Accounting is the study of how businesses track their income and assets over time, yet accounting has transformed in recent years to become more than simply recording financial data. Accountants engage in a wide variety of activities including computing costs and efficiency gains from new technologies, creating strategies for mergers and acquisitions, quality management, developing and using information systems to track financial performance, tax strategy, and benefits management.

An accounting degree is in demand

With a degree in accounting your career choices are limitless. You can choose to work in assurance, consulting, corporate accounting/finance, financial analysis/venture capital, financial planning, non-for-profit/government and tax consulting services.

• The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of accountants and auditors will grow 18 percent nationally over the next seven years. (1)
• The national average starting salary for an accounting major graduate is $48,993 (2)
• The average starting salary for an ASU accounting graduate is $48,053 (3)

Sources

(1) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
(2) National Assn. of Colleges and Employers, Spring 2009 Salary Survey
(3) W. P. Carey School of Business - Graduate Survey May 2009