In addition, the shortage is further compounded by the accounting profession's expanding need to develop continuing education programs and the increasing need for accounting researchers. The department offers a Ph.D. in business with a concentration in accounting. The department participates in the Cooperative Education Program, which gives the qualified student valuable work experience with private industrial employers or with federal and state governmental agencies. Students who elect to co-op alternate school and work semesters during the sophomore and junior academic years. Our undergraduate degree recipients enter public accounting, private industry, or government organizations.
Public accounting is by far the largest employer of our graduates.
Within any of these firms, the graduate may pursue a career in auditing, taxes, or management services. In public accounting, graduates will find themselves providing services to third parties in the form of audited financial statements, tax returns, or various kinds of consulting services. In private industry, the accounting graduate will be employed as an internal auditor, accounting supervisor, accounting manager, and, in the case of smaller companies, as a controller. A number of our graduates have also accepted employment with the Internal Revenue Service, the General Accounting Office, and as auditors for other branches of the government. The field of public accounting is enjoying a period of unprecedented growth.