Dartmouth University

What you'll study

The programme blends foundational liberal‑arts courses with progressively specialised accounting work. Early study focuses on quantitative and business foundations—microeconomics, statistics, business law and introductory financial accounting—before moving to intermediate and advanced accounting topics. Core modules typically include:

• Financial Accounting – principles of recording and reporting financial transactions and preparation of financial statements.
• Managerial and Cost Accounting – internal reporting, budgeting, cost allocation and performance measurement.
• Intermediate and Advanced Accounting – revenue recognition, consolidation, leases, and complex reporting issues.
• Auditing and Assurance – audit processes, internal controls and professional standards.
• Taxation – fundamentals of corporate and individual tax, tax planning and compliance.
• Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics – transaction systems, databases, Excel modelling and introductory analytics for accountants.
• Corporate Finance and Financial Statement Analysis – valuation basics, capital structure, and interpreting financial statements for decision making.
• Ethics and Professional Practice – ethical frameworks, regulation and professional responsibilities.

Students customise their programme with electives from economics, computer science, mathematics and management to build skills in data analysis, programming for finance, behavioural economics or entrepreneurship. Many students undertake a capstone project, an independent research thesis or a supervised internship with firms in public accounting, industry or the not‑for‑profit sector.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a strong secondary‑school record with competence in mathematics. Typical successful applicants will have completed higher‑level maths or statistics where available and should demonstrate analytical ability and written communication skills.

• Academic background: secondary qualification acceptable to Dartmouth with strong grades in mathematics and quantitative subjects;
• Admissions materials: personal statement, academic transcripts and teacher references; applicants from some systems may also submit optional standardised test scores where they strengthen the application;
• International applicants: equivalent qualifications are required and evidence of English language ability if instruction in an applicant’s prior education was not in English;
• Preparation recommendation: coursework or extracurricular experience in economics, accounting, business clubs, internships or computer/data skills is advantageous.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a broad range of careers in public accounting, corporate finance and beyond. Common entry roles include audit associate, tax associate, management accountant, financial analyst and internal auditor. The programme also provides a pathway to specialised careers such as forensic accounting, valuation, financial consulting and risk management.

Many students pursue professional qualifications (for example CPA, ACCA or CIMA where locally appropriate) or continue with graduate study in accounting, finance, business or law. The combination of technical accounting knowledge, analytical methods and liberal‑arts communication skills also suits careers in consulting, government finance roles and entrepreneurship.

Why study at Dartmouth University

Dartmouth offers an education that pairs technical accounting instruction with a broad liberal‑arts perspective. Small class sizes and close faculty access support personalised mentoring, and cross‑registration opportunities with graduate business faculty broaden elective choices. Students benefit from an active alumni network, career services with strong employer links in accounting and finance, and experiential learning through internships, student‑run investment groups and applied research projects.

The programme emphasises ethical practice, critical thinking and data competence so graduates are prepared for both professional certification and adaptable careers in a changing financial environment.