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University of Pittsburgh

College of Business Administration

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  • Why Pitt Business?
    • Overview
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    • Business Majors
      • Accounting
      • Business Analytics
      • Business Information Systems
      • Finance
      • Global Management
      • Human Resources Management
      • Marketing
      • Supply Chain Management
    • Double Degree Programs
    • Certificates
      • Certificate Program in Business Analytics
      • Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
      • Certificate Program in International Business
      • Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics
      • Certificate Program in Sports Management
      • Certificate in Supply Chain Management
      • Area-Studies Certificates
        • Conflict/Conflict Resolution Certificate in Global Studies
        • Global Economy and Global Governance Certificate in Global Studies
        • Sustainable Development Certificate in Global Studies
    • Honors Students
      • Honors Program
      • Guaranteed Graduate Admission
      • Frederick Honors College
    • Business Minor
      • Business Minor Admissions
      • Course Planning for the Business Minor
    • Accelerated Degrees
      • BSBA/MAcc
      • BSBA/JD
    • Core Courses
    • Arts & Sciences Requirements
      • Arts & Sciences Requirements – Prior to January 2023
      • Arts & Sciences Requirements – Beginning January 2023
    • Student Advising
      • Pitt Business Summer Course Transfer Process
      • New Transfer Student Information
    • Student Success and Tutoring
    • Standards and Policies
    • Pitt Business Graduation
  • Careers
    • Careers Overview
    • Student Career Development
      • Professional Development Programming
        • Professional Academies
        • Digital Marketing Institute
        • Analytics Institute
        • Finance Technology Laboratory
        • Leaders Engaging and Developing Strengths program (LEADS)
      • Alumni-Connect
      • The Pitt Business Career Internship Scholarship Program
      • Internship for Credit
      • Executives in Residence
      • Alumni in Residence
      • Career Development Resources
      • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
      • Career Blog
    • Recruiter Career Services
      • Career Development Conference – Fall
      • Pitt Business Corporate Sponsorships
      • Pitt Business Career Development Conferences
      • Pitt Business Career and Internship Fair
    • Alumni Career Services
  • Global Experiences
    • Overview
    • Programs
    • Resources
      • How to Go Abroad
      • Global Experience Financial Resources
      • Certificates
    • Global Experiences Student Blog
    • Global Experiences Ambassador Program
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    • Student Life Overview
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    • Student Organizations
    • Pitt Business Outside the Classroom
    • Take a Virtual Tour of Pitt Business
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      • College Course Planning
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Academics

Accounting

Accounting Major

The major in accounting provides students with the general business and accounting knowledge necessary to succeed in professional accounting roles.

Accounting majors will acquire the communication, technical, and interpersonal skills necessary to successfully resolve complex problems in unstructured settings. Accounting majors will also benefit from participation in extracurricular activities, internships, and organizations such as the University of Pittsburgh Accounting Association and Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honorary fraternity.

Students who plan to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) need to complete 150 credit hours for certification. There are multiple ways to achieve 150 credits during a student’s academic career, one of which is to continue their education in the Master of Science in Accounting Program (MAcc) offered by the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, but students are advised to meet with their advisor regularly to determine a course of study that best fits their individual circumstance. For students who do not wish to become CPAs, the accounting major is an excellent complement to other business majors, enhancing the value of each major.

Highly motivated students are also able to participate in our 3+1 BSBA and MS in Accounting (MAcc) program which enables students to earn both degrees and 150 credits in only four years. Students can also complete the BSBA and MAcc degrees in 4.5 or 5 years, depending on their individual situations.

  • Earn a minimum of 120 Academic Credits and fulfill all BSBA degree requirements
    • Complete two BSBA core courses in accounting as well as six required accounting major courses (18 credits) as described below.
  • Fulfill All:
    • Arts and Sciences Foundation Requirements
    • BSBA Core Curriculum Requirements
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.25 (C+) in all courses applied toward an Accounting major.
  • Grade of “C-” or better must be earned in each course applied toward an Accounting major

Pitt Business Core Courses

Each of these courses must be completed with a C or better in order to proceed with the accounting major.

  • BUSACC 0030 Financial Accounting
  • BUSACC 0040 Managerial Accounting

Required Major Courses

  • BUSACC 1204 Intermediate Financial Reporting 1
  • BUSACC 1205 Intermediate Financial Reporting 2

Select four of the following classes:

  • BUSACC 1210 Financial Statement Analysis
  • BUSACC 1216 Advanced Financial Accounting
  • BUSACC 1221 Strategic Cost Management
  • BUSACC 1236 Accounting Information Systems
  • BUSACC 1238 Auditing
  • BUSACC 1242 Taxes and Decision Making

Accounting Electives not counted toward Accounting Major*

  • BUSACC 1245 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (permission required)
  • BUSACC 1296 Accounting Internship
  • BUSENV 1760 Business Law
  • Global Business Institute – Accounting Summer Program

*These courses may or may not count toward CPA Certification.  Check your intended state’s CPA requirements for details.

Skills Needed

  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • A high GPA is expected to be competitive in the market. Grades are an indicator of technical ability in accounting and of a person’s work ethic
  • Excellent communication skills are needed, in addition to working well in a team environment
  • Strong technical skills; many positions require using specialized accounting software

Types of Jobs

  • Budget Analysis
  • Financial
  • Management Accounting
  • Tax
  • Auditing

Types of Industries

  • Public Accounting
  • Corporate Accounting
  • Government
  • Education
  • Non-profit
  • Self-employed – CPA

  • Economics
  • Additional Minors Available

In Pennsylvania and most other states, a CPA license will be granted only to individuals who have earned 150 or more university credits. The Master of Science in Accounting Program (MAcc) at the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is the recommended way to earn the additional 30 credit hours after the BSBA and prepare for the CPA exam.

In general, students planning to take the CPA exam in a state other than PA will fulfill most licensing requirements by earning 150 total credits and following the approved plan of study as shown above. However, students planning to take the CPA exam in a state other than PA are responsible for contacting that state’s board of accountancy to be sure all necessary requirements have been fulfilled. This link lists all of the state boards of accountancy: https://www.thiswaytocpa.com/licensure/state-requirements/

The University of Pittsburgh has partnered with Becker Professional Education, the leading CPA exam review provider. Students benefit in the following ways:

  • Students can receive no-cost access to one section of the Becker review course material.
  • Purchase of the Becker review course material is available for all students at a discount.
  • Scholarships are available (application required).
  • Students have access to Becker representatives who can meet with students to discuss their questions/concerns regarding the CPA exam.

“Being able to get a head start on my college career even before setting foot on campus, like meeting with an Executive in Residence (Kathy Foody-Malus) was an amazing experience. Now that I’m here, I’m excited to continue this journey and grow both academically and professionally!”

Rahel Sitotaw

Accounting and Finance, Class of 2025

#12 Ranked Public Business Program in the United States!

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  • Academics Overview
  • Business Majors
    • Accounting
    • Business Analytics
    • Business Information Systems
    • Finance
    • Global Management
    • Human Resources Management
    • Marketing
    • Supply Chain Management
  • Certificates
    • Certificate Program in Business Analytics
    • Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    • Certificate Program in International Business
    • Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics
    • Certificate Program in Sports Management
    • Certificate in Supply Chain Management
    • Area-Studies Certificates
      • Sustainable Development Certificate in Global Studies
      • Conflict/Conflict Resolution Certificate in Global Studies
      • Global Economy and Global Governance Certificate in Global Studies
  • Honors Program
    • Guaranteed Graduate Admission
    • University Honors College
  • College of Business Administration Course Catalogue
  • Business Minor
    • Business Minor Admissions
    • Course Planning for the Business Minor
  • Double Degree Programs
  • Accelerated Degrees
    • BSBA/MAcc
    • BSBA/JD
  • Arts & Sciences Requirements
    • Arts & Sciences Requirements – Beginning January 2023
    • Arts & Sciences Requirements – Prior to January 2023
  • Core Courses
  • Student Advising
    • Pitt Business Summer Course Transfer Process
    • New Transfer Student Information
  • Standards and Policies
  • Student Success and Tutoring
  • Pitt Business Graduation

#12 Ranked Public Business Program in the United States!

Read More
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University of Pittsburgh
College of Business Administration

2100 Sennott Square,
210 S. Bouquet St.

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

Call: 412-383-9600

Fax: 412-383-9606

Email: admissions@business.pitt.edu

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