Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy

Information for Prospective Students

The Accounting Profession

Simply stated, accountants manage information. Accountants create and verify information used by managers, investors, creditors, and others in making business and investment decisions. As our economy becomes more international and the need for financial information grows, the demand for accountants is expected to remain strong. All types of organizations - businesses, governments, and non-profit groups - need accountants to effectively manage their financial resources.

Career Opportunities

An accounting degree from MSU will enable you to pursue a variety of career opportunities. Public, private, and governmental accounting are the most common career choices for accounting graduates. Some graduates use their accounting degree as a foundation for a career in related business professions.

Follow the list of links below, or scroll down the page for descriptions of the most career opportunities for accountants.

Public Accounting

Public accountants provide their clients with a variety of professional services. Public accountants prepare and audit financial statements, prepare tax returns, develop tax planning strategies, provide personal investment planning, develop computer information systems, and provide other consulting services. The American Institute of Public Accountants, the AICPA, is the premier national accounting association, boasting over 300,000 members. Their Start here. Go places site provides a wealth of information, including accounting careers, technology, interviewing, and scholarship opportunities.

Private Accounting

Private accountants work as financial officers, controllers, and managers for any kind of business or non-profit organization. These accountants accumulate financial information for management decision-making, prepare financial statements, design information systems, and prepare budgets. The Institute of Management Accountants, the IMA, is the leading professional organization devoted exclusively to management accounting and financial management. Their student site is a great source of information. The School of Accountancy sponsors a student chapter of the IMA.

Governmental Accounting

All local, state, and federal governments need accountants to manage and safeguard the collection and expenditure of tax dollars. Federal agencies, such as the IRS and FBI, have a unique need for accounting professionals.

Law

Interested in a law degree? An accounting degree provides future lawyers with the knowledge of business, accounting, and tax issues necessary to assist their clients with business and tax matters.

John Grisham, one of Mississippi State's most famous alumni, began his career as an accounting major. Click here to read his memories of life at Mississippi State, including his decision to major in accounting.

Business Entrepreneur

Do you dream of owning a business? Accountants have the extensive knowledge necessary to successfully operate their own business.

Admissions and Financial Aid

The Adkerson School of Accountancy is a professional school which combines a general education, broad business administration, and accounting education. The specialized curriculum in accounting has been designed to meet the greater demand for accountants resulting from the development of information technology, more complicated taxation and governmental control measures, and growing public consciousness of the need for more accurate control methods in exiting businesses. The program is also an excellent foundation for the study of law.

This program of study will provide you with the basic preparation for positions in public, private, or governmental accounting. You will also have the opportunity to develop your leadership and interpersonal skills by participating in an internship program. Students meeting certain academic criteria are given the opportunity to join Beta Alpha Psi, which is sponsored by the Adkerson School of Accountancy.

Select the following links to obtain more information about accounting and the undergraduate program at Mississippi State University.

MSU's site for prospective students contains a wealth of information about admissions, tuition and fees, financial aid, organizations, and other facts important to you, whether you are just entering college or transferring from an college. Some of the most popular links include:

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Take a look at the ten reasons to major in accounting at Mississippi State, a light-hearted list compiled by our graduate assistant webmaster and some of his graduate student friends.

For further information regarding admissions, contact our undergraduate academic advisor, Mrs. Lanna Miller.
 
2008-09-26