Study Abroad: Bachelor's in Accounting at Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is currently accepting applications for the Bachelor of Accounting program. International students can apply for the Fall and Spring intakes each year.

The accounting major equips students with the knowledge and skills to pursue positions such as industrial accountant, cost analyst, controller, tax accountant, member of financial regulatory organizations such as the IRS or bank examiner, independent auditor at CPA firms, and internal auditor. A-State accounting graduates work for manufacturing companies, government agencies, banks, nonprofit organizations, and public accounting firms.

Accounting majors should not take accounting courses during their first year and should consult with their advisor regarding the requirements for the CPA exam.

CAREERS

Where do accounting graduates work?

After graduating with an accounting degree, students can pursue a variety of jobs, including the following entry-level positions:

• Auditor
• Bank Account Officer
• Business Analyst
• Corporate Accountant
• Cost Analyst
• Government Accountant
• Public Accountant
• Tax Officer
• Tax Preparer

Expected salary for new graduates

Many factors determine the salary of new graduates, including work and internship experience, major, location, degree, and success in higher education studies.

CPA EXAM

Minimum qualifications

Most states now require candidates taking the CPA exam for the first time to have completed 150 credit hours. The A-State Bachelor of Science in Accounting is 120 hours. Although the Uniform CPA Exam is standardized, the minimum requirements to sit for the CPA Exam can vary by state.

Those interested in the CPA exam need to know the residency and specific coursework requirements of the state where they plan to take the CPA exam and should discuss these rules with their advisor when planning specific electives within their program.

The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy website includes information about the CPA exam, including Accountancy Rule 3 regarding education requirements.

Candidates taking the CPA Exam for the first time in Arkansas must hold a bachelor's degree. Their college coursework must include the equivalent of 30 semester hours of accounting at the graduate or undergraduate level and 30 hours of business coursework. A minimum grade of \"C\" is required in each accounting and business course. A minimum of 150 college credit hours is required for licensure.

A-State pathways to the CPA Exam

A-State students may choose from 4 pathways to prepare for the CPA exam:

1. Bachelor of Accounting degree (120 hours) plus a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) (30 hours).
2. Bachelor of Accounting degree (120 hours) plus another graduate business degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (33 hours).
3. A College of Business bachelor's degree in a major other than Accounting (such as Finance or Information Systems) plus 30 undergraduate hours or 20 graduate hours in Accounting. A minimum of 150 hours is required.
4. A bachelor's degree outside the business fields plus 30 hours of coursework similar to the College of Business program and 30 undergraduate hours or 20 graduate hours in Accounting.

Pathways 1 and 2 above (Bachelor of Accounting plus a Master of Accountancy or another graduate business degree) are recommended for preparing for the CPA Exam in Arkansas, but the last two approaches offer flexibility for graduates returning to earn a second degree.

One requirement in Arkansas is that your education must include specific accounting subject areas. One of these subjects, Governmental/Nonprofit Accounting, is not required in the A-State Bachelor of Science in Accounting program. This topic is covered in ACCT 4123, and students planning to take the CPA exam in Arkansas must take ACCT 4123 as part of their undergraduate coursework.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certifications demonstrating proficiency in specific skills are highly sought after today. Companies prefer to hire and retain individuals who achieve and maintain their expertise. There are many accounting certifications, and some are linked to other business fields. Below are the most common certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified in Financial Management (CFM)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

ACCELERATED MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY

The Accelerated Master of Accountancy degree allows outstanding accounting majors at Arkansas State University to begin taking Master of Accountancy courses during their senior year.

Arkansas State University (referred to as A-State) is located in the heart of the southern United States. It is a public university and the flagship institution of the Arkansas State University System. It is the state's second-largest university by enrollment.

Why choose Arkansas State University?

• An education system meeting international standards, with more than 20 accreditations
• A wide variety of programs, majors, and extracurricular activities
• A high-quality, highly qualified faculty
• Support and guidance on housing and employment
• Relatively low costs and tuition (living costs up to 27% lower than the US average)
• Financial aid and scholarships for students

Rankings:

• #53 Regional Universities (South), ranked by U.S. News
• #293 National Universities, ranked by U.S. News
• #76 Best Undergraduate Teaching, ranked by U.S. News
• #260 Best Business Schools, ranked by U.S. News
• #20 Top U.S. Public Schools, ranked by U.S. News
• #319 Best Colleges for Veterans, ranked by U.S. News
• #110 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, ranked by U.S. News

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