Accounting Curriculum
The Department of Accounting captures the always evolving occupation of accounting in its curriculum and helps students to gain top-of-the-line skills as they prepare to be professionals in public, private, and governmental organizations.
What Do Accountants Do?
Accountants track the financial activity of an organization, which include expenses and revenues. This involves preparing, analyzing and verifying the financial documents and statements. An effective accountant seeks to create efficiency and accuracy in his/her organization; s/he also is commonly responsible for overseeing tax related activities such as ensuring that taxes are paid in a timely fashion and that taxes are avoided where legally avoidable. Accounting professionals may also be auditors, reviewing the activities of other accounting functions; managers, usually involved with managing budgets, costs, and assets. An additional type of responsibility that may fall to the accountant is that of maintaining public records and reporting to stockholders. Accountants are key players in promoting ethical behavior in business, minimizing waste, and preventing/finding fraudulent activities.
Potential Careers in Accounting
- Auditor
- Account Manager/Executive
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable Billing
- Business Analyst
- Consultant
- Controller
- Credit Services
- Entrepreneur
- Financial Services/Planning
- Payroll Manager
- Procurement
- Staff Accountant
- Tax Management/Planning
Common Characteristics and Skills of Successful Accounting Students and Professionals
- Enjoy problem solving
- Strong quantitative abilities
- Comfortable working with structure and regulations
- Strong written communication skills
- Strong analytic and planning skills
- Ability to communicate complex information to non-technical audiences
- Manages time well and meets deadlines
- Keeps delicate and classified information strictly confidential
- Understands and enjoys working with technology
- Detail-oriented
- Understands how all functions of business are related
More Information
Department of Accounting
243 Rockwell Hall
(970) 491-29422
Chair: Dr. Bill Rankin
Academic Advising
178 Rockwell Hall
(970) 491-5103
www.biz.colostate.edu
Career Counselor
Melissa Luna
163 Rockwell Hall
(970) 491-0706
Melissa.Luna@colostate.edu
Shawn Utecht
164 Rockwell Hall
(970) 491-7377
Shawn.Utecht@colostate.edu
Online Resources
www.dora.state.co.us/accountants/
www.acinet.org
Tips for Researching the Accounting Occupation
- Shadow an accountant for a day
- Search the web for job profiles and position descriptions
- Talk to alumni of the Accounting program
- Attend the Career Fair and ask recruiters about accounting jobs
- Take an online assessment (see Career Center website) to see if an occupation in Accounting is for you
- Know yourself and what type of work you enjoy
- Get involved with a club/organization and run for the office of Treasurer
- Attend guest lectures hosted by Beta Alpha Psi
- Talk with a career counselor
- Get an accounting internship
Internship Coordinator
Dr. Jeff Casterella
253 Rockwell Hall
(970) 491-5242
jeff.casterella@business.colostate.edu
http://www.biz.colostate.edu/accounting/internships/pages/default.aspx
CPA Licensure Information
Contact the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants at 1-800-523-9082 or for questions regarding non-Colorado licensure, Barry Lewis in the Accounting Department, 242 Rockwell Hall, 970-491-2977. Information can also be found online.
To Schedule an Appointment with Your Advisor: