New Jersey is one of the top-paying states for accounting professionals in the country — and GCU's ACBSP-accredited B.S. in Accounting puts you on the fastest path to get there. You'll build the technical skills, real-world experience, and CPA exam eligibility to launch a career that lasts.
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Our 120-credit program is built to meet New Jersey's CPA licensure requirements — so you're completing CPA exam-eligible coursework while earning your degree. No extra years. No gap between graduation and exam eligibility. Just the most direct path to becoming a licensed CPA. (Note: students who want to fulfill the full 150credit CPA exam requirement at GCU can do so with additional coursework — ask your advisor about this pathway.)
Every Accounting major is guaranteed an internship through our network of partner firms. GCU students have interned at PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and leading regional, corporate, and nonprofit organizations — experiences that regularly lead to full-time job offers before graduation.
Real experience starts in the classroom. You'll work with industry-standard tools — QuickBooks, SAP, Bloomberg Terminal, and advanced Excel modeling — compete in accounting case competitions and serve real clients through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This is accounting education built around how the profession actually works.
The B.S. in Accounting is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) — a nationally recognized quality standard for business education and a credential that employers and graduate programs actively look for when evaluating accounting candidates.
The B.S. in Accounting at Georgian Court University builds the skills employers are hiring for right now — financial reporting, auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and accounting information systems — along with the critical thinking and ethical judgment that set great accountants apart from the rest.
Our curriculum aligns with New Jersey’s 120-credit CPA licensure requirement, so you’re on the most direct path to becoming a licensed CPA. You’ll apply what you learn through case studies, real client service through the VITA program, and internships with firms that have a proven track record of hiring GCU graduates.
Small classes mean your professors know you by name. You’ll learn from faculty with Big Four and corporate accounting backgrounds, build genuine professional relationships, and graduate connected to a strong regional employer network. Whether you’re aiming for public accounting, corporate finance, government, nonprofits, or graduate school — GCU Accounting graduates are ready to hit the ground running.
The program’s modern curriculum goes beyond traditional accounting to include Data Analytics for Business, Introduction to Python, Accounting Information Systems, and Introduction to Cybersecurity — reflecting the reality that today’s accounting professionals need technology fluency alongside their technical financial skills.
The B.S. in Accounting is accredited by ACBSP.
GCU’s B.S. in Accounting is a great fit if you:
New Jersey is one of the highest-paying states in the nation for accounting professionals. Here’s a look at where a GCU Accounting degree can take you.
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants & Auditors | $60,000–$70,000 | $110,700 | $90,000–$120,000+ |
Job Outlook
The accounting profession is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033 — faster than the average for all occupations — with approximately 136,400 job openings per year nationally.
The B.S. in Accounting program prepares students to join a business, agency, or organization as an accountant, auditor, or other financial professional, as well as to take the CPA licensing exam. The curriculum covers broad business and accounting perspectives and technical accounting skills that enable students to gain analytical, management, communication, sales, and business development skills.
The B.S. in Accounting program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, students must successfully complete 120 credits which includes the business core, which is 45 credits in accounting, business, and economics coursework, plus additional courses in accounting as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Core Courses 3,4 | ||
| AC171 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3.0 |
| AC172 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 3.0 |
| EC181 | Principles of Macroeconomics 1 | 3.0 |
| EC182 | Principles of Microeconomics 1 | 3.0 |
| BU121 | Quantitative Business Concepts 1,2 | 3.0 |
| CAR200 | Internship Prep & Career Development | 1.0 |
| BU211 | Business Law | 3.0 |
| BU213 | Mgmt Theory & Org. Behavior | 3.0 |
| BU221 | Business Statistics & Probability | 3.0 |
| IS224 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3.0 |
| FIN235 | Introduction to Finance | 3.0 |
| MK241 | Principles of Marketing | 3.0 |
| BU351 | Internship | 2.0 |
| BU491 | Business Strategies & Policy | 3.0 |
| Accounting Major Courses | ||
| CS120 | Introduction to Python | 1.0 |
| AC272 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3.0 |
| AC273 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3.0 |
| IS122 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3.0 |
| IS312 | Data Analytics for Business | 3.0 |
| or CS212 | Data Analytics for Business | |
| BU319 | Business & Professional Ethics 1 | 3.0 |
| AC371 | Accounting Information Systems 4 | 3.0 |
| AC372 | Cost Accounting & Budgetary Control | 3.0 |
| AC471 | Individual Federal Taxation | 3.0 |
| AC472 | Entity Federal Taxation | 3.0 |
| AC473 | Fund & Advanced Accounting | 3.0 |
| AC478 | Auditing with Data Analytics | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 73.0 | |
Course may also satisfy a General Education requirement.
BU121 Quantitative Business Concepts may be waived if the student has achieved a B or better in MA109 College Algebra, MA110 Precalculus, or MA115 Calculus I.
Accounting majors are exempt from the BU242/CM251/CM252 requirement from the business core.
AC371 Accounting Information Systems satisfies the IS320 Management Information Systems requirement from the business core.
Ready to take the next step? Here’s what you’ll need to apply to the B.S. in Accounting program at GCU.
First-Year Students
Transfer Students
Academic Requirements:
By the time you earn your B.S. in Accounting from GCU, you’ll be able to:
These outcomes align with ACBSP accreditation standards and are designed to prepare you for immediate professional employment or advanced study, including the CPA examination.
Q: Is GCU’s Accounting program good preparation for the CPA exam? A: Yes. GCU’s Accounting program is designed to build the accounting knowledge, analytical skills, and professional foundation students need for CPA exam preparation and future accounting careers. The program helps students complete key accounting and business coursework for New Jersey CPA exam eligibility, while also preparing them to choose the licensure pathway that best fits their goals.
Q: Is the internship really guaranteed? A: Yes. Every Accounting major at GCU is guaranteed an internship through the program’s network of partner firms. GCU students have interned at PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and leading regional, corporate, and nonprofit organizations. Many internships convert to full-time job offers before graduation. The process begins in CAR200 Internship Prep & Career Development in your first year — so career planning starts from day one.
Q: What makes GCU’s Accounting curriculum different from other NJ accounting programs? A: Three things stand out. First, the curriculum is genuinely current — it includes Data Analytics for Business, Introduction to Python, Accounting Information Systems with a cybersecurity component, and Auditing with Data Analytics. These aren’t add-ons; they reflect how accounting actually works in 2026. Second, small classes mean you build real relationships with faculty who have Big Four and corporate backgrounds — not just professors who’ve only worked in academia. Third, the guaranteed internship means every graduate has real employer references and professional experience on their resume.
Q: What is ACBSP accreditation and why does it matter? A: The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a nationally recognized accrediting body for business education. ACBSP accreditation signals to employers, graduate programs, and professional licensing boards that GCU’s accounting curriculum meets rigorous national quality standards. Many employers specifically look for ACBSP-accredited programs when evaluating candidates.
Q: Can I become a CPA with just the 120-credit B.S. degree? A: Yes, the 120-credit B.S. in Accounting can help you become eligible to sit for the CPA Exam in New Jersey. Under New Jersey’s updated CPA licensure rules, candidates now have two pathways to CPA licensure: one pathway requires a bachelor’s degree, 150 total credits, and one year of qualifying experience; the newer pathway allows candidates to pursue licensure with a bachelor’s degree, passing the CPA Exam, and two years of qualifying experience. Students should also make sure they meet the required accounting and business coursework requirements. If you are planning to become a CPA, speak with your advisor about the best pathway for your goals.
Q: What accounting software and tools will I learn? A: The Accounting program uses industry standard tools throughout the curriculum — including QuickBooks, SAP, Bloomberg Terminal, advanced Excel modeling, and Python (CS120 Introduction to Python). You’ll also study cybersecurity fundamentals relevant to accounting systems (IS122) and data analytics tools (IS312 Data Analytics for Business). These are the tools that accounting employers expect you to know.
Q: Can I combine Accounting with another major or add a minor? A: Yes. Accounting pairs well with Finance, Business Administration, and Computer Information Systems as a double major. Popular minors to add include Finance, Management, and Economics. Note that within the Business & Design Department, double majors require 30 unique credits for each major. Talk to your advisor about building the most efficient combination for your goals.
Q: What is the GPA requirement to stay in the Accounting program? A: You need to maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA overall and in your major to remain in the program beyond your sophomore year. A 2.5 GPA in all major courses is required to graduate. These standards reflect the professional expectations of the accounting field.
Q: What graduate programs can I pursue after this degree? A: GCU Accounting graduates are well-prepared for GCU’s own MBA program (including the new Healthcare Administration and Marketing concentrations launching Fall 2026), M.S. in Accounting programs at other institutions, M.S. in Taxation, law school (Accounting is excellent pre-law preparation), and M.S. in Data Analytics programs. The B.S./M.B.A. fast-track Advanced Admission pathway is available to Finance and Business Admin majors as well — confirm with your advisor whether this pathway is available to Accounting majors.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU accepts applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply any time. However, priority deadlines — November 1, January 1, and March 1 — give you the best access to merit scholarships, housing, and financial aid. Applying early is always the right call.
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