Departments:
  Accounting & Business Law
  Economics & Finance
  Management, Management Information Systems, & Applied Computer Science
  Marketing & Business Communication

  Alumni News

What would I do as an accountant in public practice?  As an accountant in public practice you would provide audit, tax, or management advisory services.  Success in passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination is necessary for you to advance in public accounting.  A variety of services are performed by public accountants including:

• auditing (attesting to the fairness of financial statements)
• computer consulting
• tax return preparation
• tax and financial planning
• carrying out financial investigations in cases of fraud, insolvency, or disputes.

What would I do as an accountant in industry? Accountants in industry make up a substantial portion of the profession.  You could perform a variety of services for making financial and managerial decisions in businesses such as manufacturers, retailers, service companies, and financial institutions.

What would I do as an accountant in government and not-for-profits? Governmental and not-for-profit accounting, a growth accounting field, includes positions with federal, state and local governments, hospitals, universities, and charitable organizations.  Government agencies employ a large number of accountants, some of whom audit records of private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, or individuals subject to government regulation.  Accountants in industry may also be certified as Certified Management Accountants (CMA).

Could I continue my formal education?
Accounting graduates often continue their formal education by pursuing advanced technical or professional degrees such as a master's degree in accountancy, a master's degree in business administration, or a law degree.  A doctorate in accounting usually leads to a university faculty career. 

Does it pay to be a Certified Accountant?
According to the July 31, 2007, issue of USA Today Money:  "Accountants who are certified earn 27% more than those who are not."  See the average salaries for accountants with and without certification...  (see graphic)

What do I need to do to become a CPA candidate?  CPA candidates must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours of college/university course work to sit for the CPA exam in Indiana.  Graduates with an undergraduate degree in a non-accounting field may satisfy the CPA exam requirement through the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Professional Accountancy (PBCPA) program at USI.

Once I'm a CPA candidate, then what do I do?  Those who wish to engage in public accounting practice in Indiana as certified public accountants should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations issued by the Indiana State Board of Public Accountancy, 912 State Office Building, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.  Students planning to practice outside of Indiana should consult the CPA board of the appropriate state.

Brian McGuire, Ph.D., Chair

Department:
Accounting News
Mission Statement
Guiding Principles
Strategic Plan
Fact Sheet
Accounting Circle

Faculty
Class Descriptions

Degree Programs:
Accounting & Professional Services
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Professional Accountancy
Master of  Science in Accountancy
Accounting Minor

Interdisciplinary Degrees

Student Organizations:
Accounting & Professional Services Club
Alpha Kappa Psi
Speaking Eagles

Honor Societies:
Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Gamma Sigma
Omicron Delta Epsilon