculty are experts in their field, contributing research and scholarship in financial accounting, cost accounting, forensic accounting, taxes, audits and more.
Faculty Default

Srinivasan Ragothaman

Chair, Accounting & Finance
Bio Image for Faculty Member Subash Adhikari

Subash Adhikari

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Erin Cornelsen

Erin Cornelsen

Instructor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Karen Davies

Karen Davies

Instructor in Accounting
Bio Image for Faculty Member Derek Franken

Derek Franken

Instructor
Faculty Default

Maria Leach

Associate Professor
Students Attending a Networking Event.

Accounting Recruiting Right On Campus

As an accounting student at the Beacom School of Business, you don't even have to leave campus to meet with the top accounting firms in the country. During the fall semester, you will have the opportunity to meet with employers during the annual speed networking event Meet the Firms, attend the SDCPA Showcase and interview for internships and career opportunities right on campus.
Group of Accounting Students Sitting at a Table.

Network and Navigate Your Dream Career

The Beacom School of Business invites the business community to stay current on business issues through guest speakers, events and networking opportunities that occur throughout the year. We also encourage partnerships with businesses, government agencies and not-for-profit community organizations to offer:
 
  • Presentations, panels and discussions
  • Student connections, internships and recruiting opportunities
  • Faculty expertise and research
  • Support for scholarships and other business school initiatives
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Summer Accounting Institute

Are you interested in learning more about the accounting industry before you get to college? The USD Summer Accounting Institute is the perfect opportunity to experience campus life, meet friends from across the region and work with accounting faculty and students while learning and networking with accounting professionals.

Learn More

Tuition & Costs

USD offers low tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, as well as scholarships, financial aid and employment opportunities to help make your education even more affordable.
SD Residents, SD Advantage* & Child of Alumni
MN Residents
Out-of-State
Tuition (30 cr.)
7773
8718.9
11283
Fees (30 cr.)
1659
1659
1659
Books (estimate)
1200
1200
1200
Housing
4454
4454
4454
Food Service
3770
3770
3770
Total

* SD Advantage: The in-state rate is available to residents of South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and children of alumni of USD.

More About Tuition & Costs

This is an estimated annual cost. Other factors may change the cost of tuition.

Undergraduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities.

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Scholarships

USD awards nearly $9.5 million in scholarships each year. View our scholarships to see which ones you may qualify for and how you can apply.

hear from a usd alum

Success story Jennifer Hull smiling.
In either my second or third year at USD, a professor reviewed my academic performance and took the time to evaluate what I was looking for in a career. He ultimately persuaded me to change my major to accounting. I'm very grateful for his help because my accounting career has been varied and rewarding. I've worked in public accounting, in offshore accounting, and now in litigation consulting.

Jennifer Hull

B.B.A. Accounting '98
Litigation Consultant, Berkeley Research Group
Emeryville, CA

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