Accounting Degree at Aquinas College
Discover accounting at Aquinas
Do you have a knack for problem-solving? Do you consider yourself to be detail-oriented, organized, and logical? Do you have a passion for service? These traits can help you become an excellent accountant!
The Accounting Department at Aquinas College puts you on a fast track to a successful, sustainable, and versatile career. Our distinctive curriculum will equip you with the technical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market. Focus on learning financial and managerial accounting concepts, individual and corporate taxation, data analytics, auditing, software programs such as QuickBooks and Celonis, and so much more. Plus, our Professional Accountancy Major covers 100% of CPA educational requirements. Best of all, you aren’t just a number. Our dedicated professors get to know you personally and care about your future.
It's Your time to shine
Why Choose Accounting at Aquinas?
We’ve designed a program for YOUR success:
- 90%+ of your Accounting courses are taught by full-time faculty
- Expect small class sizes and a tight-knit cohort of Accounting students
- Choose from two different majors – providing flexibility and a CPA path without a required masters degree
- Learn from a distinctive curriculum designed to meet the needs of the accounting profession today and tomorrow
- Connect with other Accounting students and alumni through our Accounting & Finance Club, on-and-off campus events, and Accounting mentorship program
Career Preparation based on leadership
The mission of the Accounting Department at Aquinas College is to provide excellence in accounting education, preparing technically competent, broadly educated, effective communicators and ethical decision makers who will contribute productively to the accounting profession, organizations, and the community.
1. Students will demonstrate skill in expanding their understanding of the evolving global accounting profession.
2. Students will be able to understand, apply, and analyze core accounting principles and concepts in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the areas of financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, tax, and accounting information systems.
3. Students will be able to identify and analyze problems, use research tools to determine alternatives, and effectively communicate recommended solutions using appropriate technology.
4. Students will demonstrate skill in applying a broad range of business knowledge to solving organizational problems.
5. Students will be able to clearly articulate their personal ethical decision-making processes with respect to accounting and effectively apply professional ethical standards to business situations.
Internships
Students have the chance to meet and interview with potential employers, including financial services firms, local and regional accounting firms, and the “Big 4.”
Debits vs. Credits Game
Current students and accounting professionals team up in a high-tech game that tests their accounting knowledge, problem-solving skills, and the ability to have fun in the midst of it all!
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
IRS-certified Aquinas students provide free basic income tax return preparation to individuals who qualify.
Student Clubs
Accounting student clubs bring students together for events aimed at career and skill development, networking, and fun!
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
What do for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental organizations have in common? To function properly, they all need accountants! And public accounting firms offering services in tax, assurance, and consulting have a strong demand for qualified staff. Entry-level positions in the field of accounting generally provide excellent opportunities for advancement.
The Aquinas College Accounting Department and AQ Advantage Center work together to curate the Accounting Majors Network. Through this site, students access information about employment opportunities ranging from corporate finance internships to full-time auditing positions.
Every fall semester, the Accounting Department and Advantage Center team up to give AQ Accounting students the best possible launch into their careers. At the "Welcome to Accounting" event, students gain wisdom from a panel of seasoned professionals and network with staff from local and regional public accounting firms. The Advantage Center helps with resume preparation and offers detailed feedback in mock interviews. Plus, students are encouraged to participate in the Business Career Fair at Calvin University; meeting representatives from accounting firms and corporations at this event leads to job interviews for internships and full-time employment.
To learn more or to make an appointment visit the AQ Advantage Center.
| Quick Facts: Accountants and Auditors | |
|---|---|
| 2025 Median Pay | $83,680 per year $40.23 per hour |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2025 | 1,595,200 |
| Job Outlook, 2025-35 | 5% (Faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2025-35 | 79,400 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Outstanding Accounting Student Award
The Accounting program annually recognizes a graduating senior for their contributions in and out of the classroom.
Alumni Profiles
Aquinas grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.
Hear from the Accounting Department
Connection is what defines the Aquinas experience, the kind that happens not by accident, but by intention. This is the thread that runs through Aaron Hendrick’s story—weaving through his college decision, his first day at Aquinas, and ultimately his career at Stryker. You may have seen Protein Pints, a new protein-packed ice cream product, in the news recently. What you might not know is the product got its start here at Aquinas College.
Alumni Spotlight: Aaron's Aquinas Journey
Former Aquinas Student Co-Founds Protein Ice Cream Company