For the past two years, BYU-Idaho's Department of Accounting has removed International Accounting (ACCTG 440) from their options courses, out of which accounting students must choose two, and replaced it with Accounting and Audit Data Analytics (ACCTG 354) in order to set their accounting graduates up for success.
The Department of Accounting focuses on developing students’ abilities in financial and managerial accounting, taxation, auditing and accounting information systems; thus, opening up multiple career pathways into the profession and/or graduate school. Many students move on to obtain certifications like the Certified Public Accountant, CPA, or Certified Management Accountant, CMA.
"(Originally,) the U.S. Board of Financial Standards was working to align with the Board of International Standards ," said BYU-Idaho accounting department chair, Kevin Kimball.
The ACCTG 440 course prevented many students from preparing for the CPA exam due to the time and effort required for the course. The department is focused on the success of their students and will replace the course.
"We focus on helping students succeed in the professional world of accounting," Kimball said.
TheACCTG 354 course will teach students how to apply financial data analytics skills in the performance of the preliminary planning, control testing, substantive testing and reporting phases of a financial audit.
The Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, the CPA Exam, is given to those wanting to become U.S. Certified Public Accountants. The 16-hour CPA exam consists of four sections: financial accounting and reporting, auditing and attestation, regulation and business environment and concepts.
"…I recently found out that I passed the last section of the CPA exam. I was surprised at how well the accounting program prepared me for the CPA exam. I passed all four sections on my first attempt in a period of six months. If any students ask if these classes will help, the answer is a resounding yes," said BYU-I graduate, Donovan W.
The accounting department also provides students an opportunity to attend the accounting society events, an annual meet-the-firms recruiting event and job expeditions that help place students in desirable positions and graduate schools throughout the United States.
Graduates with a degree in Accounting have a wide array of rewarding careers available to them. Top accounting careers students can get as well as other career options can be found in I-Plan.