Accounting Major
To really understand how business works, you must understand accounting. The accounting degree program provides flexibility in the selection of humanities and social and natural science courses. During the first and second years, accounting majors take a variety of courses to establish a general liberal arts background. The third and fourth years are concentrated in the professional accounting, computerized information systems, and business background.
The accounting major courses include accounting information systems, intermediate accounting, cost accounting, income tax, advanced accounting, strategic information systems, and auditing. Case studies, practical exercises, and hands-on computer projects give students the opportunity to work directly with accounting problems.
Many of the accounting undergraduate students avail themselves of one or more of the Universities special learning opportunities. Our accounting majors are excellent candidates for the University Honors Program and accounting students often participate in the Study Abroad program. To enhance their academic program, students select from a number of minors offered throughout the University, particularly the MIS minor.
What Kind of Jobs are Available?
The study of accounting is relevant to a wide range of occupations. Many students start their careers in public accounting. Accounting graduates enjoy a high rate of employment in many local, national and international firms. The accounting program provides an excellent foundation for the Certified Public Accountant's examination, which many students sit for during their last semester or after graduating. Other students obtain employment in private industry including consulting, banking and a variety of financial institutions. Such job opportunities include internal auditing, business manager, information systems consulting, industrial accounting, tax accounting, credit management and budgeting. Some accounting graduates choose to continue towards an advanced degree in accounting or a Master of Business Administration. A small number continue towards a doctorate degree in accounting. This training prepares them for teaching careers in areas of accounting specialization. Several students continue on to law school.
Are Internships Available?
Accounting students often chose to intern during their summers in order to obtain career-related experience. Because of the program's excellent reputation, many recruiters seek accounting majors at Delaware for both public accounting firms and public/private industries upon graduation. Top companies come from all over the U.S. including the major cities from New York City to Washington, D.C.
4+1 Program
Due to the complex nature of accounting and information technology as well as the need for interpersonal skills, many states require candidates for the CPA to have 150 credit hours of college education. To determine a state’s requirement, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants maintains a website at Be a CPA. Currently the state of Delaware does not have a 150 requirement. However, many of our students leave the state to go New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, among others, the Department of Accounting & MIS has a program where a student could complete 150 credit hours and receive a Master’s in Accounting.
More information is available regarding internships, jobs, and career assistance programs in the accounting field.
Have more questions? Contact the Accounting & MIS Department at (302) 831-2961, Room 206 Purnell Hall.
To learn more about the Accounting program, click here.
To learn more about the requirements for a B.S. in Accounting, click here.
