Accounting

Accounting is the language of business decision-making and is a primary means of organizational communication. The accountant's role has changed substantially over the past decade. Today, accountants are actively involved in analyzing and interpreting financial data and work with other executives in decision-making and problem-solving activities.

The accounting major offered by Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business will help you develop strong technical and professional accounting skills, including communication, problem-solving and analytical skills.

I have experienced exponential growth in my ability to think critically, perform confidently, and engage with industry professionals due to the knowledge and opportunities provided by the accounting department." â –Mi'Angila Graham, Class of 2021

SLU's accounting graduates have a long history of success on the CPA exam, with pass rates exceeding both the Missouri and national averages. Many of our graduates have passed all parts of this critical exam on their first attempt. The 2021 CPA Success Index, published in Accounting Today, ranked SLU 26 in the country among large accounting programs.

Students may also choose to pursue an accounting minor in addition to their chosen major.

1. Graduates will have the ability to apply relevant accounting standards for financial reporting purposes and apply the appropriate tax laws for planning and compliance issues.
2. Graduates will be able to recognize and evaluate areas of risk in operations, decision making and information technology.
3. Graduates will be able to apply analytical and quantitative techniques to analyze accounting-related issues.
4. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.
5. Graduates will be able to make professional and ethical judgments and demonstrate professional conduct and demeanor.

Send transcripts of all secondary work.

Find out from your admission counselor what secondary credentials are required. We’ll evaluate how you’ve done in school up to this point, so please send all transcripts for secondary work, along with their English language translations.

Submit proof of your English language proficiency.

These are scores from any standardized test you may have taken to prepare for college — TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT, ACT or Duolingo score. All of our international applicants are required to demonstrate their English proficiency, and these tests can help us make that determination.

If you do not meet SLU’s direct entry requirements, we encourage you to apply to the Pathway or English Language programs offered by INTO Saint Louis University.

Recommended items.

Though not required for admission, submission of a resume of activities and letters of recommendation is encouraged. All undergraduate applicants are also encouraged to complete an admission interview.

In a survey of SLU's most recent accounting graduates, 100% reported they were either employed or attending graduate school within six months of their graduation. They join a global network of nearly 20,000 alumni from the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. Accounting graduates from the Chaifetz School have earned employment with prestigious organizations such as AB In-Bev, Boeing, FedEx and TD Ameritrade.

Possible career paths for graduates with an undergraduate degree in accounting from SLU include:

• Auditor
• Budget analyst
• FBI agent
• Financial planner
• Forensic accountant
• IRS agent
• Risk management consultant
• Tax professional

The Chaifetz School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world's largest business education alliance and accrediting body of business schools, ensuring continuous quality improvement in terms of curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career placement and intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty. Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation. 

The Accounting program is also separately accredited by the AACSB, one of only 190 schools to have earned this distinction.