Building the Future of Accounting: A New Undergraduate Degree Anchors a Comprehensive Pathway to Career Success
With the launch of a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, the College of Business is expanding a thriving accounting ecosystem that prepares students for leadership through academic excellence, industry engagement, and meaningful career opportunities.
The launch of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting marks an exciting new chapter for the College of Business—one that builds upon years of investment in accounting education, student success, and industry partnerships. Beginning in Fall 2026, students can pursue a dedicated undergraduate degree in accounting that provides a strong academic foundation while connecting them to the experiences, mentors, and professional networks that define successful careers. The new program complements our highly regarded Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics, creating a seamless educational pathway for students interested in advancing their expertise and meeting the evolving demands of the accounting profession.
The new bachelor's program reflects the College's broader commitment to educational excellence. Students develop technical accounting knowledge alongside analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills that today's employers expect. With opportunities to engage with faculty, peers, alumni, and industry professionals throughout their academic journey, graduates leave prepared to contribute from day one.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Accounting education at Stony Brook extends well beyond lectures and textbooks. Students regularly apply classroom concepts to real-world business challenges through experiential learning opportunities that strengthen both technical skills and professional confidence.
Among the College's signature programs is our annual Accounting Case Competition, where student teams analyze complex business scenarios, develop strategic recommendations, and present their solutions to panels of accounting professionals. The competition challenges students to think critically, communicate effectively, and experience the collaborative nature of the profession.
Equally important is the our annual Accounting Job and Internship Fair, which connects students with leading public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The event has become a cornerstone of Stony Brook’s accounting career development efforts, helping students secure internships that often lead to full-time employment before graduation.
A Community Committed to Student Success
Student organizations play a central role in creating an engaging and supportive accounting community.
Stony Brook's nationally recognized Beta Alpha Psi, Omicron chapter continues to distinguish itself through professional development programming, networking events, community service, and academic excellence. The organization provides members with valuable leadership opportunities while fostering lasting relationships with employers and alumni.
The College has also celebrated the revitalization of its National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) student chapter, expanding opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and professional networking while strengthening pathways into the accounting profession for students from all backgrounds. Together, these organizations help cultivate an inclusive and collaborative environment where students can grow personally and professionally.
Guided by Industry
A defining strength of the CoB’s accounting programs is the close relationship between academia and industry.
The Accounting Advisory Board, comprised of accomplished alumni and industry leaders, provides ongoing guidance to ensure the curriculum remains aligned with emerging trends, evolving technologies, and employer needs. Board members also serve as mentors, guest speakers, judges, recruiters, and advocates, helping students gain firsthand insight into today's accounting profession while strengthening connections between the classroom and the workplace.
This continuous collaboration ensures graduates are prepared not only for today's careers but also for the future of a profession increasingly shaped by analytics, technology, artificial intelligence, and strategic decision-making.
Preparing Tomorrow's Accounting Leaders
The College's investment in accounting is already reflected in the accomplishments of its students and alumni. Graduates have launched successful careers at leading public accounting firms, global corporations, government agencies, and entrepreneurial ventures, while many continue their education to earn advanced credentials and professional certifications.
The addition of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting expands access to these opportunities, creating a comprehensive educational pathway that begins with a strong undergraduate foundation and can continue through graduate study in the Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics.
Together, these programs represent more than new academic offerings—they reflect the CoB's vision for accounting education: one grounded in academic rigor, enriched by experiential learning, strengthened through industry partnership, and focused on preparing graduates to make an immediate impact in an increasingly complex business world.
NABA's Remarkable Comeback
Last summer, SBU's National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) chapter made its return to the national spotlight when three undergraduate students attended the NABA National Conference in Las Vegas. The result? All three secured internships for Summer 2026. But the story starts earlier. The SBU chapter had gone inactive. A small group of students decided to change that. They recruited members, hosted events, built a social media presence and created a community where Black students pursuing business, accounting and finance could find support, mentorship and career direction. The work paid off, not just in internship offers, but in a foundation that will create lasting opportunities for future Stony Brook students. We're incredibly proud of these students and excited to watch the chapter continue to grow.
Preparing Business Leaders for the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every sector of the global economy, reshaping how organizations make decisions, engage customers, manage operations, and create value. At the Stony Brook University College of Business, preparing students for that future means more than teaching them how to use AI tools—it means equipping them to think critically about how human insight and machine intelligence work together to solve complex business challenges.
This vision is driving the College's multi-year initiative, "Rethinking the Business Mind: Bridging Human Insight with Machine Intelligence," a strategic effort to embed artificial intelligence throughout the business curriculum while emphasizing ethics, judgment, innovation, and responsible leadership.
Expanding AI Learning for Undergraduate Students
Beginning this fall, undergraduate business students will have the opportunity to pursue a new AI for Business Innovation specialization within the Business Management major. Designed to complement a traditional business education, the specialization prepares students to evaluate and apply emerging AI technologies across a wide range of business functions.
Students will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming areas such as marketing, finance, operations, product development, and digital strategy while developing the analytical and strategic thinking skills needed to lead innovation in an increasingly technology-driven marketplace. Career pathways include AI product management, business analytics, digital transformation consulting, fintech, AI strategy, entrepreneurship, and other data-driven leadership roles.
A New Graduate Program for an AI-Driven Economy
The College is also advancing AI education at the graduate level through the launch of the new Master of Science in Business Analytics & Intelligence, an evolution of the former MS in Decision Analytics program.
The STEM-designated program has been redesigned to meet the growing demand for professionals who can transform data into strategic business decisions. Students will gain hands-on experience in machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, data visualization, and analytics through an integrated curriculum that culminates in an applied Analytics Practicum.
Rather than treating AI as a standalone topic, the program weaves intelligent technologies throughout the student experience, preparing graduates to lead data-informed decision-making across industries including finance, marketing, supply chain, human resources, healthcare, and technology.
Preparing Graduates to Lead with Technology—and Judgment
While technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the College believes the future belongs to leaders who understand both the capabilities and the limitations of artificial intelligence.
By integrating AI across undergraduate and graduate education, Stony Brook is preparing students not simply to adopt emerging technologies, but to evaluate them critically, use them responsibly, and leverage them to create meaningful business and societal impact.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the business landscape, the College of Business remains committed to ensuring its graduates are ready to lead with both technological fluency and the distinctly human qualities—critical thinking, ethical reasoning, creativity, and communication—that will define tomorrow's most successful business leaders.
Business Education with Purpose
Committed to the Well-Being of Long Island
At the Stony Brook University College of Business, success is measured not only by what students achieve in the classroom, but also by the difference they make in their communities. Throughout the academic year, students and faculty embraced opportunities to apply their business knowledge in service of others—strengthening financial well-being, supporting local organizations, and building partnerships that create lasting impact across Long Island.
"Business has the power to improve lives, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for meaningful change," says Manny London, Distinguished Professor of Management and Chair of the CoB’s Societal Impact Committee. "These experiences allow our students to see that success isn't measured solely by financial outcomes, but also by the positive impact they have on others. That perspective is becoming an increasingly important part of what it means to be a business leader."
Inspiring the Next Generation of Financial Decision-Makers
This spring, Business Honors Program students transformed financial education into an engaging adventure through Money Quest, an interactive financial literacy program created for elementary school students.
Developed by James McGarrity, Rikard Spivak, Steve Shen, and Ameer Bayramli, under the guidance of faculty advisor Professor John Colbert, Money Quest introduced more than 50 children to essential concepts such as budgeting, saving, and responsible spending through hands-on activities designed to make learning both meaningful and fun.
The program exemplifies the College's commitment to societal impact by empowering young learners with practical financial skills that can benefit them for years to come. The initiative was made possible through a partnership with the Suffolk County Library System, with special thanks to Valerie Lewis and Senior Assistant Dean Amy Milligan for helping bring the program to life.
Serving the Community Through Volunteerism
Service also took students beyond the classroom and into the community.
In March, Professor James Henry Dunne and members of the Business Honors Program and Beta Gamma Sigma participated in a volunteer day at Island Harvest's Healthy Harvest Farm and Giving Gardens. Working alongside Island Harvest staff, students helped support the organization's mission of providing fresh produce to Long Islanders experiencing food insecurity while gaining a deeper appreciation for the role community partnerships play in addressing local challenges.
Providing Financial Support Where It's Needed Most
One of the College's largest community engagement efforts continued through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, led by Professor Zhifeng Yang in partnership with FourLeaf Federal Credit Union.
This year marked record growth for the program. Forty College of Business students volunteered nearly 800 hours, preparing 173 federal tax returns for eligible Long Island residents, including lower-income families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency.
The program also saw dramatic increases in student participation, with 66 applicants and 42 students earning IRS certification—more than doubling last year's certification total. Student volunteers provided free tax preparation services at Middle Country Public Library and Bellmore Memorial Library, gaining invaluable professional experience while delivering an essential community service.
The College also expanded support for the program by providing transportation assistance, ensuring students could participate regardless of travel limitations.
Building Partnerships for Greater Impact
Preparing students to make a difference also means creating opportunities for collaboration beyond the College.
This spring, College of Business faculty and staff met with Stony Brook University's Research and Innovation leadership at the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) to explore future interdisciplinary partnerships and experiential learning opportunities. By strengthening relationships across the University, the College continues to expand opportunities for students while fostering innovation that benefits both business and society.
Business as a Force for Good
Whether teaching financial literacy to children, helping families navigate tax season, volunteering to combat food insecurity, or developing new partnerships that advance research and innovation, College of Business students are demonstrating that business education can create meaningful change.
These initiatives reflect the College's commitment to preparing graduates who understand that leadership is measured not only by professional success, but also by the positive impact they make in the communities they serve.
Students Rise to the Challenge
The classroom is just the beginning at the Stony Brook University College of Business. Throughout the academic year, our students tested their skills in prestigious regional and national competitions, applying what they learned in the classroom to real-world business challenges. Their success reflects not only exceptional talent and determination, but also the College's commitment to experiential learning and faculty mentorship.
"This year's competitions showcased what makes our students exceptional," says Business Honors Program Co-Director and Lecturer of Management, John Colbert. "They embraced every opportunity to challenge themselves—often competing against students from some of the nation's most recognized business schools—and consistently demonstrated the analytical ability, professionalism, and resilience to succeed. These experiences reinforce that experiential learning isn't an add-on to a Stony Brook education; it's an essential part of how we prepare tomorrow's business leaders."
National Champions in Investment Strategy
One of the year's most impressive accomplishments came on April 18, when undergraduates Ameer Bayramli, Bogdan Croitor, and Lucas Chacon captured first place and a $5,000 prize at the University of South Florida Investment Club Student Investment Tournament.
Competing against students from leading institutions including Georgetown, NYU, the University of Virginia, Dartmouth, and Princeton, the team distinguished itself with sophisticated stock analysis, valuation work, and a compelling investment presentation.
What makes their victory even more remarkable is how it began. The students independently discovered the competition, submitted their application, and successfully advanced through the early rounds before seeking faculty support from the College of Business. Their initiative, preparation, and confidence exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Stony Brook students.
The College extends special thanks to Professor John Colbert and the faculty members who helped refine the team's presentation and investment pitch.
Gaining Experience in Private Equity
Earlier in the spring, Ameer Bayramli, Bogdan Croitor, and Aidan Etkin, under the guidance of faculty advisor Professor John Colbert, represented Stony Brook at the St. John's University Private Equity Pitch Competition.
The competition challenged students to think like private equity analysts by researching a publicly traded company, building a detailed leveraged buyout (LBO) model, and presenting a comprehensive investment thesis before industry professionals. Competing alongside students from universities including UC Berkeley, the University of Delaware, and the University of Rochester, the team demonstrated exceptional analytical rigor, professionalism, and presentation skills.
Beyond the competition itself, students gained valuable exposure to industry expectations while networking with professionals from New York City's private equity community.
The College also extends its appreciation to Professors Camille Abbruscato and James Henry Dunne for providing valuable feedback during the team's preparation.
Advancing in the CFA Institute Research Challenge
Another team of finance students demonstrated outstanding analytical ability by advancing to the Local Semi-Final Round of the 2025–2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge.
Ryan Barker, William Birney, Carson Boyle, Joseph Rice, and Collin Williamson spent months conducting rigorous equity research, performing detailed financial analysis, and developing a professional investment recommendation in one of the world's most respected finance competitions.
Their achievement reflects countless hours of collaboration, discipline, and preparation while showcasing the strength of Stony Brook's finance curriculum.
The College thanks faculty advisors Saverio Iaconis and Michael Nugent, along with the industry mentors, judges, and graders whose guidance helped make the experience possible.
Innovating for Better Healthcare
Business students also demonstrated that innovation extends well beyond finance.
At the 2026 Stony Brook University Healthcare Innovation Challenge, winning team PRISM included College of Business undergraduates Sister Mary and Deven Goyal, who collaborated with students from other disciplines to develop a predictive tool designed to reduce relapse rates among patients with Alcohol Use Disorder during the critical period following hospital discharge.
Organized by recent MBA graduate—and now Stony Brook medical student—Siddhant Desai, the challenge highlighted the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex healthcare problems while improving patient outcomes.
Learning by Doing
Whether analyzing investment opportunities, building complex financial models, pitching private equity strategies, or developing innovative healthcare solutions, these experiences demonstrate what makes a Stony Brook business education distinctive. Through competitions that mirror professional practice, students develop the technical expertise, critical thinking, communication skills, and confidence that prepare them to excel after graduation.
We congratulate all of our student competitors and thank the faculty mentors whose dedication continues to create transformative learning experiences that prepare the next generation of business leaders.