College Life

Private Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• Brigham Young University
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Southern California
• Bentley University

State Schools That Are Well Known for This Major

• University of Texas—Austin
• University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign
• University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
• Indiana University

Classes in the Major

Accounting. We hate to state the obvious here, but we will anyway. When you major in accounting, you have to take a lot of accounting courses. These involve managing and analyzing corporate accounts, crunching numbers, and learning all about investments and assets. These courses might even include an internship with real-life experience to see how the pros do it.

Auditing. Auditing is a form of punishment inflicted upon lesser people who did nothing wrong. Okay, not actually, but it might as well be, with the way everyone talks about it. No one wants to be audited by the IRS. Even if they have nothing to hide, it's still a huge hassle. Luckily, accounting majors can prepare for auditing in these courses, which go over the basic procedures and issues in auditing. Case studies? Check. Test controls? Check. In an auditing class, you get to practice auditing without the huffing and puffing of an actual audit.

Business Law. There's no way you can become an accountant without learning a little about business law. For instance, you have to report income and profits to the government to be taxed, regardless of whether you're a business or just one person. In business law classes, you'll learn all about your obligations as an accountant. Plus, you'll talk a lot about the grey areas of business ethics. When it comes to money, everyone is out to make a quick buck, but accountants are the ones who keep companies in check. (Which they also write.)

Economic Principles. Accounting and economics is like peanut butter and jelly. Or cookies and milk. Or coffee and early morning commutes. You get the idea. In accounting, it's helpful to know about the market, unemployment, inflation, and all those hot topics that you hear about in the news. Econ courses give future accountants the tools they need to deal with innovation and growth in the economy. Plus, these courses go over scenarios that happen in the real world, and that never hurts.

Tax Research. It turns out that there's more to taxes than School House Rock. Who'd have known? In a tax research course, you'll learn all about the legislative process and tax policy. A big part of accounting takes place during tax season, and not only will these courses gear you up for the big day in April, they'll also go over the professional responsibilities of an accountant. It's certainly not as easy as filling out a 1040EZ online.