A typical course of study toward earning a business administration degree includes basic accounting. Students learn the principles of accounting and concepts for operating sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. Some of the topics explored are accounting standards and ethics, revenue recognition, income and asset measurement.
Business administration majors learn to analyze components of working capital, as well as where cash comes from and how it is used in corporations. Students explore financial risk and return, the value of time as it relates to money, and the basics of analyzing financial statements.
Management courses prepare business administration students to give their businesses a competitive edge. Everything from planning and implementing ideas to pricing, distribution and the promotion of products and services is learned.
Students learn about gathering, processing and analyzing marketing data. They also learn to apply marketing strategies in a business-to-business situation.
A familiarity with computer and management information systems is important. Technology is constantly changing, so a business administrative degree focuses on teaching students to effectively use software programs that improve a business' organization, management and communication.