Accounting Concentration

Let’s face it: You could study accounting anywhere. Virtually all institutions offer it. So, what distinguishes the accounting program, a concentration in our financial services major, at George Fox? What makes our program so special?

Let’s begin with our track record: Ninety-five percent of our students have received professional accounting jobs by graduation, and 100 percent have received offers within six months of graduation. Numbers don’t lie.

Our formula for success? We teach you the technical skills, critical thinking and analytics expertise you need to succeed in today’s business environment. And with our strong relationships with international, national and regional businesses, the internships and job offers follow.

Need another reason? Our classroom discussion topics go beyond auditing, taxation, and financial accounting and reporting. We engage in ethical and faith formation by interacting with texts from Scripture, Bonhoeffer, Augustine and C.S. Lewis. Not exactly something you find in most business programs!

Finally, to put our faith into practice, our alumni and students serve together regularly each year during Accounting Serve Day, our work on white-collar crime with the Portland Police Bureau, and by serving the community with free tax assistance. 

It all adds up: We prepare you professionally, challenge you personally and encourage you spiritually, setting you up for success in whatever career path you pursue.

Why Study Accounting at George Fox?

Watch video: Meet the Major: Accounting
students studying at a white board

What will I Study?

  • The current curriculum includes case-based work utilizing advanced Excel techniques, Python programming language, and Tableau. In addition to standard accounting topics, students are trained in basic skills of data preparation, analysis and visualization. These skills are highly prized by public accounting firms.
  • Core courses include Taxation, Accounting Information Systems, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Advanced Analytics in Accounting, Auditing, and Business Taxation.
  • Our Volunteer Tax Assistance course, offered in conjunction with the IRS, gives you hands-on experience in preparing income tax returns.
  • We offer a field experience course that incorporates supervised experiences in businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies.
View Financial Services Major Courses

Mark Nathlich

Staff Auditor, Armanino, LLP

I would say that the professors here have had the biggest impact on me in my four years. They were not only some of the best teachers I’ve had in my life, but they were some of the best people I have ever met. They incorporated their faith into their teachings, and were more focused on us becoming an asset to society by being ethical and authentic people rather than the smartest people.

What's after George Fox

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for accountants and auditors are expected to grow 4 percent between 2019 and 2029. As the economy grows, more workers should be needed to prepare and examine financial records.

  • KPMG
  • PricewaterHouseCoopers
  • Deloitte
  • Aldrich Advisors
  • Delap
  • Moss Adams
  • Partner, Geffen Mersher & Company
  • Grant Thornton
  • Jones & Roth
  • Hoffman, Stewart, Schmidt
  • Pauly Rogers and Co.
  • Columbia
Student and teacher working together at a desk with many papers

Tax-Aide program provides tangible service to community

Each spring the university’s accounting department provides free tax preparation and e-filing assistance, serving more than 100 community members annually.

The Tax-Aide program, overseen by accounting professor Seth Sikkema, is especially geared toward senior citizens, students, individuals with lower incomes, and those with limited English proficiency. But anyone – outside of those whose return is deemed too complicated – is eligible for assistance.

The benefit is twofold: It’s a tangible way the university can provide a service to the community, and it gives accounting students valuable experience in working with the public and fine-tuning their accounting skills. The program also allows for students to bond with professors, as faculty members annually join the effort. Volunteers offer their services in four six-hour shifts spanning two Fridays and two Saturdays.