Program Overview

Accounting and Legal Studies

Program Overview

Accounting and Legal Studies is a program that focuses on the study of accounting and its relationship with the legal system. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, practices, and regulations, as well as the legal framework that governs the accounting profession.

What is Accounting and Legal Studies?

Accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, and communicating financial information for decision-making purposes. It is the study of how individuals and businesses measure their financial position and performance over a period of time. Accounting helps determine possible future trends that enable businesses to survive and/or thrive.

As a student, you’ll explore questions, such as:

• Did I make profit or loss last month?
• How much money did I spend last year?
• Do I have enough cash to pay my bills?
• Can I afford a car? Can I afford a house?
• How much money do I need save to make a purchase?
• Will I do better next month or year-trend analysis?
• Evaluate alternatives and learn about opportunity cost

What makes Accounting and Legal Studies at Saint Peter’s University different?

At Saint Peter’s University, the essential skills are taught with a Jesuit education that focuses on your strengths. Your mentors will help you build sharp analytical skills, fair judgment and critical thinking, with a solid foundation in ethics. We offer courses that use free award-winning accounting textbooks, high quality, individualized academic advising, including mapping out pathways to earn 150 credits to become CPA license eligible (Accelerated Masters Programs, Work-for-Credit post-bachelorette program. We offer a Legal Studies Minor which is a perfect coupling to an AC Major and help students in their studies towards a CPA.

And because we are in Jersey City (and close to NYC), you will be at the heart of one of the greatest centers of business in the world.

Courses

You might take a variety of courses, such as:

• Principles of Accounting
• Microsoft Excel for Accounting and Business Environments
• NAAIA Insurance & Risk Case Competition
• Taxation
• Accounting Internship
• Forensic Accounting
• MS Excel for Accounting and Business Environments
• Pathway to the CPA

Legal Studies Minor courses:

• Intro to Law & Contracts
• Agency & Business Organizations
• Real & Personal Property
• Uniform Commercial Code
• Legal Contemporary Issues

OER (free textbooks):

• Principles of Accounting I (OER)
• Principles of Accounting II (OER)
• Integrated Accounting Capstone (OER)
• Managerial Accounting (OER)
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (OER)

Career Opportunities

Between a wave of retirement of existing professionals and a drop in the number of people pursuing accounting degrees, our accounting program provides excellent job prospects and growth potential. Students coming out of the accounting program are equipped to pursue bookkeeping jobs which are in high demand. Additionally, the department runs a course AC495 – Pathway to the CPA which is aimed at helping students navigate the pursuit of the CPA license, a highly sought after professional degree in the accounting space.

Just a few possible career paths:

• Accountant
• Auditor
• Tax Advisor
• Corporate Lawyer
• Business Consultant

The best part is that you will join an active network of accomplished Peacocks who lead in every career.