Accounting Department

Our Mission

The Department of Accounting provides high-quality accounting education to prepare our diverse students for professional success.  Through our curriculum, we are committed to instilling expertise in the field, an understanding of the business environment, communication skills, integrity, and the capacity to make positive contributions to society.  Our faculty prioritizes excellent teaching and dedication to students and is actively engaged in research and service that advances knowledge and benefits the community. 

The San Francisco State Scholars Program in Accounting is a combined program that awards both the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA with Concentration in Accounting) and the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) degrees. Students receive both the BSBA and MSA degrees when they complete each degree’s requirements.

Once admitted, students may take up to four 800-level graduate courses during the undergraduate program and will take the remaining 800-level graduate courses after transitioning into the graduate program. Therefore, students can earn an MSA degree, in addition to a BSBA degree, by spending only one additional year enrolled at SF State (with careful course planning). Moreover, students can save on the total cost of pursuing their MSA degree since the 800-level graduate courses they take during their undergraduate program will be assessed at the undergraduate tuition and fee rates.

Accounting SF State Scholars are highly likely to satisfy all California CPA exam and license educational requirements upon completion of the MSA program. For example, the “Accounting Study” educational requirement for the California CPA license is automatically fulfilled with the MSA degree. Additionally, all courses taken during the MSA program will count toward other California CPA exam and license educational requirements.

The application process is also simplified. For example, GMAT/GRE and recommendation letters are waived. Application instructions are announced at the beginning of each semester to all undergraduate students with Accounting concentration.

For more information about the SF State Scholars Program in Accounting, please visit the SF State Scholars Programs webpage or send an email to the Faculty Coordinator and Associate Professor of Accounting, Min Chen, Ph.D., at mchen11@sfsu.edu.

Become a student volunteer for the SF State Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program

VITA is a national program providing free assistance to low income, elderly, limited English proficiency and disabled individuals who require assistance in preparing their tax returns. The program received top national honors in 2016 and 2017. There are no pre-requisites and experience is not necessary to join. VITA will providing the training and free textbooks. You will learn how to prepare your own tax return and will receive an IRS Certificate of Recognition. Meet new people and bolster your resume! Please email the VITA Site Coordinator for more information.

VITA Program provides valuable experience for student volunteers

“The power of SF State's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is twofold: One, valuable work and service experience for students, and two, the VITA program gives back to the community in meaningful ways by generating a $1 million in tax refunds to those who need it.” - Katie Hetherington, J.D., assistant professor in accounting in the Lam Family College of Business. Read the story.

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is an International honor organization for financial information students. There are over 300 chapters on college and university campuses throughout the world with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi's formation in 1919.

Learn more about Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Chi Chapter