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ACCOUNTING

100%
OF INCOMING FIRST-YEARS & TRANSFERS
Receive scholarships or grants
Prepare
FOR SUCCESS
Our program is designed with CPA and CMA exams in mind
96%
Employment Rate
of surveyed alumni within 9 months of graduation

Crunching numbers and kickstarting careers

A hands-on accounting education is waiting for you at Mount Mercy University.

Translating numbers into knowledge sounds like a superpower, but for an accountant, it’s all in a day’s work. Accounting is a high-demand field with opportunities across many different industries. Specializations like tax accounting, auditing, and accounting management need versatile graduates with distinct knowledge. 

Our program focuses on building accounting knowledge through practical experience for traditional students and working professionals. Working closely with the needs of the local business community helps us ensure both quality career placements for our students and great accountants for employers.

Why should I choose MMU?

Challenge your skills with hands-on projects

All accounting students start learning with our strong integrated course sequence called the business core. Once your foundational knowledge is established, accounting students benefit from practical experience through advanced accounting projects.

By simulating what you can expect in a job environment, you can learn what subtypes of accounting interest you, how to handle data, and experience the complexities of taxes firsthand. 

Utilize tax software to generate tax returns, learn about audit errors and discovery by conducting a full audit, and keep the books for a non-profit organization while enhancing your professional communication skills. These experiences beyond the textbook help you figure out your path to entering the workforce and give you a leg up on other accounting graduates when you get there.

Opportunity abounds in the high-demand accounting field

Accounting happens in every business setting, in businesses of all sizes and of all industries. An effective accountant who can communicate interpretations of numbers is an essential asset to employers—that’s where you come in.

Our partnerships with local businesses in the Cedar Rapids Corridor assist with internship and job placement in a variety of paths like tax accounting, non-profit accounting, accounting management, auditing, and more.

In addition to entering the workforce, many accounting students pursue additional certification through professional exams, including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams. Mount Mercy’s accounting program is designed to provide you with the skills and coursework necessary to prepare for these exams.

Continued education, like combining your accounting degree with a finance double major or continuing to a Master's of Business Administration at Mount Mercy University—or one of our three other graduate Business & Leadership programs—provides even more options for your future career.

We also have an articulation agreement with the University of Iowa's Master of Accountancy program to facilitate the admission of our graduates into the program.

"My professors have made learning relatable, and that makes for an interesting experience—they helped me seal the deal for my major."

Megan Miller '17
Accounting

What courses will I take?

Core Requirements for all Business Majors

Required:
BA 203Principles of Law3
BA 250Technology & Communication In Business3
BA 270Business Statistics3
or MA 135 Basic Statistics
BA 379Financial Management3
BA 435Senior Seminar in Business3
or BA 436 Business Strategy Seminar
BC 265Principles Of Accounting I3
BC 266Principles Of Accounting II3
BK 208Principles Of Marketing3
BN 204Principles Of Management3
EC 251Macroeconomics Principles3
EC 252Microeconomic Principles3
Choose One of the Following:3
MA 130
Finite Mathematics
MA 132
Basic Mathematical Modeling
MA 139
Pre-Calculus
MA 164
Calculus I (Required for Actuarial Science Majors)
Internship - use course number which corresponds to your major:3
BA 425
Finance Internship
BC 425
Accounting Internship
BK 421
Marketing Internship
BN 424
Management Internship
GS 424
Experiential Learning
The internship credits used for the business core CANNOT double count as a major elective.
Total Hours39

Accounting Major (Core business requirements plus 24 additional semester hours)

Business Core39
Required:
BC 315Cost Accounting3
BC 325Intermediate Accounting I3
BC 326Intermediate Accounting II3
BC 440Auditing Principles and Practices3
BC 442Tax Accounting3
BC 444Advanced Accounting3
Choose Two of the Following:6
BC 316
Advanced Cost Accounting
BC 330
Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting
BC 441
Advanced Auditing
BC 443
Advanced Tax Accounting
Total Hours63

Academic Requirement

  1. All accounting majors or minors must achieve a minimum grade of C- in all accounting courses required for the major or minor. This requirement applies equally to any course equivalents that may be accepted by transfer from any other college/university.
  2. See the additional Academic Requirements for all business department majors and minors found in the Business Administration section of the Catalog.

Accounting Minor

Required:
BC 265Principles Of Accounting I3
BC 266Principles Of Accounting II3
BA 250Technology & Communication In Business3
EC 251Macroeconomics Principles3
EC 252Microeconomic Principles3
Choose Four of the Following: 12
BC 315
Cost Accounting
BC 316
Advanced Cost Accounting
BC 325
Intermediate Accounting I
BC 326
Intermediate Accounting II
BC 330
Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting
BC 440
Auditing Principles and Practices
BC 441
Advanced Auditing
BC 442
Tax Accounting
BC 443
Advanced Tax Accounting
BC 444
Advanced Accounting
Total Hours27

Academic Requirement

  1. All accounting majors or minors must achieve a minimum grade of C- in all accounting courses required for the major or minor. This requirement applies equally to any course equivalents that may be accepted by transfer from any other college/university.
  2. See the additional Academic Requirements for all business department majors and minors found in the Business Administration section of the Catalog.

The following is the typical sequence of courses required for the major*:

Freshman
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
BC 2653Elective3BC 2663
Portal3 MA 130 (or above)3
Writing Competency4 CO 1013
Fine Arts Domain3 Historical Roots Domain3
  Natural World Domain4
 13 3 16
Sophomore
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
BC 3253BC 3153BC 3263
BC 4423 EC 2523
BA 2503 BA 2703
BA 2033 BN 2043
EC 2513 Accounting Elective3
 15 3 15
Junior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
BC 4443Elective3BA 240 (or another Holistic Health course)3
BA 3793 Elective3
BK 2083 Accounting Elective3
Literature Domain3 Global Awareness Domain3
Philosophy Domain3 Self and Society Domain3
 15 3 15
Senior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
BC 4403N/A BA 4353
Ultimate Questions Domain3 ME 4501
Elective3 Elective3
BC 4253 Elective3
  Elective3
 12 0 13
Total Hours: 123

Note: Elective courses could be used for a second major, a minor, a course of interest, internship or study abroad experience.

Note: See the Curriculum section for more information on Portal, Competency, Domain, and Capstone courses.

*Disclaimer

The course offerings, requirements, and policies of Mount Mercy University are under continual examination and revision. This Catalog presents the offerings, requirements, and policies in effect at the time of publication and in no way guarantees that the offerings, requirements, and policies will not change.

This plan of study represents a typical sequence of courses required for this major. It may not be applicable to every student. Students should contact a department faculty member to be sure of appropriate course sequence.

Courses

BC 202 Accounting: Information for Decisions: 4 semester hours

This course provides a fundamental knowledge of accounting for individuals who do not expect to become practicing accountants but who need a basic understanding of accounting concepts. This course will emphasize accounting as a communication system involving analysis and interpretation of data. Accounting concepts will be covered as they relate to the user of financial information rather than a preparer's perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the use of accounting information for both financial and managerial decisions. Prerequisite: none.

BC 265 Principles Of Accounting I: 3 semester hours

This first course in accounting provides and introduction to the elements of financial accounting including the accounting cycle and the four basic financial statements-the balance sheet, the income statement, the statement of owner's equity, and the statement of cash flows. The various asset accounts-cash, accounts receivable, inventories, and property, plant, and equipment, will be studied in depth. Accounting for payables and other current liabilities also will be explored. Students should possess basic algebra skills. Prerequisite: None.

BC 266 Principles Of Accounting II: 3 semester hours

This course is a continuation of BC 265 and includes further study of financial accounting along with an introduction to management accounting. Financial accounting topics include: partnership accounting, stockholder's equity, long term investments, bonds payable, the time value of money, the statement of cash flows and basic financial statement analysis. The introduction to management accounting includes the following topics: financial statements specific to a manufacturing concern, cost allocation, product costing including job order and process costing, cost-volume-profit analysis and budgeting. Prerequisite: BC 265.

BC 315 Cost Accounting: 3 semester hours

The interpretation and use of accounting information for management planning, coordination and control with emphasis on cost analysis in problem solving and decision making are covered in this course. Topics include: product costing systems, cost behavior, budgeting, standard costs, and control of decentralized operations, this course also explores relevant costs for decision-making, capital budgeting, and the tax effects of investment decisions. Prerequisite: BC 266 Offered fall semesters and winter term.

BC 316 Advanced Cost Accounting: 3 semester hours

This course covers a study of accounting for inventory valuation and income determination. Topics include process costing, spoilage, joint products, by-products, cost allocation schemes, and inventory management tools. The course also explores regression analysis, learning curves, linear programming, proration of variances, and decision-making under uncertainty. Prerequisite: BC 315. Offered spring semesters.

BC 325 Intermediate Accounting I: 3 semester hours

This course begins the rigorous coverage of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to financial accounting. There will be a quick review of the accounting cycle, the format of the financial statements and the time value of money. This will be followed by in depth coverage of accounting for cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and current liabilities. Students will be expected to complete at least four complex spreadsheet assignments. Students will also be expected to participate in a few activities outside of class. Prerequisite: BC 266. Offered fall semesters.

BC 326 Intermediate Accounting II: 3 semester hours

As a continuation of BC 325, this course includes an in-depth study of bonds payable, notes payable, long term investments and stockholder's equity, including earnings per share calculations. In addition, issues related to revenue recognition will be covered along with accounting for pensions, capital leases and income taxes. The statement of cash flows will be examined in detail. Students will be expected to complete at least four complex spreadsheet assignments. Students will also be expected to participate in a few activities outside of class. Prerequisite: BC 325. Offered spring semesters.

BC 330 Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting: 3 semester hours

This course involves the study of accounting for logical government units, health care organizations and not-for-profit entities. Other topics include budgeting and performance analysis for governmental and not-for-profit entities and the regulation of not-for-profit entities. Students will complete a comprehensive computerized practice set. In addition each student will be required to complete a final project on a local government or not-for-profit entity including an oral presentation about the entity. This course should be of particular interest to students who are planning to work in the government or non-profit sector and for those preparing for the CPA exam. Prerequisite: BC 266. Offered spring semesters.

BC 425 Accounting Internship: 3 semester hours

Students may take advantage of internship opportunities, which become available in the area of accounting. These internships include off-campus supervision at local business and periodic conferences with the on-campus instructor. The on-campus instructor will determine any further requirements on an individual basis. (Maximum of one semester credit for each three hours per week for the semester spent at an outside agency up to a maximum of six semester hours).

BC 440 Auditing Principles and Practices: 3 semester hours

This is a study of the audit function primarily from the independent CPA viewpoint. Emphasis is upon auditing standards, preparation of audit working papers, and the final audit report. Topics include internal control structure study and evaluation, audit sampling, auditing transaction cycles, tests of controls, substantive tests, Sarbanes-Oxley financial reporting and audition requirements and subsequent events responsibility. Prerequisite: BC 326. Offered fall semesters.

BC 441 Advanced Auditing: 3 semester hours

This course covers an in-depth analysis of advanced topics in auditing with special attention to professional standards, the role of the technology in auditing, and current auditing topics. Additional topics include: quality standards, variables sampling, special audit reports, non-audit services, professional ethics and auditor's legal liability. This course is designed to supplement a student's preparation for the auditing and law content of the CPA exam. Prerequisite: BC 440. Offered spring semesters.

BC 442 Tax Accounting: 3 semester hours

This course involves the study of basic concepts and theory of the federal income taxation applicable to individuals and sole proprietorships. Topics include: The elements of gross income, exclusions, deductions from income, capital gains and losses, passive losses, tax free exchanges, depreciation and the sale of assets used in trade or business (including depreciation recapture). Students will complete a basic tax research memo, a complex individual income tax return by hand and a second individual income tax return using computerized tax return preparation software. Prerequisite: BC 266. Offered fall semesters.

BC 443 Advanced Tax Accounting: 3 semester hours

This course involves an in-depth study of the tax laws applicable to corporations, partnerships, "S" corporations, estates, and trusts. Topics include: corporate formation and taxation, "S" corporation considerations, and gift and estate taxation. In addition, tax planning opportunities and additional areas of tax research will be covered. Prerequisite: BC 442. Offered spring semesters.

BC 444 Advanced Accounting: 3 semester hours

This course includes a study of partnerships, business combination, consolidated financial statements, accounting for foreign currency transactions, and conversion of foreign financial statements. It also includes an introduction to governmental and nonprofit accounting. Prerequisite: BC 326. Offered fall semesters.

BC 445 Independent Study: 3 semester hours

If a student wishes to do individual study and/or research of a particular topic, he/she should contact the appropriate member of the department as supervising instructor, as well as register through and obtain consent of his/her advisor.

What are the next steps?

Build off previous experiences by transferring up to 75 credits form an Iowa community college or up to 93 credits form a regionally accredited 4-year university.

Veterans may also earn credit for military training via the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). 

Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.

We encourage all students to apply for federal, state and other kinds of financial assistance.

Learn more about:

We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.

  1. Create your application
  2. Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
  3. Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:

* Mount Mercy University Admissions
  1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402

* If you are applying for an accelerated program, please mail to "Accelerated Programs"

For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.

Careers in accounting

Chart your own path in an in-demand field

During your time at Mount Mercy, you will be exposed to multiple accounting specialties like tax preparation, auditing, management, and more that help you decide what type of role would be the best fit for your skills and interests. 

After graduating from Mount Mercy, many accounting majors pursue professional accounting certifications with the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams. Mount Mercy also has an articulation agreement with the University of Iowa’s Master of Accountancy program to facilitate the admission of Mount Mercy accounting graduates into their program.

You can find Mount Mercy accounting alumni at companies like:

  • AEGON/Transamerica
  • Alliant Energy
  • BerganKDV [Accounting Firm]
  • BGHN Associates [Accounting Firm]
  • Collins Aerospace
  • Dahm, Knapp & Associates [Accounting Firm]
  • GE Capital
  • GreatAmerica Financial Services
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • TaxACT
  • Terry, Lockridge & Dunn
  • Toyota Financial Services
  • Transamerica Corporation
  • United Life Insurance
  • World Trend Financial