Every industry has its own language. For business, that language is accounting. Accounting is a discipline that requires solving unique puzzles, telling stories with numbers and interpreting vast amounts of data to provide real value to corporate and individual clients alike.
With a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting from Ohio University , you’ll become a true financial wizard, gain skills and expertise that are valuable anywhere in the world, and empower yourself to make a big difference in a variety of industries. Read on to learn:
Choose What You Want to Learn
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Accounting Major Only
Many accounting students choose to focus exclusively on the BBA accounting path . It’s an excellent path in and of itself, covering comprehensive and diverse topics like data analytics for accounting, managerial accounting, corporate governance, commerce and related topics.
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Double-Major With Accounting
However, accounting majors can also expand their career potential by double majoring in a related field , like finance, pre-law or even entrepreneurship. This path is a good choice for those who love multiple aspects of business and administration or want to train multiple skill sets for maximum job market security.
Choose Where You Want To Learn
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Athens, OH, Residential Campus
Attending OHIO’s BBA in Accounting program means spending time on our beautiful, student-friendly residential campus in Athens . Located in the warm and tight-knit Athens community, it’s the perfect place to study, forge lifelong friendships, and develop hobbies and interests you’ll carry with you long after you leave.
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Regional Campuses
Need to begin your studies closer to home? Attend one of Ohio University’s regional campuses to knock out your general education requirements or take certain Accounting courses.
Careers in Accounting
Many accounting majors indeed become Certified Public Accountants or "CPAs." But that's just the tip of the iceberg in terms of career potential! You can pursue many other accounting jobs and careers, many of which come with lucrative salaries, like:
- Tax planning analyst
- Managerial accountant/controller
- Assurance services specialist
- Financial manager
- Chief financial officer (CFO) or even chief executive officer (CEO)
Career and Internship Support
96% of our 2022 accounting graduates experienced positive outcomes such as employment or continuing education within six months after commencement. Many students have even accepted offers during their senior year.
The School of Accountancy and the College of Business have great relationships with accounting recruiters throughout Ohio and across the nation. In fact, most students have accepted offers before the spring semester of their senior year.
As an accounting student, you'll interact with accounting firms during several recruitment events each year. Events like the OHIO Business Conference, Weekly Accounting Nights, Annual Awards Banquet and Golf Outing provide you with opportunities to meet recruiters, interact with hiring managers, learn about company cultures and cultivate great networking relationships.
Additionally, our Business Academic Advising & Career Services center is onsite in Copeland Hall, ready to help you understand how to use good career marketing strategies, from your first year as a student. We’re ready to help you find the perfect internship or job. In addition to career fairs, you’ll have access to Handshake, a web-based system where employers post positions, review resumes and connect with candidates. Plus, participate in workshops, seminars, and even one-on-one coaching to make sure you’re presenting yourself the right way and achieving your career goals.
Post-Grad Opportunities for Accounting
The quality of OHIO’s accounting program is so well-known that many of our students have job offers before graduating. Post-graduation, you might find offer letters waiting in your email inbox.
Most of our graduates go into the workforce after gaining their degrees, finding employment in major organizations including all of the "Big Four" accounting firms in the United States (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC), many national (BDO, Crowe, Cohen, Schneider Downs, Plante Moran and RSM) and regional firms, and corporate and governmental organizations.
If you want to earn your CPA or continue your education, you can also jump straight into our Master of Accountancy program , which is available in person and online. An accelerated variant of this program can be completed in just one year. Whatever you choose to do, a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting prepares you to excel!
Get Hands-On Experience With Your Accounting Degree
Since we know that hands-on experience is the best way to learn, our students are encouraged to participate outside of the classroom in a variety of activities.
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Complete Paid Internships
At Ohio University, we believe you learn best by doing — and that's especially true for the accounting profession! That's why all accounting majors complete at least one internship during their schooling. Even better, most of these internships are paid, helping you fund your education before your career begins.
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Join the SOX 404 Fellows Program
The most committed accounting majors may want to pursue membership in the SOX 404 Fellows Program , the highly selective and most distinguished accounting student organization at OHIO. Each year, members of the SOX 404 Fellows Program audit for the Ohio University Foundation’s accounts.
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Participate in the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program
Ohio University accounting majors can help international students file taxes through the Volunteer International Tax Assistance (VITA) program . It’s an excellent mark on your resume and an opportunity to make a positive difference with your accounting skills well before you graduate.
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Jump Into the Global Consulting Program
All OHIO business students can apply for the Global Consulting Program . Should you be accepted, you’ll travel internationally to assist businesses around the globe with your accounting skills. You can expand your professional and personal horizons at the same time with an unforgettable experience!
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Join Student Groups
Accounting majors join Beta Alpha Psi , the National Honors Organization for all financial professionals. It was originally founded at Ohio University in 1952, and it’s one of the most involved, active organizations throughout Athens. You can also join the Accounting Club, which will allow you to still attend functions and meetings and see how the club works before jumping into larger initiatives and projects!
Why Choose an Accounting Degree?
You don’t need to enjoy calculus to enjoy accounting, and that’s a big reason why computers won’t make accountants obsolete in the next ten years. Computers and programs might handle a lot of the number crunching, but keen human minds will be needed to make judgment calls, discover whether balance sheets are accurate and much more.
Accounting, in fact, is much more about determining what numbers mean. Seeing how money is spent, whether it goes to the right people or whether an organization is using money legally are just a few examples of how you can use accounting to make a real difference in the legal system, for nonprofit organizations and for small businesses trying to make the most of every dollar they earn.
With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you’ll have the experience and impressive skills to secure a job practically anywhere you can imagine. After all, every industry and type of organization needs an accountant!
Student Support Resources for Accounting Majors
Accounting students will find lots of support resources waiting for them at Ohio University, many of which come from faculty members.
Most of the faculty who teach accounting degree courses are trained CPAs, so they know the ins and outs of the industry better than anyone. Beyond providing stellar classroom instruction, they act as professional mentors and advisors for all of our students. Want to know how to dress for an interview for an accounting job or how you should “speak the lingo” for your first position? Our faculty members can answer these questions for you and more.
First-gen students may face additional challenges, so our faculty is committed to providing them with extensive assistance. But our university collectively recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion as well. That's why all accounting majors complete courses dedicated to cultural perspectives and diversity to graduate.
The OHIO Experience for Accounting Majors
At Ohio University, accounting majors will get the chance to practice classroom skills and accounting theories starting their first year. Thanks to this, you’ll gain the confidence and practical experience you need to thrive in this competitive industry — and you’ll never feel daunted when looking at a balance sheet or stack of tax records ever again!
Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy unforgettable experiences with your peers and professors. Whether you decide to travel abroad, help local businesses or individuals with their taxes or participate in other internship opportunities, your time at OHIO won’t be marked by unending hours in the classroom. You’ll be out exploring and practicing throughout your program!
Accreditation
In 1995, OHIO's School of Accountancy received supplemental accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business . Only 1 percent of business schools hold both the AACSB accreditation and Accounting Accreditation! AACSB accreditation is the benchmark of quality for business education and gives you the assurance that you’re getting a quality education, recognized by employers, recruiters and graduate schools as the best in business education worldwide.
Discover Your Potential.