Mercy College

What you'll study

The programme builds core accounting knowledge and professional skills through a progression of foundational, intermediate and advanced courses. Early study focuses on principles of financial and managerial accounting, microeconomics, business statistics and spreadsheet modelling. Core accounting modules typically include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Cost Accounting and Accounting Information Systems.

At higher levels you study advanced topics such as Auditing and Assurance Services, Federal Income Taxation, Corporate Reporting, Ethics in Accounting, and Advanced Financial Reporting. The integrated MS component adds graduate coursework in advanced audit and assurance, taxation research and planning, accounting theory, and contemporary issues in financial regulation to help meet professional credit-hour requirements for certification.

• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Managerial Accounting and Cost Analysis
• Intermediate Financial Accounting I & II
• Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics
• Auditing and Professional Responsibilities
• Federal Taxation and Tax Planning
• Business Law and Corporate Governance
• Advanced Accounting Topics and Capstone Project
• Internship or practicum with public accounting or industry partner

Entry requirements

Applicants require a high school diploma or recognised secondary-school qualification. Admissions typically consider academic performance with an emphasis on mathematics and analytical subjects, a personal statement, and one or more academic references. Students with prior college-level coursework in accounting or business may be eligible for advanced standing.

Because the programme prepares students for professional certification, strong quantitative ability and attention to detail are important. Where English is not the applicant's first language, evidence of proficiency may be required. Prospective applicants with non-traditional backgrounds should contact the admissions office to discuss transfer credit and preparatory options.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly enter public accounting firms (including audit, tax and advisory practices), corporate accounting and finance departments, governmental accounting, and not-for-profit organisations. The curriculum is structured to prepare students for the CPA exam and for other credentials such as CMA or CIA, depending on the graduate pathway chosen.

Typical entry roles include staff accountant, audit associate, tax associate, internal controls analyst and financial analyst. With experience and further qualification graduates may progress to senior accountant, audit senior, tax manager, financial controller or partner/director roles. The programme’s internship and practicum elements help build employer contacts and practical experience in the New York metropolitan job market and beyond.

Why study at Mercy College

Mercy College offers small class sizes and a teaching focus that emphasises applied learning and professional readiness. Accounting courses are taught by faculty who combine academic expertise with practical experience, and the college places emphasis on experiential components such as internships, accounting labs and community-based projects.

The college’s location in the New York metropolitan region provides access to a wide range of internship and graduate employment opportunities with national and regional accounting firms, corporate headquarters and public-sector employers. Dedicated career services, connections with alumni and targeted workshops for professional exam preparation support students as they transition from study to practice.