B.S. Accounting

Accounting is the primary "language" of business and accountants assist businesses in determining, analyzing and communicating their financial results to interested parties. The Accounting program at the School of Business introduces students to all the functional areas of accounting including financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation and accounting information systems. Students develop an essential competency in each of these areas and complement this knowledge with study in relevant areas of business and economics. The Accounting program also places a particular emphasis on ensuring that graduates have a clear understanding of the ethical values critical to the accounting profession, as well as an awareness of the social obligations that accompany a career in accountancy.

As an accounting professional, graduates can expect a diversity of opportunities in both workplace settings and tasks. The University at Albany Accounting Department maintains close ties with both alumni and employers to ensure that its program reflects the skills most important to both successful entry into and subsequent development within the profession. This skill set encompasses written and oral communication skills, the ability to apply technology to accounting, knowledge of business processes and their implications for accounting, and the ability to function cooperatively in teams.

Graduates exit the Accounting program either after four years, with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, or following the completion of another 30 credit hours culminating in a Master's degree that leads to licensure as a Certified Public Accountant. Most graduates of the Accounting program pursue licensure. The additional coursework consists of specialized study in one of three areas: Corporate Financial Reporting, Taxation, or Accounting Information Systems. New York State will require students who apply for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant's Examination after July 2009 to have completed a minimum of 150 credit hours.

Graduates of the Accounting program are exceptionally well prepared for careers in public accounting. University at Albany students have traditionally achieved a nearly 100% passing rate for the CPA exam, and have regularly scored high enough to place UAlbany among the top five schools in one or more parts of the exam. The Big Four accounting firms recruit actively at the School of Business each year and represent the predominant employers of our accounting graduates. However, our students are also strongly recruited by large national and regional accounting firms; other students pursue careers in corporate settings, state government or seek advanced degrees in business, accounting or law.