Accounting Major
What You’ll Learn
Develop strong technical and professional skills to succeed in a dynamic profession. Learn how emerging technologies are changing the landscape of business and gain an appreciation for the global and diverse nature of a career path in accounting.
Topics, skills, and concepts
- Financial and managerial accounting, cost accounting, accounting systems, emerging technologies, taxation, audit and advisory services
- Evaluating the economic transactions on which businesses are built and organizing and reporting the impact of those transactions. Learn to evaluate the tax impact of business decisions.
- Critical analysis, group dynamics, problem solving, communication skills
17
in the U.S. for undergraduate accounting programs
— U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2023
Prepare for Your Accounting Career
Average starting salary
$60,290
Key employers
Baker Tilly, BDO, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, Plante Moran, PwC, RSM, SC Johnson, SVA, Wipfli
Knowledge and abilities
- Data analysis, information systems technology, financial reporting and tracking
- Business ethics, critical thinking
Common job titles
- Staff Accountant
- Audit Associate
- Financial Analyst
- Tax Associate
- Deal Advisory Associate
Common Career Paths
Corporate accountants manage an organization’s financials and provide expertise in financial reporting and control to assist management in forming and implementing business strategy. Corporate accounting is a broad term that can include many different functions, such as management accounting, internal audit, and financial analysis.
Public accountants work with clients to review or prepare financial documents. All areas of public accounting work together to inspect control processes and determine accuracy of financial information and compliance with laws, regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles. They make recommendations regarding business decisions and company finances. Public accounting includes audit/assurance and tax.
Go Beyond the Classroom
Accounting alumni mentor current students through a variety of professional development activities. These activities serve as a springboard to internship and full-time recruiting.
Many students have the opportunity to compete in case competitions hosted by our professional partners allowing students to apply what they have learned in class to real-world scenarios. Students present their solutions to a panel of accounting professionals.
Meet the Accounting Team
Career coach
Use Starfish to make an appointment with your career coach.
Alex Lawver
Pathway consultant
