Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is available at the following Alvernia University campuses:

• Reading
• Pottsville

Through a rolling admission process, prospective students may apply to Alvernia at any time. Multiple start dates throughout the year allow accepted students to begin a program of study at an accommodating time. We continually review applications and accept students for each of the six term starts (August, October, February, March, May, and July).

Keeping on track is important throughout the process. We encourage you to work with an admission team member to submit all materials and meet all deadlines. Our dedicated team will work directly with you to identify the best options that work for you and your unique situation.

Once your application is complete, you will not have to wait long for a decision. We continually review applications and notify students as soon as a decision has been made.

To get started, visit our Adult Education Application page for a list of instructions and documents needed.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our financial aid page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

Required Courses (58 credits)

BUS 101 Financial Accounting
BUS 206 Management Principles
BUS 207 Marketing Principles
BUS 250 Accounting Principles
BUS 252 Intermediate Accounting I
BUS 253 Intermediate Accounting II
BUS 315 Business Data and Information Analysis
BUS 304 Federal Taxation
BUS 305 Accounting Info Systems
BUS 342 Business Law
BUS 400 Cost Accounting
BUS 402 Auditing
BUS 410 Financial Markets
BUS 411 Corporate Finance
BUS 426 Strategic Management
BUS 438 Business Seminar or BUS 441 Cooperative Education in Business I (enrolled for at least 3 credits)
MAT 208 Introductory Statistics or MAT 209 Probability and Statistics

Accounting majors also can complete a 12-credit concentration in fraud examination. This concentration includes courses necessary to provide you with the core competencies needed to excel in fraud examination. By completing the courses necessary for this concentration, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Certified Fraud Examiner exam.

Attaining fraud examiner certification can be extremely useful if you’re pursuing a career in a field such as accounting, human resources, management, criminal justice or insurance.

Required courses in the fraud examination concentration are:

• BUS 101 Financial Accounting
• BUS 200 Managerial Accounting
• OR BUS 250 Accounting Principles
• BUS 205 Fraud Examination
• MBA 555 Forensic Accounting (Please check with your advisor for more details.

Recommended Courses

• BUS 441 Cooperative Education in Business
• BUS 442 Cooperative Education in Business II

Related Requirements (6 credits)

• ECON 248 Macroeconomics
• ECON 249 Microeconomics
• BUS 304 Federal Taxation
• BUS 305 Accounting Info Systems
• BUS 342 Business Law
• BUS 400 Cost Accounting
• BUS 402 Auditing
• BUS 410 Financial Markets
• BUS 411 Corporate Finance
• BUS 426 Strategic Management
• BUS 438  Business Seminar or BUS 441 Cooperative Education in Business I (enrolled for at least 3 credits)
• MAT 208 Introductory Statistics or MAT 209 Probability and Statistics

• In the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, our business lab and Bloomberg Terminals provide financial real time, historical data, market moving news and analytics.
• The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development  and Entrepreneurship offers resources to students and businesses to assist with economic development. Students interested in starting a business or securing a patent have access to the O'Pake Institute business incubator. 
• Customized skills are put into practice with a final project in the capstone course Executive Leadership Seminar.

• Alvernia University's accounting program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the range of jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in finance is projected to grow up to 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2021 ranged from $80,000 to $179,000.

• Accountant
• Account manager
• Financial planner
• Financial adviser
• Business analyst
• Financial modeler
• Actuary