Dept. of Accounting | Lutgert College of Business

Make Your Education Count in the Professional World

Our coursework helps sharpen critical thinking as well as financial skills

Accounting is the systematic recording, presentation and interpretation of financial records. It is sometimes called the “language of business” because knowledge of accounting is essential in a number of related fields. Accounting is a field that is in demand and one in which graduates can continue to grow and progress inside a company.

There are many different positions in the accounting field. Careers range from entry level to upper management. Many accounting majors advance to senior management positions, become partners in accounting practices or even become chief financial officers of companies. Others use their accounting knowledge to help them become successful in related fields such as finance, law and education.

Its principles are crucial to a wide range of applications, from government and industry to aiding the public and service organizations. Technical competence as well as business professional skills are basic requirements in this field.

FGCU accounting students are required to use a variety of technology tools in class assignments. Courses include projects designed to enhance critical thinking, oral and written communications and teamwork skills; and foster awareness of diversity, ethical and global issues.

In addition to a bachelor of science degree, FGCU offers a master’s degree in accounting and taxation.

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What We Offer

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ACCOUNTING (B.S.)

5-YEAR COMBINED
ACCOUNTING (B.S. -TO- M.S.)

Accounting & Taxation (M.S.)

CPA License Information

Involvement Beyond the Classroom

Explore student and professional organizations for Accounting students.

Accounting Society

Provides students with information about careers in Accounting and about current issues facing the accounting profession.

Beta Alpha Psi

Honorary organization for Financial Information (accounting, finance and computer information systems) students and professionals.

IMA Student Chapter (IMA-SC)

Achieve both personal and professional development in the fields of Accounting and Finance.

The International Business Association (IBA)

Aims to promote cultural exchange throughout the FGCU campus in a professional academic setting.

Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE)

National business organization aimed to build the professional skills in students.

Lutgert News | AccountingSee All

Accounting Department hosted 70 students from Immokalee High School for Future Accounting Scholars by Moorings Park

February 16, 2024 / Lutgert News / Tags: Accounting, Beta Alpha Psi, High School, Scholarships

the Department of Accounting hosted 70 students from Immokalee High School for Future Accounting Scholars by Moorings Park. The students were greeted by Dr. Tanya Benford, Dr. Patrick Wheeler, and Dr. Adrian Valencia, who shared what to expect in accounting as a career as well as what professional pathways can be forged with an Accounting degree. Michelle Gonzalez and Justine Padrone stopped by and made sure that all financial aid and application questions were answered. After their introduction to FGCU and accounting, the students were provided with an opportunity to try it for themselves! Jacqueline Conrecode stepped in to teach the basics of Accounting for a game of Monopoly on day two. At the end of day two, scholarships were awarded to students who were the most successful in their game of Monopoly (and passing an audit by Dr. Adrian Valencia!). Special thank you to the student volunteers from Beta Alpha Psi: Johana Brito-Mieses, Cazimy Coulanges, Erick Ontiveros, and Diana Ramirez.

Chelsea R. Ganey named BGS Chapter Honoree 2023

April 27, 2023 / Lutgert News / Tags: 2023, Accounting, Advertising, Agribusiness, BGS, Beta Gamma Sigma, Economics, Finance, Graduate, Honoree, Information Systems & Operations Management, Management, Marketing, PGA Golf Management, Real Estate, Resort & Hospitality, Sales, Undergraduate

Chelsea is responsible for developing, communicating and executing on the strategic plan and growth of Moran Wealth Management. Prior to this role, she spent 8 years at the firm as a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for the fixed income and several equity strategies. She serves on both the Executive Committee and Investment Committee at Moran Wealth Management. Chelsea earned her BS in Finance from Florida Gulf Coast University. She was awarded the CFA Charter from the CFA Institute in 2014, and is a member of the CFA Society of Naples where she currently serves on the board. In 2021, Chelsea co-founded Southwest Florida Women in Investment Management to support the development and advancement of women in the local finance community. In addition to her responsibilities at Moran Wealth Management, Chelsea sits on the Executive Council for the Department of Economics and Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University and is the President of the House Corporation for the Pi Mu Chapter of Chi Omega. Lastly, she is a member of CHIEF, a private organization for women executive leaders. Chelsea loves to read, travel, and spend quality time with her family. As a Midwest transplant, she lovingly cheers for the Chicago Bulls, Bears and Cubs.

Brave New World? AI Researcher Says Ditch Dystopian Fears

April 13, 2023 / Lutgert News / Tags: AI, Accounting, Advertising, Agribusiness, Economics, Finance, Information Systems & Operations Management, Management, Marketing, PGA Golf Management, Real Estate, Resort & Hospitality, Sales

The warnings are ominous and plentiful. For over half a century, we’ve been hit with a deluge of cautionary tales – from books to the big screen – teaching us to fear the unleashed power of artificial intelligence (or AI). Inevitably, in those stories, technology develops sentiency, plunging the world into a dystopian hellscape, leading to the end of human civilization. So why is Chrissann Ruehle, Lutgert College of Business instructor, eschewing pop culture to embrace the latest AI development? “I see this as a collaboration and connection between humans and machines, humans and technology, as well as being a benefit for our students and also for faculty,” she explained. For the past six years, Ruehle has researched the burgeoning field of AI and is working on publishing articles and papers on the subject. She describes one of the newest creations, ChatGPT, as a “generative artificial intelligence program that uses conversational artificial intelligence.”