From a legal standpoint, corporations differ significantly from proprietorships and partnerships, both of which are legally obligated for the business's debt. Accountants deal with the subtleties and complexities of financial recording for business of all sizes. Many universities and colleges offering a business degree will also offer an accounting emphasis. In addition to the required core curriculum of the university, which usually includes liberal arts, math and science courses, the business department will have other requirements. The core business curriculum consists of courses in statistics, business law, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and basic accounting courses.
Some universities also offer professional accounting programs, which are five-year programs.
I Intermediate Financial Accounting II Intermediate Cost Accounting Income Tax Accounting Auditing Accounting students often specialize in a particular topical area of accounting. There are sometimes several fields of professional accountancy at the intermediate, advanced, and graduate levels. In all of these fields a thorough knowledge of the social, legal, economic, and political environment is needed. Courses in English composition, speech, ethics, and logic are good to take. Also, courses in statistics and information systems beyond the required business core requirements are recommended.