Guide To Majors
A Career Planning Tool
Smith Career Center (0128)
Corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
phone (540) 231-6241
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Related information:
| Description of Major | Department Contacts | Change of Major Process | Graduate Study | Career Resources |
| Skills Developed | Entry-level Opportunities | Getting Experience | VT CareerLink | Post-Graduation Report |
Accounting and Information Systems: Description of Major
The Department of Accounting and Information Systems’ undergraduate programs are divided into three options: Accounting, Information Systems, and Information Systems Audit. These options are designed to give our students the opportunity to choose the area within accounting and information systems that is best for them. The job titles vary greatly and include auditor, information systems auditor, management accountant, tax consultant, systems consultant, systems analyst, controller, and cost accountant. The demand for our graduates has been strong throughout the department’s history and that demand is continuing.
Many graduates of our department desire to gain certification in their selected area of specialization. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) requires students taking the exam in Virginia to have a degree, 150 semester hours of credits and thirty semester hours of accounting in order to sit for the CPA exam. The requirements for other states vary; however, most now or soon will require students to meet the 150-hour requirement. Our department recommends that the CPA candidate enter our master of accounting and information systems program in order to be prepared to enter the CPA profession. Students should discuss with their advisor alternatives for meeting these requirements at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to the CPA exam, graduates of our programs sit for the Certificate in Management Accounting (CMA) exam, the Certified Internal Auditing (CIA) exam, the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam and others.
Program Areas / Concentrations / Options:
Accounting Information Systems Option - Assurance Track
The AIS Option, Assurance Track, allows students to prepare for careers as information systems auditors and information systems professionals in the areas of enterprise risk assurance services, computer risk assurance services, and other systems assurance services. These positions are available in organizations from all sectors of business: industry, professional service firms, consulting firms, government, and nonprofit organizations. This track prepares graduates to sit for the CPA, CMA, or other traditional accounting designations. Again you should check the requirements of your state to sit for the CPA Exam.
Students who graduate from this program usually accept positions in systems assurance services with CPA firms in the southeast.
Accounting Information Systems Option - Development Track
The AIS Option, Development Track, allows students to prepare for careers as systems analysts, database administrators, systems developers, and other information systems professionals. These positions are available with organizations from all sectors of business: industry, professional service firms, consulting firms, government, and nonprofit organizations. This track does not prepare graduates to sit for the CPA, CMA, or other traditional accounting designations.
Students who graduate from this program usually accept positions with consulting or software development firms in the southeast.
Accounting Option
The Accounting Option provides basic education for careers in public accounting (CPA) firms, large and small corporations (controller's staff), governments (federal, state, and local) and their agencies and nonprofit organizations. Graduates from this option are prepared to become CPAs, CMAs, and all of the other common professional accounting designations. You should check the requirements for your state to sit for the CPA Exam.
Students who graduate from this program who elect to work in public accounting typically accept positions with national or regional firms in an area bounded by Washington, D.C., Charlotte, NC, and the Research Triangle area. Frequently we have students accept positions in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Atlanta. Graduates who elect to work with corporations or government agencies typically begin their career in the southeast.