Accounting

In Champlain's Accounting program, learn the language of business and start uncovering the stories behind numbers.

Visit Us Request Info
A professor helping out a student in a business class

Be the Supply to Meet Demand

Our Accounting graduates are heavily recruited for a robust field that serves every industry. Prepare for the CPA exam and your accounting career.

Program Type
Major
School/Division
Robert P. Stiller School of Business 
Recommended Experiences
Internships
Study Abroad
Freeman Foundation International Internship in Asia
Let us help you find...
Pathway to Advanced Degrees 
Freeman Foundation Grant 
Admissions 

Accounting for today’s industries.

Every business needs accounting, and the field’s future professionals must be ready with more than just technical skills. Champlain’s robust Accounting major prepares you for versatility and growth by developing accountants who are also strong communicators and critical thinkers, ready to help their clients succeed. Accounting is also available as a three-year degree, and we offer a double major in Accounting and Finance.

What Is Accounting?

Accounting studies provide a deep-dive into how financial information is measured, processed, and communicated for economic entities and organizations such as corporations and businesses. Accounting is far from black-and-white – the ability to understand and create the numbers is only part of what it takes to be a successful accounting professional. You also need to develop and refine the ability to strategize and communicate the rationale, or “why,” behind those decisions. If you’re ready to launch your career in accounting, we invite you to investigate answers with us at Champlain.

Why Study it at Champlain?

Accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), our program will help prepare you for professional in the field. Like all of Champlain’s academic programs, our accounting program is grounded in hands-on learning that puts you at the center of your studies. You’ll have the support of faculty and career counselors to explore the field. Our Accounting degree is different by design. While every student emerges prepared for the CPA exam, you can take a broad range of business courses that will enrich your academic experience and allow you to dive deeper into your specific areas of interest. The curriculum includes a required internship during your time at Champlain to expand learning beyond the classroom and build professional experience.

You’ll be prepared for the career you want. In addition to preparing you for the CPA exam, our program also gives you the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue your Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification and to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

Interested in an accelerated Accounting program? At Champlain, you can complete a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in three years. You can also double major in Finance and Accounting.

100%

Career Success for Class of 2023 Accounting Majors within six months of graduating. 100% in career-relevant positions. Based on 100% of graduating class.

Did you know…

student stand in front of classroom with stock market ticker moving along the top

Different by Design

Relevant, Right Away

Serve the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), in which you will train and certify in tax law — including the use of electronic filing software — and get to work providing free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers.

Accounting Abroad

Since 2013, more than 100 Stiller students have traveled to various countries in Asia for life-changing experiences that impact them academically, professionally, and personally for very little personal cost through our Freeman Foundation Grant.

Prepare Your Pitch

Compete in our annual Elevator Pitch event, in which students can win up to $500 for successfully pitching a business or nonprofit of your choice to fictitious executives. (Accounting students often win and/or earn the People’s Choice award!)

Facts & Stats

100%

of Accounting majors in the Class of 2023 were employed within six months of graduation. That’s success you can see.

$153,049

According to Glassdoor.com, accountants who earn a CPA earn significant salaries, reflecting a healthy demand for their specialized skills.

6%

Projected growth of overall employment of accountants and auditors from 2021 to 2031 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample Courses in the Accounting Major

The Accounting program at Champlain is designed to develop both your technical skills and the human abilities technology can’t replicate: communication, ethical leadership, and more.

First Year

ACC 135 Accounting for Decision Making
FIN 240 Financial Management I

Second Year

ACC 325 Fundamentals of Federal Taxation
ACC 370 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Third Year

ACC 390 Accounting Internship
ACC 350 Accounting Information Systems

Fourth Year

CCC 410 College Capstone
ACC 420 Auditing

See the Learning Outcomes for the Accounting major

View Full Curriculum

You might also be interested in these…

Based on your interest in the Accounting major, we thought you also might like to check out these other academic programs and opportunities.

    • Business Administration 

      So you mean business? Good, so do we. Start gaining real business experience at great Vermont entrepreneurial companies like Burton Snowboards as early as your first year.

    • Finance 

      The world operates on resources: time, money, people, location. Earn a degree in Finance and direct resources to things that matter.

    • Data Analytics 

      Use data to find solutions for the world’s most pressing problems. Champlain’s Data Analytics major is about real-world application, giving you skills for any field that uses data. And all fields use data.

    • Game Business & Publishing 

      Gaming is global, and its future requires business leaders who understand the industry. Champlain College is a hub for gaming – study Game Business & Publishing and learn alongside your future peers.

    • Degree Design Lab/Integrative Professional Studies 

      Design your own major through Champlain’s Degree Design Lab. You’ll combine courses and real-world learning experiences to personalize your own education.

    • Actuarial Studies Minor 

      Learn to assess, analyze, and manage risk and liability—a perfect career-building minor for math lovers and problem solvers looking to support a business.

    • Forensic Accounting Minor 

      Learn to collect and assess digital evidence through the analysis of financial transactions to prevent fraud and deception in the business world.

    • Organizational Innovation Minor 

      Develop personal and professional leadership abilities through a variety of different thinking styles and problem-solving skills. Discover the confidence to be a leader and innovator in your field.

    • Outdoor Business Minor 

      Industries are increasingly considering the environmental impact of their work as part of their business models. Build a foundation of business and marketing skills as they apply to the environment.

Take Your Degree to the Next Level

  • business man presenting data to colleagues
    Accelerated Accounting Program

    In Champlain’s Accelerated Accounting program, you’ll experience the same high-quality and career-focused accounting curriculum as our four-year bachelor’s degree, but you will graduate in just three years.

    Accelerated 3-year Accounting Degree
  • students collaborating on an applied math assignment
    Double Major in Finance & Accounting

    Can’t choose between majoring in Finance or Accounting? Lucky for you, you don’t have to. Our five-year double major in Finance & Accounting prepares you exceptionally well in both disciplines. You’ll earn the 150 credit hours needed for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, and you’ll be well prepared to ace the CPA exams.

    Double Major in Finance & Accounting
  • student smiling laptop
    Seamless Transition to Grad School

    Are you thinking about going to graduate school? Through Champlain College Online, you can seamlessly go from undergraduate to graduate student, enhancing your skills and career opportunities.

    Pathways to Advanced Degrees

Professional Licensures

  • Champlain College students who complete the Accounting program may decide to apply for a CPA license. A CPA is a Certified Public Accountant, a designation licensed by each state.

    In Vermont, to earn a CPA license, individuals are required to demonstrate their knowledge and competence by passing the Uniform CPA Exam. Students should note that CPAs require more than a Bachelor’s Degree. The requisite credit hours for the CPA exam are 150 post-secondary credits. This means that a typical undergraduate degree (at 120 credits) is not enough, and students need to take more classes-30 credits’ worth-to be eligible for licensure. Champlain’s five-year double major in Finance & Accounting allows students to meet the necessary 150 credit hours needed in order to sit for the CPA exam.

    Champlain College has not determined whether the Accounting program meets the education requirements for professional licensure in any state (or the District of Columbia) other than Vermont.

  • For students who plan to apply their critical accounting and financial skills to commerce and industry early in their careers, pursuing a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation may be a good option.

    To become a CMA, you must:

    • pass the CMA exams;
    • have two years of work in an accounting or finance role; and
    • hold a 120-credit-hour bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

    Students who major or minor in Accounting at Champlain College will get the preparation they need to sit for the CMA exams, which can be passed while still in school.

    The exam is in two parts, which focus the student’s attention on advanced accounting and financial management skills pertinent to today’s workplace.Part 1 addresses the student’s preparation in Financial Planning, Performance, and Control.Part 2 covers skills related to financial decision making.

    By preparing for and achieving the CMA designation, you will:

    • join an elite group of operations-focused strategists and decision makers skilled in evaluation, critical thinking, and judgment;
    • confirm your broad business competency;
    • better position yourself for career advancement and greater earning power; and
    • demonstrate commitment to professional development and professional ethical standards.

    Membership in the Institute of Management Accountants

    The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) has a number of competitive scholarships that allow students to study for and take the exam at no cost. Student memberships in the IMA are a low-cost way for students to keep abreast of changes to the exams and the certification process.

    Champlain College currently has faculty members with the CMA designation who are eager to help students plan out their course selection in order to prepare for these exams.

  • The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification is the standard for those professionals working in fraud prevention and detection and is highly regarded by businesses, as well as by government units and law enforcement.

    The CFE can impact salaries, improve career advancement and job flexibility and benefit through earlier fraud detection, resulting in decreased fraud losses.

    Details and Benefits — CFE Membership

    Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Membership is open to associate members who are interested in taking their career to the next level by earning the standard of professional excellence in the anti-fraud profession. The CFE credential is increasingly being designated as a preferred credential in the hiring practice of businesses, government entities and law enforcement agencies.

    Prerequisites for CFE Membership

    • ACFE Associate membership in good standing
    • Minimum academic and professional requirements must be fulfilled
    • High moral character
    • Agreement to abide by the Bylaws and Code of Professional Ethics of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

    Benefits of the CFE Credential

    Increase your earnings — CFE’s earn nearly 31% more than their non-certified colleagues according to the Compensation Guide for Anti-Fraud Professionals.

    Advance you career — CFE certification is documented evidence of expertise and experience, representing high level of skill, knowledge and professionalism.

    Enhance your marketability and job security — Robert Half International identifies the CFE as “in-demand…one of the most marketable credentials today” and A.E Feldman, a leading executive search firm states, “…the CFE has emerged as the gold standard in the area of fraud.”

    Gain professional visibility and creditability — The CFE credential is recognized in the hiring and promotion policies of leading organizations, including the FBI the U.S Department of Defense and the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    This information has been furnished by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

cityscape of Kyoto Japan

Summer International Internships

Since 2013, more than 100 students from the Robert P. Stiller School of Business have traveled to countries in Asia to participate in summer internships. Primary destinations include Kyoto, Japan, and Shanghai, China.

As an accounting student, you’ll have a unique chance to gain international work experience with very little out-of-pocket expense.

Learn more about the Freeman Foundation Grant

Excellence in Accounting Scholarship

Champlain’s Accounting Excellence Scholarship Fund celebrates decades of teaching excellence by Champlain’s distinguished Accounting faculty. Established in 2007, the annually awarded fund supports Accounting students who demonstrate both academic merit and financial need.

  • Walt Luchini, CPA, graduated from Champlain in 1963 and joined its faculty in 1968 after serving in the U.S. Army and working at IBM. A teacher and mentor to hundreds of students, Luchini gained public accounting experience at Urbach Kahn & Werlin CPAs and ran a private practice for many years. He received many honors, including the Edward Phelps Lyman Professorship and the C. Bader Brouilette Alumni Award.

    Luchini served as President of the Faculty Senate, was a Division Chairman, and chaired the Curriculum Committee. He specialized in financial accounting at the intermediate and advanced levels and in preparing students for the financial accounting CPA exam.

  • On the management and tax accounting side of the house, Champ Soncrant, CPA, CMA, started teaching at Champlain in 1971, and brought an enthusiasm and a contagious sense of humor to the classroom. Before coming to Champlain, he served as a cost accountant for the Global Rubber Company, and then ran his own tax practice and consulting firm.

    For many years, Soncrant coordinated the highly successful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, serving low-income and elderly Vermonters; he has been honored by the IRS for this work. At Champlain, he prepared students for the management accounting CPA exam and served as President of the Faculty Senate.

  • Thane Butt, CPA, CFE, specialized in forensic accounting and auditing. Before joining the Accounting faculty at Champlain in 1982, Butt served as a controller for banks across New England. Her previous experience had been with the International Accounting firm Arthur Andersen — then one of the so-called ‘Big Eight’ — specializing in bank audits. In addition to her passion for accounting, Butt is passionate about reading, and served on the Champlain Community Book Committee for many years.

  • Early in her professional life, Eadie Templin spent five years at Cuttington College—a small mission college in the interior of Liberia, West Africa—where she taught math and served as Registrar and Dean of Admissions. After working as a systems engineer with IBM in New York City, she came to Champlain in 1976.

    Templin served as Program Director for the Accounting major, taught several math and accounting courses, and specialized in governmental and nonprofit accounting and statistics. She chaired the Curriculum Committee, chaired the NEASC Accreditation Committee (twice), and chaired the Inaugural Ceremony Committee for two Champlain presidents. Templin was awarded with the Edward Phelps Lyman Professorship.

  • The extremely important job of providing students with a solid foundation in both financial and managerial accounting was performed by Dave Mona, Mitch Thibault, and Nancy Wells, who taught both in the classroom and online. A testament to their good work is the fact that many business students transferred into the Accounting major after taking their classes.

    Each of these talented teachers was with Champlain for more than 20 years. Mona coordinated the Math and Accounting Lab for many years; prior to working at Champlain, he was a cost accountant with General Electric. Thibault served his country in the U.S. Army before teaching at Vergennes Union High School and Champlain College. Wells served as President of the Faculty Senate and was the first Director of Champlain’s Israel Program, bringing experience from her time as a staff member at Bentley College.

Sign Up To Get Stickers + Helpful Info

Laptop on a bed, the laptop is decorated with exciting stickers from a champlain college graduate

Ready to be inspired? Fill out the form and sign up to receive helpful information about Champlain College—plus, we’ll send you a full sheet of high quality stickers designed by one of our Graphic Design & Visual Communication graduates.

Career Success

Graduates from Champlain’s Accounting program hit the ground running. 100% of Champlain Accounting graduates from the class of 2023 were employed in relevant careers six months after graduation.

Your Career Outlook

Learn more about our career-focused education

By the time you graduate, you will …

  • Evaluate the impact of industry specific regulations in the areas of financial reporting, tax, managerial accounting, and auditing for the purpose of identifying and planning strategies for enhanced financial performance
  • Use analytical problem solving skills and appropriate tools to assess the financial wellbeing and appropriate strategy of an organization.
  • Apply ethical accounting practices that promote the integrity of financial information to ensure that credible data inform business decisions.

You’ll Find a Career In…

  • Auditor
  • Tax accountant
  • Consultant
  • Financial analyst
  • Controller
  • Cost accountant
  • Positions within merger service

More Inside Accounting

  • Overview 

    In Champlain's Accounting program, learn the language of business and start uncovering the stories behind numbers.

  • Curriculum 

    With our Upside-Down Curriculum, you'll develop expertise in accounting practices, explore hands-on learning through applied projects, and gain valuable experience through internships.

  • Faculty 

    Learn more about the experienced professionals leading Champlain College's accounting program who are dedicated to teaching and mentoring you.

  • Accelerated 3-Year Degree 

    Choose an accelerated accounting degree and get a head start on your accounting career. Graduate with an accounting bachelor's degree in just 3 years at Champlain College.

  • Double Major in Finance and Accounting 

    Can't choose between majoring in Finance or Accounting? Lucky for you, you don't have to.