Core Accounting Courses:
* Financial Accounting: Covers the principles and procedures for preparing financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows) for external users. This is usually a multi-semester sequence (e.g., Financial Accounting I & II).
* Managerial Accounting: Focuses on using accounting information for internal decision-making within a company.
* Intermediate Accounting: Builds upon the foundational financial accounting knowledge with more complex topics and scenarios. Often a multi-semester sequence (e.g., Intermediate Accounting I & II).
* Auditing: Covers the process of examining and verifying financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
* Tax Accounting: Deals with the preparation and filing of tax returns for individuals and businesses.
* Cost Accounting: Focuses on the cost of producing goods and services.
Supporting Business Courses:
In addition to the core accounting courses, you'll also take several supporting business courses, such as:
* Business Law: Covers legal principles relevant to businesses.
* Economics (Micro & Macro): Provides an understanding of how markets and economies work.
* Statistics: Essential for analyzing financial data.
* Finance: Covers topics like investments, capital budgeting, and financial management.
* Information Systems: Introduces the use of technology in business, including accounting software.
Electives:
Many accounting programs also allow for elective courses, which might include specialized areas like forensic accounting, governmental accounting, or international accounting, depending on your interests and career goals.
Beyond the Classroom: Many programs also require or strongly recommend internships to gain practical experience. Furthermore, passing the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam is often a requirement or highly desirable for advancement in the accounting field. The CPA exam requires a significant amount of additional study.