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This is an archived copy of the 2013-2014 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, pleae visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

Accounting

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Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curriculum in business, major in accounting.

The curriculum in accounting is accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the international business accrediting agency.

The primary purpose of accounting is to provide relevant information to both internal users (management) and external users such as investors, creditors, government, and the general public. Accounting is an integral part of the management of business and public organizations. Accountants, therefore, participate in planning, evaluating, controlling, and reporting the activities of the firm. Accounting is needed by external users in order to make investment decisions, grant or withhold credit, and, in the case of government, to collect revenue and gather statistical information. In order to provide useful information, accountants collect, analyze, synthesize, and report data in an understandable manner.

The instructional objective of the Accounting Program is to provide a well-rounded professional education in accounting. Such an education should provide the student with:

  1. a mastery of basic accounting concepts
  2. an ability to think critically and creatively about accounting problems
  3. an ability to communicate effectively and work with others as a member of a team
  4. an awareness and sensitivity for dealing with ethical concerns.

The major in accounting is designed to give students a conceptual foundation as well as to provide a wide range of basic skills and analytical tools for use in reporting for both public and private concerns. Students who complete the accounting major are well prepared to accept positions in industry, government, and the public accounting profession.