I am an accounting student about to start getting into my upper level accounting classes. There are 2 routes I can take: Public Accounting (which prepares you for the CPA exam) or the Corporate Accounting route. I have no desire to work for a PA firm, but rather a company. Which do you recommend? Seems the CA option offers more of what I am interested in, but most everyone goes for their CPA. I just don't want to not take courses that I may need. Here are the options:
Public Accounting Option This program is intended to meet the entry-level educational requirements for students who want to pursue a career in public accounting. Students in this program must complete additional courses to qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant Examination in Alabama. Most students continue their education by completing the M.B.A. degree (or equivalent number of hours) with a concentration in accounting to fulfill the minimum 150 semester hours of academic preparation required by the regulations under the Alabama Public Accountancy Act. For more information about the CPA examination requirements in Alabama, contact the State Board of Public Accountancy or the head of the Department of Accounting and Finance. Those planning to take the CPA examination for another state should contact the appropriate board or department in that state to determine the requirements.
Required Courses Semester Hours ACCT 3110 Intermediate Accounting I ACCT 3120 Intermediate Accounting II ACCT 3210 Managerial Cost Accounting ACCT 3310 Income Tax Accounting ACCT 4200 Accounting Information Systems ACCT 4410 Auditing Financial Statements Option Electives
Option Electives ACCT 4130 Advanced Financial Accounting ACCT 4320 Advanced Income Tax Accounting ACCT 4420 Seminar in Auditing ACCT 4510 Government and Nonprofit Accounting (Students in the public accounting option are also required to complete MNGT
3420 Legal Aspects of Business Management as a business elective.)Corporate Accounting Option This program is intended to meet the entry-level educational requirements for students who want to pursue a career in corporate/managerial accounting. Students in this program will have the background to work in a variety of industries-manufacturing, retail, government, nonprofit, or services. Students interested in careers in state and local government should take ACCT 4510 as one of the option electives.
Required Courses Semester Hours ACCT 3110 Intermediate Accounting I ACCT 3210 Managerial Cost Accounting ACCT 3310 Income Tax Accounting ACCT 4200 Accounting Information Systems ACCT 4230 Advanced Managerial Accounting ACCT 4430 Internal Auditing Option Electives (2)
Option Electives ACCT 3120 Intermediate Accounting II ACCT 4130 Advanced Financial Accounting ACCT 4320 Advanced Income Tax Accounting ACCT 4410 Auditing Financial Statements ACCT 4510 Government and Nonprofit Accounting
Thanks in advance for your advice! Ashley
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