School of Accountancy
W. P. Carey School of Business
P.O. Box 873606
Tempe, AZ 85287-3606

Phone: 480-965-3631
Fax: 480-965-8392
Email: wpcareyacc@asu.edu

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Accountancy >> Undergraduate >> Current >> FAQ - Undergraduate

Accountancy


Graduation Requirements

To complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy:

  • Students must complete a minimum of 120 hours of course work; 30 hours must be in residence at ASU Tempe Campus
  • A minimum of 51 hours must be upper-division (300-400 level) and a minimum of 54 hours must be general studies.
  • Students must earn a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher in:
    • all courses taken at ASU
    • all business courses taken at ASU
    • all  upper division major and major support courses in the Accountancy major

Curriculum Check Sheets

Other Graduation Requirements


Career Choices In Accounting

Assurance
Dependable, understandable information is essential to a free market system and society's very existence. Dependable, understandable information on historical and projected events, processes, and controls is especially important to

  • investors making securities ( buy/sell) decisions and professionals providing investment advice;

  • consumers purchasing goods on the Internet;

  • bankers evaluating loan applications;

  • government officials evaluating the effects of social programs;

  • corporate directors assessing top management performance;

  • and chief executive officers attempting to create, enhance and protect shareholders' value.

All are relying upon information produced by others. Assurance services give investors, lenders and other third parties, as well as management and corporate directors, confidence in information they rely upon to make business and investment decisions. 

Consulting
Consultants are exposed to a wide range of companies and industries and work within many different business practices. A major objective of consulting is to help companies solve their most challenging problems – which means that consultants gain rare expertise in very valuable areas such as the ability to drive strategic initiatives, make technology recommendations, and design and manage changing business processes. Consultants accordingly are constantly learning and find great satisfaction from adding value to their clients.A partial list of outsourced corporate accounting/finance and outsourced accounting information systems services performed by professional accounting consultants include the following:

  • Design and implement information systems that integrate business processes, enterprise  technology, internal services and performance measurement.
  • Facilitate organizational change to leverage e-business, supply chain management and marketing intelligence.
  • Provide direction in business process re-engineering and organizational transformation to create/enhance shareholder value.

Corporate Accounting/Finance
The life of a corporate accountant is changing dramatically. Today's organizations rely on these management professionals to be strategic business advisors providing a wide range of information services necessary to facilitate mission-critical decisions. Today's corporate accountant (tomorrow's CFO, Chief Financial Officer) must be well versed in many areas including technology, business processes and electronic business initiatives. ASU's Accounting program provides the foundations to help you succeed in this exciting environment. A partial list of functions of a corporate accountant include the following:

  • Contribute financial expertise to and participate on organizational policy teams on strategic decisions related to issues such as capital investments and mergers and acquisitions.
  • Prepare financial performance reports and interface with equity and bond markets.
  • Develop, operate and maintain managerial control and planning information systems for strategic cost management and performance evaluation of key business processes.

Interface with leaders of various corporate functional areas in development of enterprise resource planning systems and ebusiness application solutions (e.g., eProcurement, demand forecast, knowledge sharing and collaboration.)

Tax Consulting Services
Conduct strategic business planning and analysis that takes into consideration the effect of domestic and foreign tax laws. Prepare compliance reports for individuals and businesses.


Major Proficiency Requirements

In addition to college and university requirements, Accountancy majors must receive grades of "C" or higher in the required upper-division major and major support courses. If a student receives a grade below "C" in any required upper-division major course, this course must be repeated before any other upper-division major course can be taken. If a second grade below "C" is received in either an upper-division major course already taken or in a different upper-division major course, the student is no longer eligible to take additional upper-division major courses.


CPA Examination

Arizona law requires that all educational requirements (degree and accounting hours) must be completed before applying to sit for the exam. If you have questions regarding the requirements or need additional information about the CPA Examination, please contact the Arizona State Board of Accountancy at (602) 364 0804 or www.accountancy.state.az.us.


FAQs

When do I file for graduation?

Students may file for graduation during the semester they plan to graduate. If graduating in May, the deadline is typically mid-March. If graduating in August, the deadline is typically early July. If graduating in December, the deadline is typically late October. You may download an application for graduation form at www.asu.edu/registrar/forms. The filing deadline for graduation can be found on the academic calendar: http://www.asu.edu/calendar/academic.html

When filing for graduation, first go to the Cashier's Office located on the second floor of the Student Services Building and pay the graduation fee. They will then send you to the Graduation Office to process your request.

Do you allow late drop/adds to be processed?

No. No exceptions will be made. Please refer to the current semester Schedule of Classes for semester late add/drop deadlines.

Do you allow late restricted withdrawals?

No. No exceptions will be made. Please refer to the current semester Schedule of Classes for semester withdrawal deadlines.

Who do I go to for advising?

Accountancy majors should contact an Accountancy Academic Advisor.  Contact information can be found at http://wpcarey.asu.edu/undergraduate/current-students/index.cfm.  Click on "Advising."

Do I need to do an internship?

Although an internship is not required to graduate from the Accountancy program, it is strongly recommended that you participate in one. An internship will give you valuable experience to take with you after graduation; and will also allow you to explore an accounting career, which will help you determine what career path you would like to take.  Internships and jobs are posted at: http://wpcarey.asu.edu/acc/jobs.cfm

How do I get an internship?

Currently ASU Career Services has an online system called Career Connections where job listings are posted. These job listings include part-time employment and internships. It is necessary to register with Career Services to be eligible to use their system. Also, the Accountancy Career Coach in the Business Career Center sends internship opportunities to students' ASU e-mail account. To establish an ASU e-mail account or to have your ASU e-mail account forwarded to your personal account, please contact Computer Accounts by e-mail or telephone at 480-965-1211.

Can I take courses without the assigned prerequisites?

No. No exceptions will be given. Please refer to current undergraduate catalog for complete course prerequisites. 

How can I keep up with the changes in the program?

Make contact with your academic advisor every semester when registering for courses for the following semester.

Periodically check our web site for updates and announcements.