Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (O-Z)

Whether you’re pursuing CPA, CMA, CIA, CFE, or CFP credentials, accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California can provide the requisite education.

As the United States’ third largest state, California immerses accounting majors in a $2.514 trillion economy where finance, government, real estate, technology, and business services make up 58 percent of the GSP. With Fortune 500 companies like Ingram Micro and Northrop Grumman, Los Angeles was included in the NASBA’s “Top 15 Cities for Accounting Careers.” California undergrads can also access internships with all Big Four firms, including Ernst & Young and Deloitte.

The BLS reports that 147,320 Californians work in accounting, and jobs are expected to grow faster-than-average by 11 percent through the next decade. Search the second half of accounting schools in California (O-Z) for your avenue to success. (For the first part of our list, see: Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in California (A-N))

Featured Programs

Pacific Union College

 

Business Administration & Economics Department

Affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pacific Union College is the Napa Valley’s only private, nonprofit NAICU institution led by President Eric Anderson, Ph.D., to educate around 1,600 Pioneers from 200 rural acres in Angwin. Named America’s 68th “Best Christian College” on Niche, Pacific Union was ranked the 196th best liberal arts school based on social mobility and service in Washington Monthly. The Business Administration & Economics Department offers one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California with 80 percent retention.

Emphasis in Accounting, B.B.A.

Housed in Irwin Hall, PUC’s Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) program capitalizes on the 13:1 student-faculty ratio to deliver interactive, real-world managerial training in six emphasis areas, including Accounting. Requiring 192 quarter credits, the curriculum spans courses from microeconomics to business taxation with a third-year internship. Other opportunities include joining Business Club, earning the Pam Wheeler Scholarship, enrolling in the Adventist College Abroad (ACA) program, and declaring Honors. Graduates generally unlock starting salaries from $35,000 to $55,000 with companies like Merrill Lynch and Deloitte.

Accreditations

• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA)

Contact

One Angwin Avenue
Angwin, CA 94508
(707) 965-6238
enroll@puc.edu
Program Link

Point Loma Nazarene University

 

Fermanian School of Business

Founded by Phineas F. Bresee in 1902, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, oceanfront Christian CCCU liberal arts member endowed for $37.36 million. Crowned America’s 65th “Safest College” on Niche, PLNU is ranked the 17th best Western university and 24th top value by the U.S. News. The Fermanian School of Business is an ACBSP-accredited division offering an average 20-year net ROI of $218,000 according to PayScale.

Accounting, B.S. Business Administration

Point Loma’s Accounting, B.S. Business Administration was applauded for the highest average Uniform CPA exam score among bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California from 2010-2012. The 73-unit major builds on a broad business core to produce ethical, competent accounts who effectively communicate financial data. Majors may benefit from joining the Student Accounting Society, participating in the Two Dollar Challenge, adding the Nonprofit Organization Management Minor, interning at Bank of America, and developing Christ-like character in the LoveWorks Short-term Mission program.

Accreditations

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 849-2394
fsb@pointloma.edu
Program Link

San Diego State University

 

Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy

Classified with RU/VH doctoral status, San Diego State University is a public, space-grant research-intensive institution with a $721.3 million budget that’s educating around 29,800 undergrad Aztecs from 283 urban acres in the San Diego-Tijuana Metro. Noted for America’s 71st “Best Student Life” on Niche, SDSU is ranked the 146th best national university and 74th top public college by the U.S. News. With an average class size of 52.5, the Charles W. Lamden School of Accountancy offers AACSB-accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California and the 95th best part-time MBA.

B.S. in Accountancy

Retaining 89 percent of freshmen, the B.S. in Accountancy transforms SDSU undergrads into forward-thinking, detail-oriented business leaders within three specialized tracks: Accounting Information Systems, Financial Reporting, or Taxation. The 61-credit major covers fundamental skills from fraud examination to nonprofit accounting. There’s an elective B.S./M.S. 4+1 option for fulfilling the 150-hour CPA requirement. Students may also join the Fowler Honors Program, engage with Alpha Kappa Psi, enter the Venture Capital Investment Competition, study in Norway, and practice in the Small Business Consulting Center.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182
(619) 594-5070
accounting@sdsu.edu
Program Link

Santa Clara University

 

Leavey School of Business

Led by President Rev. Michael Engh, Santa Clara University is a private, co-educational Catholic ACJU member endowed for $840 million that’s serving around 8,700 Broncos from its 106 suburban acres in the Bay Area. Deemed America’s 136th “Most Liberal College” on Niche, SCU is ranked the #2 top regional college by the U.S. News. Named for Farmers Insurance founder and alumnus Thomas E. Leavey, the School of Business is acclaimed for the 63rd best undergrad business education, including another of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California.

Accounting Major

Selectively admitting 49 percent of applicants, SCU’s Accounting Major confers a 120-credit B.S. degree to train diverse, competent accountants for the Silicon Valley and beyond. Face-to-face courses in Santa Clara delve into financial planning, auditing, taxation, fraud detection, managerial accounting, and more with a full-time, eight-week summer internship after the junior year. Students could add the Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency to pursue CPA licensing. Other opportunities include conducting research for the Journal of Accounting and Economics, joining the Accounting Association, and studying in Tokyo or Sydney.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
(408) 554-4578
accounting@scu.edu
Program Link

University of San Diego

 

School of Business

Opened in 1949 as the San Diego College for Women, the University of San Diego has evolved into a private, co-educational master’s-level Catholic ACCU member with an $450.3 million endowment to enroll approximately 5,800 undergrad Toreros upon 180 urban acres near Pacific Beach. Crowned America’s 63rd “Best College Location” on Niche, USD is ranked the 86th best national university and 59th top value by the U.S. News. The School of Business also stands out for the 15th best online business courses and 108th top part-time MBA.

Bachelor of Accountancy

With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, USD’s Bachelor of Accountancy is another of the Catholic bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California adhering to AACSB guidelines for value-added business education analyzing numbers. The 51-unit, upper-division major offers four specialized tracks: Certified Public Accountant, Supply Chain Management, Finance/Real Estate, or Information Systems/Technology. Undergrads may also pursue a dual degree with John Cabot University in Rome, join Beta Alpha Psi, network with Big Four firms, intern with the IRS, and add the Certificate in Leadership.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 260-4830
sbundergrad@sandiego.edu
Program Link

University of Southern California

 

Leventhal School of Accounting

Generating an $8 billion economic impact yearly, the University of Southern California has been a private, space-grant and sea-grant AAU member since 1969 to educate more than 18,750 undergrads under President C.L. Max Nikias’ leadership upon a 308-acre urban campus in Los Angeles. Declared America’s #2 “Best College for Business” on Niche, USC is ranked the 23rd best national university and 19th most innovative college by the U.S. News. With 97 percent freshmen retention, the Leventhal School of Accounting houses the country’s fifth best undergrad accounting program too.

Accounting (B.S.)

Leventhal’s Accounting (B.S.) is a 128-unit, four-year sequence for USC Trojans to develop analytical knowledge in math, statistics, and finance for helping management properly allocate monetary resources. Unlike some bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California, students forge their own specialization with AACSB-accredited electives from accounting IT design to fraud investigation. Majors may also take the Becker CPA Review, join the ALPFA Chapter, pledge Beta Alpha Psi, complete the Marshall Honors thesis, and start courses for the Master of Accounting (M.Acc.) program.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

3670 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA 90089
(213) 740-4838
lsoa_ugrad@marshall.usc.edu
Program Link

Webster University Los Angeles Air Force Base

 

Walker School of Business and Technology

Attracting 22,500 Gorloks from 140 nations at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, Webster University is a private, nonprofit learning system endowed for $111.5 million that’s based in the St. Louis suburbs to operate several branch locations, including one at Los Angeles Air Force Base. Chosen as America’s 344th “Best College that Accepts the Common App” on Niche, Webster is ranked the 24th best Midwestern school and 19th best for vets university by the USNWR. The George Herbert Walker School also houses the 92nd top online business programming.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting (B.S.)

Conducted online or on-site in Los Angeles, the Bachelor of Science in Accounting (B.S.) is one of the most flexible bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California for returning adults and active-duty military to prepare for CPA credentialing. The ACBSP-accredited curriculum spans 128 credits with diversified business courses like federal taxation, internal auditing, and accounting law. Students could even undertake immersive travel to Athens, add the Certificate in Data Analytics, take Walker EDGE workshops, and join the Mentor Connections program.

Accreditations

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)

Contact

483 N. Aviation Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 607-8005
jneal@webster.edu
Program Link

Woodbury University

 

School of Business

Headquartered on 22 suburban acres in Burbank with two off-campus satellites, Woodbury University is a private, nonprofit and nonsectarian teaching institution endowed for $18.6 million to admit around 1,500 undergrads with a 58 percent acceptance rate. Graded A+ for safety as America’s 123rd “Most Diverse College” on Niche, Woodbury is ranked the 58th best Western college and 19th top value university by the USNWR. Also placed 34th nationally by The Economist, the School of Business offers four undergrad majors with 80 percent retention.

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Accounting

Dating back to 1884, Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Accounting is among the oldest bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California holding AACSB approval to nurture financial analysis skills with a clear management focus. Accepting applications until November 1st and March 1st each year, the 120-credit curriculum offers courses in Burbank, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Thanks to the 8:1 student-faculty ratio, majors interact with PhD-level professors trained at Pepperdine, Oklahoma State, Tilburg, and more. Students also join the Woodbury Accounting Society and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Project.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Contact

7500 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
(818) 767-0888
business@woodbury.edu
Program Link

The 2017 Salary Guide from Robert Half perfectly depicts the lucrative benefit of pursuing careers in accounting and finance. The mean annual wage for accountants is $76,730, but earning potential can grow exponentially higher. For example, SEC financial reporting managers claim salaries from $107,000 to $135,000 annually at mid-size companies. At large companies, internal audit directors bring home $150,500 to $214,000 each year. Majoring in accounting can even prepare you for becoming Chief Financial Officer (CFO) where income rises up to $503,000. “Golden State” residents can cash in their mathematical wizardry for these accredited bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in California.