Contact Person:
Dr. Les Nunn
lnunn@usi.edu

Why would I want an Accounting and Professional Services degree?  
The professional accountant of today faces an ever changing business environment.  Historically, the accountant prepared financial information for decision makers, audited the fairness of that information, and assisted businesses in fulfilling regulatory and tax-reporting requirements.  However, market forces have changed the role of today's accountant.  Technology has made information preparation and dissemination inexpensive.  Globalization has created a new world marketplace with a new competitiveness.  As a result, the services valued by business have moved accountants into new and expanded roles.  Accounting firms are now "professional service firms," and management accountants are now "finance professionals."

What do accountants do?
Today's accountant is a full member of the management team, not just a source of information for the decision makers.  This new role demands a new kind of accounting graduate.  The accounting major of today must learn to search for solutions instead of attempting to master a set body of content that will change in a short period of time.  Today's accountants are more broadly trained to reflect their expanded role in the business organization.  They learn to function in a team environment and to communicate effectively.  They are a new breed of accountants!

What career opportunities would I be prepared for?
Your career opportunities in accounting will include public accounting (certified public accounting firm), industry (industrial and commercial enterprise), not-for-profit organizations, government, and, after graduate education, college or university faculties.

What would I do as an accountant in public practice? 
As an accountant in public practice you would provide audit, tax, or management advisory services.  Success in passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination is necessary for you to advance in public accounting.  A variety of services are performed by public accountants including:

What would I do as an accountant in industry?
Accountants in industry make up a substantial portion of the profession.  You could perform a variety of services for making financial and managerial decisions in businesses such as manufacturers, retailers, service companies, and financial institutions.

What would I do as an accountant in government and not-for-profits?
Governmental and not-for-profit accounting, a growth accounting field, includes positions with federal, state and local governments, hospitals, universities, and charitable organizations.  Government agencies employ a large number of accountants, some of whom audit records of private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, or individuals subject to government regulation.  Accountants in industry may also be certified as Certified Management Accountants (CMA).

Could I continue my formal education?
Accounting graduates often continue their formal education by pursuing advanced technical or professional degrees such as a master's degree in accountancy, a master's degree in business administration, or a law degree.  A doctorate in accounting usually leads to a university faculty career. 

What do I need to do to become a CPA candidate? 
CPA candidates must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours of college/university course work to sit for the CPA exam in Indiana.  Graduates with an undergraduate degree in a non-accounting field may satisfy the CPA exam requirement through the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Professional Accountancy (PBCPA) program at USI.

Once I'm a CPA candidate, then what do I do? 
Those who wish to engage in public accounting practice in Indiana as certified public accountants should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations issued by the Indiana State Board of Public Accountancy, 912 State Office Building, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.  Students planning to practice outside of Indiana should consult the CPA board of the appropriate state.

What will I study?
The Accounting Professional Services (APS) degree is designed to prepare its graduates for the new world of professional accounting.  All APS majors complete a 16-hour core of accounting coursework designed to provide a foundation of professional accounting knowledge.  APS majors also have the opportunity to broaden their professional business knowledge by choosing from three specialized tracks (finance, information systems, and managerial accounting), depending on their individual interests and career goals.  Each track prepares students for a different specialty within the accounting profession.

What courses do I need to take to earn a degree in Accounting and Professional Services?

12 hours from one of the tracks listed below:

Financial Management Track

Financial Accounting Track

Information Systems Track

Managerial Accounting Track

124 total hours required for a baccalaureate degree.  These hours must include classes to meet the 39-hour upper division (300/400 level) course requirements.  A minimum 2.2 GPA in all business courses and a 2.0 overall GPA are also required.

NOTE:  CPA candidates must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours of college/university course work to sit for the CPA exam in Indiana.  Graduates with an undergraduate degree in a non-accounting field may satisfy the CPA exam requirement through the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Professional Accountancy (PBCPA) program at USI.

This information does NOT take the place of meeting
with your advisor!  Requirements could have changed!

How do I know which classes I should take each semester?
See a suggested four-year program in Accounting and Professional Services.  Keep in mind that this list does not take the place of meeting with your advisor.