The Economics/Accounting Program

Purpose of Economics/Accounting at CMC

The Accounting Program at Claremont McKenna College offers a unique opportunity to learn accounting within a liberal arts setting. Economics/Accounting is a separate major within the Economics Department offering the breadth of courses necessary to prepare students with the technical skills to sit for the CPA exam. Our commitment to broad educational goals and our special relationships with the economics and finance faculties at CMC, provide opportunities for our students to succeed not only in accounting but in a variety of professions including consulting and financial advisory services. The Accounting Program requires courses in both economics and accounting. In addition, our program emphasizes analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. In keeping with the broader aims of a liberal arts education, our students are encouraged to combine study in Economics/Accounting with other areas of study for a dual or double major.

Opportunities in Accounting

In 1984, Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote: “Corporate financial statements are one of the primary sources of information to guide the decisions of the investing public.” Indeed, accounting is the heart of the information system that allows business to function, supports corporate governance, and informs investors. In the era of the information economy, globalization and increasing complexity of markets, and public scrutiny of corporations and their governance, the critical role of accounting has become increasingly important. Recent surveys show that demand for accountants has increased dramatically and is expected to remain strong. Our graduates have enjoyed great success. In recent years 65% of CMC Accounting majors have received offers from top accounting firms including Deloitte & Touche, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and Grant Thornton; 15% went into investment banking and related fields, including placements at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, UBS, and Cascade; 10% went into consulting, including placements at McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group, Cornerstone Research, and Accenture; 5% went to law school, including Yale, Chicago, Illinois, Berkeley, and Stanford. Consistent with the overall mission of the College, the study of accounting at CMC prepares our students for leadership, whether in a profession, a business, government, or a not-for-profit organization. Among graduates who do not pursue the CPA, a basic grasp of accounting is critical to understanding corporations and organizations in general. Alumni pursuing careers in management will find it an essential tool for business. Graduates planning their personal portfolios should have the ability to read and understand financial reports before they invest. Those planning to be involved in any organization, from the PTA, to the management of a small business, to the governance of a major corporation, should be equipped to understand the information that drives the organization.

Requirements for Economics/Accounting Major

Accounting Faculty