Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance

Faculty members in the Accounting Department are actively engaged in research that is applicable to the accounting profession, as well as pedagogical advances which enhance teaching and student learning. They present papers at international, national and regional accounting and educational conferences, and they have a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Students in both undergraduate and graduate courses collaborate in conducting the research and in co-presenting and co-authoring articles with Accounting faculty.

Our Accounting faculty are active in research, and regularly present at professional and academic conferences and also publish in academic journals which are internationally recognized. Presentations include conferences such as the national American Accounting Association and the southwest regional American Accounting Association. Publications in academic journals have been in Issues in Accounting Education, Auditing, Journal of Business Ethics, The Journal of the American Tax Association, and the Case Research Journal.

"Accounting is a form of communication that uses numbers, but it is so much more. Accounting activities, such as preparing and interpreting financial reports, applying tax law and assessing risk in business processes, all require development of a combination of qualitative, quantitative and ethical reasoning skills. Students who master the language of accounting will be prepared to make a contribution in every aspect of the global economy."

— Louise Single, Chair, Accounting Department

View Accounting Faculty

Multiple opportunities are available for scholarships, unique to Accounting majors. These include scholarships funded on-campus, as well as from external entities. Students should direct questions regarding accounting scholarships to Louise Single, chair of the Accounting Department. All students are encouraged to work with Accounting faculty to assure their scholarship applications meet all requirements. Most scholarships are paid directly to the university, with the award amount applied to the recipient’s tuition and fees.

If you are interested in applying to one of these scholarships, consult an Accounting faculty member. Some scholarships require approval of the Accounting Department chair.

Texas Society of CPAs – Austin Chapter Scholarships

Through their foundation, the Texas Society of CPAs Austin chapter awards multiple scholarships each year to students enrolled in Austin-area universities. Applicants must have completed Intermediate Accounting I and attained at least junior status. Awards are made at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee based on applicants’ qualifications.

Application Due: November 20 (approximately)
Minimum GPA: 3.0 in Accounting major
Amount: $500 up to $2,500
How to Apply: Online

Texas Society of CPAs – Statewide Scholarships

The Texas Society of CPAs Foundation provides scholarships to Accounting students who plan to become Texas Certified Public Accountants.

Application Due: October 1 to the Accounting Department chair
Minimum GPA: 3.6 in Accounting major
Amount: $1,500 (for the academic year)
How to Apply: Applicants must be nominated by the Accounting Department, with approval by the chair

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy 5th Year Scholarships

The TSBPA 5th Year Scholarship is available for students who are taking academic courses beyond their bachelor’s degrees and are working toward academic credit that will qualify them to sit for the CPA exam.

Application Due: Rolling deadline
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Amount: Based on financial need and availability of funds
How to Apply: File an Application of Intent with the board and a FAFSA application. Contact the Accounting Department for approval by the department and submission to the Financial Aid Office. View detailed requirements online.

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

Funds for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Ritchie-Jennings Scholarship are designated for students with an interest in pursuing a career in fraud examination or similar anti-fraud profession. Applications must be accompanied by three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a Certified Fraud Examiner. 

Application Due: February 5 (may change each year)
Minimum GPA: Not specified
Amount: $1,000 up to $10,000, plus a one-year ACFE student membership
How to Apply: Online. Undergraduates must be enrolled for 9 credit hours per term, and graduate students must be enrolled for 6 credit hours per term.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance Academic Scholarships

Application Due: April 1

Minimum GPA: Not specified

Amount: Not specified

General Requirements

• Students pursuing the 3rd, 4th or 5th year of an Accounting degree; does not require membership
• Certification Fees – Available to support the exam fees of AFWA members for any one of the following: CPA, CFP, CFE, CIA, CMA, or CVA
• CPAexcel Review – Provides registration for a CPAexcel CPA Review course

American Institute of CPAs and AccountTemps Scholarships

Application Due: April 1
Minimum GPA: Not specified
Amount: $2,500 per year

General Requirements

• Student member of AICPA
• Full-time undergraduate or graduate Accounting major (exceptions may be allowed if enrolling for internship)
• Underrepresented minority in the accounting profession
• 30 semester hours in college coursework and 6 semester hours of accounting completed
• AACSB accredited School of Business (exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Sponsor); contact SEU Accounting Dept. Chair

American Institute of CPAs: Minority Scholarships

Application Due: April 1
Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall
Amount: Up to $5,000/year

General Requirements

• Student member of AICPA
• A full-time undergraduate or graduate Accounting major
• An underrepresented minority in the accounting profession
• 30 semester hours in college coursework and 6 hours of Accounting completed

American Institute of CPAs: Transfer Student Scholarship

Application Due: April 1
Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall
Amount: Not specified

General Requirements

• For students who earned an associate’s degree with a declared intent to major in Accounting at a four-year college or university
• Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate

American Woman’s Society of CPAs Scholarships

Application Due: May 15
Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall
Amount: Not specified

General Requirements

• Undergraduate senior or 5th-year student and eligible to sit for the CPA exam within one year of award

Becker CPA Exam Review Scholarships

Application Due: January 31 (may change each year)
Minimum GPA: Not specified
Amount: $1,697 to $3,393

General Requirements

• Accounting professional or student not currently enrolled in Becker CPA Exam Review at the time of the scholarship notification (spring)
• Meet requirements to sit for the CPA Exam at time of enrollment in Becker’s CPA Exam Review
• Demonstrate financial need in preparing for the CPA exam
• Not valid for applicants who are employed by or have accepted a position at an employer that reimburses for the CPA Exam Review

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Application Due: March 30
Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall
Amount: $500 to $5,000

General Requirements

• Merit-based scholarships available for undergraduate and graduate students
• All majors and graduate fields are eligible

Institute of Management Accountants

Application Due: February 15 and later (varies)
Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall
Amount: $1,000 and up (varies)

General Requirements

• Several scholarships are available; refer to IMA website

National Association of Black Accountants Scholarships

Application Due: January 31
Minimum GPA: Must meet minimum GPA specified
Amount: $1,000 to $10,000

General Requirements

• African-American (Black) or of African descent
• Undergraduate, full-time (12 SCH) at a four-year U.S. college
• Graduate, full-time (9 SCH) enrolled or accepted into a master’s business program

National Society of Accountants

Application Due: March 31
Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall
Amount: $500 to $2,200

General Requirements

• U.S. or Canadian citizen
• Undergraduate part- or full-time with major in Accounting
• Can be for 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of studies for undergraduates
• Based on academic achievements, leadership, community involvement, work, statement of goals and financial need.

Resources for Accounting and AIT Students

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Computer science is a growing field that has incredible career opportunities. This guide focuses on helping students discover why they should consider getting into the field, explore different computer science programs and colleges and what to look for in a degree.

The Accounting Department has close working relationships with local, regional and national CPA firms with offices in the Austin area as well as across the state. Faculty members work with students to identify internship opportunities and to assist with applications and preparation for interviews. Students may also identify internship positions on their own and then consult with the Accounting Department chair about such opportunities.

Students are encouraged to seek internships that qualify for academic credit as part of the required hours in their Accounting major. An internship course is included as an option in the undergraduate BBA degree program. The St. Edward’s academic internship courses are structured to meet Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) requirements in order to ensure the courses are accepted by TSBPA when qualifying individuals sit for the CPA exam.

Requirements for accounting internships for academic credit and the CPA exam

A full-time member of the Accounting faculty supervises each student who takes an internship for academic credit.

Students have two options for completing an accounting internship for course credit:

• Option 1 - Regular Schedule Internship: Complete a 3-credit-hour internship course in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. Internships must include a minimum of 120 hours of work time at the internship and may be taken concurrently with other courses in the degree plan.
• Option 2 - Busy Season "Mini-Mester" Internship: Complete a 6-credit-hour internship course in the Spring semester. Students must work a minimum of 240 hours at a full-time, “busy season” internship, and pair the internship with two 3-credit-hour mini-mester courses that are completed in a compressed schedule.

Students should discuss these options with their academic advisors as soon as they declare Accounting as a major to ensure appropriate degree planning. The steps required for earning credit for an accounting internship are as follows.

• Student confers with Louise Single, chair of the Accounting Department, about internship(s) in which they are interested. Internships may be identified through Accounting Department contacts, the Career and Professional Development Office, or from the student’s own contacts.
• Student obtains an official job description from the internship employer and submits it to the Accounting Department chair for approval to register for the internship course.
• Accounting Department chair notifies the student that the internship is acceptable.
• Student enrolls in appropriate academic course.
• Student must meet all requirements specified in the course syllabus to earn academic credit for the course.

Additional Accounting Internship Information

Note (a): The components of both the undergraduate and graduate accounting internship courses are designed to meet The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) requirements. These include keeping a journal to document the intern's work activities and preparation of a comprehensive written portfolio.

Note (b): The TSBPA has the right to review the student’s work done in the internship course with an emphasis on the portfolio to assure the quality of the work meets the Board’s expectations.

Note (c): If a student wants to have an internship at an employer where they have been (or are) employed, new duties and responsibilities must be assigned by the employer. Continuation of existing job duties does not qualify for an accounting internship. Also, the job duties cannot be clerical in nature. The intern must be required to use higher-level skills (such as those for a staff accountant), as well as independent judgment.

Note (d): Students should earn a minimum grade of a B earned in either the undergraduate or graduate internship course to assure it will meet the TSBPA expectations for work quality. A lesser grade may still count toward degree requirements but cannot be assured to meet requirements of the TSBPA.

TSBPA requirements for a university's accounting internship program

• The accounting knowledge gained in the internship is equal to or greater than the knowledge gained in a traditional accounting classroom setting.
• The internship course shall not be taken until a minimum of 12 semester hours of upper division accounting course work has been completed.
• The internship plan is approved in advance by the faculty coordinator (i.e., St. Edward’s University Accounting Department chair).

TSBPA requirements of the employing firm

• Provides the faculty coordinator and the student with the objectives to be met during the internship.
• Provides a significant accounting work experience with adequate training and supervision of the work performed by the student.
• Provides an evaluation of the student at the conclusion of the internship, a letter describing the duties performed and the supervision to the student, and a copy of the documentation provided to the faculty coordinator and the student.

TSBPA requirements of the student

• Keeps a diary comprising a chronological list of all work experience gained in the internship.
• Writes a paper demonstrating the knowledge gained in the internship.
• Provides documents with the Application of Intent to sit for the CPA exam evidencing that the requirements have been met.

CPA and other professional certifications for accountants

Many students who enter the accounting profession choose to enhance the value of their degree and expand their career opportunities by becoming Certified Public Accountants (CPA), the universally recognized credential for accountants.

CPAs are licensed by each state in which they provide accounting services. The CPA designation is regarded highly by employers who hire accountants for both auditing and non-auditing positions. Certification is a testament to an individual’s technical knowledge, understanding of ethical requirements and commitment to succeed in the accounting profession. Licensure as a CPA will enhance an accountant’s credibility with colleagues and clients, plus increase opportunities for career advancement. Requirements to become a CPA in the state of Texas are available from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Obtaining an additional professional certification (beyond the CPA) can also be important for accountants because it will indicate an area of specialization. This can include auditing, government accounting, management accounting, fraud examination and many others. Below is a list of some of the professional certifications available, but there are many others. Most involve meeting academic requirements and specified years of experience. For more information, refer to the websites provided below. Students should confer with a member of the Accounting faculty to identify certificates that will be relevant for their chosen career paths.

Additional professional certifications and distinctions

CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Certified Fraud Examiners possess unique expertise in preventing and detecting fraud.

CGFM – Certified Government Financial Manager by the Association of Government Accountants. Certified Government Financial Manager is a professional certification awarded by AGA, demonstrating competency in governmental accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal controls and budgeting at the federal, state and local levels.

CGMA – Chartered Global Management Accountant by the American Institute of CPAs and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). The CGMA designation is an accounting credential distinguishing accounting professionals who have advanced proficiency in finance, operations, strategy and management.

CIA – Certified Internal Auditor by the Institute of Internal Auditors. As the only globally recognized internal audit certification, becoming a Certified Internal Auditor is the optimum way to communicate knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively carry out professional responsibilities for any internal audit, anywhere in the world.

CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. CISA is for those who audit, control, monitor and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.

CITP – Certified Information Technology Professional by the AICPA. The Certified Information Technology Professional credential was established for CPAs with the unique ability to bridge between business and technology while meeting the strict requirements for a CPA license, as well as additional training and experience in IT assurance, risk, security and privacy, analytics and technology.

CMA – Certified Management Accountant by the Institute of Management Accounting. The certified management accountant certification qualifies those who hold it to work in corporate financial accounting and strategic management settings.

CVA – Certified Valuation Analyst by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. The National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts trains and certifies CVAs to perform business valuations as a service to both the consulting community and the users of their services.

Enrolled Agent – An enrolled agent is a person who represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee.

Texas Society of CPAs Accounting Excellence Award

The Accounting faculty of every university in Texas may nominate a student for the TSCPA’s Accounting Excellence Award (established in 1969). The award is designed to promote excellence in the academic study of accounting and honors students who have a high GPA, ongoing involvement in extracurricular activities and a strong likelihood for success in the profession. Both undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible to receive the award. Members of the Accounting faculty nominate students for the award. After being selected by the faculty as the St. Edward’s nominee, the department chair contacts the student and assists them in preparing their application for submission to the TSCPA.

Master of Accounting (MACT) – Outstanding Student Award

The St. Edward’s University Accounting faculty selects a student each spring as the recipient of the Outstanding Master of Accounting (MACT) Student Award. The recipient is chosen on the basis of academic achievement at the graduate level, as well as personal traits, which make them an excellent representative of the Master of Accounting program. These include work ethic, dedication and professionalism, as well as ethics and values. The student is honored, along with other recipients, at the university’s annual Undergraduate Honors Night.

Sarah Bode ’16, Accounting, is a senior associate at KPMG’s Austin office, where she works in the audit division with clients in the software and consumer goods industries and leads the local inclusion and diversity council.

Kate Lamoreaux ’18, Economics, is a research analyst for NORC at the University of Chicago. NORC is an independent research institution that provides data and analysis about social science and public opinion.

Theila Galvan ’19, Accounting, is a risk consulting associate at the audit, tax and consulting firm RSM.

Gerardo Chapa ’20, Finance, is a technical product associate at Elevate Growth Partners, a commercial real estate firm.

Jacob Gonzalez ’20, Finance, is a junior analyst at JPMorgan.

Ashley Nassy ’20, Finance and Accounting, is a student in the master of Accounting with Data and Analytics program at the University of Mississippi, with all expenses paid by KPMG.

Anthony Fragapane ’18, Accounting Information Technology, has interned on the asset management team at Vida Capital, which is a hedge fund in Westlake, Texas, and on the IT Advisory team at KPMG. He accepted a full-time offer to rejoin the IT Advisory team in KPMG’s Houston office after graduation in 2018.

Zachary Riola ’17, Accounting, is a senior accountant at Upside CFO in Austin, Texas.