undergraduate
Accounting
Best schools with accounting
What is an accounting major?
Accounting programs allow individuals to practice the profession of accounting and to perform related business functions. Subtopics include auditing, accounting and computer science, as well as accounting and management. This includes instruction in accounting principles and theory, financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, budget control, tax accounting, legal aspects of accounting, auditing, reporting procedures, statement analysis, planning and consulting, business information systems, accounting research methods, professional standards and ethics, and applications to specific for-profit, public, and non-profit organizations.
of students said great professors were a highlight of this major.
of students found this major to be difficult.
of students said they were motivated to select this major because it's financially rewarding.
of students and alumni plan on being or are currently employed in an occupation related to this major.
of students said difficult exams/assessments were a challenging aspect of the major.
How much do accounting majors make?
median average salary
$80,000/yr
The national average salary for accounting graduates in the United States is $80,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $200,000 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $30,000 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, accounting graduates typically make between $50,000 and $125,000 per year.
The most common starting salary of surveyed students after graduation is $40,000 - $50,000.
How popular is accounting as a major?
Each year, around 54,000 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and around 5,470 students obtain an associate degree in accounting. In 2021, 50,772 students received a bachelor's degree and 4,865 students received an associate degree. This is 2% fewer accounting majors than there were in 2020. Accounting is one of the most popular majors within finance and accounting.
Advice from accounting majors
Share your experienceThere might be a time where your professor is all over the place while teaching, don’t panic because as long as you pay attention, talk to your professor, and study on your time you should do amazing.
Try to be optimistic, don't be discouraged by the numbers or the amount of terms to remember. It's a great life skill to have besides doing it for an everyday job. It has it's ups and downs but so does all the other hard but rewarding majors out there.
Before choosing accounting, ensure that you understand what it is. Take the time to read into the work expectations, compensation, and educational expectations. Ask yourself, "Does this career align with my personal goals?" Are your skills and strengths compatible with the qualities it takes to be an accounting student? As a student, go to class and pay attention. Ask the professor questions. Take copious notes and read over them thoroughly.
Stick to it. For the most part, as long as you’re willing to put in the work, you can absolutely succeed? Tbh ere are times I myself have considered throwing in the towel and giving up, but I have refused to give myself the real option. Just make yourself do one more assignment, one more homework , one more chapter—before you know it, you’ll have come too far to turn back.
