What makes the accounting program at CSUF distinctive?

Cal State Fullerton’s accounting program is part of the only business college in Orange County accredited in both accounting and business administration by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Later this year, the Department of Accounting is expecting to transform itself into a School of Accountancy (see video). Our program is distinctive because of its forward-looking curriculum and its emphasis on the application of analytics, cutting-edge technology such as robotic process automation and real-world knowledge in the coursework.

What are the some of the career opportunities in the field of accounting?

Accounting careers fall into three broad areas.

•     Public Accounting

Accountants in public accounting work for an accounting firm (Big Four, international, national and local firms) to provide audit, tax planning and preparation and advisory services to their large and small clients.

• Private Accounting (e.g., Disney, IBM, McDonald’s, FedEx)

In private accounting, accountants work for a corporation or business. Accountants in private accounting provide support to a company by performing accounting-related tasks. Entry-level jobs include bookkeeping, clerical accounting work, financial analytics and internal auditing. Experienced accountants in private accounting go on to become treasurers, controllers, CFOs and CEOs.

• Government Accounting (e.g., IRS, Franchise Tax Board, Department of Defense)

Government agencies also need accountants. State and federal tax agencies need accountants to audit taxpayers. Other agencies need accountants to help them plan, budget, forecast and allocate governmental funds. State auditors are employed by the government to ensure that there is proper use and allocation of state funds.

What accounting classes do I need to take in order to complete my undergraduate accounting concentration? 

Please see the CSUF Course Catalog for a roadmap for required and elective courses for the B.A. in business administration with a concentration in accounting, or joint concentrations in accounting and business analytics , accounting and information systems, and accounting and finance.

How do I get a job or internship in accounting?

 We recommend that you start by joining one or both of our two accounting clubs: the Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi. The clubs host numerous recruiting events, such as Meet the Firms, mock interviews, Bowling with Professionals and the Awards Banquet. All major accounting firms recruit at CSUF. Business Career Services provide resources for those seeking internships and jobs.

Visit the Department of Accounting to learn more about the degree programs and support available to students. 

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Take a few economics classes and you will realize that it is a fun subject - economics makes you understand, makes you aware , and makes you a better social and political citizen. Economics educates you in the true sense of the term.

1. Economics teaches you how to think analytically and apply your knowledge using statistical tools. You can apply analytical tools to make policy suggestions for numerous social, political and economic issues. You can apply economics in your day-to-day life.
   
   
2. Economics is a great undergraduate major for a large number of professional degrees and jobs: legal, healthcare, finance, insurance, accounting, management and many others.
   
   
3. Because economics looks at a broad spectrum of human experience both at the local and at the global levels, it is a great concentration or major to have  when you walk into your job interview. It gives you a broad global perspective. Do not make the mistake of specializing too early in life.
   
   
4. Students who major or concentrate in economics have valuable resources. Check out the  Career Path Guides for Economics  for more. 
   
   
5. To chart your path to an economics education, including details on the required core courses and electives, please see the CSUF Catalog pages for the B.A. in economics, the B.A. in business administration with a concentration in economics and the economics minor.

Visit the Department of Economics to learn more about the degree programs and support available to students. 

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Finance Concentration

What are the general requirements to finish the finance concentration?

All students with a finance concentration must complete the six units of department "core" courses and take an additional 12 units in finance (excluding FIN 310 ) for a total of eighteen units in finance.

All undergraduate finance students are required to fulfill the following six units core requirement:

FIN 321 – Financial Management II 

Either FIN 340 – Introduction to Investment or FIN 342 – Capital and Money Markets. 

Advisory Tracks: Students must complete 12 additional units of elective courses in finance. Students are strongly advised to choose one of the following advisory tracks and select as many courses as possible from that track in order to complete the 18 hour requirement for the concentration. Students are encouraged but not required to consult with faculty advisors when selecting courses. 

Insurance and Financial Services Track

Financial Institutions Management Track

Real Estate Professions Track

Corporate and International Financial Management Track

Investments and Financial Planning Track

Please consult the detailed course roadmap. 

Do you provide any special training programs?

Yes, we provide various programs:

• Professional Certificate for Personal Financial Planning
• Real Estate Program
• Titan Capital Management Program (TCM)
• Chartered Financial Analyst Program (CFA)
• Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF)
• Risk Management and Insurance Program
• Internship Program

Financial Planning Program

How can I learn the benefits of a career in financial planning?

To learn about the many benefits of a career as a financial planner, including the ability to make a difference in peoples' lives, a desirable work-life balance, and the opportunity for career and financial growth, visit the I Am a CFP Pro website. 

How do I register for the professional certificate in personal financial planning program?

Any CSUF undergraduate business major who has declared a concentration is eligible to participate in our professional certificate in personal financial planning program. To do so, complete the following four steps in sequential order:

Create an online account (for free) with CFP Board and print a proof of account creation. 

Sign off on the "Sign-Off Sheet".

Add the professional certificate in personal financial planning to your course of study by completing the Request for Minor/Certificate Objective Form in the office of Admissions and Records at LH-114.

Consolidate hard copies of all three documents into one single packet and submit it to the Department of Finance at SGMH-5113

What educational level is your curriculum?

This certificate program is part of our college's B.A. in business administration. 

Real Estate Program

I am interested in obtaining a California real estate broker license. How could the real estate program at CSUF help me?

Students successfully finish 12 units of real estate courses at CSUF will be waved for two years of sales person experience required by the California Department of Real Estate for a broker license. This means 40 hours per week for two years’ full time sales person experience. The 12 units could also help students to wave the educational requirements before sitting for broker exam in California. It provides a great opportunity for those interested in real estate broker license to achieve it in a fast track.

What is the Real Estate Association?

The Real Estate Association (REA) is a student club at CSUF focused on advancing the study of real estate by providing a medium through which its members may gain practical knowledge and insight into the real estate field. The organization accomplishes these objectives by:

• Connecting with professionals and experts in the field
• Providing relevant information through presentations by industry insiders
• Becoming involved in the community through value-added experiences
• Taking careers to the next level through various networking events
• The group is currently seeking members, if interested, please email sgmhrea@gmail.com 

What is the internship program?

REA members can be interviewed for correct career in real estate. The Center for Real Estate assists in the student landing interviews with appropriate contact. There are 6,000 real estate related firms in center’s database

What is the Argus training program?

We offer Argus Training offered at the CSUF campus with dedicated classrooms for training classes. It is the only Orange County location for training, in conjunction with UCI students.

Training is open to students and space is limited! Those interested in attending should send an email with your first and last name and CSUF email address to cre@fullerton.edu.

This challenging certification program is recognized by the commercial real estate industry as a trusted way to ensure professionals have the right ARGUS knowledge. Being ARGUS software certified can help you find a job, get a promotion and validate your skills. This certification is valid for two years, and can be renewed through taking the recertification exam. Your name will also be placed on our website under certified professionals list.

How It Works 

The certification exam is challenging, but the certification process is simple. There is a student exam package fee of $400.

Other steps include: 

• Two days of classroom training
• University training guide
• ARGUS Valuation – six month academic edition (this version of the software is not Mac compatible unless you have Boot Camp or Windows Emulator installed or Parallels software)
• Minimum hardware requirements: Pentium 200, 32 MB RAM and 90 MB hard drive space
• Exam preparation
• Certification exam

Students passing the ARGUS exam (minimum score 70%) will receive a scholarship-funded reimbursement of the $400 from the Center for Real Estate.

Is there any event or opportunity to connect with professionals?

The real estate program helps expose students to industry leadership groups such as the following:

ICSC, BOMA, IREM, PWR

Event participation

Career days for student interaction with residential and commercial real estate firms

What is the Annual Commercial Real Estate Forum?
The forum features prominent real estate executives. It is an exposure to 200 attendees for interaction with industry leaders.

Titan Capital Management Program

What’s the difference between TCM and the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF)? 

Titan Capital Management is a 12-month, high-profile investment program for students with a strong foundation in finance, accounting, economics, statistics, and management. Enrollment is by application each spring. The program is best suited to incoming seniors or graduate students. 

SMIF (FIN 341) is an open enrollment, one-unit ‘lab’ designed to help students learn the basics of fundamental analysis for stock and bond portfolios. The course is a hybrid between instructor-led and student-led discussions and team assignments. SMIF can be repeated up to three times to earn credit as a finance elective. Students repeating the course often choose to take on a leadership role as either a SMIF officer or analyst team leader.

What’s the difference between the CFA and CFP designations?

CFA stands for Chartered Financial Analyst, while CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner.

The CFA curriculum focuses on accounting, statistics, economics and finance concepts essential to value a business or security. The CFA designation is most relevant to individuals seeking a career as a securities analyst or other role related to institutional asset management.

To earn the CFA designation, candidates must take three exams over several years (self-study materials provided with the registration fee), gain work experience directly related to the investment decision-making process, and provide two or three professional recommendations. 

The CFP curriculum focuses on general financial planning principles, investment planning, retirement savings and income planning, risk management and insurance planning, tax planning, estate planning, professional conduct and regulation, and education planning. The CFP designation is most relevant to individuals seeking a career as a financial planner working directly with clients to help them achieve broad financial goals such as saving for retirement, paying down debt, purchasing a home and sending children to college.

To earn the CFP designation, candidates must complete a CFP board-registered education program (available at CSUF), successfully complete the CFA exam, earn a college degree, and gain financial planning experience.

What is the workload in TCM compared to a ‘regular’ class?

The time requirement is highly variable depending on other obligations you may have and your degree of familiarity with investment concepts. TCM classes are similar to ‘capstone’ classes you may have with your business administration concentration. On average, students spend about 1 ½ times the hours they would spend on a ‘normal’ course. The time commitment is mitigated if the student practices effective time management and is proficient using Microsoft Excel.

TCM curriculum is built around managing the three investment portfolios under stewardship of the TCM program. Class time is divided between brief lectures, student-led weekly meetings, presentation and debate of student investment ideas, and peer-led workshops. There is no homework or exams, but students must complete three investment recommendations each semester and persuade the TCM Advisory Board to accept at least one of these recommendations into a TCM portfolio to remain in good standing in the program. Much of the work is done individually and in teams outside of the classroom.

How do I prepare to join TCM?

• Complete the suggested courses outlined in the Titan Capital Management ‘Roadmap’ 
• Build a solid foundation in accounting, statistics, economics and finance concepts
• Practice business writing skills! Learn to be complete yet concise, use professional grammar and spelling, and base conclusions on reason and persuasive evidence.
• Develop a professional relationship with one or more faculty who would be willing to recommend you to the TCM program.

Visit the Department of Finance to learn more about the degree programs and support available to students. 

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Information Systems Concentration

What is information systems (IS)?

Information systems are the backbone of modern businesses. As the capabilities of information systems and technologies continue to grow, business functions such as marketing, accounting and finance will increasingly rely on information systems to develop and maintain strategic advantage. Those in the field of information systems often serve as a bridge between the technological and management departments to streamline communication and maximize performance. There is a high demand for individuals knowledgeable in business functions and information systems and technologies.

What can I learn in the IS concentration?

The information systems concentration within the BABA program prepares students for careers requiring the ability to analyze organizational data and information technology needs; design, build and implement information systems and databases; and strategically manage information technology assets.

What skills can I develop in the IS concentration?

Skills you can gain include the ability to design and develop databases, training in web platform development software, ability to conduct systems evaluation and analysis, capacity to think critically, knowledge of privacy and security systems and measures, and knowledge of basic calculus and algebra.

What type of IS-related jobs can I find?

Positions related to IS include IT analyst, business systems analyst, IT auditor, data scientist, IT project coordinator, helpdesk support coordinator, business analyst, IT quality assurance manager, information technology manager, network operations manager, IT project manager, IT director, data security manager, senior data scientist, IT project director, IT program manager, chief information officer, chief security officer, and chief privacy officer.

What is the average salary of IS-related jobs?

• The average annual salary for entry-level jobs is $74,000.
• The average annual salary for mid-level jobs is $80,000.
• The average annual salary for senior-level jobs is $128,000.

Decision Sciences Concentration

What is decision science (DS)?

Decision science combines information technology, statistics, business knowledge and the rational analysis of alternatives to provide data-driven insights that can improve organizational decision-making for challenging business problems. The purpose of decision science is to remedy potential issues within an organization through risk assessments as well as promote longevity of the company through studies, economic analysis, strategic planning and decision-making.

What can I learn in the DS concentration?

The DS concentration within the BABA program prepares students for careers requiring the ability to create and evaluate business models; analyze and extract information from data using statistical techniques such as regression, forecasting, and data mining; efficiently work with large data sets; and design, build, and work with databases that meet organizational data storage and retrieval needs.

What skills can I develop in the DS concentration?

Skills that can be gained include the ability to conduct systems analysis, knowledge of data analysis and optimization software,  understanding of simulation and forecasting software, ability to use deductive and inductive reasoning skills to solve complex problems, ability to analyze and interpret data, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Access.

What type of DS-related jobs can I find?

Positions related to DS include business analyst, network administrator, project manager, decision support specialist, operations research analyst, IT quality assurance specialist, HR data analyst, lead decision science analyst, senior HRIS analyst, data modeling analyst, senior business systems analyst, decision support manager, business intelligence manager, information technology director, management information systems director, and senior data scientist.

What is the average salary of DS-related jobs?

• The average annual salary for entry-level jobs is $72,000.
• The average annual salary for mid-level jobs is $88,000.
• The average annual salary for senior-level jobs is $141,000.

Business Analytics Concentration

What is business analytics (BA)?

Business analytics is the field that lies at the intersection of business and data science. Business analysts make extensive use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis, explanatory and predictive modeling, and fact-based management to drive decision-making. A business analyst assists in the development of processes, products and marketing strategies by utilizing their skills in data interpretation.

What can I learn in the BA concentration?

The business analytics concentration within the BABA program prepares students for careers that involve explanatory and predictive modeling, data visualization, and statistical and quantitative analysis of data, with a view toward using these skills as a foundation for improving organizational decision-making.

What skills can I develop in the BA concentration?

Skills gained through a BA concentration include experience with database management, reporting and environment software; knowledge of object or component oriented development software; familiarity with analytical and access software; knowledge of data warehousing and data mining software; analytical skills; ability to translate business needs into technical terms; conflict resolution; problem solving skills; ability to use deductive and inductive reasoning skills to make decisions; experience in predictive modeling, forecasting, business intelligence; and data visualization.

What type of BA-related jobs can I find?

Positions related to BA include business analyst, systems analyst, business systems analyst, market research analyst, business data analyst, HR data analyst, program/project manager, business intelligence analyst, senior business analyst, business analytics and optimization consultant, business analytics manager, IT director,  and director of analytics and business intelligence.

What is the average salary of BA-related jobs?

• The average annual salary for entry-level jobs is $76,000.
• The average annual salary for mid-level jobs is $92,000.
• The average annual salary for senior-level jobs is $118,000.

*Note: Salaries are highly dependent on location, company type and candidate experience/education. For the purposes of this guide we are providing average starting salaries as determined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), overall average salaries as determined by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as well as supplemental information found from various industry-specific sources.

Visit the Department of ISDS to learn more about the degree programs and support available to students. 

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Why should I study management at Cal State Fullerton? 

Managers give direction to organizations by developing goals and objectives, providing leadership, and deciding how to use organizational resources to accomplish those goals. Managers perform four vital  activities : planning – the formulation of goals and strategies; organizing – arranging and structuring organizational resources; leading – motivating and inspiring the organization's human resources; and controlling – measuring and maintaining progress toward organizational goals.  To provide all of our business students an overview of these vital  activities , the department  of management  offers required  core courses in  business law,  organizational behavior,  operations and supply chain management, and strategic management that are  foundational  components of our AACSB-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.

Why should I choose the management concentration? 

The Department of Management offers a general management concentration and five specialized concentrations  in  entertainment and hospitality,  entrepreneurship, human resource s  management  (HRM) , legal studies, and operations and supply chain management . The general management concentration is best suited for students who are motivated to customize a program of study around their own unique interests.   Entertainment and hospitality prepares students for careers in the hospitality or media/entertainment industries.  Entrepreneurship is a good fit for students whose goal is to start their own business or help an existing business expand into new markets. H RM is  intended for those interested in pursuing a career focused on effective people management practices in the human resource function.  A l egal studies  concentration  prepares students with skills   and tools to make effective legal and ethical decisions in business.  Finally, operations and supply chain management  equips students with the skills needed to help organizations effectively manage product or service quality, cost and delivery.

What kind of financial aid is available? 

Management majors are eligible for a number of awards and scholarships that include the Gus Berger Award, Orange County APICS; the H. Peter Guertin, Orange County APICS; the Outstanding Management Student Award; the Outstanding Senior Award for Scholastic Achievement and the National Human Resources Association Orange County Affiliate Scholarship. For further information, contact the Department of Management at 657-278-2251.

How can I get involved? 

The Department of  Management sponsors  a number of  student clubs  including  Society for Advancement of Management (SAM), Behind the Scenes (BTS) and Entrepreneur Society (ES). These clubs create opportunities for management students to join others in enhancing and advancing their management education and career. SAM is associated with the Orange County SAM, which provides the opportunity for students to interact and network with professionals in the field and receive assistance in the job-hunting process. Behind the Scenes provides its members with Résumé Workshops and Mock Interviews in order to help them prepare for careers in this exciting, face-paced and competitive industry. The Entrepreneur Society helps prepare students interested in learning more about the hands-on side of business and those interested in starting their own business.

Where can I get more information? 

Academic advisement can be obtained in the Business Advising Center in SGMH-1201. Students can find out about admission requirements, course information and graduation requirements. For more information and specific hours, call 657-278-2251.

Visit the Department of Management to learn more about the degree programs and support available to students. 

What Is Marketing?

Marketing is creating, communicating, pricing and delivering products and services that have value for customers and society. Marketers lead businesses in creatively satisfying market needs in a sustainable and ethical manner.

Who Needs Marketing?

Everyone needs marketing, including entrepreneurs, media executives, artists, nonprofits, private practices, educators, government, athletes and students searching for a career position.

What Degrees Do We Offer?

B.A. in business administration, with a concentration in marketing

B.A. in business administration, with a joint concentration in marketing and information systems and decision science

What Will You Learn?

The marketing major and minor was created to prepare you to successfully market products or services of your own company, an organization that you work for or yourself.

What Are the Different Areas of Marketing?

-Digital and social media marketing

-Sports marketing

-Brand management

-Advertising

-Entrepreneurial marketing

-Marketing analytics

-Retail marketing

-Professional sales

-Services marketing

Why Study Marketing at CSUF?

Our department prepares students to be marketing leaders by developing a fundamental understanding of marketing functions and mastering the necessary skill sets. We bring state-of-the-art concepts and practices to the classroom, including use of cutting-edge technology for design, research, analysis and presentation.

What About Jobs?

We help students find entry level marketing positions through our own career fairs, networking events, client projects, internships and connections with alumni. Additionally, all marketing students develop a professional portfolio that they can take to interviews. In the past, our students have found jobs in companies such as Google, Amazon, MTV, Verizon and Enterprise. They have also found careers in local businesses and many have been successful entrepreneurs!

Where Can I Get More Information?

The Department of Marketing web presence provides additional information about faculty members, courses, careers and other information.