Accounting - Public

Program Overview.

The public accounting major is designed to prepare you for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. The major was designed with consideration for CPA requirements in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Not only will you be exposed to a well-rounded curriculum, but you will also participate in immersive experiences to gain professional training and experience.

About Public Accounting at Morningside:

Benefit from accounting and business professionals who teach from experience.
Morningside University’s location in Iowa’s fourth largest city provides opportunities for internships and experience in a variety of public accounting firms, as well as in retail, business, and health care organizations.
Curriculum is built on solid core accounting and business principles, while offering two accounting tracks (managerial accounting and public accounting).
Make a difference in your community while you learn through service learning and research opportunities.

Make It Your Own

Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in public accounting from Morningside University. You may choose to focus on a minor to deepen a particular area of interest. It’s also possible to add more than one major or minor. Click on the names of the majors and minors below to see the coursework required for each.

Majors

Accounting - Public (B.S.)

Minors

Accounting

Meet The Faculty

Mark Nielsen

Twyla Rosenbaum

Experience
Learning By Doing

Morningside University has made a commitment to extend education beyond the confines of the classroom by providing a variety of experiential learning opportunities to students.

SEE ACADEMICS

INTERNSHIPS

You will have the opportunity to participate in an internship or immersive externship where you can receive up to 12 credits for paid professional training and experience in an accounting work environment.

Experiential Learning

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Accounting Club
Business Honors
Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization (CEO)
Morningside Investment Group
Morningside Student Advertising Agency (MSAA)

TRAVEL

You will have the opportunity to travel regionally, nationally, and even internationally for professional conferences, industry field trips, or May Term courses. Travel grants and special scholarship eligibility may be available.

RESEARCH AND ACTIVE LEARNING

Conduct research alongside faculty members, giving you an advantage for graduate school or immediate entry into your career field. You may also have the opportunity to present findings at the Morningside University Palmer Research Symposium, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), or at regional and national industry events.

NETWORK

Students studying public accounting frequently interact with professionals throughout the industry developing relationships and building skills. Opportunities include:

Industry-leading speakers
Club meetings and college-wide seminars
Internships/Externships
Travel to conferences

Learn By Doing

Morningside accounting graduates can expect early employment offers or admission to graduate schools. Students have gained employment at businesses and organizations that include: KPMG, Eide Bailly, BKD, Henjes, Connor and Williams, Williams and Company, Great West Casualty, and others.

Discover

13:1

student:faculty ratio, so you're assured a quality education focused directly on you.

65+

majors & pre-professional
programs available.

Job Outlook

Morningside accounting graduates can expect early employment offers or admission to graduate schools. Students have gained employment at businesses and organizations that include:

KPMG
Eide Bailly
BKD
Henjes, Connor and Williams
Williams and Company
Great West Casualty
And others

Possible Job Titles

Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
External auditor
Governmental accountant
Information technology auditor
Internal auditor
Management accountant

Learn how students are set up for success

Meet A Mustang

Gabby Roe '20

Public Accounting
Sioux City, IA

Why Morningside

"All of my professors care about their students. I have been lucky enough to have built a relationship with them, both professional and personal."

Accounting News

Morningside Accounting Major to receive ISCPA Scholarship

Apr 28, 2023

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – For the sixth time in seven years, a Morningside student has received the Iowa CPA Education Foundation Scholarship as junior accounting major Seth Nelson is the 2023

...

Morningside presents 2021 Sharon Walker Faculty Excellence Awards

Dec 15, 2021

Morningside presented its 2021 Sharon Walker Faculty Excellence Awards to Anni Moore, Elizabeth Coody, and Twyla Rosenbaum.

Morningside students, employees recognized at honors convocation

Apr 07, 2021

Sioux City, IA (Morningside College) – The annual Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Honors Convocation was held at Morningside College on April 7, 2021, during which a number of undergraduate students

...

Morningside accounting professors publish article in tax journal

May 20, 2020

Accounting instructors James Hopkins and Mark Nielsen wrote an article that appeared in the Tax Pro Journal.

Morningside student Morgan Todd receives Iowa CPA Education Foundation scholarship

May 12, 2020

Morgan Todd, a senior public accounting major from Anthon, Iowa, was awarded a $2,500 Iowa CPA Education Foundation scholarship.

Morningside Accounting Club recognized with Iowa CPAs Month of Service Award

May 12, 2020

The Morningside College Accounting Club was recognized with the Iowa CPAs Month of Service Team Community Spirit Award.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Morningside College Accounting and Business Department cannot confirm whether a particular degree or endorsement program meets requirements for certification outside of the State of Iowa. For a list of the state boards of accountancies that oversee certified public accounting licensure, see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy - Boards of Accountancy page.

Degree or endorsement programs offered by the Accounting and Business Department at Morningside College that prepare students for certification as public accountants are designed to meet the certification standards set by the State of Iowa. Students seeking certification in another state are advised to contact the appropriate certification board in that state to determine specific requirements of the guidelines for reciprocity. For more information, please contact Dr. Anne Power at powera@morningside.edu.

All Undergraduates
Receive Financial Aid

100% of Morningside undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.

LEARN ABOUT AID

Simple Application
Process

Apply for Morningside’s undergrad programs.

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Helpful Counselors Are Here

Morningside’s counselors are here to assist you with any academic or career needs.

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