Undergraduate Major & Minor - Accounting

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Accounting is the process of gathering financial information and presenting it in a manner that will help users of that information make better decisions. Accountants are also frequently called upon to analyze financial information and provide important business advice.

The terms and definitions that have emerged from the discipline of accounting have become widely used within the industry. In fact, accounting is commonly described as the "language of business." Over the years, with the increased use of automation, the role of accountants has changed dramatically. Formerly regarded as simply number-crunchers, accountants have become recognized as valued business advisors and are important members of an organization's management team.

Major Curriculum

Accounting Major Program Requirements & Course Descriptions

Minor Curriculum

Accounting Minor Program Requirements & Course Descriptions

Four-year plan

Accounting Major Sample Plan

The APAS is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan.

Italic: course pre-requisites and co-requisites (designated by &)

Bold: Liberal Ed requirement

Print Plan

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • Econ 1165 Business Economics (Soc Sci) (4cr)
  • BA 2551 Business Statistics in R (Math) (4cr)
  • BA 1011 Leading Self & Teams (2cr)
  • BA 1021 Design Your Life (1cr)
  • Writ 1301 First Year Writing (4cr)

15 credits

Spring Semester

  • Acct 2051 Financial Reporting (4cr)
  • BA 2051 Solving Business Scenarios in Excel (2cr)
  • BA 2062 Powerful Problem Solving (2cr)
  • Design Your Career (1cr)
  • BA 2005 Corporate Responsibility & Ethics (Civ) (3cr)
  • Liberal Ed (3-4cr)

15-16 credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Maroon Block I-Core

  • Mktg 3001 Principles of Marketing (3cr)
  • IDSc 3001 Information Systems & Digital Transformation (3cr)
  • BA 3001 Race, Power, & Justice in Business (RPJ) (3cr)
  • Acct 3001 Strategic Management Accounting (3cr)
  • BA 3051 Data-Driven Business Decisions (BA 2551 & BA 2051) (3cr)

15 credits

Spring Semester

Gold Block I-Core

  • Fina 3001 Finance Fundamentals (Acct 2051 & BA 2551) (3cr)
  • Mgmt 3004 Strategic Management (3cr)
  • SCO 3001 Sustainable Supply Chain Management (3cr)
  • HRIR 3021 Human Capital Management (3cr)
  • BA 3062 Impact Lab Project (BA 2062) (2cr)

14 credits

Declare a major: 
z.umn.edu/CarlsonDeclare

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • BA 3551 Business Analytics (BA 2551 & BA 2051) (3cr)
  • Acct 5101 Intermediate Accounting (B- or better in Acct 2051 or passing the Acct5101 pretest) (4cr)
  • BLAW 3062 Contract Law & Corporate Regulation (2cr)
  • Liberal Ed (3-4cr)
  • Liberal Ed (3cr)

15-16 credits

Spring Semester

  • ACCT 5111 Intermediate Accounting II (ACCT 5101) (2cr)
  • ACCT 5112 Intermediate Accounting III (ACCT 5111) (2cr)
  • BA 3033W Business Communication (3cr)
  • Acct 5141 Financial Data Analytics (BA 2551) (2cr)
  • ACCT 5151 Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax (ACCT 2051) (2cr)
  • Liberal Ed (3cr)

16 credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • ACCT 5121W Auditing Principles and Procedures I (ACCT 5101) (2cr)
  • ACCT 5122 Auditing Principles and Procedures II (ACCT 5121W) (2cr)
  • Acct elective (2cr)
  • Liberal Ed (4cr)
  • Elective (3-4cr)

15-16 credits

Spring Semester

  • Acct 5201 Intermediate Management Accounting (Acct 3001) (2cr)
  • Acct elective (2cr)
  • Elective (4cr)
  • Elective (4cr)
  • Elective (2-3cr)

14-15 credits

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 120

Note: Students must complete an international experience as part of the program requirements. Short-term programs or semester-length programs may be used to meet this requirement. Explore your options: z.umn.edu/CarlsonIE

 

Mia Ratrout

I chose accounting because I love the challenge of solving problems and uncovering the story numbers tell. It's fascinating how accounting connects so many parts of a business, helping me gain a deeper understanding of the bigger picture.

Mira Ratrout, '27 BSB

Frequently Asked Questions

Accounting is the language of business. It’s how you tell a company’s story, explaining where it’s been and where it’s going. Our classes focus on using that language to make big-picture decisions.

You’ll move beyond basic bookkeeping to become a financial storyteller. You’ll learn how to audit systems, interpret financial "puzzles," and use data to guide a company’s strategy. By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to look at a mountain of data and find the insights that help a business thrive and stay transparent.
 

An accounting degree is a powerful ticket to almost any industry. You could be the financial expert behind a fashion brand, a consultant for a tech giant, or even start your own business.

Many of our students jump into high-impact roles at "Big Four" public accounting firms or become financial analysts at Fortune 500 companies right here in the Twin Cities. Whether you want to work in auditing, tax, or corporate finance, you’ll have the skills to ensure a business stays healthy and successful.
 

The Carlson School’s Accounting major prepares you for key industry certifications, notably the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, by ensuring your curriculum aligns directly with professional demands. The rigorous coursework provides a strong foundation in core areas including financial and management accounting, income taxation, auditing, and business law. This comprehensive academic framing equips you with the fundamental technical mastery and analytical skills necessary to tackle industry examinations confidently. For more information check out the Accounting Key Career Info!

 

FIND MORE ACCOUNTING KEY CAREER INFO
 

You are highly encouraged to join the Carlson School Accounting Club (CSAC) where you can attend networking events, resume workshops, and exclusive panel discussions with active corporate partners. Additionally, students can participate in specialized accounting case competitions or engage in volunteer service platforms like the Nonresident Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (NRVTAP), where they gain invaluable hands-on experience preparing tax assistance to international students, scholars, teachers, and researchers. 
 

  • Find the ACCT 5101: Intermediate Accounting I pretest for fulfilling pre-requisite requirements: ACCT 5101 pretest

Contact Undergraduate Program