An Accounting major at Rutgers Business School who got her first job at Goldman Sachs
The Field
Accounting is the language of business and is fundamental to decision-making for organizations across all industries. Accountants record transactions, provide strategic insights, ensure regulatory compliance, and help organizations manage complex financial environments. From public accounting and auditing, to technology consulting, data analysis, corporate finance, investment planning, and forensic investigation, the profession offers a wide variety of rewarding career options and choices.
Accountants are employed in nearly every economic sector, including, but not limited to, auditing and financial services, consulting, real estate, government, banking, retail, transportation, information services, and technology. They often work hand-in-hand with top management to generate critical insights that drive strategic decision-making.
Rutgers’ Accounting Program imparts analytical, technical, and strategic skills to students that are increasingly essential in today’s business environment. Students learn to evaluate business transactions, prepare and interpret financial reports, and apply technology to enhance decision-making. The curriculum spans key areas such as financial reporting, managerial accounting, information technology, auditing, taxation, and data analytics. In particular, Rutgers’ Accounting Program is integrating advanced data technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) with accounting knowledge in the course design.
A bachelor’s degree in Accounting provides a strong foundation for students to enter the workforce and opens numerous career paths. Want an even stronger edge in your career? Consider the fact that many employers prize candidates with graduate accounting degrees, such as a Master's in Accounting and Analytics, Taxation, or Governmental Accounting. Rutgers’ Accounting and Information Systems Department offers all these graduate degrees. Students interested in an academic career may pursue a Ph.D. in Accounting or Accounting Information Systems.
Career Paths
Public accountants and consultants provide auditing, tax, and advisory services to corporations, governments, nonprofits, and individuals. Specialized areas include forensic accounting, where professionals investigate financial crimes, regulatory breaches, bankruptcies, and contract disputes, as well as management consulting that focuses on improving a business’s efficiency and profitability.
Managerial accountants, also known as cost, corporate, or private accountants, record and analyze financial information to guide decision-making, enhance efficiency, and support strategic planning. Focus areas include corporate accounting, budgeting, and performance analysis.
Governmental accountants, auditors, and budget analysts impact society by serving federal, state, and local governments in a variety of roles, ensuring compliance, transparency, and efficient resource management within public sector organizations.
Internal auditors evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, recommend process improvements, and identify issues such as mismanagement, waste, and fraud.
Rutgers Business School has become a valuable resource for the New York metropolitan corporate community. Graduates of Rutgers’ Accounting Program are well-prepared to succeed in the job market.
Key Facts
- Expert faculty: The Accounting & Information Systems Department is ranked #1 globally for Accounting Information Systems research.
- Strong Industry Connections: Leading companies, including the “Big Four” (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC), actively recruit Rutgers Business School students.
- Diverse Careers: Graduates excel across various industries such as accounting, corporate finance, banking, consulting, healthcare, government, and technology.
- Career Advancement: Many graduates pursue certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Masters degree to enhance their credentials and careers.
Sample Occupations
- Public Accountant
- Internal Auditor
- Tax Consultant
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Manager
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Management Consultant
- Cost Management Specialist
- Technology and Data Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- IRS Investigator
- Technology and Data Analyst
- Compliance Officer
- IRS Agent
- Forensic Accountant
Where Graduates are Working
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young
- KPMG
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Goldman Sachs
- J.P. Morgan
- Amazon
- Johnson & Johnson
- Prudential Financial
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ
- IRS
Compensation
According to the 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, bachelor’s degree candidates in accounting received offers with a median salary of $79,880.
According to Glassdoor, the median total pay for accountants is $106K per year in New York City.
How to Apply
Curriculum
RBS Core Courses
Business Core | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Credits | Notes and Prerequisites |
33:010:272 Intro. To Financial Accounting | 3 | |
33:010:275 Intro. to Managerial Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:272 |
33:011:301 Foundations for Your Career Journey | 1 | |
33:011:302 Building Your Brand | 1 | pre-req: 33:011:301 |
33:011:303 Conquering Your Transition | 1 | pre-req: 33:011:302 |
33:010:458 Accounting Information Systems | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:272 and 01:198:170 |
33:136:385 Statistical Methods in Business | 3 | pre-reqs: 01:640:135 and 01:960:285 |
33:136:386 Operations Management | 3 | pre-req: 01:640:135 |
33:140:320 Business Law I | 3 | pre-reqs: 01:220:102, 01:220:103, and 33:010:272 |
33:390:300 Financial Management | 3 | pre-reqs: 01:960:285, 01:220:103, and 33:010:272 |
33:620:301 Intro to Management | 3 | |
33:620:302 Management Skills | 3 | |
33:620:492 Business Policy and Strategy | 3 | pre-reqs: 33:390:300, 33:620:301, 33:630:301; senior year only |
33:630:301 Intro. to Marketing | 3 | |
33:799:301 Intro. to Supply Chain Management | 3 | |
Credit Total | 39 |
Required Courses for Students Who Entered RBS-NB Fall 2022 or Later.
Required Accounting Courses | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Credits | Notes and Prerequisites |
33:010:325 Intermediate Accounting I | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:272 |
33:010:458 Accounting Information Systems | (3) | fulfilled in Business Core requirements, pre-reqs: 33:010:272 and 01:198:170 |
33:010:326 Intermediate Accounting II | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:325 |
33:010:451 Cost Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:275 |
33:010:415 Concepts of Auditing | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:325 |
33:010:421 Income Tax Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:325 |
33:010:401 Advanced Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:326 |
33:010:416 Audit Analytics | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:415 |
33:010:422 Topics in Income Taxation | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:326 and 33:010:421 |
Credit Total | 24 |
Required Courses for students admitted prior to Fall 2022
Required Accounting Courses | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Credits | Notes and Prerequisites |
33:010:325 Intermediate Accounting I | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:272 |
33:010:458 Accounting Information Systems | (3) | fulfilled in Business Core requirements, pre-reqs: 33:010:272 and 01:198:170 |
33:010:326 Intermediate Accounting II | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:325 |
33:010:451 Cost Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:275 |
33:010:415 Concepts of Auditing | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:325 |
33:010:421 Income Tax Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:325 |
33:010:401 Advanced Accounting | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:326 |
33:010:416 Audit Analytics | 3 | pre-req: 33:010:415 |
Credit Total | 21 |
Accounting Major Special Notes
- In order to declare Accounting as a major, you must earn a grade of B or better in either Intro to Financial Accounting 33:010:272 OR Intro to Managerial Accounting 33:010:275. Accounting majors must earn a grade of B or better in at least one of the 2 introductory Accounting courses.
- Starting in Summer 2024, 33:390:310 Financial Management for Finance majors will not be offered. All RBS students will take 33:390:300 Financial Management regardless of major. A grade of B or higher will be required in 33:390:300 to declare the finance major or finance concentration and to take any additional courses in the finance department.
- If you major in Accounting as your first, second or third major, you are required to take 33:010:458 Accounting Information System and 33:140:320 Business Law I. You will not earn credit for taking 33:136:370 Management Information System. You can earn credit towards graduation if you take 33:522:334 Business Ethics but it will not fulfill a major requirement.
- Students with more than one Business School major may only double count one RBS course between those majors.