USU’s School of Accountancy has achieved national recognition as one of the few schools worldwide to have been awarded special accounting accreditation by the prestigious AACSB International, it is a member of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy, and it consistently delivers outstanding results on job placement upon graduation.

Accountants communicate financial information about a business to shareholders, managers, and others. More than half of America’s accounting students are female, partly because technology enables many accountants to maintain a flexible schedule while working from home. It is a future-focused, family-friendly, and financially rewarding career choice.

There are many specialty areas within accounting:

• Public accounting involves providing audit, tax, and consulting services to the public. Public accounting generally requires one to be licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The CPA license in Utah requires a master’s degree. USU’s School of Accountancy has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for students who pass the CPA exam on their first try.
• Many accountants are privately employed by businesses or not-for-profit agencies, such as hospitals, universities, or charitable groups and work in product costing and pricing, budgeting, and the examination of investment alternatives.
• Internal auditors look at controls and procedures used by their employer.
• Accountants can also serve as in-house tax accountants, financial managers, etc.

The School of Accountancy provides opportunities for its students to be involved in many extracurricular activities. Its student organizations, Beta Alpha Psi, Institute of Management Accountants, and the Financial Planning Association, are recognized as top chapters nationally. These organizations provide students with multiple opportunities to explore the world of business and network with accounting professionals outside of the classroom. In addition, students can gain real-world experience through participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where they provide income tax preparation services to individuals with low to moderate incomes.

Students will receive a BS by completing all required courses in their major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

The BS in accounting is available through USU’s Regional Campuses and Distance Education program at the following locations:

Beaver, Bicknell, Blanding, Brigham City, Castle Dale, Cortez, Delta, Ephraim, Junction, Kanab, Milford, Moab, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Monument Valley, Nephi, Price, Richfield, Salt Lake, Southwest, Tooele, Tremonton, Uintah Basin, Wendover

With a degree in accounting, students may pursue the following careers:

• Public accountant - auditing, taxes, consulting (with graduate degree)
• Finance officer
• IRS agent
• Assurance services
• Forensic accounting
• Auditor
• Consulting services
• Information technology services
• Environmental accounting
• International accounting
• Tax and financial planning