With Northern's accounting major - available both online and on campus - you'll be ready to become a key player helping organizations make the most impact with their resources.

    About The Program

    Format: Online or On Campus

     

    As a student in our accounting major, offered online or on campus, you’ll develop the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to manage financial transactions and prepare financial reports, and use those reports to make good real-world business decisions. Our caring, supportive faculty and comprehensive coursework will build your skills so you're prepared to apply for professional certification and sit for these exams:

    • Certified Bookkeeper (CB)
    • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
    • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
    • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

    Northern’s Accounting Club offers opportunities for professional networking, industry knowledge and charitable work to extend the impact of your education into the community.

     

    From NSU to CPA

    Attending Northern will lead you directly to your CPA exam! If you earn your accounting degree at Northern, then complete our new master’s degree in accounting analytics, you'll be thoroughly prepared to sit for the exam. Conveniently, both the bachelor's and master's programs are available online and on campus.

    One college, five years - that's all it takes to enter your dream career. Enroll today!

    Accreditation

    Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, blue letters beneath an orange pyramid

     

    The Bachelor of Science in Accounting is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. 

    Careers

    You’ll find career opportunities in a variety of fields, including private industry accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, financial analysis and bookkeeping.  

    For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact Career Services.

    Internships

    Northern's accounting program supports career readiness through internships that give you a chance to apply your skills in the workplace and gain real-world experience in a variety of fields, such as auditing and taxation, banking and finance, and management.

     

    Northern students have interned with public accounting and private industry firms as well as government agencies.  As an intern, you also can earn academic credit towards completion of your degree.

     

    Our School of Business shares internship opportunities through postings and on-campus presentations and interviews.

    Contact Information

    For more information about this degree, offered online or on campus, contact Jennifer Bengs or call 605-626-7725. Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu.

    I received my B.B.A. in business administration from Iowa State University and my M.A. in English from University of Central Missouri. As a military spouse, I lived across the U.S., Germany, and Japan, and encourage others to explore and experience the amazing world around them. I thoroughly enjoy helping students discover and plan for their futures: to see them grow into confident, always-learning Wolves!

    Ph.D., Accounting, 2017, University of Isfahan, Iran

    Master’s, Accounting, 2011, California State University, Fullerton

     

    Dr. Eman Momeni joined Northern in August 2020. He previously worked in the public accounting and auditing field for three years in California. Dr. Momeni has more than six years of worldwide professional accounting experience as controller, cost accounting manager, and financial advisor. His Ph.D. research emphasis was "Convergence Effects of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on Emerging Markets." California State University, Fullerton, from which he earned a master's degree, is a double AACSB-accredited business school in Southern California. 

     

    Academic Awards

    Sanford Faculty Development Award,…

    Master of Business Taxation, University of Minnesota

    B.S., Accounting, Northern State University

     

    Candi Olson, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), began teaching at Northern in 2017. She previously worked in public accounting (Deloitte) and large corporate environments, including 10 years with Target Corporation headquarters.

    Doctorate of Education (EdD), Adult and Higher Education, University of South Dakota
    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Emphasis in Accounting, University of Mary
    Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Accounting, University of Mary
     
    Dr. Schmidt received her CPA certificate after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. She worked in public accounting for 10 years before starting her career at Northern in fall 2008. Dr. Schmidt also served as associate dean until the position was eliminated, and currently serves as a co-chair in the School of Business.
     
    Courses Taught
    Principles of Accounting I
    Principles of Accounting II
    Intermediate Accounting I
    Intermediation Accounting II
    Income Tax
    Advanced Income Tax
    Accounting…

    MPA, University of South Dakota

    B.S., Business Administration and Accounting, University of South Dakota

    Certified Public Accountant, South Dakota Board of Accountancy

     

    Josh VanLaecken is a full-time accounting Instructor in the School of Business. He graduated summa cum laude with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accountancy and holds an active CPA license.

     

    Prior to entering academia, VanLaecken worked in both public and private accounting environments. While in public accounting, he served a wide variety of clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to locally-owned small businesses; and, from energy and financial Institutions to governments and nonprofits. While in private accounting, VanLaecken worked in agricultural manufacturing for a foreign subsidiary. During this time, he created and oversaw budgets for corporate and several plant…