MyDepartmentLes Nunn, J.D., Chair Department: Degree Programs: Student Organizations: Honor Societies:
|
Accounting & Business Law Department
The Accounting and Business Law Department offers you bachelors and post-baccalaureate certificate programs in accounting.
What career opportunities should I expect? 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:
- auditing (attesting to the fairness of financial statements)
- computer consulting
- tax return preparation
- tax and financial planning
- carrying out financial investigations in cases of fraud, insolvency, or disputes.
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.
Does it pay to be a Certified Accountant?
According to the July 31, 2007, issue of USA Today Money:
"Accountants who are certified earn 27% more than those who are not."
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.
