Accounting

Career potential

Looking for unlimited career opportunity? Accounting is perennially one of the most highly recruited and well-paid majors at the University of North Texas. It also is one of the most flexible degrees you can earn. Many UNT accounting graduates work as top executives in national public accounting firms, in Fortune 500 companies, and in government agencies. Many start their own businesses, while others use their degree in law, health care and law enforcement. Within the accounting profession, you might 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

Whatever path you choose, a UNT degree in accounting will prepare you for your first, entry-level job or help you advance in your career.

UNT's Career Center can help you pursue your career. 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 participate in a five-year program that will allow you to earn a bachelor's and master's degree simultaneously. (For only a bachelor's degree, consider UNT's accounting control systems program.) The combined B.S./M.S. degree meets 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; and 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.

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 seven computer labs, with 200 terminals, open 100 hours a week.

Accounting faculty members are dedicated teachers. Two faculty members have been named Regents Professors for outstanding teaching and research. Regents Professors devote at least half of their teaching load to introductory-level courses. Accounting faculty members are also regularly named "Top Profs" by Mortar Board, a senior honor society.

The Accounting Scholarship Committee grants scholarships and excellence recognition awards based on academic excellence, 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 or accounting control systems major enrolled in 12 credit hours (9 hours if you are a graduate student).

You can join a student accounting organization that will provide you with numerous opportunities to interact with accounting professionals. 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. UNT also has an active chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants.

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. Students must meet certain requirements to be eligible. Non-credit internships are also available. Accounting firms report that approximately 90 percent of their permanent, entry-level staff are hired through internship programs. In addition, internships pay exceptionally well.

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. This allows you to earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience.

More than 1,800 employers work with the office to provide excellent learning opportunities, many of which become permanent full-time positions upon graduation. The office also assists with placing students in internships, which last for one full semester or summer.

Preparing for UNT

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 Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

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.

Charting your path with academic advising

Full-time advisors in the College of Business advising office will help you plan your class schedule each semester and help you select the courses you will need to earn your degree. Your professors also are available to give you career advice.

Undergraduate students may contact the advising staff in the Business Administration Building, Room 123.

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