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OSU College of
What are common accounting careers?
How do I get an accounting education?
How do I apply for the program?
What classes do I need?
What scholarships are available?
What else do I need to do?
How do I find a job?
What is the timeline for all of this?
Who are the accounting faculty?
How can I get certified?
Business
Accounting Program
SURVIVAL GUIDE
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WHAT ARE COMMON ACCOUNTING CAREERS?
Role of accounting in economy and society
Virtually all organizations do some sort of accounting. Accounting is sometimes called the language of business. Accounting is used to describe businesses and business transactions. Without accounting the complex economy could not function.
Responsibility to the public
Public accountants have a special responsibility to the public. They are charged with determining whether the financial statements of a company fairly represent the businesses‘ current condition and results of operations. This allows others to rely on those financial statements to make decisions.
Common accounting careers
Public
Many accountants begin their careers in public accounting. Public accountants work primarily in auditing and attest functions, tax consulting, financial planning, and other specialized assurance services. Working in public accounting provides excellent experience for developing accounting skills and industry expertise. Accountants begin their careers as staff accountants and as their experience increases so does their level of responsibility. Those who stay with public accounting as a career work as seniors, managers and eventually partners.
Corporate
Corporate accounting offers many interesting options for accountants. Corporate accountants can work in the areas of financial reporting, managerial accounting, or tax planning and accounting. Accountants can begin their careers in corporate accounting as staff accountants or they can move into corporate accounting after starting their careers in public accounting. As accountants gain experience they may become controllers, financial analysts, chief financial officers or even chief executive officers.
Common accounting careers continued…
Accounting Information Systems
Financial statement numbers are usually generated and maintained by IT (Information Technology) systems. Today‘s accounting firms are called upon to evaluate IT systems as they audit financials, provide consulting services , and assure compliance (e.g. SOX and HIPAA). Even if you don‘t want to specialize in IT auditing, accountants with IT skills are in demand.
Governmental
Governmental units at all levels need accountants to prepare budgets, perform financial analysis of spending priorities, audit programs, monitor tax compliance and many other tasks.
Not-for-Profit
Accountants work in the not for profit sector as well. They assist with preparing budgets, financial management, financial reporting to the public, donors and regulatory agencies.
What classes do I need?
Accounting students take the business core which gives them a broad background in the functional areas of business. The business core is described on the web-site at: http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/prospective/checklist.htm
In addition, the following upper division class recommendations and requirements apply to accounting major students. http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/options/accounting/accounting_requirem ents.htm
Accounting Degree Requirements: A minimum of 32 credits as follows Required Courses: ACTG 317 Accounting Processes and Control ACTG 318 External Reporting I ACTG 319 External Reporting II ACTG 321 Cost Management I ACTG 325 Introduction to Tax ACTG 378 Accounting Information Management ACTG 427 Assurance and Attestation Services
Elective Requirements: One course or 4 credits ACTG 417 Advanced Financial Accounting ACTG 420 Accounting Information Systems Analysis and Design ACTG 422 Cost Management II ACTG 425 Advanced Tax ACTG 429 Topics in Accounting
Accounting Information Systems Option Requirements: BA 272 Business Applications Development (VB.Net) BA 371 Business Systems Design BA 372 Business Information Systems Design and Development ACTG 420 Accounting Information Systems Analysis & Design BA 462 Project Management BA 479 Business Telecommunications and Networking BA 483 IT, Business Strategy & E-Commerce Completing this course of study allows you show an Accountancy degree and a degree in Business Administration with an option in MIS. Alternatively, these same courses will allow you to have an Accounting Information Systems option in your Accountancy degree (this transcript visible option is still in the works but is expected to become available in June of 2008).
Tentative course Schedule
When Accounting courses tend to be offered:
FALL WINTER SPRING SUMMER
ACTG 317 ACTG 318 ACTG 319 Internship Credits ACTG 378 ACTG 325 ACTG 321 ACTG 422 ACTG 478 ACTG 325 ACTG 427 ACTG 378 ACTG 427 ACTG 425 ACTG 429 ACTG 420
Recommended sequence
FALL WINTER SPRING SUMMER
ACTG 317 ACTG 318 ACTG 319 Internship Credits ACTG 340 ACTG 321 ACTG 378
FALL WINTER SPRING SUMMER
Elective ACTG 325 ACTG 427 Electives
Accounting Information Systems Option sequence*
FALL WINTER SPRING
BA 272 BA 371 BA 372
BA 483
FALL WINTER SPRING
BA 462 BA 479 ACTG 420**
*Although spreading these courses over two years is a good idea, they can be completed in one year. Completing an IS option is a great way to invest your time as you complete the units required to sit the CPA exam.
**Please note that ACTG420 can count as an option class towards you accountancy degree and that ACTG378 is a prerequisite for most of these MIS courses. It focuses on IT auditing and IT skills for accountants. Qualification for the CISA work experience credit depends on several other courses required in the Accountancy degree, please see http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/CISACertificate.htm for details.
NOTE: TERM OFFERINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
ACCOUNTANCY MAJOR Major Code: 641 UPDATED FOR F07 – SP
( ) Prerequisites NUMBER OF SECTIONS REQUIRED COURSES (28 CREDITS): F07 W08 SP ACTG 317 Accounting Processes and Controls (4) 3 - - (BA 211 and BA 213 w/ grades of “C” or better) ACTG 318 External Reporting I (4) - 3 - (BA 340* and ACTG 317 w/ grades of “C” or better; acceptance into Accounting Program) ACTG 319 External Reporting II (4) - - 2 (ACTG 318 w/ grades of “C” or better) ACTG 321 Cost Management (4) - - 3 (BA 340* and ACTG 317 w/ grades of “C” or better) ACTG 325 Introduction to Tax (4) - 2 - (BA 340* and ACTG 319 w/ grades of “C” or better; senior standing) ACTG 378 Accounting and Information Management (4) 1** 2 - (BA 213, BA 275) ACTG 427 Assurance and Attestation Services (4) - - 2 (ACTG 319)
*BA340 is preferred, but BA360 can be accepted in place of BA340. ** Priority given to MIS students Fall term.
SELECT A MINIMUM OF ONE (1) ELECTIVE COURSE (4 CR) ACTG 417 Advanced Accounting (4) - 1 - (ACTG 319 w/ a grade of “C” or better) ACTG 420 Accounting Info Systems, Analysis and Design(4) - - 1 (ACTG317 and ACTG378 w/ grades of “C” or better;) ACTG 422 Cost Management II (4) 2 - - (BA 357, ACTG 318 w/ grades of “C” or better) ACTG 425 Advanced Tax (4) - - 1 (ACTG 325 w/ grades of “C” or better) ACTG 429 Topics in Accounting (4) - 1 1 (Instructor permission required to enroll)
What Scholarships are Available? Your education is expensive…we all know that. Many scholarships are available to help you pay for those expenses. All undergraduate, postbacc and graduate students who are admitted to the School of Business are eligible to apply for College of Business scholarships. Those are listed on the COB web-site at http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/scholarshipsavailable.htm.
TIP Accounting scholarship applications are emailed to students at the beginning of the spring term. There is no need to apply for a specific scholarship. All scholarships have the same application.
Scholarships specifically available only to OSU accounting students include: Becker CPA Review : Two CPA review scholarships Chevron Corporation Accounting Scholarship : Deloitte & Touche, LLP Scholarships : Two awarded annually with a minimum 3.0 GPA Financial Executive Institute: Awarded to an outstanding accounting or finance student Geffen Mesher & Company, PC Scholarship : Outstanding student in accounting, minimum GPA of 3.25. Hildebrandt Scholarship: Awarded to full-time accounting major with GPA of 3.5 or better (junior level status). Awarded based on leadership involvement in community. Hsiao-Yun Chiang Scholarship : Accounting faculty discretion John Fisher Scholarship : Awarded to accounting major whom demonstrates an extraordinary ethical standards and work ethic. KPMG Scholarships : Outstanding accounting student with an interest in public accounting. Minimum GPA of 3.25. Mary Ellen Philips Scholarship : Outstanding junior-level (must have completed Intermediate Series) and admitted to the COB, with a major in accounting. Moss Adams LLP Scholarship OSCPA Scholarships : The OSCPA has generous funds to offer specifically to OSU students through scholarships. Full-time OSU accounting majors are encouraged to apply. Award based on scholastic ability and interest in the accounting profession. Scholarships are for tuition and books, minimum GPA is 3.2. Amount: varies. PricewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Scholarship : Junior-level students in accounting. A minimum GPA of 3.25. Robert E. Shirley Scholarship : Outstanding junior-level or senior-level student admitted to the COB. Scott Hildebrandt : Awarded to full-time accounting major with GPA of 3.5 or better (junior level status). Awarded based on leadership involvement in community. Stover Neyhart & Company PC CPA’s Scholarship Tad Davies : Accounting faculty discretion
In addition, the COB has scholarships available to all majors. COB Scholarship applications are available in COB Student Services in Bexell 214 (beginning in November).
OSU --- COLLEGE OF BUSINESS RESOURCES
COB Advising and OSU Career Services :
The COB Advising and OSU Career Services is a primary resource for professional development opportunities. Please visit 214 Bexell or http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/contactadvisor.htm
General services include: Career Development Conference http://oregonstate.edu/career/OSUFall07Calendar.pdf Job Search Workshops: http://oregonstate.edu/career/ Resume Writing: Learn how to develop your own resume http://oregonstate.edu/career/ Cover letters: Find out how to focus your cover letter to get noticed. Interview Skills: Covers the basics of Interviewing and how to prepare for traditional as well as behavioral based Interviews. Mock interviews: Gives you an opportunity to practice interviewing call 737- Dressing to get hired: Come hear from the pros on how to look your best. Career Fairs http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/symposium.htm Job Postings o Over 100 internship opportunities for business students are posted each term! o Over 100 entry-level jobs are posted each year for accounting majors!
The Accounting Department will email accounting majors with all job opportunities and dates of interviews.
To learn valuable up to date information about these events, as well as Internship and job announcements, go to the OSU career services web-site: http://oregonstate.edu/career/ http://oregonstate.edu/career/students/careerguide06-07.pdf http://oregonstate.edu/career/students/24_7resources.php
Students may also create their own personal career services account: http://oregonstate.erecruiting.com/er/security/login.jsp
Beaver Recruiting: http://oregonstate.edu/career/students/recruiting.php
TIP Presumably if you received this survival guide, you have already decided on accounting as a major. However, if you want to reassess that decision, OSU Career Services can provide useful career advising through computer based skills assessments, MBTI testing, and individual counseling appointments.
Study Abroad Information
College of Business Study Abroad/Exchange link: http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/services/exchange.htm Students need to plan ahead. There are key dates for applications and other requirements for the exchange programs. Please contact Nancy Homan or Carol Leder in the COB advising office for more information.
OSU Study Abroad link: http://oregonstate.edu/international/students/programs/search
Spring Banquet : a social event between accounting students and professionals. Professional dress is expected. This event provides another opportunity for students to meet professionals in a comfortable environment. Beta Alpha Psi Golf Tournament : professionals and students golf together in mixed teams. Community service projects 2-3 times per year: BAP members join local professionals in donating their time to a charity. Beta Alpha Psi also works with OSU Career Services to offer workshops on resumes and interviewing.
Firms often sponsor informal events for BAP members in August or September.
Beta Alpha Psi frequently posts important Information about recruiting events, meetings, tutoring, internship and employment opportunities. http://oregonstate.edu/groups/bap/ (click on events). Advisor Mrs. Amy Bourne amy.bourne@bus.oregonstate.edu
Schedule of Accounting Events Events on this calendar detail career development opportunities offered to Accounting students through the University, the COB, Beta Alpha Psi, and professional organizations. Participation in these events helps students to develop a polished and professional image. Month Events August Complete application for Government Jobs September CPA Firms‘ Open House Networking Workshop Join Beta Alpha Psi Sign up for Accounting Jobs at Beaver Recruiting Read business periodical regularly October BAP Meet the Firms Event BAP Resume Book OSCPA Meet the Firms Event Application for Accounting Program OSU Mock Interviews OSU Resume Workshop OSU Resume Critique OSU Interview Skills Workshop On-Campus Application Workshop Application for Beaver Recruiting Accounting Recruiting On-campus Interviews Summer Internship Interviews November/ December
On-campus Interviews & Offers Extended January BAP Mock Interviews & Resume Critique Meet the students event COB Career Symposium & OSU Resume Workshop February/ March
Summer Internship Interviews & Offers Extended COB Scholarship Application Due April/ May Accounting Scholarship Application Due Public Accounting Career Info Day Accounting Open House Application for Accounting Program Financial Accounting Conference Beta Alpha Psi Spring Banquet Accounting Recruiting Calendar Published June/ July Beta Alpha Psi Golf Tournament
What else should I do?
Professional Development
While we all know the importance of good grades in looking for a job, students should know there are other things accounting employers also look for in new hires.
TIP Maximizing your professional development is not something you can do overnight. There are general rules about when you should start participating in the different activities and when they are available. So starting in your 300 level classes, you should carefully follow the timeline on page 7.
Basic Knowledge of the Accounting Industry and Economy
A basic knowledge of the accounting industry is necessary. This means understanding the various categories of employers (e.g. public accounting, corporate, government, not-for-profit) and the ―hot issues‖ going on in the accounting industry. This knowledge helps you know what jobs you want to target, as well as to talk knowledgeably with professionals during recruiting events or interviews.
TIP Prospective employers often ask interview questions such as ‗What do you think is the most important issue facing the accounting industry?‘ You need to be prepared to answer questions like these. Resources discussed below will help you get up to speed.
These are great resources for finding news and information about the accounting industry. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) provides a terrific overview of accounting careers at www.startheregoplaces.com. The ‗AICPA Highlights‘ and ‗Weekly News Updates‘ at the main AICPA web-site can keep you current with what‘s new. You can also become a student member,
which includes a subscription toThe Journal of Accountancy (see below).
www.AICPA.org
The Journal of Accountancy (JoA) is a monthly publication of the AlCPA and
is free to student members. The JofA offers in depth information on many current Issues.
The Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountant’s (OSCPA) web-site always has up to date news and information. This web-site often has reports on issues that affect the local accounting Industry that can‘t be found anywhere else! www.ORCPA.org
OSU Career Services : http://oregonstate.edu/career/ Phone # is 541 737-4085 - located in the basement of Kerr Admin Building.
It‘s also important to be aware of business issues in the State of Oregon. For example, mergers of local companies usually impact accounting jobs in the corporate and public accounting sectors. Often these events will be discussed in the recruiting and interview process, and your knowledge (or lack thereof) may be viewed as an indicator of your enthusiasm and engagement as a future professional. A targeted
source of local business and accounting industry information isThe Portland
Business Journal, www.bizjournals.com/portland.
TIP Every year the Portland Business Journal publishes lists of the largest employers (by number of employees) in a host of fields. Included is a list of the top 25 public accounting firms in Portland.
Finally, you should stay up to speed on business and world issues. There‘s more to the world than just accounting! Here are some good sources.
The Economist (www.economist.com)
The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) — subscribers may also customize
their user profile to target accounting industry information.
Business Week (www.businessweek.com)
TIP Keeping up on all this reading can feel overwhelming. Pick one afternoon or evening a week and spend 45 minutes to catch up on industry news. After a few months, you‘ll be amazed how much you know!
Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA)
The OSCPA offers student memberships, which provide networking opportunities, career building, professional updates and a subscription to the OSCPA‘s monthly publication ‗Oregon Certified Public Accountant‘ magazine. Visit the OSCPA web-site about student membership at www.orcpa.org/studentmembershjps.html for more information www.orcpa.org
