Should I major in Accounting?
Accounting majors should be good students who are logical, analytical, and love to solve problems. For a brief overview of what accountants do and where they work, watch the What Is Accounting video?
Benefits of being an Accounting major at UCA
- You will get a job when you graduate! There is a great demand for accounting graduates. Every company earns money and needs an accountant.
- Accounting majors receive job offers up to a year in advance with starting salaries of up to $45,000 or more.
- An accounting background provides the opportunity to pursue MANY career paths other than just accounting.
- You will be viewed as a professional, even though only five years of education is required.
- Serving clients is rewarding work.
- As an accountant you often are asked to provide a professional opinion to those who manage companies.
- As your career progresses you can stay in accounting or move into management.
- You actually understand discussions of financial topics.
- Taxes are not a mystery to you.
Getting an Undergraduate Accounting Degree
Students who major in accounting are working towards a Bachelor of Business Administration. Along with the 36 hours of accounting, accounting majors take 33 hours of business courses (the equivalency of a minor in business administration). For more information about the degree plan, jobs and internships, scholarships, and accounting certifications, visit the BBA in Accounting Web page.
Getting a Graduate Accounting Degree
Many of our students stay one extra year to earn their Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Any student planning on becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) needs 150 hours. The BBA gives students a minimum of 120 credit hours, so 30 additional hours provided by the MAcc is sometimes needed by students get the CPA license. The extra year has many more benefits:
- More job offers
- Higher starting salaries
- Higher pass rates on the CPA exam
- Deeper understanding of accounting theory and practice
For more information about the MAcc, see our MAcc Web page.