Department of Accounting and Information Systems
Accounting MajorThe accounting curriculum prepares students for careers in auditing, corporate accounting and management consulting, governmental and nonprofit organizations, and taxation. In addition, it equips the prospective business executive with tools for intelligent analysis, planning, control, and decision making. The accounting curriculum also provides excellent background for the student who wants to pursue graduate work in business, public administration, or law.
Accounting graduates who meet the requirements of the State Board of Public Accountancy of Indiana are eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Indiana. Most accounting graduates will need to engage in further study to be eligible to sit for the exam. Those who wish to engage in public accounting practice in Indiana as certified public accountants should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations issued by the Indiana State Board of Accountancy, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, 402 W. Washington Street, Rm. W072, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2724; phone (317) 232-2960. Students planning practice outside Indiana should consult the CPA board in their state of residence.
Internships in business or government are available on a selective basis during the fall, spring, or summer. Fall is the ideal time to apply for an accounting internship, as the majority of public accounting internships are spring-semester positions. For further information about internships, contact the Kelley Indianapolis Career Services, Business/SPEA Building 2010; phone (317) 278-7842.
Accounting Major Requirements
Junior and Senior Years:- BUS-A 311
- BUS-A 312
- BUS-A 325
- BUS-A 328 & BUS-A 302
- BUS-A 337
- BUS-A 424.
- Two accounting electives from the following:
- BUS-A 335
- BUS-A 375
- BUS-A 380
- BUS-A 460
- BUS-A 490
- eligible students may opt to take Graduate Accounting electives at the undergraduate tuition rate
- contact Kelley Indianapolis Graduate Accounting staff for more information
- Nonaccounting concentration (9 cr.):
- Students must use these hours to build a three-course sequence that comprises a concentration. The concentration creates an expertise that is typically in a nonaccounting business area (e.g., international business or finance). However, a concentration that includes non-business courses (e.g., courses in criminal justice) may be acceptable. This concentration might be obtained in a number of ways. For example, students might construct a three-course sequence in a particular area such as finance, supply chain management, or something similar. Information about preapproved concentrations may be obtained from the Kelley School of Business advisors. Students also are encouraged to use this flexibility to double major in a business area or to earn an outside minor.
CPA Exam Preparation
Accounting faculty strongly recommends that students who are interested in professional accounting careers and becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) should including the following elective courses.
- BUS-A 335 Accounting for Government and Not-For-Profit Entities
- BUS-A 562 Advance Financial Accounting*
- BUS-A 539 Corporate Tax I*
* Both courses are graduate level courses and important to prepare students for the CPA exam. Undergraduate students with a 3.2 overall GPA and 3.0 Accounting GPA may take A562 and A539 as undergraduate students and pay undergraduate student rates (IUPUI students may take up to 6 graduate hours at undergraduate student rates). Students with lower GPAs can petition to take the two courses.
The following is helpful for the IL or TX CPA exam:
- BUS-L 312 The Ethical Responsibilities of Business
Internal Auditing Focus
Students who do not choose to pursue a career as a CPA but who want to pursue a career in internal auditing, should select the following two electives.
- BUS-A 375 Internal Auditing – Enterprise Risk Management and Controls
- BUS-A 460 Information Systems Security Assurance
Updated 04/2023
