Accountancy

Career Development

Last year, our accountancy undergraduates achieved a 98 percent placement rate. Over the last three years, our graduate students have achieved 100 percent employment. From careers in public accounting and corporate work to entrepreneurship and law, our graduates put their accountancy degree to work in a wide range of fields.

What You’ll Learn

Through courses like Strategic Cost Management, Ethics in Accounting, and Federal Taxation, you’ll develop critical thinking, data analysis and decision-making skills that prepare you to hit the ground running. You’ll also enter the job market with expertise in data analytics that your peers at other institutions will lack.

At the University of Notre Dame, the Data Analytics in Accounting course enhances your ability to identify relevant information, and to find optimal solutions in settings involving uncertainty and risk. Analytical tools include data mining, simulation model building, and optimization.

Accelerated 3+1 Degree Option

As a 3+1 accountancy student, you can complete your undergraduate degree in just three years and earn your Master of Science in Accountancy ( (MSA) during your fourth year. If you plan to finish your undergraduate degree in 3.5 years, you may apply to begin the MSA program in January of your fourth year. On-campus students can also request to finish the academic year in their current residence hall.

Application Process: Students are required to complete an expedited application during their final year of undergraduate studies, which includes an informational interview with an admissions director to gauge academic readiness. All accountancy undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they meet the following requirements:

• • Have a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA after three years.
  • Complete audit and tax as two of their ACCT electives.

Preparing for Your CPA: Your Pathway to Success

To obtain your CPA license, you typically need 150 college credit hours with a concentration in accounting.

As you navigate this path, it’s essential to be aware that specific state requirements for CPA licensure may vary. We encourage you to discuss your plans with Professor Tim Morrison, who can provide tailored guidance based on your individual goals and the regulations in your state.

Students in our Master of Science in Accountancy program, complete the required credit hours in our comprehensive yearlong curriculum, ensuring they meet the educational requirements for CPA certification and are well-prepared for their accounting careers.

Department Administration

Brad Badertscher

Deloitte Foundation Department Chair of Accountancy

Brad Badertscher is the Deloitte Professor of Accountancy. Brad teaches an accounting research class as well as Corporate Financial Reporting, an elective in the MBA program. Badertscher earned his MBA and PhD in Accounting from the University of Iowa.

Brad researches financial accounting issues, focusing on financial report quality. In recent papers, he examined fair value accounting, tax aggressiveness, and private firm accounting. Brad has published in The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting & Economics, Journal of Accounting Research, Review of Accounting Studies, Journal of Management Accounting Research, and Accounting Horizons. Brad was a former Editor at The Accounting Review and reviews for many of the top accounting and finance journals.

Contact: (574) 631-5197 or bbaderts@nd.edu 

Colleen Creighton

Assistant Department Chair and Associate Teaching Professor

Colleen Creighton is an Associate Teaching Professor and an instructor for undergraduate and graduate tax and accounting courses in the undergraduate and Master of Accountancy programs.  She currently teaches the Introductory Managerial Accounting course, Wealth Planning Taxation, Partnership Taxation, Tax Accounting Periods and Methods and is the director of the Tax Assistance Program.

She is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 35 years of professional experience including 30 years with Deloitte Tax LLP.  Her professional experience outside public accounting included the management of the financial consulting group within a large financial institution and the management of the trust department within a private family office.

Colleen has a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Science in Taxation from DePaul University.  She also has a Certified Financial Planning certificate.

Contact: (574) 631-3299 or ccreight@nd.edu 

Barb Westra

Administrative Assistant

Contact: (574) 631-7324 or bwestra@nd.edu

Accountancy Advisory Board (AAB)

The Accountancy Advisory Board (AAB) is composed of accomplished professionals representing diverse accounting practices and specialties. These industry leaders collaborate to enhance the Mendoza College of Business accounting curriculum by providing insights on emerging topics and essential skills.

Beyond curriculum development, AAB members serve as mentors and advisors, offering guidance and support to both faculty and students. Their expertise helps bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for dynamic careers in accounting.