COURSE CURRICULUM

The Accounting Major or Minor is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for key roles in financial management or public accounting. It provides the academic foundation necessary for a successful career in a variety of sectors including government, non-profits, corporations, and small businesses. Accountants are essential to managing financial affairs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing strategic financial insights.The program emphasizes two main areas of accounting: public accounting and management accounting. Public accountants work as external consultants, offering services such as auditing, taxation, and business advisory. In contrast, management accountants are internal professionals who focus on financial reporting, performance evaluation, budgeting, risk management, and financial planning. Career advancement in both streams often leads to senior roles such as controller, treasurer, chief financial officer (CFO), and sometimes even chief executive officer (CEO) or board director.Graduates of the Accounting Major typically pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. The program offers all possible course exemptions for the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), allowing eligible students to transition directly into this advanced program. CPA PEP includes five modules, an exam prep course, and culminates in the Common Final Examination (CFE). Alongside 30 months of relevant work experience, completion of these requirements leads to the CPA designation.The Accounting Major not only equips students with technical skills across six core CPA competency areas—financial accounting, strategy and governance, management accounting, audit and assurance, finance, and taxation—but also emphasizes professional judgment and ethical standards. Many accountants further enhance their qualifications with designations such as CBV, CIRP, or CFA, or pursue graduate studies to enter academia.