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Academics Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

BSBA in Accounting

at Nichols College

Every business depends on people who can make sense of the numbers—and turn them into smart decisions.

You can develop the technical expertise and specialized skills today’s employers demand with an accounting degree from Nichols College.

Our BSBA in accounting program covers core concepts, with additional emphasis on data analytics and technology tools. Students can explore specialty areas; pursue professional exam certifications; and earn credentials in Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel. Combined with experiential options like VITA tax preparation clinics, audit simulations and internships, you’ll be prepared for success, whether your goal is to start your career or pursue advanced study after graduation.

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Why Study Accounting at Nichols College?

Pursuing an accounting degree at Nichols College in Dudley, MA, means gaining the knowledge and professional credentials to launch a rewarding career in accounting. Here’s what sets our program apart:

Faculty With Real-World Expertise

Learn from professors who are practicing CPAs with extensive professional experience and current knowledge in areas like forensic accounting, international standards and robotic process automation

Specialization and Certifications

Nichols accounting graduates consistently land positions at firms such as EY, KPMG, PwC and Bollus Lynch

Strong Career Outcomes

Nichols accounting graduates consistently land positions at firms such as EY, KPMG, PwC and Bollus Lynch

Professional Connections

Engage with professionals and secure meaningful internships through our career contacts, hands-on employer experiences and alumni network that's 16,000+ members strong

Worcester County Location

Benefit from strategic access to New England's financial corridor while getting the personal attention of a close-knit campus community

Plus, our program is AACSB-accredited—only six percent of institutions worldwide are accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Dual Concentration: Accounting and Finance

Accounting and finance are majors that many of our students choose to pair up, with the complementary nature of the fields. They’re also some of the most involved programs, so we’ve created this special track that supports an efficient double-major pathway in accounting and finance. Current students should speak with their academic advisor to learn more about this program.

3+1 Accelerated Accounting Program at Nichols College

In addition to our traditionally paced program, Nichols offers the 3+1 Accelerated Accounting Program, providing a streamlined path to the accounting industry for exceptionally motivated students, allowing them to complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in only four years. Students in this program will follow a carefully crafted degree path, including summer courses and internships in accounting. Students meeting the requirements of the program will be admitted to the Nichols Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program their senior year.

Program Benefits:

  • Accelerated path to two accounting degrees
  • Fulfills the 150 credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure
  • Demonstrates serious commitment to recruiters
  • Saves time and money compared to traditional separate degree programs

Experiential Learning at Nichols College

Hands-on, experiential learning is a key component of a Nichols education. Every business student completes an internship, a professional certification and a research, experiential or consulting project before they graduate. Add holistic professional development to that hands-on foundation, and you get real results—95% of recent graduates secured jobs or entered graduate school within six months. All from a college ranked top 10 nationally among undergraduate business schools for mid-career salary potential and best value.

A Nichols College student intern assists with an event at historic Fenway Park in Boston.

Student-Faculty Projects

From assisting with faculty research and teaching to working on an advanced project with your professor, there are many ways to extend your learning beyond the classroom at Nichols.

Learn More About Experiential Learning at Nichols.

Student-Run Opportunities

Whether you’re managing the Thunder Fund, working with Bison Consulting clients, helping run the Nichols Dudley Hill Golf Course Club and Bison Den or pitching ideas to companies, you’ll build career-ready skills.

Learn More About Student-Run Opportunities.

Holistic Professional Development

Build confidence and vital soft skills through experiences that take you into the community, paired with public speaking practice, networking etiquette and signature leadership development.

Learn More About Professional Development at Nichols.

Study Abroad

Take your education global through faculty-led trips, international internships, semester abroad programs and short-term travel that let you earn Nichols credits while expanding your worldview.

Learn More About Study Abroad (Study Away).
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Careers in Accounting

Accounting degree holders go on to become accountants in both the private and public sectors. Accountants also have the option to work in financial services. The degree is both lucrative and versatile, allowing students to explore their passions and pursue what feels best to them.

Career possibilities include:

  • Certified public accountant (CPA)
  • Financial analyst/budget analyst
  • Forensic accountant
  • Internal auditor
  • Nonprofit financial manager
And More
Two Nichols College students in professional attire laughing together at a career and internship fair booth

Meet Your Faculty

Michael Forte

Chair, Accounting 508-213-2260

Bryan Coleman

Chair of the MSA 508-213-2145

Bryant Richards

Director of CIPA 508-213-2136

Karin Curran

Chair, General Business 508-213-2170

Anqi Tao

Assistant Professor of Accounting 508-213-2109

Brendan Williams

Assistant Professor of Accounting 508-213-2166
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Accounting Program

How long does it take to get an accounting degree at Nichols College?

Traditional students complete the BSBA in accounting in four years (120 credit hours). However, we also offer an Accelerated Accounting Program that allows you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in four years.

What can you do with an accounting degree from Nichols College?

Accounting degree holders can pursue diverse careers, including in roles such as a CPA, tax accountant, financial analyst, forensic accountant, budget analyst and management accountant. In 2024, six Nichols accounting students had internships at either Bollus Lynch, EY, KPMG or PwC; this level of accounting firm is a metric illustrating the quality of students and the education they are getting, opening many opportunities in the field. Many Nichols accounting graduates work for Big Four firms, while others join corporations or government agencies or start their own practices.

What is the difference between an accounting certificate vs. an accounting degree?

An accounting degree (BSBA) provides comprehensive business education plus specialized accounting knowledge, preparing you for professional careers and CPA licensure. A certificate program offers focused skills training but doesn’t provide the depth needed for advanced positions or professional certification.

Accounting Degree Courses

Required Courses

An intensive course designed to broaden and strengthen the foundation laid in the introductory courses. Accounting principles are analyzed and applied in the preparation of financial statements, utilization of time value of money concepts, and examination of cash, short-term investments, receivables, and inventories. Includes computer applications.

A continuation of ACCT 241. Topics include long-term assets, current liabilities, long-term debt and contingencies, and owners' equity. Includes computer usage.

The accounting professional is an information specialist. As a result, the profession requires a depth of technical understanding in a dynamic and evolving business environment. This course will teach students about the fundamental technical concepts underlying corporate information. This will include how to document and follow the flow of data throughout an organization, an understanding of the systems and processes used to generate information, an explanation of the common accounting transaction cycles and how to protect information from fraud or abuse.

A study of complex accounting topics and analytical procedures. Topics include revenue recognition, accounting for investments, pensions, leases, and income taxes; accounting changes, errors, incomplete records, and analysis of cash flows. Computer usage is integrated.

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.

This course is intended to make the student aware of the major tax issues that influence decision-making by businesses and individuals. 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.

Identifying fraud, financial misstatements, inefficiencies, and many other accounting problems requires a mastery of analytic tools. This mastery is quickly becoming an expectation for accounting professionals. This experiential course will provide students with a deep exploration of accounting analytics in a simulated environment. Students will learn to use audit analytic software, identify observations, develop recommendations, and present their results in a professional document as if they were in a real-world situation.

Experiential Course

Choose one course

An intensive program of work experience with a business or corporation. Combines both experiential learning with traditional academic work through required term essay and presentation of internship results to an appropriate class. Internship course specifications and "learning contract" forms are available through the Office of Career Services. Students interested must be of junior or senior standing and have a 2.5 grade point average.

An intensive program of work experience with a business or corporation. Combines both experiential learning with traditional academic work through required term essay and presentation of internship results to an appropriate class. Internship course specifications and "learning contract" forms are available through the Office of Career Services. Students interested must be of junior or senior standing and have a 2.5 grade point average.

Auditing Course

Choose one course

The Institute of Internal Auditing states, "Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. The duties and responsibilities of the Internal Auditor within the management team of the organization are explored in detail." Topics covered in this course include the organization of the Internal Audit Department, staff qualifications and development, long/short range audit plans, and the elements of Internal Auditing i.e.: Preliminary Survey; Audit Programs; Fieldwork Activities; Reporting; and Management Review.

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.
Choose one course

In-depth study of complex entities including partnerships, branch accounting, mergers, consolidations, foreign currency transactions, and international financial reporting standards. Requires computer usage.

This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings of Accounting.

This course is offered on an occasional basis and addresses topics and themes of special interest not covered in the standard course offerings of Accounting.

This course gives the student an understanding of accounting for non-profit organizations and governmental entities. Special attention is placed on reporting requirements and governmental oversight through in-depth analysis of actual organizations. Includes computer applications.

An intensive program of work experience with a business or corporation. Combines both experiential learning with traditional academic work through required term essay and presentation of internship results to an appropriate class. Internship course specifications and "learning contract" forms are available through the Office of Career Services. Students interested must be of junior or senior standing and have a 2.5 grade point average.

No description available.

Intelligent Automation is changing the nature of work. Technology is enabling workforce automation and employee augmentation, aiming to automate repetitive tasks and reduce the number of lower value processes being performed manually. The goal for these technologies is to empower companies and their employees to invest their time in higher-yield, higher complexity tasks that can result in greater value for business, their customers and clients, and improve profits and efficiencies. Introduction to Intelligent Automation will explore the emergence and adoption of intelligent automation throughout various sectors. Fundamental concepts, vocabulary, automation tools and frameworks needed to identify, evaluate and measure opportunities will be introduced. Students will build simple automations using an automation tool.

This hands-on course covers the art and science of data visualization. It explores various visualization techniques and the way that shape, size, color, orientation, and motion influence the way information is comprehended. The class will use world-class visualization platforms such as Tableau and PowerBI. Students will understand the difference between exploratory versus explanatory visualization as well as gain an appreciation for the appropriate use of visualization techniques. We'll discuss how visualizations can be manipulated to mislead or misinform others and discuss the ethics around data visualization. Students will work through a series of interactive dashboards culminating with the final project in which the student will create a story with their data.

Analysis of long-term corporate financial decisions, including capital budgeting, cost of capital, leverage, dividend policy, debt and equity financing, working capital management, business combinations, and international finance.

Any MSA Course

Free Electives

15 credit-hours of electives

Interested in Learning More?

Join us at one of our upcoming campus events in Dudley, MA, or schedule a campus visit. You can also contact our Admissions team to discuss your academic goals and how Nichols can help you reach them.