Knowledge of accounting methodology and its way of describing economic activity has long been a necessary part of education for careers in business. In most areas of business, accounting data are a fundamental source of information for purposes of decision making and control. The trained accountant is presented with wide opportunities for supervising, at a professional level, the preparation and interpretation of business data for organization managers, regulators, and the public.

The objective of the accounting major is to prepare persons for careers in public accounting, financial management and information systems areas in private and public sector firms. Accounting is an excellent academic base for career development and for movement into corporate management. Many of Michigan State University's accounting graduates find employment with certified public accounting firms. These firms perform audits and issue opinions on financial reports, do tax planning and reporting, and provide a broad variety of accounting–related consulting services. Other accounting graduates are employed by private and public sector firms and governmental units. These accountants, while performing many functions, are primarily responsible for generating the financial, managerial and tax information needed to plan and control the firm's financial and operating activities. Local and state governments, the United States General Accounting Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and other agencies provide opportunities in government accounting.

The accounting degree program background is excellent preparation for students planning to study law, particularly if they intend to practice in taxation or corporation law.

The accounting student follows a rigorous course of study, which includes financial accounting theory and practice, individual and corporate income taxation, cost and managerial analysis, auditing concepts and issues, and accounting information systems. Upon completion of the accounting major, and coverage in government/fund accounting, a student is qualified to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Michigan.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting

1. The graduation requirements of the University as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting.
   
   The completion of Mathematics 103 and 124 [referenced in item 2. below] may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Accounting major is met by completing Accounting 301 and 331.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below.
2. The requirements of The Eli Broad College of Business for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the majors that comprise the Business Administration Programs.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	Major Field of Concentration:  All of the following courses with a minimum grade–point average of 2.00 (19 credits):
   	ACC	250	Preparing for an Accounting Career				1
   	ACC	300	Intermediate Financial Accounting I				3
   	ACC	301	Intermediate Financial Accounting II				3
   	ACC	321	Accounting Information Systems				3
   	ACC	341	Cost and Managerial Accounting				3
   	ACC	411	Auditing				3
   	ACC	331	Federal Income Tax Accounting				3
   	Students who plan to sit for the CPA Examination in Michigan must presently complete Accounting 308 (or its equivalent at another institution).
   		Students may earn a maximum of 2 credits of internship or other work experience, in two distinct 1 credit enrollments, to count towards the Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting.