California State University, Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) College of Business has introduced a new Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accounting major, set to commence in the Fall 2025 semester.
The launch comes as the US faces a significant shortfall in the number of professional accountants, with a current workforce of 1.6 million accountants serving a nation of more than 340 million people and 34 million small businesses.
CSUMB associate professor and faculty lead for accounting Sharon Hua said that local accounting firms want the College of Business to double its number of graduates to meet demand.
The new accounting major, previously a concentration within the business major, will now offer 14 accounting courses totalling 42 units, an expansion from the six courses and 22 units previously offered.
The transition to a full major aim to better prepare students for the revised Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and align with the evolving hiring practices in the profession.
Hua said: “The accounting major includes courses on all topics in the new, six-part CPA exam and incorporates AI components encouraged by the Chancellor’s AI initiative.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“It also prepares students for the higher-level reasoning skills they need as they enter the profession. Graduates of the programme will benefit from strong connections to accounting firms, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations that regularly recruit from our programme and often result in multiple job offers for our graduates.”
Hua emphasised that the new major will enable CSUMB to contribute significantly to the workforce, equipping graduates with the skills to pursue various career paths in the public, corporate, and government sectors.
The new major is designed to offer students comprehensive accounting education, preparing them for roles such as auditors, tax planners, consultants on accounting information systems, financial analysts, and compliance officers.
Hua described the introduction of the new major as a strategic move to enhance the College of Business’s offerings and provide students with a cost-effective alternative to a master’s degree in accounting.
College of Business interim dean Marylou Shockley said: “The secret weapon to this new major is the accounting faculty. Not only is it dedicated to helping students learn accounting, but also to mentoring them to find career jobs in accounting.”
