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Accounting

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Offered By: College of Business

Description

The accounting major prepares students for rewarding careers as industrial accountants, cost analysts, controllers, tax accountants, members of financialregulatory teams such as the IRS or banking auditors, independent auditors in CPA firms,and internal auditors. ASU ac-counting graduates work for manufacturing firms,in government agencies, in banking, in not-for-profitentities, and in public accounting.

Accounting majors (a) should not take accounting courses during their freshman year and (b) should consult with their advisors concerning CPA exam requirements.


  • Careers

    Where Do Accounting Graduates Work?

    Successful accounting graduates are prepared to pursue a wide range of career paths, including, but not limited to the following entry-level positions:

    • Auditor
    • Bank Examiner
    • Budget Analyst
    • Corporate Accounting
    • Cost Analyst
    • Governmental Accounting
    • Public Accounting
    • Revenue Agent
    • Tax Preparer

    Beginning Salary Expectations

    Many factors influence the beginning salary of the new graduate. Included in these are your work history (including internships), your major, the area in which you wish to locate, the degree you are receiving and your success in your higher education studies.

  • CPA Exam

    Minimum Qualifications

    Most states now require first time CPA exam candidates to have 150 hours of basic education. The ASU Bachelor of Science in Accounting is 126 hours. While a uniform CPA Exam is given, minimum qualifications to sit for the CPA Exam can vary from state to state. Access to rules for specific states is available through this website, http://www.nasba.org/nasbaweb.nsf/exam.

    Those interested in the CPA exam will need to be familiar with the specific residency and coursework requirements of the state where they plan to take the CPA exam and discuss these rules with their advisor in planning specific electives in their program of study.

    The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy’s website includes information about the CPA exam, including Accountancy Rule 3 dealing with education requirements.

    First time candidates for the CPA Exam in Arkansas must have a minimum of 150 hours of college credit hours to sit for the CPA exam including 30 semester hours of accounting at the graduate or undergraduate level with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.

    Preparing at ASU for the CPA Exam

    ASU students have four tracks they can use to prepare themselves for the CPA exam:

    1. A Bachelor's of Science in Accounting (126 hours) plus the Master's of Accountancy (MAcc) (30 hrs).
    2. A Bachelor's of Science in Accounting (126 hours) plus another College of Business's graduate degree such as the Master's in Business Administration (33 hrs).
    3. A Bachelor's from the College of Business with a major other than Accounting (such as finance or information systems) plus 30 hours of undergraduate or 20 hours of graduate coursework in accounting.
    4. A Bachelor's degree other than in a business areas plus 24 hours of course work similar to the College of Business core and 30 hours of undergraduate or 20 hours of graduate coursework in accounting.

    The first and second tracks above (BS in Accounting plus MAcc or other graduate business degree) are recommended to prepare for the CPA Exam in Arkansas, but the last two approaches provide flexibility for mature students coming back for a second degree.

    A requirement in Arkansas is that your education must include coverage of specific accounting topics. One of these topics, governmental/nonprofit accounting, is not required in the ASU Bachelor of Science in Accounting program. This topic is covered in ACCT 4123, and students planning to sit for the CPA exam in Arkansas must take ACCT 4123 as part of their undergraduate coursework.

  • Certifications

    Certification demonstrates proficiency in today's most sought-after skills. Employers prefer to hire and retain those who achieve and maintain their designation. Numerous certifications are available in accounting. Some certifications cross over into other business disciplines. Several are listed below along with websites where more information can be obtained.

    CPA

    Certified Public Accountant

    www.aicpa.org

    CMA

    Certified Management Accountant

    www.imanet.org

    CIA

    Certified Internal Auditor

    www.theiia.org

    CFM

    Certified in Financial Management

    www.imanet.org

    CFE

    Certified Fraud Examiner

    www.acfe.com

    CFP

    Certified Financial Planner

    www.cfp.net

    CISA

    Certified Information Systems Auditor

    www.isaca.org
  • Checksheets & Degree Plans

    Checksheets

    Checksheets list all of the requirements and university obligations for degree completion.

    Degree Plans

    Degree plans suggest a schedule of courses for students to follow as they pursue their degree.

Accounting
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Phone: 870-972-2030
Fax: 870-972-2036

Room: 202
Administration Building

Postal Address:
PO Box 179
State University, AR  72467