Accounting
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
College of Business and Communication
What Can I Do
With An Accounting Degree?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Audit Services
Tax Compliance and Consulting
Information Systems Management & Consulting
Management Advisory Services
General Corporate & Financial Accounting
Cost Accounting
Governmental Accounting
Forensic Accounting
Financial Consulting
Expert Witness and Litigation Support Services
Run your own business
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
Who Can I Work For?
• Public Accounting Firms (Certified Public Accountant Track)
– Local, Regional, National, International
• Consulting Firms
• Business and Industry
– Manufacturing, Retail, Service, Banking, Insurance, Health Care,
Natural Resources, Non-profit, etc.
• Government
• Self-Employed
• Education
– College, High School
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
The Public Accounting
Profession (CPA Track)
Following graduation, you will be qualified for employment with the
following sample of firms:
•
Big-4 Firms
–
–
–
–
•
Regional Firms
–
–
•
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Deloitte
Ernst & Young
KPMG, LLP
Grant Thornton
BDO Seidman
Local CPA Firms
– Rudd & Company
•
Private Practice – It is recommend that you have at least 6 – 7 years of professional
experience with a CPA firm before attempting to begin your own practice! WHY? Lack
of experience and reputation = no clients. No clients = No income. No income =
bankruptcy. Bankruptcy = unhappy accountant. Unhappy accountant = Back to college
for a degree in marketing. Be wise and plan your career.
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
Sample of Business and
Industry Employers
If you decide not to pursue a career in public accounting, you
can work in industry for companies like these:
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
Sample of
Government Employers
or for institutions like these:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Federal Bureau of Investigation
US General Accounting Office
Defense Contract Auditors
Internal Revenue Service
State of Idaho
Idaho State Tax Commission
City of Boise
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
What Skills Should I Possess?
If you pursue a career in accounting, you should
1.
become familiar with accounting terminology;
2.
become proficient with the tools of the trade;
3.
learn the concepts and principles that govern accounting and
how to apply them;
4.
develop advanced computer skills;
5.
develop analytical and people skills;
6.
possess written and oral communication skills; and
7.
understand legal and ethical conduct within the accounting
profession.
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
How Do I Become a
Certified Public Accountant?
If you want a long-term career in public accounting, you must
become a licensed CPA. In order to become licensed, most
states require 30 credits of advanced education beyond the
bachelors degree, a minimum number of accounting credits,
1 – 2 years of qualifying experience, and a passing grade
(75%) on the CPA Exam. If this is your career goal, you
should plan on earning a Masters of Accountancy degree
(MAcc) or your MBA from an accredited university.
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
What Salary
Can I Expect?
Employer
Jr. Level (0 - 3 yrs.)
Sr. Level (4 - 6 yrs.)
Public Accounting (large firm)
$50,000-$71,500
$68,500-$88,750
Public Accounting (medium firm)
$44,000-$64,250
$62,000-$81,750
Public Accounting (small firm)
$41,500-$58,000
$55,250-$71,500
Corporate Accounting (large co.)
$38,500-$59,500
$58,250-$76,250
Corporate Accounting (medium co.)
$36,500-$55,500
$52,750-$68,500
Corporate Accounting (small co.)
$34,000-$50,500
$47,750-$61,250
Note: Add 5 to 10 % additional for one who attains their CPA.
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
What Salary
Can I Expect?
Position
Large Co.
Small to Medium Co.
Chief Financial Officer
$187,750-$395,500
$94,250-$182,250
Corporate Controller
$125,000-$190,000
$81,750-$138,750
Tax Manager
$97,750-$136,000
$77,000-$106,000
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
The Integrated
Accounting Degree
In order to graduate from BYU-Idaho with an accounting
degree, you must fulfill the University’s Graduation
Requirements which includes earning a minimum of 120
credit hours within specified areas of study shown below:
Foundations
40 Credits
Accounting Major
56 Credits
Minor OR 2 Clusters
Total
24 Credits
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
120 Credits
Accounting Major
Course Requirements
Required Courses
Accounting
Options (any 3)
Business
Acct 201
Acct 202
Acct 301
Acct 302
Acct 321
Acct 333
Acct 344
Acct 356
Acct 398
Acct 402
Acct 312
Acct 322
Acct 401
Acct 403
B 275
B 401
Other
NOTE: Those planning on entering the
CPA profession or planning on going to
graduate school are advised to take Acctg
312, 322, and 403 as options.
FDMath 221
Econ 150
Econ 151
Electives--2 credits
In order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you must complete each of the preceding courses
with a C- or better.
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
Minor or Clusters
AND, in addition to completing the Foundation and Major
requirements, you are required to:

complete a Minor of your choosing consisting of 24-25 credits,
OR

complete two clusters of 12 credits each of your choosing within
appropriate disciplines.

Typical minors or clusters for Accounting include:

Business Management

Computer Information Technology

Communication

Economics
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
The Accounting Internship
• You are required to register for Accounting 398.
• Your internship qualifies for 3 credits and consists of at least 270 hours
of accounting-related work. Additionally, you will be requested to
complete assignments during your internship. A grade will be given
based on satisfactory completion of the internship and assignments.
• Generally, prior work-related experience will not satisfy the internship.
• The busiest time for accountants in business tends to be January –
April. Accordingly, it is recommended, but not necessary, that your
internship be completed during the Winter Semester of your junior or
senior year. Accounting 301 and Accounting 321 are prerequisites.
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department
BYU-Idaho
Accounting Department