Accounting

Take control of your professional and financial future with a solid career in Accounting. You'll master the theoretical and practical skills necessary to pass the CPA, CMA and CIA exams — and be prepared for leadership roles in whichever financial field you choose

Classroom shot of students working

Ensure your professional and financial future

At Simmons University, you'll master the knowledge and skills needed to pass the CPA, CMA, or CIA exams. Our interdisciplinary curriculum means you will develop complementary skills in areas such as finance, business and communication.

Simmons' Accounting program is unique in that it is one of the few programs that enables students - with careful planning - to complete the educational requirements for the CPA license without the need for a Master's degree or additional tuition payments.

As one of the most active financial cities in the country, Boston offers myriad internships and career opportunities. Simmons' internship program offers exceptional benefits and flexibility. You choose from a variety of experience-for-pay internships ranging from a part-time 4-credit internship to a 16-credit, two-semester, full-time intense apprenticeship.

Whether your goal is to establish a private practice, run a large firm, or something in between, our program will help you get there. Our graduates find leadership roles in a variety of exciting career paths, including:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Comptroller/Controller
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Healthcare Accountant

Prerequisites for Accounting Majors

ECON100 Principles of Microeconomics 4
STAT118 Introductory Statistics 4

Required Core Courses

ACCT110 Financial Accounting 4
ACCT120 Managerial Accounting 4
BUS100 Introduction to Business and Management 4
BUS234 Organizational Communication & Behavior 4
BUS250 Principles of Marketing 4
BUS260 Financial Management 4
BUS325 Operations Management 4
BUS370A Internship and Career Strategies 2
BUS370B Learning From Internship Experience 2

Required Accounting Courses

ACCT200 Intermediate Accounting I 4
ACCT201 Intermediate Accounting II 4
ACCT207 Tax Accounting 4
ACCT300 Advanced Financial Reporting 4
ACCT301 Accounting Information Systems 4
ACCT308 Auditing and Assurance 4
ACCT325 Accounting and Business Ethics 2
BUS180 Business Law 4
 

Capstone

BUS340 Strategic Management 4

Electives

Suggested elective to strengthen students’ ability to pass the CPA exam:

ACCT220 Business Applications in Excel 2
BUS214 International Business 4
BUS270 Business Analytics 4
ECON101 Principles of Macroeconomics 4
ACCT205 Cost Accounting 4

Required Courses

ACCT110 Financial Accounting 4
ACCT120 Managerial Accounting 4
ACCT200 Intermediate Accounting I 4
ACCT201 Intermediate Accounting II 4

Electives (select one):

ACCT205 Cost Accounting 4
ACCT301 Accounting Information Systems 4
ACCT308 Auditing and Assurance 4

You'll work with your advisor to tailor a program to your interests and career goals. Simmons offers many options for customizing your studies, including dual majors, accelerated programs and a wide variety of complementary minors.

Simmons also provides flexible options for students to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Simmons meets the requirements for students to sit for the CPA exam, which includes a bachelor's degree with at least 21 credits in accounting and nine credits in business. Simmons is also exploring options for students to become licensed CPA's in Massachusetts, which, along with the CPA exam, requires 150 credit hours. These options may include a post-graduate certificate.

Reach out to Ray Pfeiffer, Professor of Accounting if you have any questions.

Students will have access to a broad array of internships ranging from Big Four accounting firms to regional mid-sized firms as well as a variety of corporate, non-profit and health care settings. All Simmons accounting faculty teaching are professionally qualified or doctoral-prepared in the field and have wide experience and contacts in the accounting industry.

Spotlight on Accounting Students and Alums

Johs Ozer

Social Work Alum on Oncology Social Work at Dana-Farber

Josh Ozer ’24MSW is a clinical social worker at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where he provides one-on-one counseling to patients as well as psychosocial support to their families and caregivers.


A soccer ball resting on a patch of grass

Incoming Student-Athlete Featured in The Herald News

The Herald News (Fall River, MA) recently featured Westport High School senior and incoming student Tess Silvia, who will play soccer and softball for Simmons.


President Lynn Wooten standing in front of the MCB

MassLive Celebrates President Wooten’s Leadership

To honor Black History Month 2025, MassLive featured Black leaders throughout the state of Massachusetts who are performing significant and meaningful work. Simmons University President Lynn Perry Wooten is among the ten individuals spotlighted.


One of the Simmons University signs near campus

Review of Federal Policies and Announcement of Webinars for Faculty and Staff

President Wooten provides an update on the latest federal orders, including a Dear Colleague letter regarding DEI, and announces a series of webinars for faculty and staff.


Dr. Sharon Malone is a DC-based OB/GYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner on a mission to empower women to take charge of their health.

Join the Discussion on Women’s Health at the 2025 Ifill Forum

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences will host the Ifill Forum, our annual signature event in honor of Gwen Ifill '77, '93HD. This year’s event focuses on Women’s Health and will feature a panel discussion featuring Simmons faculty experts and a keynote speech featuring Dr. Sharon Malone, moderated by WBUR Anchor Lisa Mullins ’80 ’05HD.


The rear of the MCB.  Photo by Ashley Purvis.

Simmons Receives Mellon Grant for Information Literacy

With funding from the Mellon Foundation, Simmons will establish the Center for Information Literacy, which aims to promote informed decision-making and nurture civic participation.


University Archivist Kelsey Kolbet '21MS/MA assists Archives Field Placement student Abigail Smith '22MS, video still by Ashley Purvis.

Archivist Cherishes Communal Essence of Libraries

National Library Lovers’ Month is, according to the Boston Public Library, “a time to recognize the value of libraries and all the special things we love about them.” To celebrate National Library Lovers’ Month, we spoke with University Archivist Kelsey Kolbet ’21MS/MA about her love of archives and women’s history, and why she chose Simmons.


Headshots of five of the speakers who will present at the 2025 Simmons Leadership Conference

2025 Simmons Leadership Conference Announces Speaker Lineup

On March 20, 2025, the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership will host its annual Leadership Conference. An inspiring array of speakers will animate this year’s theme, “Leading Change.” Members of the Simmons community are entitled to complimentary virtual attendance.