A major in accounting is preparation for success in the business world. Every business needs accounting help, whether it is the largest retail company in the world, a small family-owned enterprise, an agency for the homeless, or a musical group touring the country. The accounting major provides an excellent foundation for a variety of careers.
The objective of the B.S.B.A. accounting curriculum is to provide students with a broad overall education, solid grounding in the common body of knowledge of business administration, and exposure to accounting in sufficient depth to help them achieve entry-level competence for pursuit of a career in industry.
Accounting is less about mathematics, and more about giving structure to unstructured situations by learning and speaking the language of business. Students learn to tell the story of what an organization looks like, what an organization has done, and what it might do in the future.
This online program provides a flexible and cost-effective opportunity to pursue an accounting degree, whether you are new to college, completing a degree started years ago, or seeking an additional degree to enhance your skillsets.
Learn MoreView a listing of all the undergraduate Accounting courses currently being offered by the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
View CoursesThe Eight-Semester Degree Completion Program makes it possible to obtain the accounting bachelor's degree in four academic years.
Learn MoreThe Walton College offers you the option to obtain both the BSBA and the Masters in Accountancy in a five-year period.
Learn MoreIn the State of Arkansas, the 120-credit hour undergraduate degree alone does not meet the 150-credit hour education requirement for CPA licensing. However, if you have successfully completed 30 hours of upper-level accounting coursework above the Principles and Principles II level, have successfully completed Governmental/Nonprofit Accounting, and have successfully completed 120 hours of coursework, the Arkansas State Board of Accountancy will allow you to apply for eligibility to begin writing the Uniform CPA Examination with approval from the William Dillard Department of Accounting. You will not be eligible for licensing until after you have successfully completed 150 hours of coursework. All accounting coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Passing the Uniform CPA Examination is the first step in becoming licensed. The William Dillard Department of Accounting’s master’s degree programs will allow you to have completed all requirements both to write the Exam and to be licensed in Arkansas. Be aware that all states require at least 150 hours for licensure, with each State having unique examination eligibility requirements. Those requirements can change over time. The various State Boards ultimately make the decision as to whether a student qualifies for Uniform CPA Examination eligibility. Occasionally, State Boards may also enforce unpublished requirements or change requirements during an academic year. Students should work closely with the Department CPA Examination Advisor to select the appropriate coursework for CPA Exam qualification purposes for the state where licensure is desired. It is not necessary for you to physically take the CPA Exam in the state where you are seeking licensure. The Exam is administered at Prometric testing sites across the country.
The State Boards of Accountancy provide possible avenues for license reciprocity between states once licensure is achieved. However, both the professional requirements for licensure and the reciprocity agreements vary by state and occur well after coursework is complete. Therefore, we cannot make a specific determination of when requirements will be met for either of these.
Dr. Barry Bryan is our CPA Advisor and will work with you on questions about the Exam or the licensing process. If you are interested in a state other than Arkansas, be sure to contact him as soon as possible to discuss that state’s requirements.
“I chose the MPAcc program because the accounting professors at the U of A are the best in the business.”
06/23/2025 | By Lori McLemore
Charles Leflar, clinical professor emeritus of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the U of A, was recently honored with the prestigious Faculty Gold Medal at the annual State and National Awards Reception.
04/24/2025 | By Meghan Perry
Meet Sammy Massri, a junior accounting major completing his degree online!
03/11/2025 | By Sydney Ford