Revised Program [Fall 2024]

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Students majoring in accounting develop competencies necessary for professional careers in:

Controllership and Financial Management in Industry may lead to careers as Certified Management Accountants (CMA). Managerial accountants perform tasks within a business, such as strategic cost management, performance measurement, budget analysis, and internal and operational auditing. The strategic managerial accountant generates and interprets operating and financial data that help management make decisions.

Internal Auditing, which may lead to careers as Certified Internal Auditors (CIA). Internal auditors are engaged within large corporations to provide independent, objective assurance and consulting activities designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations.

Public and Nonprofit Sector Accounting may lead to careers as Certified Government Financial Managers (CGFM). Government accountants work in federal, state, and local governmental entities to provide information and accountability to taxpayers and other resource providers. Accountants in nonprofit organizations provide similar information to donors, grantors, and other resource providers.

Through an optional internship program, students with good academic records have an opportunity to work in public accounting or industry. These paid (at market wages) internships provide education, exposure to professionals, and networking opportunities.

Upon graduation, accounting majors who plan to become Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Certified Management Accountants (CMA), or Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) can qualify to sit for national certification examinations. In Michigan, CPA candidates can qualify to sit for the exam upon graduation, but they need 150 hours of education for licensure. However, many states require CPA candidates to have earned 150 hours of credit, or possibly a master’s degree, before sitting for the exam. Be sure you know the requirements for your state.

The general requirements for the bachelor of business administration degree, the academic major requirements below, and sufficient electives to meet the minimum of 120 hours for graduation, must be completed.

Learn

All business students at Eastern Michigan University must take a Business Core that provides basic knowledge in statistics, accounting and finance principles, information systems, law, management, marketing, operations management, and business policy.

Accounting majors take advanced courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting, tax accounting, accounting information systems, governmental accounting, and internal auditing. The courses provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, measure, collect, analyze and communicate economic information to permit informed judgments and decisions by managers in various organizations and outside users of accounting information.

Opportunities

An Accounting Major offers a diverse set of opportunities in all organizations: for-profit, non-profit, and local and government agencies. Accounting majors generally start their careers as Accountants, Cost Accountants, Budget Analysts, Financial Analysts, Treasury Analysts, Management Accountants, Tax Accountants, IRS tax examiners, Internal Auditors, and more. An accounting degree is a good opportunity to work one’s way up the corporate ladder, as many top officers have accounting backgrounds.

Program Delivery

Students can earn the degree in a mixed delivery or 100% online format. If completing this degree entirely online, please review .

Additional Information