Accounting
Central’s accounting program prepares students professionally for careers in public, private, government and not-for-profit accounting. The college’s accounting graduates are well qualified, as demonstrated by recent success on national standardized professional exams such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) programs. Several graduates have received the highest CPA exam scores in the state of Iowa. Students can choose to complete the 150 semester hours required by most states and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) at Central or pursue a graduate degree.
Faculty
- Lori Bell, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics
bellld@central.edu
- Debela Birru, M.B.A, associate professor of business management
birrud@central.edu
- Andrew Campbell, M.B.A., visiting instructor of business management
campbella@central.edu
- Jann Freed, Ph.D., professor of business management, Mark and Kay DeCook Endowed Chair in Character and Leadership Development
freedj@central.edu
- Michael Murray Ph.D., assistant professor of economics
murraym@central.edu
- Robert Maurer, M.B.A., associate professor of accounting
maurerr@central.edu
- Brian Peterson, Ph.D., associate professor of economics
petersonbj@central.edu
- Jaclyn Rundle, Ph.D., associate professor of business management
rundlej@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Investment accountant, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa
- Accountant, Hormel Corporation, Austin, Minn.
- Accountant, Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Financial analyst, Wells Fargo, Des Moines, Iowa
- Auditor, KPMG LLP, Des Moines, Iowa
- Cost accountant, John Deere, Augusta, Ga.
- Financial consultant, Ernst & Young, New York, N.Y.
- Auditor, RSM McGladrey, Davenport, Iowa
- Auditor, Iowa State Auditor's Office, Des Moines, Iowa
Internships
Looking for experience? An internship might be the answer. When it comes to future employment or entrance into graduate school, students with internship experience have a proven track record in a professional environment. In today's competitive job market, proven experience is a priceless commodity. In addition to internships sites in Iowa, Central offers internship opportunities in both Chicago, Ill. and Washington, DC.
Past internships include:
- Hormel Corporation, Austin, Minn.
- John Deere, Urbandale, Iowa
- Principal Financial, Des Moines, Iowa
- Pella Corporation, Pella, Iowa
- Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa
- Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Deloitte and Touche, Davenport, Iowa
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
Central offers courses that cover all aspects of accounting and prepare students for careers and graduate studies. Central’s course offerings include:
- Principles of macroeconomics
- Principles of microeconomics
- Introduction to statistics
- Introduction to web programming or introduction to computer science
- Principles of management
- Introduction to financial accounting
- Intermediate financial accounting I and II
- Advanced financial accounting
- Introduction to management accounting
- Advanced management accounting
- Individual tax accounting
- Government and non-business accounting
- Auditing
- Advanced taxation
- Business law I and II
- Corporate finance
- Accounting information systems
- Accounting research seminar
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Principles of macroeconomics
- Principles of microeconomics
- Introduction to web programming or introduction to computer science
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Introduction to financial accounting
- Introduction to management accounting
- Principles of management
- Introduction to statistics
- Core courses and/or electives
Junior and/or senior years
- Intermediate financial accounting I and II
- Accounting information systems
- Advanced management accounting
- Individual tax accounting
- Advanced taxation
- Government and non-business accounting
- Advanced financial accounting
- Auditing
- Accounting research seminar
- Core courses and/or electives
Note: Students who plan to take the CPA exam are strongly advised to take the following courses (not required for the major):
- Business law I
- Business law II
- Corporate finance
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
The Weller Center for Business and International Studies houses faculty offices and classrooms for the economics, accounting, business management and modern language departments. The $3.9-million building was completed in 1999 and includes state-of-the-art technologies and a very energy efficient design, including solar panels on the roof. There is a 24-hour computer lab on the main floor and eight high-tech classrooms, two of which contain student computers.
Department Web site
Central’s economics, accounting and business management department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in accounting.
Organizations
The Accounting Club provides professional growth opportunities for students interested in the accounting profession and related fields. Club activites throughout the year include presentations from accounting professionals, job search discussions and social events. The EAM Club is open to economics, accounting and management majors.
Study Abroad
We encourage accounting majors to study abroad and nearly 50% do!! In this global economy, employers want to hire students who have a larger world perspective. Check out Central's eight international programs.
