Lewis-Clark State College

What you'll study

The programme combines foundational business courses with specialised accounting subjects to provide a broad and practical grounding in the profession. You will study core areas such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, intermediate accounting, auditing, and federal taxation, alongside supporting modules in business law, finance, and economics.

• Financial Accounting — principles of accounting, preparation and analysis of financial statements for individuals and businesses.
• Managerial and Cost Accounting — budgeting, cost behaviour, performance measurement and decision‑making tools for managers.
• Intermediate Accounting — deeper study of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue recognition and accounting standards.
• Auditing and Assurance — audit processes, internal control, risk assessment and professional responsibilities.
• Federal Taxation — tax issues for individuals and business entities, tax planning and compliance fundamentals.
• Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics — use of spreadsheets and accounting systems to collect, process and report financial information; introduction to data analysis techniques used in accounting.
• Business Law and Ethics — legal environment for business transactions and ethical considerations in accounting practice.
• Capstone and Experiential Learning — opportunities for internships, practicum projects or a capstone course that integrate classroom knowledge with real‑world accounting tasks.

The degree also includes the college's general education requirements to develop communication, quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills. Students have opportunities to take elective courses to tailor their studies—such as nonprofit accounting, forensic accounting topics or advanced tax electives.

Entry requirements

• Applicants should hold a high school diploma or equivalent; successful applicants typically present a college‑preparatory curriculum that includes mathematics and English.
• Submission of official transcripts is required for both first‑time and transfer applicants. Transfer students are assessed on prior college coursework for credit and placement.
• Competitive applicants demonstrate readiness through a combination of academic performance, coursework in mathematics or quantitative subjects, and any relevant experience such as bookkeeping or business‑related employment.
• International applicants must provide proof of secondary school completion and meet English language proficiency requirements as set by the college.
• Additional program information and advising is available from the Business Division to help applicants select the appropriate entry pathway and course sequence.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of accounting and finance roles in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organisations. Typical positions include:

• Staff accountant or bookkeeper
• External or internal auditor
• Tax preparer or tax specialist
• Management accountant / cost accountant
• Financial analyst or budgeting analyst
• Forensic accounting assistant or compliance specialist

Many graduates use the BS as the foundation for professional certification paths such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA); meeting the education and credit requirements for those credentials may require additional coursework or graduate study. The programme emphasises practical skills employers seek, including spreadsheet and accounting software proficiency, communication, problem solving and ethical decision making.

Why study at Lewis‑Clark State College

• Small class sizes and personalised instruction — LCSC is known for a student‑centred approach that allows close interaction with faculty and tailored advising.
• Practitioner‑focused faculty — accounting instructors bring practical experience from public and corporate accounting, helping bridge theory and practice.
• Local and regional internship opportunities — the college's connections with businesses, public agencies and firms in the Lewiston‑Clarkston valley and surrounding region help students access internships and entry‑level roles.
• Hands‑on skill development — coursework emphasises applied skills such as financial statement analysis, spreadsheet modelling and use of industry‑relevant accounting systems.
• Student support and career services — academic advising, career counselling and student organisations (such as accounting or business clubs) provide networking, interview preparation and job search assistance.

Together these features make the Lewis‑Clark State College accounting programme a practical choice for students seeking a career‑oriented undergraduate degree with strong local employer links and preparation for professional certification.