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Accredited, STEM-Designated and Built for the CPA
Accounting is one of the most reliable paths in business — and Belmont is built to get you there credentialed and hired. You’ll study in a program with separate AACSB accounting accreditation, a distinction few schools worldwide hold, and earn a STEM-designated degree that signals the analytical strength employers want. Three reasons students choose accounting here:
- You graduate CPA-ready. The Accounting Center for Excellence helps you map Tennessee CPA requirements and exam timing, and Belmont ranked in the top 40 for first-time CPA pass rate among medium programs in 2024.
- You get placed. Two-thirds of graduates start in public accounting — an even split between the Big Four and regional firms — and alumni work at Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, HCA Healthcare and more.
- You earn a credential that travels. Separate AACSB accounting accreditation plus STEM designation set the degree apart, and the STEM status gives international students a two-year OPT extension.
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Accounting in a Business Boomtown
Belmont sits two miles from downtown Nashville, a city that ranks No. 2 in the nation for job opportunities and earning potential. The Big Four and strong regional firms recruit here, and Nashville’s role as a healthcare capital sends many Belmont accountants into healthcare finance at companies like HCA Healthcare, Community Health Systems and LifePoint Health. You’ll build your network — and often your first internship — before you graduate.
A Rare Accounting Accreditation
Belmont is the only private university in Tennessee accredited by AACSB for both business and accounting — a standard met by only the top 6% of business schools worldwide, and fewer still earn the separate accounting accreditation. Massey College of Business is also the only business school in Tennessee and one of just 23 in the United States to be a full member of EFMD Global, reflecting its commitment to excellence in management education. For you, that means a degree employers and CPA boards recognize immediately.
STEM-Designated for a Data-Driven Field
Accounting at Belmont is STEM-designated, recognizing how much the field now runs on analytics and technology. Beyond the analytical training employers value, the designation gives international students a two-year extension on Optional Practical Training — up to three years of U.S. work experience after graduation.Serious CPA Preparation
The Accounting Center for Excellence helps you understand Tennessee CPA requirements, plan your exam timeline and sequence coursework so you sit for the CPA on schedule. That support shows in the results: Belmont ranked in the top 40 nationally for first-time CPA pass rate among medium-sized programs in 2024.
Where Graduates Land
Historically, two-thirds of graduates begin in public accounting, split evenly between the Big Four and local or regional firms. The remaining third move into corporate accounting, with many joining healthcare companies. Alumni have built careers at firms and companies including Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC, BDO, Baker Tilly, Forvis Mazars, LBMC, Frazier & Deeter, HCA Healthcare, Community Health Systems, Dollar General, Nissan and Tractor Supply.
Finish Faster: BBA to MAcc
If you want to be CPA-ready sooner, you can continue into Belmont’s Master of Accountancy. Students like Addie Smith earned a BBA in 2023 and a MAcc in 2024, moving straight into a senior audit role.
What You'll Learn
You’ll build a broad business foundation — management, marketing, ethics, economics, finance, analytics and law — then add accounting coursework aimed at your goals. By graduation, you’ll be able to:
- Use accounting information to build business plans, record transactions, prepare financial statements and run ratio analysis.
- Perform audits using a range of audit techniques in a financial-statement context.
- Interpret managerial accounting data for planning and control — job-order, process and standard costing, budgeting, variance analysis and relevant costs.
- Account for the time value of money, liabilities, leases, deferred taxes, pensions, stockholders’ equity, earnings per share and cash flows.
- Prepare individual, partnership and corporate tax returns under federal income tax law.
Program Details
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
You’ll complete the Massey Business Core, then accounting courses in financial, managerial, audit, tax and accounting systems. View full requirements in the course catalog above.
The Massey College’s business Class of 2025 reached a 96% career-outcome rate. Accounting graduates reported a $67,033 average starting salary, and two-thirds begin in public accounting. You’ll have full access to the Office of Career & Professional Development, career fairs and employer networking as you line up internships and full-time roles.
Integrated Degree, MAcc/BBA
Belmont University’s integrated MAcc and BBA degree program is designed to meet today’s needs of those wishing to make accounting a career choice. Today’s accountants must possess much more than just technical accounting knowledge; they must also have a broad understanding of various business activities and possess strong communication, intellectual, and interpersonal skills.
Increasingly, businesses are hiring new professionals who have master’s degrees. These include public accounting firms, manufacturing companies, and service providers in healthcare, finance, and insurance, as well as governmental organizations. Belmont’s integrated accounting degree is a program which meets employer needs and provides graduates with exceptional career opportunities.
The integrated program is only for accounting concentration students in the Jack C. Massey College of Business at Belmont University and is designed to be completed in a five-year time period. Qualifying students admitted to the MAcc program may dual enroll in two MAcc courses the last semester of their senior year, reducing the total credit hours to finish the degree from 30 credit hour to 24 credit hours.
Learn more about Belmont's MAcc program
Accelerated MBA 4 +1
The Accelerated (AMBA) program is a full-time MBA designed for individuals with little or no full-time business work experience. Individuals admitted to the AMBA program begin course work in the fall term and complete their studies in the following summer - a total program length of 12 months from start to finish. Through active learning and scholarly exploration, the AMBA degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level administrative and managerial positions in both the private and public sector. Students will be equipped with comprehensive business skills, analytical tools, and moral clarity to effectively manage diverse teams and lead organizations in today’s rapidly changing and dynamic, global business environment.
The AMBA is a non-thesis degree consisting of 36 hours, of which 30 hours are required core courses and 6 hours are elective courses that are chosen by the student. MBA elective courses may be related to a specific area (e.g. FIN, ETP, BSA, etc.) or may be independent of each other providing students with a broader point of view.
Whether you want to launch your own startup, consult with Fortune 500 companies or explore investment banking, you'll get an early start on building your career. As an Accelerated MBA student, you’ll enjoy small class sizes and outstanding faculty who bring industry experience to every class they teach. Classes meet four evenings a week on a full-time basis, giving you flexibility during workday hours to complete internships, graduate assistantships or part-time jobs. And you can complete the program in less than a year.
The Jack C. Massey College of Business offers a variety of co-curricular leadership and learning opportunities to qualifying students in the form of student organizations and honors societies. Each organization has at least one faculty advisor, allowing our students to network and collaborate with faculty both in and out of the classroom.
Student Organizations
- Association for Information Systems
- American Marketing Association
- Business Student Advisory Board
- Collegiate DECA
- Enactus
- Equity Trading Club
- International Business Society
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Student Center for the Public Trust
Honor Societies
- Beta Alpha Psi
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- Omicron Delta Epsilon
- Sigma Nu Tau
A Global Perspective
As the workplace becomes more international in scope, a successful manager needs knowledge and skills that extend beyond the traditional business disciplines. Thus, Belmont’s Jack C. Massey College of Business places a strong emphasis on the global business community and requires all BBA degree-seeking students to complete an international business course. Global issues are also interwoven throughout other courses in the business curriculum.
In addition to classroom learning, all students in The Jack C. Massey College of Business are encouraged to participate in Belmont’s Study Abroad program. Business study abroad programs and exchange opportunities are available in numerous countries. Our students travel to six of the seven continents, immersing themselves in the language, culture and business of each country they visit. Credits can be applied to your major, minor or general education and lengths vary from an academic year to semester to a Maymester to a summer.
Maymester is a 2-3 week study abroad experience during the month of May where Belmont students take advantage of tuition discounts and can sometimes earn up to nine credit hours. Maymester trips are led by Belmont faculty members, so students are able to further connect with their faculty in a meaningful way.
Immerse yourself in language, culture and business on a global scale by studying abroad in these countries:
For additional information on Belmont’s study abroad programs, please visit our Center for Global Citizenship or Office of Study Abroad.
Organized in 1916, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the premier agency for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting. AACSB International accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide.
Fewer than 5 percent of the world’s business schools are able to adhere to standards that result in AACSB accreditation of their business education programs. Only 195 business schools worldwide, have earned AACSB Accreditation in both business and accounting.
Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business is the only private college or university in Tennessee and one of only 38 schools worldwide with separate AACSB Accounting Accreditation for its undergraduate and graduate accounting programs.
Career Possibilities
Accounting opens doors in nearly every industry, because every organization needs people who can track, interpret and protect its money. A Belmont accounting degree can take you from public accounting into corporate leadership, consulting, government or forensic work — accounting is even among the preferred majors for careers with the FBI. Here are paths accounting graduates pursue:
- Auditor - Examining financial records for accuracy and compliance in public or internal audit roles.
- Tax accountant or analyst - Preparing returns and advising individuals and businesses on tax strategy.
- Staff accountant - Handling day-to-day accounting, reporting and reconciliations for an organization.
- Controller - Leading an organization’s accounting operations and financial reporting.
- Chief financial officer or chief accounting officer - Owning financial strategy and stewardship at the executive level.
- Consultant or financial advisor - Guiding clients on financial decisions, systems and growth.
- Forensic accountant - Investigating fraud and financial crime, including work with agencies like the FBI.
Addie Smith
Accounting
Senior Internal Auditor at HCA Healtcare
"Belmont was the best decision I ever made!"
Morgan Hirshman
Accounting
Senior Internal Auditor II at HCA Healthcare
"My Belmont experience was great! The community is amazing and people were very invested in each others lives. My professors were very approachable and genuinely cared about their students' well being. The classes were applicable to the real world and were challenging."
Gabe Landon
Accounting
"I've always been drawn to numbers and problem solving, but my Integrated Accounting Principles I class really confirmed that this is where I'm meant to be. My professor's support and mentorship helped me see how accounting connects to real-world-impact - and I've been passionate about it ever since."
Jonathan Joyce
Master of Accountancy
Manager, Strategy & Transactions — Mergers & Acquisitions, Deloitte
“Getting a degree in accounting is very marketable. There are a lot of jobs out there and different ways you can take your accounting degree and apply it in business. Accounting is a great technical skill, and it’s very in demand.”
Ben Blankinship
Finance | Accounting
President, TVA Investment Club
Accounting helps you understand what makes a company strong. It strengthens everything you’re doing on the finance side.”
Learn from Faculty
You’ll learn from accounting faculty who combine professional experience with a genuine investment in students — professors who lead the VITA tax-prep program, mentor students toward the CPA and stay active in the profession. Recent faculty recognition includes Professor of Accounting Dr. Marilyn Young, named a Woman to Watch by the Tennessee Society of CPAs.
Hilary Ahn
Email: hilary.ahn@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 439
Joe F. Alexander
Beverley Alleyne
Email: beverley.alleyne@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 335
Bryon Balint
Email: bryon.balint@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 446
Catherine Bass
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 628
Rudolph Bedeley
Email: rudy.bedeley@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 447
Cheryl Black
Email: cheryl.black@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey 448
Austin Brown
Email: austin.brown@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 454
Kimball Bullington
Email: kimball.bullington@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 435
Colin Cannonier
Email: colin.cannonier@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 322A
Dennis Chen
Email: dennis.chen@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 348
Brad Childs
Email: brad.childs@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 326
Howard Cochran
Email: howard.cochran@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 350A
Jeff Cornwall
Francis Daniel
Email: francis.daniel@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 431
Delwyn D. DeVries
James Doyle
Email: james.doyle@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 346
Kristen Faile
Email: kristen.faile@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 450
Greg Faulk
Jennifer Wilgus Fowler
Email: jennifer.fowler@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 447
Adam Fulton
Email: adam.fulton@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 323
Gary Garrison
Email: gary.garrison@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center, Room 445
John Gonas
Email: john.gonas@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 333B
José González
Email: jose.gonzalez@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 459
Elizabeth Gortmaker
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 639
David Harkins
Email: david.harkins@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 433
Alex Hoffman
Email: alex.hoffman@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 444
Brandon Holle
Email: brandon.holle@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 345
Kyle Huggins
Email: kyle.huggins@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 441
Michelle McKenney Jones
Email: michelle.jones@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 435
Kenny Jordan
Email: kenneth.jordan@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 322C
Robert Lambert
Luke Langlinais
Email: luke.langlinais@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 328
Eduardo Lopez
Email: eduardo.lopez@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 333A
John Maslyn
Lora E. Mitchell
Email: lora.mitchell@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 330
Haskell Murray
Email: haskell.murray@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 438
Jeff Overby
Email: jeff.overby@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 111
Barry Padgett
Email: barry.padgett@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 349
Luke Petach
Email: luke.petach@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 344
J. Mark Phillips
Email: mark.phillips@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 456
Dan Privott
Email: dan.privott@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 443
Patrick Raines
Cliff A. Robb
Email: cliff.robb@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 444
Paula Roberts
Email: paula.roberts@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 453
Dustin Rumbaugh
Email: dustin.rumbaugh@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 327
Tony Saunders
Email: tony.saunders@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 340
Mark Schenkel
Email: mark.schenkel@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 452
Angela Sebby
Email: angela.sebby@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 322B
Alexey Semenov
Email: alexey.semenov@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 329
Kara Smith
Email: kara.smith@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 349
Joe Smolira
Email: joe.smolira@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 437
Susan Taylor
Bernard Turner
Email: bernard.turner@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 451
Marieta Velikova
Email: marieta.velikova@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 319
Lee Warren
Email: lee.warren@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 336
Thor Wasbotten
Email: thor.wasbotten@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 550C
Kristin Wilson
Email: kristin.wilson@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 436
Matthew Wilson
Email: matthew.g.wilson@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 457
Rachel Wilson
Email: rachel.wilson@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 453
Tommy Wooten
Email: tommy.wooten@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Rogers Center 446A
David Wyant
Email: david.wyant@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 440
Sean Sehyun Yoo
Email: sean.yoo@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 337
Grady S. York
Claudia Guerrazzi Young
Email: claudia.young@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 451
Marilyn Young
Email: marilyn.young@belmont.edu
Mark Zhang
Email: mark.zhang@belmont.edu
Office Location: Barbara Massey Hall 350B
Not necessarily. Accounting rewards problem-solving, organization and analytical thinking more than advanced math, though being comfortable working with numbers helps. If you like structure and solving puzzles, you can do well.
Finance focuses on managing money — investments, funding and strategy — while accounting focuses on recording, reporting and communicating financial information. The fields overlap, and Belmont’s shared Business Core makes it easy to add finance as a second major or minor.
Belmont holds separate AACSB accounting accreditation and a STEM designation — two distinctions few programs share. Belmont is the only private university in Tennessee accredited by AACSB for both business and accounting.
The Accounting Center for Excellence helps you understand Tennessee CPA requirements, plan your exam timeline and sequence coursework effectively. In 2024, Belmont ranked in the top 40 nationally for first-time CPA pass rate among medium-sized programs.
Accounting leads to careers in audit, tax, corporate finance, consulting, government and forensic accounting, and it is even a preferred major for the FBI. Two-thirds of Belmont graduates begin in public accounting, and alumni work at firms and companies including Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC and HCA Healthcare.
Accounting graduates from the Class of 2025 reported a $67,033 average starting salary. Public accounting roles at the Big Four and strong regional firms make up a large share of first destinations.
Yes. Belmont’s accounting program is STEM-designated, reflecting its emphasis on analytics and technology. For international students, that designation adds a two-year extension to Optional Practical Training, allowing up to three years of U.S. work experience after graduation.
Yes. All Massey College students take a shared Business Core, so adding a second major or minor in areas like finance, analytics, entrepreneurship or marketing is often manageable without affecting your graduation timeline.
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Contact Us
Jack C. Massey College of Business
Colson Kelly
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.5188
Email Colson
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