The accounting major includes the basic business core plus advanced courses in cost and tax accounting and auditing. The thrust of the program at Franklin is to prepare students for the rigorous Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. Students also have the option to combine accounting with related majors or minors such as computing, finance, economics, or quantitative analysis.

Franklin College accounting professors teach more than just facts and theories. They believe that professional success comes from four factors emphasized in all of the economics, business, and accounting courses:

• Content – You have to have a solid understanding in the fundamentals of all EBA subjects, regardless of what your job is. The era of very narrow specialization is over. The best economists have not only a thorough grounding in economics but also broad knowledge in every functional area of business.
   
• Process – The world of EBA changes rapidly. You must learn to think like an economist, businessperson, or accountant. Mastering this will allow you to adapt to any changes that occur in your profession. You will have to develop a passion for lifelong learning if you want to succeed in the long run.
   
• Attitude – You will have ample opportunity in our classes to demonstrate the professionalism and work ethic that will help position you for the job you want and lead you to future success.
   
• Ethics – Content, process, and attitude are diminished without a firm grounding in ethical principles. Ben Franklin called them virtues – humility, sincerity, and justice are a few. These ethical principles are an integral part of all EBA classes at Franklin College. 

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Departmental Highlights

Franklin’s economics, business and accounting programs are built upon a strong liberal arts foundation. This enables our graduates to adjust professionally to changes in business and society in ways that narrowly trained technicians cannot. Our courses emphasize:

• Problem solving skills,
   
• Data analysis skills,
   
• Written communication, oral presentation, and teamwork skills,
   
• Confronting the ethical issues students will face now and in the future.
   
• Case studies that allow students to make the same decisions they will be making as they advance in their careers,
   
• The importance of the fundamentals of each discipline as the foundation upon which to build a career, and
   
• The need for lifelong learning so students can anticipate and adapt to current and future trends in economics, business, and accounting.

Demonstrated Success

Each year since 1994, FC seniors have taken the Major Field Achievement Test, covering all their knowledge in economics, business, and accounting. In all but one of those years, our seniors have scored at or above the top 10% nationwide, including several years in the top 1% nationwide of all colleges taking the exam.

Outcomes and Placements

The placement rate for EBA graduates is about 95%. While almost all of our graduates choose full-time employment in their chosen field, some opt for graduate school or law school. Our Business graduates have been hired at firms such as:

• Wells Fargo Financial
• National City Bank
• Celadon Trucking
• Irwin Union Bank
• Veros Partners
• NTN Driveshaft
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Cummins Engine

Hands-on Experience

Many of our upper-level classes are small and emphasize hands-on learning in the form of projects prepared for and presented to clients. You will learn to work as part of a team to produce a quality work product. When you graduate, you can use these projects to provide prospective employers with evidence of your skills. Winter term affords you a tremendous opportunity to begin getting the hands-on experience that will enhance your education.

Internships

The internship program allows you to apply the skills you have learned in classes. Professional experience is a key factor in the development of successful executives; therefore, we require one internship of all majors and recommend the completion of two. Internships usually take place during winter term, but summer internships are often available to students who desire a longer work experience. Past examples include:

• Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
• Cummins Engine
• Simon & Associates
• ESPN Radio 1000, Chicago

Combining Majors

As the accounting profession expands to include more emphasis on consulting and financial services, your Franklin College accounting education will allow you to fit perfectly into this new role. While all accounting majors must take some work in finance, computing, and economics, we actively encourage students to combine accounting with a second major or minor in those areas, or in other areas of interest.

Other Valuable Services

Franklin College also has valuable support services that can help students develop the all-important networking, interviewing, and interpersonal skills they need to land and keep a job. Franklin’s Career Services office sponsors job fairs, offers mock interviews and resume workshops, and can offer advice on career choice. Additionally, the Professional Development Program (PDP) and the Business and Accounting Clubs frequently bring executives to campus and allow students to develop the sophistication and poise that will help advance their careers.