The University of Toledo
College of Business and Innovation
Department of Accounting
Amy A. French, MBA, CPA, CFE
Lecturer
Updated May 18, 2011
Accounting Degrees
 Associate Degree in Accounting Technology
• 2 year Degree
 Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in
Accounting
• 4 year degree
 Masters of Science in Accountancy (MSA)
• 30 semester hour program
Beta Alpha Psi
• University of Toledo’s Gamma Epsilon Chapter
chartered in 1966
• Founded in 1919 at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
• Premier professional business and financial information
fraternity
• Recognizes academic excellence
• Provides interaction among students, faculty, and
professionals
Becoming a CPA
Most requirements are determined by the state/jurisdiction in which
you hope to practice. In general, this is a summary of the steps to
CPA licensure.
Education
Exam
Experience
• Accounting degree
• Pass the 4 sections
• Accounting experience
Becoming a CPA
 Education requirements
– A baccalaureate degree and 150 semester hours
• 30 semester hours in accounting
• 24 semester hours in business courses other than accounting
 Exam Requirement
– Apply to sit based on state requirements
– Pass all 4 parts with a 75% or higher
• Business, Audit, Regulation and Financial
 Experience Requirement
– 1-2 years under a CPA
CPA Exam Pass Rates
According to the National Association of State Boards of
Accountancy (NASBA)
 UT ranked in the top 10 nationally for pass rates in Audit
CPA Exam Pass Rates
Comparing the percentage of college graduates who
passed all four parts of the CPA exam reveals:1
Candidates with
Advanced degrees
All candidates
With degrees
32.93%
Across Ohio:
38.21%
43.08%
UT COBI students:
58.62%
40.91%
Across the United States:
1
37.54%
According to the recently released report (for 2009) from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
(NASBA), The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation (UT COBI) graduates passed the CPA exam
at rates exceeding both state and national averages.
Where Accountants Work
 Public Practice
 Business/Industry
 Government
 Non-Profit Organizations
 Colleges/Universities
Careers in Accounting
 Audit
 Assurance Services
• (E-Commerce, risk assessment, IS assessment)
 Environmental Accounting
• Environmental compliance issues
 Forensic Accounting
• Searches for evidence of criminal conduct
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


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Information Technology Services
International Accounting
Consulting Services
Personal Financial Planning
Tax advisory Service
Accounting Educators
The Hiring Environment
By Robert Half
 Two similar candidates
– Which additional skills most valuable
•
•
•
•
•
31% Personality or people skills
27% Software/technology
20% Industry specific experience
11% Certification or advanced degree
1 – 4% Multilingual, international, other
http://www.roberthalffinance.com/FreeResources
Accounting is consistently one of the hottest jobs for new
graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges
and Employers.
Figure 1: Top Jobs for the Class of 2009
Job Function
Teaching
Management Trainee
Financial/Treasury Analysis
Consulting
Sales
Accounting (Public)
Accounting (Private)
Software Design & Development
Registered Nursing
Project Engineering
Starting Salary Offer
$35,496
$41,353
$52,043
$56,472
$41,577
$49,437
$45,859
$63,798
$45,229
$58,570
http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/Career+Paths.htm
Accounting Salaries
by Robert half
Figure 2: Starting Accounting Salaries 2011
Job Function
Internal Auditor – Lrg Company
Internal Auditor – Med Company
IT auditor – Large Company
IT auditor – Medium Company
General Accountant – Lrg Co.
General Accountant – Med. Co.
General Accountant – Sm Co.
Cost Accountant – Lrg Company
Cost Accountant – Med company
Tax Accountant – Lrg. Co.
Tax Accountant – Med. Co.
Forensic Accountant – All sizes
http://www.roberthalffinance.com/FreeResources
Starting Salary Offer
$44,500
$42,500
$51,750
$48,000
$38,500
$36,500
$34,000
$40,500
$39,000
$41,500
$40,250
$61,250
Positions in Demand
By Robert Half International
“The CPA designation remains the most in demand credential
for accounting and finance, especially when paired with big 4
experience.”
•Business Analyst
• Maximize computer systems to improve efficiencies and
profitability
•Financial Analyst
• Evaluate financial plans, forecasts, budgets and identifying
ways to improve profitability
• Controllers
• Organizations are adding controllers and assistant controllers
to help oversee accounting operations.
• Senior and Staff Accountants
• Accounting Clerks
• Billing/Collection staff
•http://www.roberthalffinance.com/FreeResources
Recent salary ranges in accounting are:
Recent salary ranges in accounting are:
Big 4 Firm
Overall
Typical
Experience
Entry Level
$55,000
$50,000 - 70,000
First year
Junior Staff Accountant
$46,000 - 63,000
$40,000 - 80,000
1-2 years
Senior Staff Accountant
$65,000-95,000
$70,000
3-5 years
Manager
Senior Manager
$65-140,000
$72-160,000
$85,000
$115,000
5-7 years
7 years plus
Partner
$200,000 - 3,000,000
$150,000
10 years plus
http://careers-in-accounting.com/acsal.htm
Questions?