B.S. in Business and Economics with Accounting

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Lehigh University

Program Overview

Lehigh University's Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a major in Accounting combines core business education with specialised accounting coursework, preparing students to understand financial reporting, auditing, taxation and business decision-making. Students build analytical, technological and professional skills through a structured business curriculum and can choose an accounting concentration aligned with careers in public accounting, corporate finance or financial services.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build a foundation in business, accounting and analytical reasoning through ACCT 151: Financial Accounting and BIS 044: Business Analytics I. The broader business curriculum introduces economics, finance, management and marketing, helping students understand how accounting supports organisational decisions.

Second Year: Students strengthen their business knowledge through ACCT 152: Managerial Accounting and BIS 111: Introduction to Information Systems. These courses develop an understanding of cost information, internal business decisions and the information systems organisations use to manage and analyse data. Students also complete introductory courses across business disciplines before selecting their major.

Third Year: Students move into advanced accounting through ACCT 315: Intermediate Accounting I, ACCT 311: Accounting Information Systems and ACCT 324: Cost Accounting. These subjects develop skills in financial reporting, accounting technology and cost analysis, preparing students to evaluate financial information and support organisational decisions.

Fourth Year: Students complete ACCT 316: Intermediate Accounting II and three courses within their selected accounting track. The Public Accounting Assurance and Tax Services track includes ACCT 307: Fundamentals of Federal Income Taxation, ACCT 320: Fundamentals of Auditing and ACCT 317: Advanced Financial Accounting, while other tracks support interests in corporate accounting and financial services.

Focus Areas

Financial accounting, managerial accounting, accounting information systems, cost accounting, auditing, taxation, financial reporting, business analytics, corporate accounting and professional ethics.

Learning Outcomes

Prepare and interpret financial statements, analyse accounting data, evaluate internal controls, understand auditing and taxation, apply information systems to accounting tasks, assess business costs, communicate financial findings and support ethical business decisions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

AACSB accreditation: Lehigh University's College of Business holds AACSB International accreditation, covering business administration and accounting education. Students pursuing Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure should confirm the educational credit and examination requirements of their intended licensing jurisdiction.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Lehigh's accounting program is recognised by recruiters as a key recruiting school. The university reports that 96% of its College of Business Class of 2025 graduates were employed, continuing education or engaged in other pursuits within six months of graduation. The reported average starting salary for accounting graduates was $89,247; this figure represents the accounting discipline, not a guarantee for individual graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Lehigh combines accounting coursework with professional networking, recruitment activities and practical business projects. Students can engage with accounting firms from their sophomore year through leadership programs and externships, then pursue internships that may lead to graduate employment. Opportunities include:

Accounting Information Systems (ACCT 311): Explore how information technology supports accounting processes, financial reporting and organisational controls.
Cost Accounting (ACCT 324): Develop skills in analysing business costs and preparing information for managerial decision-making.
Accounting Internships: Pursue summer internships with public accounting firms and corporate employers; Lehigh reports that these experiences often lead to entry-level positions after graduation.
Leadership Programs and Externships: Participate in professional firms' summer and winter programs during the sophomore year to learn about accounting careers and employer expectations.
Segal Accounting Distinguished Speaker Series: Hear from accounting professionals and industry leaders discussing current developments in the profession.
Beta Alpha Psi: Engage with an accounting-focused professional organisation offering guest speakers, networking and academic tutoring.
The Accounting Club: Connect with peers, visiting professionals and recruiting firms through accounting-related activities.
Senior Capstone: Participate in the business degree's team-based strategic management simulation, applying business knowledge to integrated decision-making.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Business and Economics with Accounting prepares students for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, auditing, taxation and financial services. The program combines accounting expertise with business analytics, information systems and professional networking, helping students build a foundation for entry-level roles and long-term advancement. Potential career paths include staff accountant, audit associate, tax associate and financial reporting analyst.

Career Development: Lehigh's professional recruiting activities, employer engagement and internship opportunities help students prepare for recruitment and build connections with accounting firms.
Industry Connections: Professional firms provide sophomore-year leadership programs and externships, while internships create opportunities to gain workplace experience and pursue full-time positions.
Employment Outcomes: For the Class of 2025, Lehigh's College of Business reported a 96% successful-outcomes rate within six months of graduation. Accounting graduates reported an average starting salary of $89,247 across the discipline.
Professional Recognition: AACSB accreditation supports the academic standing of Lehigh's business and accounting education. CPA licensure remains subject to applicable state or jurisdictional requirements.
Career Progression: Graduates can progress from entry-level accounting roles into auditing, tax specialisation, financial management, consulting and leadership positions, depending on their experience and qualifications.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue a Master of Science in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), or postgraduate study in business analytics, finance or taxation. Students planning to become CPAs can select further coursework to meet applicable education requirements and prepare for the CPA examination. Those interested in research or academic careers may also consider doctoral study in accounting or a related business discipline.