Accounting and Accountancy

Accounting is the analysis, interpretation and communication of financial information about the resources of an organization and the use of those resources. Accountants help others make business decisions, and provide auditing and tax services.

The Program

Accounting and Accountancy are majors offered by the College of Business. North Dakota law requires that persons who sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) professional examination must have completed 150 semester hours of college education. The accountancy curriculum is designed for students who plan to sit for the CPA exam. The accounting and accountancy curriculum includes accounting and business courses and a wide range of other courses selected to help develop well-rounded, well-educated graduates. Computer and information system courses give students the ability to apply accounting knowledge using computers-a very important skill in today's business environment. Courses in other areas of business help students understand how their work relates to marketing, management, finance and production.

To succeed in the profession of accounting,an individual should have a solid mathematical background and be able to interpret numerical information. Good communication skills are essential to be able to present this information to others. Interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others are also important.

Career Opportunities

An accountant could find a position in public accounting, management,private industry, governmental or other not-for-profit accounting, academia or forensic accounting. Therefore, the employment opportunities for an accountant are many and varied.

The most familiar professional designation in accounting is the CPA. Achieving this certification involves passing a comprehensive examination and meeting other requirements set by each state. CPAs provide auditing, tax and advisory services to businesses, other organizations and the general public.

Management accountants are employed by a single enterprise to perform services such as measuring and controlling costs or budgeting. These specialists may earn the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certificate.

Internal auditors are concerned with determining whether the auditee is following prescribed organizational policies and procedures, and with safeguarding organizational assets. The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the professional designation of these accountants.

An accountant also may work in the area of governmental or not-for-profit accounting. Governmental accountants work for federal, state or local governmental agencies at various levels. The duties of governmental accountants include the control of tax revenues and expenditures. Not-for-profit organizations such as charities and universities also need the services of an accountant.

Forensic accounting is a rapidly growing area of accounting concerned with the detection, investigation and prevention of fraud and white-collar crimes. A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a specialist in the detection and/or deterrence of a wide variety of fraudulent conduct--from discovering employees or executives who misappropriate company assets to assisting investors who are defrauded in the course of commercial transactions.

Accountants also are employed in the academic sector to teach accounting courses, conduct research and write educational materials such as textbooks.

Cooperative Education Program

Accounting majors are able to gain experience at professional level jobs through the Cooperative Education Program. Co-op experiences are most commonly taken during the final two years of the program. The experience can include employment during the summer, during the school year or both. Salaries for students' work vary with the career field and job complexity.

Three credits of cooperative education can be used to fulfill the practicum requirement. Three credits are typical for a semester-long, full-time work placement. Students make these credit arrangements with NDSU's Career Center.

Selective Admission

Students who wish to study accounting at NDSU enroll as pre-accounting majors in the College of Business Administration for their freshman and sophomore years. Pre-accounting majors apply for admission to the professional program during their second year. Transfer students with sufficient credits and appropriate course work also may apply. Admission to the professional program is based upon the successful completion of the pre-accounting requirements, 2.5 cumulative grade point average,and junior standing.

Sample Curriculum

*Students must complete a practicum experience and should consult their academic advisers for further details.

**Select from the following:

• Acct. 410 - Fraud Examination
• Acct. 415 - Advanced Accounting
• Acct. 418 - Tax Accounting
• Acct. 422 - Auditing II
• Acct. 430 - Tax Practice and Research

***Select from one of the following:

• Acct. 410 - Fraud Examination
• Acct. 413 - Accounting Internship
• Acct. 430 - Tax Practice and Research
• Acct. 440 - Management Control Systems

****Students should consult with their academic adviser, excludes Busn.318 - Taxation in ManagementDecisions.

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Department of Accounting and Information Systems

North Dakota State University
Minard Hall 403
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8567
Fax: (701) 231-5845
Email: Bud.Bowlin@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/business

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students

(6/07)