B.S. in Accounting & Public Accounting
Otterbein programs produce globally aware, ethically sensitive, technologically proficient graduates who think critically, communicate effectively and understand business. Our Accounting Program blends technical knowledge with a liberal arts background. We graduate students who are “preferred hires.” Employers know that Otterbein accountants are technically competent, personally engaging, highly motivated, ethically sound and well prepared to launch their careers.
Otterbein’s accounting program develops students’ technical and analytical skills while enhancing their global perspective which allows students to effectively communicate business information to a wide variety of stakeholders.
Otterbein offers both four and five year degrees. The 5-year degree qualifies a student to sit for the CPA examination upon graduation.
Why Otterbein?
We believe that a well-rounded liberal arts education combined with the technical skills obtained from an accounting major will best equip the student to maximize their career and individual potential upon graduation. Students develop their social and communication skills, including reading, writing, listening and speaking through a variety of liberal art studies, and by participating in classroom discussions, composing business documents, participating in team activities, giving oral reports, and multiple assignments. Students are always encouraged and coached in a way that strengthens student skill development and student self-assessment and resulting confidence.
Graduate School for Accounting Majors
The four-year bachelor’s degree in accounting provides the student graduate with a solid foundation for graduate study. Each year a number of Otterbein graduates go onto Ohio State University’s Master’s in Accounting program. Others have gone onto Master’s programs at Case Western Reserve University, University of Notre Dame, College of William and Mary, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Cincinnati.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Otterbein BAE department has the most dedicated faculty on campus and are committed to working closely with students in the classroom and through personal advising relationships. The department is committed to preparing students to become competent, self-directed professionals. The content presented in each of the courses throughout my time at Otterbein ensured I was well prepared and qualified to sit for the CPA examination. Without a doubt, my education and experience I gained while at Otterbein prepared me to quickly become a valuable asset for my employer.
Julie Didinger, CPA ’19
Accounting
Senior Accountant at Julian & Grube, Ohio Accounting & Auditing Services
| Student Learning Outcomes | University Learning Goals (KMERI*) |
| Goal 1: Students will develop broad competencies in financial accounting theory and principles. | |
| Students will explain and apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to a broad range of industries and contrast GAAP to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). | Knowledgeable |
| 1. Students will understand the legal and regulatory environment in which businesses and accounting firms operate. | Knowledgeable, Responsible |
| 2. Explain and demonstrate the impact of financial reporting in a capitalistic society and how accounting facilitates the efficient deployment of capital. | Multi-literate |
| 3. Apply the ethical standards that guide accounting profession and be aware of the impact and consequences of ethical lapses. | Responsible |
| 4. Develop the skills, competencies, and professional orientation that support the life-long learning that is essential for the students’ career in a knowledge-based profession. | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| 5. Students will qualify for a variety of needed professional certifications such as the CPA (Certified Public Accountant). | Knowledgeable |
| Goal 2: Students will understand how Managerial Accounting systems provide information and feedback that is needed to effectively plan and control company operations and make good business decisions. | |
| 1. Students will be able to design and utilize Accounting Information Systems that facilitate quality managerial decisions | Knowledgeable |
| 2. Students will use managerial accounting information for quantitative decision-making and contrast it with qualitative decision-making. | Knowledgeable, Engaged, Responsible |
| 3. Students will enhance their communication skills including being able to present and defend views through formal and informal presentation. | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| 4. Students will qualify for a variety of needed professional certifications such as the CMA (Certified Management Accountant). | Knowledgeable |
| Goal 3: Students will understand the necessity of Auditing and Forensics and utilize General Accepted Auditing Standards and investigative techniques. | |
| 1. Students will be able to apply audit procedures to various transactions, transaction cycles and accounts of entities using Generally Accepted Audit Standards. | Knowledgeable |
| 2. Students will be able to define the fraud triangle and the behavior that leads to various white collar crimes. | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate |
| 3. Students will become familiar with the broad regulatory structure in capital markets, including the role of the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the states’ Boards of Accountancy, the American Institute of CPA’s (AICPA) and investigative agencies of the government (FBI, US Attorney General, Inspector General, etc.). | Knowledgeable, Responsible |
| 4. Learn the ethics and professional conduct codes and legal responsibilities that accountants have in business to society. | Multi-literate, Engaged, Responsible |
| 5. Students will qualify for a variety of needed professional certifications and licensure requirements such as the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner). | Knowledgeable |
| Goal 4: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of taxation and governmental accounting. | |
| 1. Students will apply their knowledge of tax law in the preparation of individuals’ tax returns. | Knowledgeable, Engaged |
| 2. Students will demonstrate a proficiency in performing tax research through their familiarity with the IRS code. | Knowledgeable |
| 3. Students will use their knowledge of the fundamentals of accounting for nonprofit and government organizations to prepare and analyze various governmental financial reports. | Multi-literate, Inquisitive |
| 4. Students will differentiate business versus governmental reporting, with focus on fund accounting, including general and revenue funds, debt service funds, capital project funds, internal service funds, enterprise and fiduciary funds. | Knowledgeable, Responsible, Inquisitive |
| 5. Students will gain a proficiency in management controls, financial reporting, budgeting and controlling operations, cost determination, strategic planning, program analysis, measurement of output, reporting on performance, full-accrual and modified-accrual accounting, tax levies, auditing, and preparation of government financial statements. | Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Responsible |
*NOTE: KMERI refers to Otterbein's learning goals. It stands for Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Engaged, Responsible, and Inquisitive. To learn more about KMERI, visit our University Learning Goals page.
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