Accounting majors prepare for a dynamic career in business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, new and changing laws will increase the demand for accountants, and employment in this field is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2018. As the field changes and grows, so do accountants’ responsibilities. Today’s accountants do much more than bookkeeping, tax preparation and auditing – they work in all parts of the business world.
Accountants may become chief financial officers responsible for developing and managing companies’ financial plans. Other accountants work as agents and financial advisors for professional athletes and entertainers. Forensic accountants at the Federal Bureau of Investigation track down criminals and identify fraudulent activities. Financial accountants prepare financial statements and advise businesses about important decisions such as mergers and acquisitions. Management accountants focus on how companies can control costs and become more profitable in the world’s global economy.
The Accounting Major at Heidelberg
The Heidelberg Accounting Major meets all of the recommendations of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants for a bachelor's degree specializing in accountancy.
The program focuses on the fundamentals of accounting; students receive a solid foundation in accounting principles, information systems and management skills. Accounting majors are encouraged to broaden their studies and gain a second major or a minor in an area of the liberal arts or sciences. A dual major in Accounting and Computer Information Systems is especially recommended.
Majors focus on aspects of financial and managerial accounting; intermediate and advanced accounting; federal income tax and auditing; and a senior seminar. The senior seminar is a capstone experience that affords graduating seniors an opportunity to utilize knowledge and skills gained from previous coursework in an independent project. It is also recommended that Accounting majors complete internships during their junior and senior years. Please refer to the course catalog for specific requirements and details.
The Accounting major complies with the recommendations of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants for the initial 120 hours. Those who complete the Accounting major, and an additional 30 semester hours, are qualified to take the Ohio CPA exam.