Accounting

Career potential

Would you like to help a company operate more efficiently and drive its success? Add value through ensuring that financial records and forecasts are accurate? Identify for senior management which divisions of an organization are most profitable and have the greatest potential for future growth? In today's economy, more businesses are closely monitoring the financial impact of their decisions. At UNT, you'll learn to critically appraise situations, act responsibly and ethically, and become a strategic thinker and problem-solver, valuable in a global work environment.

Many UNT accounting graduates work as top executives in national public accounting firms, in Fortune 500 companies and in government agencies. Others have started their own businesses or apply their degree in other areas such as law, health care and law enforcement. Within the accounting profession, you could become:

• a public accountant – conducting audits for a local, regional or international accounting firm
• a tax planner – formulating tax strategies for individuals and businesses
• a corporate accountant – generating information for managerial decision making
• an internal auditor – helping an enterprise function more efficiently
• a forensic accountant – helping the FBI, Homeland Security or IRS conduct criminal investigations

UNT's Career Center provides valuable resources while you identify and pursue your career path. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in accounting

As an accounting major, you may choose to participate in a five-year program that will allow you to earn a bachelor's and master's degree simultaneously. Earning the combined B.S. /M.S. degree will help you meet the 150-hour requirement for the Certified Public Accountant exam in Texas and many other states. At UNT, you will study:

• the structure and analysis of financial reports
• IRS regulations
• product costing
• budgeting
• auditing
• accounting information systems
• international accounting

You may choose to specialize in audit and financial accounting, managerial accounting, accounting information systems, taxation, or accounting with an entrepreneurial perspective after completing your undergraduate courses

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You will also take courses in business communication, business computer information systems, business law and policy, economics, finance, management, marketing, and statistics. Computer knowledge will enhance your study of accounting. The College of Business has three large labs with 200 terminals, open 100 hours a week.

You will learn from some of the university's most respected instructors. Two faculty members have been named Regents Professors, UNT's top teaching honor awarded in recognition of outstanding teaching and research.

Regents Professors devote at least half of their teaching loads to introductory-level courses. Accounting faculty members are also regularly named "Top Profs" by Mortar Board, a senior honor society. Our faculty members include experts in financial accounting, international financial accounting, property taxes, cross-cultural accounting and auditing.

The program is nationally accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 750, Tampa, Fla. 33602-5730, telephone 813-769-6500). This distinction recognizes the department's high-quality faculty and degree programs.

The Accounting Scholarship Committee grants scholarships and excellence recognition awards based on academic performance, merit, professionalism and need. Many of the scholarships are funded by major accounting firms. To be eligible for either honor, you must be a declared accounting major enrolled in 12 credit hours.

Joining a student organization such as Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity or the National Association of Black Accountants will provide you with numerous opportunities to interact with accounting professionals. You also will make valuable contacts and develop leadership skills that can be beneficial during your career.

Beta Alpha Psi is the national honorary society for financial information students. This society is open to those students studying accounting, finance or information systems. Chapters can only be hosted by colleges that are members of the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. UNT's chapter has been recognized as one of the nation's best. The national organization presents chapters that receive superior status with a $1,000 scholarship each semester for the most active and outstanding pledge.

Our new Business Leadership Building will heighten your learning experience. Scheduled for completion in 2011, the 180,000 square-foot facility will contain 24 classrooms, team study rooms, and a state-of-the-art general access computer lab. This building will help distinguish UNT as a leader in business education for students and executives.

Getting hands-on experience

The Department of Accounting has an effective internship program that will allow you to earn 3 credit hours while working full time for a company or firm. Non-credit internships are also available. In addition, internships can lead to permanent, entry-level staff positions.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you also may work in a job related to your major through UNT's Cooperative Education and Internships office. More than 1,800 employers work with the office to provide excellent learning opportunities. The internships may last for one full semester or summer.

Preparing for UNT: High school students

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

Preparing for UNT: Transfer students

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/ advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

UNT's Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other valuable campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at www.unt.edu/transferprograms.

Charting your path with academic advising

Full-time advisors in the College of Business advising office will help you select the courses you will need to earn your degree and plan your class schedule each semester. Your professors also are available to give you career advice. You may talk to an advisor about your potential degree track by visiting the Business Administration Building, Room 123.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.