Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Financial Analysis
- Online
- On Campus
In an increasingly data-driven business world, accountants and financial advisors are indispensable to organizational strategy and success. They are responsible for collecting and tracking key financial information and communicating this information clearly and effectively.
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Financial Analysis prepares you to be this important business partner. Whether you earn your degree online or on campus — whichever best fits your lifestyle and career goals — you’ll gain the foundational accounting knowledge you need to transform complex financial data into useful business insights.
Program Overview
Courses offered online or on campus in Thousand Oaks
Evening classes once per week, Monday – Thursday
Flexible part-time and full-time options
Complete the degree in as little as two years
Our accounting degree ensures that you will be equipped with the knowledge you need to step into a wide range of roles, including those with accounting firms or within corporate finance. We have built every aspect of this degree to support those who would like to go on to the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination. See the accounting and financial analysis curriculum.
At Cal Lutheran, we pride ourselves on providing personal attention to each of our students. Our classes are intentionally kept small so that you can connect with your instructors and peers. You’ll also have access to a personal academic counselor who will guide and support you every step of the way.
This major is part of our Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals, a degree completion program designed specifically for working adults. Each student enters the program with a minimum of 24 transfer credits, with many bringing in even more credits, allowing them to finish their degree faster.
What You’ll Learn
This accounting and finance bachelor’s degree balances practice and theory. It prepares you for accounting jobs in firms or in corporate finance roles. You’ll graduate with:
- An intermediate understanding of accounting principles and the systems and regulations that shape the financial world
- Experience in business concepts including strategic thinking, organizational behavior, law and ethics
- Enhanced analytical abilities, with a focus on statistical data analysis, so that you can interpret and apply data to business decisions
- A strong sense of professional and ethical judgment that allows for well-reasoned decision-making
- Advanced interpersonal and teamwork skills so that you can collaborate in team environments and create productive professional relationships
- Professional writing and speaking skills in order to effectively communicate your messages with clarity and impact
“My favorite thing about being in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program is that it gives me a chance to actively work on my career while I’m getting my bachelor’s degree. I’m making the most out of my time by gaining experience and working on my major.”
Accounting and Financial Analysis Career Paths
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033. In 2023, the median salary for this group was $81,680. Our BS in Accounting graduates are prepared for strategic accounting and financial analysis roles, such as:
- Financial analyst
- Auditor
- Corporate financial planner
- Staff accountant
With a strong foundation in accounting principles and financial analysis strategies, graduates are equipped to thrive in a variety of roles and adapt to the evolving demands of today’s finance, accounting and business industries.
Accounting and Financial Analysis Degree Curriculum
Required courses
All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted
Foundations of business
Research Writing for Professionals
Advanced Research Writing for Professionals
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Applied Math for Business
Principles of Professional Communication
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Business and Society
Foundations of Business Law
Organizational Behavior
Foundations of accounting
Foundations of Financial Accounting
Foundations of Managerial Accounting
Intermediate Financial Accounting 1
Intermediate Financial Accounting 2
Essentials of Cost Accounting
Information Systems in Accounting
Principles of Auditing and Assurance
Accounting Ethics and Responsibility
International Accounting
Intermediate Auditing and Assurance
Principles of Individual Taxation
Principles of Business Taxation
Data Analytics in Accounting
Financial Statement Analysis
Interested in seeing a class in action?
Get a closer look at what it’s like to be a PROS student by sitting in on a live online or on-campus class.
For more information, contact an enrollment specialist.
Accounting disciplines
Students must choose at least two of the following three tracks.
- Business Analysis and Reporting (Course: “Advanced Financial Accounting”)
- Information Systems and Controls (Course: “Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection”)
- Tax Compliance and Planning (Course: “Individual Compliance and Planning”)
Total Credits to Complete the Degree
To graduate, students must complete 124 credits minimum. This total includes:
- Major courses: At least 78 credits are completed through accounting and financial analysis major courses. Out of these, at least 54 credits must be upper-division courses (these courses are identified by course numbers in the 300 and 400 ranges).
- General education and other courses: The remaining credits can consist of general education courses, additional major courses if desired and any transferred credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
A degree completion program is a pathway to a bachelor’s degree that leverages a student’s previous education. These programs accept a significant amount of transfer credits, meaning that students can build upon the credits they’ve already earned.
For Cal Lutheran’s Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals, incoming students will need to have completed at least 25 credit hours from previous accredited associate or undergraduate programs.
A degree completion program is great for working adults who have some college experience but weren’t able to complete their studies. Cal Lutheran’s program includes support services that are dedicated to adult learners, like personalized academic advising, flexible coursework options and career counseling.
The application process for every major in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals series is the same. You are welcome to apply if you have:
- Graduated from high school or possess a GED certificate
- Completed 24 semester hours of transferable college credit
- Earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25
Visit our admissions page for more information, including an application checklist.
On average, Cal Lutheran students complete their bachelor’s degree in two years. However, the total time for each student depends on how many credits you transfer into the program, the applicability of the credits to your degree of choice and whether you take courses full time or part time.
The accounting and financial analysis bachelor’s program offers a unique blend of technical accounting knowledge and applied finance skills. Students build a strong foundation in areas like financial reporting, auditing and taxation, while also gaining expertise in financial statement analysis, business analytics and strategic decision-making.
The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for careers that require accurate financial reporting and data analysis. These skills enable strategic decision-making that supports business performance, ideal for roles in public accounting, corporate finance or financial planning and analysis.
If you have questions about whether your previous education qualifies as transferable credit, please reach out to an enrollment specialist. We’re here to help.
Want to learn more about earning your accounting and financial analysis degree at California Lutheran University? Download our brochure and explore our FAQ page. Ready to apply? Start your application now.
Request Information
To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals offered by the Cal Lutheran School for Professional and Continuing Studies and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 805-521-9856.
