Accounting / Auditing Major

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Accounting Studies prepares individuals that prepares individuals to practice the profession of accounting and to perform related business functions.

Accounting Studies majors and degree programs likely include instruction in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting, business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.

What Accountant and Auditors Do:

Accountants and auditors examine financial statements for accuracy and conformance with laws.

Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, identify potential areas of opportunity and risk, and provide solutions for businesses and individuals. They ensure that financial records are accurate, that financial and data risks are evaluated, and that taxes are paid properly. They also assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.

Duties

Accountants and auditors typically do the following:

Examine financial statements to ensure that they are accurate and comply with laws and regulations
Compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns, and ensure that taxes are paid properly and on time
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency and use of accepted accounting procedures and identify potential risks for fraud
Organize, analyze, and maintain financial records
Assess financial operations, identify risks and challenges, and make best-practices recommendations to management
Suggest ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues, and improve profits

Accountants and auditors may use technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics process automation, to increase their productivity. Automating some routine tasks makes these workers more efficient by allowing them to focus on analysis and other high-level responsibilities.

In addition to examining and preparing financial documents, accountants and auditors must explain their findings. This includes preparing written reports and meeting face-to-face with organization managers and individual clients.

Many accountants and auditors specialize, depending on their employer. Some work for organizations that specialize in assurance services (improving the quality or context of information for decision makers) or risk management (determining the probability of a misstatement on financial documents). Other organizations specialize in specific industries, such as finance, insurance, or healthcare.

What can you do with a major/degree in Accounting Studies?

Many Accountants specialize depending on the employer. Some may work for organizations that specialize in assurance services or risk management. As well, there are organizations that focus on certain industries, such as finance, insurance, or healthcare.

Trade Associations and Professional Organizations in Accounting Studies:

Professional associations are groups of professionals dedicated to topics in specific fields. Professional associations provide a wealth of online resources, some of which are geared specifically towards students. These organizations typically also host conferences and events, providing great opportunities for learning and networking across your field of interest.

Publications/Magazines in Accounting Studies:

What Auditors Do:

Auditing Studies is a program that prepares individuals, including certified accountants, to perform independent internal and external appraisals to evaluate organizational financial and operational activities, ensure compliance with laws and policies, safeguard assets, and promote effective planning and resource allocation.

Auditing Studies majors and degree programs likely include instruction in advanced accounting, audit tools and techniques, sampling, risk and control, audit planning, audit function management, law and regulations, environmental auditing, information technology applications, professional standards and ethics, and specific industry and service sector problems.

What can you do with a major/degree in Auditing Studies?

There are so many public and private sectors of business, government, and academia that need accounting and auditing services that many professionals opt to specialize. Options include tax specialists, employee benefits experts, income statement preparation, and/or balance sheets every publicly held corporation must file (just to name a few). Auditors work in a wide range of sectors from accounting companies to hospitals, insurance firms to manufacturing.

Trade Associations and Professional Organizations Auditing Studies:

Publications/Magazines in Auditing Studies:

Links to Learn More About Accounting Majors and Careers

Learn More About Accounting Majors on CollegeMajors.com

Find Colleges with Accounting Majors

Occupational Outlook Handbook - Accountants and Auditors

AICPA & CIMA Student Page

O*Net Accountants & Auditors