Leverage your math skills for a successful career.

Want a career in a growing field where you can use your math and computer skills?

Then consider Nichols Accounting program . . .

The program prepares you to take on accounting-related roles in corporate, government and nonprofit environments and will expose you to various aspects of public and private accounting, including:

  • financial
  • cost
  • taxation
  • governmental
  • mergers and acquisitions

How do we do this?

By providing you with . . .

Instruction from professors with real-world experience

  • Accounting professors are CPA’s with experience in the Big 4 and regional CPA firms
  • CPA consulting work with CPA firms and non-profit organizations
  • Active involvement in the Mass. Society of CPA’s
  • Program Chair teaches seminars for CPA’s covering the most current developments in accounting, auditing, and ethics

Access to the latest developments in the field

  • Forensic accounting
  • New regulations and requirement
  • International accounting standards

Networking Opportunities

  • Active involvement with successful alumni
  • Professors with extensive contacts at accounting firms where you may intern and seek full-time employment
  • Field trips to NY Stock Exchange, Securities and Exchange Commission and international and regional CPA firms as well as private industry companies
  • Active accounting club

“Going to New York City with my accounting professors and classmates is one of my most memorable events at Nichols. We were able to meet some alumni of the College and see some amazing sites, like the NY Stock Exchange.”

Impressive Internships

Internships provide you with the real-world experience and contacts you need to land a job in this highly competitive field.

Internship Leads to Job

Alexa Boucher

Class of 2013:Emily Widdison
Major: Accounting and Finance
Internship:The Hartford Group, Summer 2012

“After twelve weeks of interning where I worked on financial reporting for the Securities and Exchange Commission filing and presenting a capstone project on General Liability, I interviewed for and received a full time job offer in the Financial Leadership Development Program. Nichols helped me prepare for this through classes with actual case studies. In addition, classes such as PDS and Business Communication taught me how to act professionally in the corporate world. As a result, I was able to conduct business meetings with Vice Presidents and executives in the General Liability sector of the company.”

Some of our recent internship locations include:

  • The Hartford Group
  • Carey and Company
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Alexander, Aronson and Finning & Co.

The job outlook for accountants is positive. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 22% growth rate in accounting and auditing jobs between 2008 and 2018.

Derek Cassell

Class of 2012: Kate Dyson
Position:First Year Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers

“Compared to other schools, Nichols prepared me very well for interviewing and helped me have the confidence to enter an interview prepared and poised. In addition, since my job at PWC is team-based, the number of in-class group projects taught me how to work in groups and fill different roles within that group.

Nichols accounting alumni are some of our most successful graduates and are employed at various companies including:

  • Alexander, Aronson and Finning & Co.
  • Mohegan Sun
  • Federal Government
  • EMC
  • Bollus-Lynch, P.C. (CPA firm)
  • Graham Shepherd, P.C. (CPA firm)
  • Deloitte & Touche
  • KPMG International
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
Courses

Accounting majors must complete 121 credit hours (approximately 40 courses), including courses from the foundation and business core curricula, focused electives and these required accounting specialization courses:

ACCT 341
 
Intermediate Accounting III		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

A study of complex accounting topics and analytical procedures. Topics include accounting for pensions, leases, and income taxes; accounting changes, errors, incomplete records, and analysis of cash flows. Computer usage is integrated. 
Prerequisite: ACCT 242
ACCT 342
 
Advanced Accounting		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

In-depth study of complex entities including partnerships, branch accounting, mergers, consolidations, and foreign currency translations. Requires computer usage.
Prerequisite: ACCT 341
ACCT 343
 
Cost Accounting		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

Students analyze cost behavior, accumulation and allocation concepts in job and activity based costing and process costing systems. Students also examine estimated cost systems; budgetary control with standard costs; and cost and profit analysis for decision-making purposes. Computer usage is integrated.
Prerequisite: ACCT 238
ACCT 402
 
Federal Taxes		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

This course is intended to make the student aware of the major tax issues that influence decision-making by businesses and investors. Specific topics include tax planning, income determination, capital vs. ordinary income, the deductibility of expenses, and the tax implications of various forms of business entities.
Prerequisite: FIN 203
ACCT 404
 
Auditing		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

A course designed to give the accounting student an understanding of auditing theory. Topics include generally accepted auditing standards, audit reports, professional ethics, fraud auditing, internal control, and sampling and evidence-gathering techniques.
Prerequisite: ACCT 242
ACCT 480
 
Accounting Seminar		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

Integration and practical application of accounting concepts. The course involves a comprehensive study of accounting theory and careful examination of the contemporary problems facing the accounting profession today. Includes computer applications.
Prerequisite: ACCT 404

College Catalog

Review or download the college catalog for additional details and information about courses and requirements.

Key Faculty
John Armstrong
  • John Armstrong
  • Program Chair
Marcia Behrens
  • Marcia Behrens

Questions about the accounting program? Contact Professor John Armstrong, CPA, Program Chair, at john.armstrong@nichols.edu or 508-213-2124.