Major in Accounting
Students majoring in accounting traditionally head in one of two career directions upon graduation: they're well-prepared for careers in public accounting as well as for accounting work in the universe of private, nonprofit, and governmental organizations.
CLU’s program in accounting prepares students not only for a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), but also for employment in private industry, nonprofit organizations, higher education, and government agencies. The curriculum provides a careful balance of practice and theory, and consists of a solid liberal arts core, a carefully selected set of business-related classes, and intensive work in various aspects of accounting. Accordingly, students are also well-prepared for graduate studies and have been successful in passing the CPA exam.
Accountants perform an essential and highly-valued service for business and industry. Moreover, they perform a myriad of tasks in a variety of settings. They may compile detailed records of business transactions, prepare financial statements, perform audits, prepare tax returns, and assist in tax planning and managerial decision-making. They may also analyze financial information and provide small-business consulting services. Since the accountant of today must be a “jack-of-all-trades” who can fit comfortably into any business setting, CLU’s accounting majors receive extensive preparation in both general business and the liberal arts.
Most of the accounting classes in the traditional undergraduate program are taught by three full-time accounting professors, who have taught at CLU for a combined 70 years. The two lower-division accounting classes average about 30 students, while the eight upper-division accounting classes average about 15 students.
Many of CLU’s accounting majors have been successful in securing internships with local businesses and accounting firms, and many are offered full-time positions upon graduation. These opportunities enable CLU’s accounting students to gain hands-on experience as they begin to narrow their focus to a particular career path. In recent years, students have been employed by Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte & Touche, PricewaterhouseCoopers, CBIZ, Sony Pictures, NASA, Walt Disney Company, and many others. According to many studies, employment opportunities for accountants are expected to continue to grow at a faster pace than most other professions.
The Accounting Association, a student-run organization at CLU (with faculty advisers), has been in place since 1984. This student club arranges for guest speakers, social events, and fundraisers. Many CLU students get their first “taste” of the accounting world, and form key friendships, by attending Accounting Association functions.
Program Requirements
View the program requirements and course descriptions »
Faculty
Ali Akbari, Ph.D.
Professor of Business Administration
Somnath Basu, Ph.D.
Professor of Finance
Carol Lynn Coman, M.S.
Associate Professor of Business Administration, School of Management Director of Assessment
Jamshid Damooei, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
Sandra Grunewald
Assistant Professor
Dan E. Hamilton, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
Bonnie L Johnson, C.P.A., M.B.A.
Senior Lecturer
Edward H. Julius, M.S., CPA
Professor of Business Administration
Kirk M. Lesh, M.B.A.
Senior Economist
Harry Starn, MS
Associate Director, CIF
Bill Watkins, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Economic Research and Forecasting
Paul R. Williams, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Finance
Contact the Department
Economics, Finance and Accounting
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Rd. #3500
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Department Chair:
Jamshid Damooei
Visit the Economics, Finance and Accounting website »
