Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
Double Majors/Minors | Advanced Degrees | NCSU Orgs | Prof. Orgs | Links | Next Steps

Description of Major

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree provides a broad business education and a specialization in accounting issues and skills. Students develop interpersonal, teamwork and problem solving skills, and learn how to apply technology in the accounting field.

What can I do with a degree in accounting? With an accounting degree, graduates often pursue a career as a professional accountant in business or government, or in business fields such as management consulting and financial management. Job titles include but are not limited to: accountant, financial analyst, real estate assessor, forensic actuary, and FBI agent. Many graduates choose to enter the one year Master of Accounting (MAC) program.

The curriculum includes financial and managerial accounting, taxation, business law and ethics, auditing and accounting information systems. It also includes basic business courses in finance, marketing, organizational behavior and other business functions.

Accounting undergraduates choose a concentration in: Financial Analysis Information Systems Internal Audit Managerial Accounting

Courses include:

Introduction to Accounting, Microcomputer Applications for Business and Accounting, Concepts of Financial Reporting, Fundamentals of Accounting, An Introduction to Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Financial Accounting I & II, An Introduction to Income Taxation, An Introduction to Accounting Information Systems, Business Law for Accountants, Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting, Business Valuation, Cost Management and Strategic Analysis, Accounting Information Systems, Risk and Assurance

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Accounting., and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Computer

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op. Though course credit is not available for this experience through the College of Management, you may or may not expect compensation from the employer.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Auditor	Private/Government
Management Accountant	Accounting Firm
Financial Representative	Financial Services Industry
Underwriter	Insurance industry
Loan Officer Administrator	Bank industry
IRS Investigator	Government

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Certified Public Accountant

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ 48,691
From NACE 2010: http://www.naceweb.org/research/salary_survey/

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

View the College of Management Student Organizations List.

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

• North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Accounting
• College of Management
• Cooperative Education Program
  

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 20th of September, 2010 at 12:38:16 PM

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