Accounting Major

Undergraduate Program in New Brunswick

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
  • Google
  • 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
CourseCreditsNotes and Prerequisites
33:010:272 Intro. To Financial Accounting3 
33:010:275 Intro. to Managerial Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:272
33:011:301 Foundations for Your Career Journey1 
33:011:302 Building Your Brand1pre-req: 33:011:301
33:011:303 Conquering Your Transition1pre-req: 33:011:302
33:010:458 Accounting Information Systems3pre-req: 33:010:272 and 01:198:170
33:136:385 Statistical Methods in Business3pre-reqs: 01:640:135 and 01:960:285
33:136:386 Operations Management3pre-req: 01:640:135
33:140:320 Business Law I3pre-reqs: 01:220:102, 01:220:103, and 33:010:272
33:390:300 Financial Management 3pre-reqs: 01:960:285, 01:220:103, and 33:010:272
33:620:301 Intro to Management3 
33:620:302 Management Skills3 
33:620:492 Business Policy and Strategy3pre-reqs: 33:390:300, 33:620:301, 33:630:301; senior year only
33:630:301 Intro. to Marketing3 
33:799:301 Intro. to Supply Chain Management3 
Credit Total39 

Required Courses for Students Who Entered RBS-NB Fall 2022 or Later.

Required Accounting Courses
CourseCreditsNotes and Prerequisites
33:010:325 Intermediate Accounting I3pre-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 II3pre-req: 33:010:325
33:010:451 Cost Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:275
33:010:415 Concepts of Auditing3pre-req: 33:010:325
33:010:421 Income Tax Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:325
33:010:401 Advanced Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:326
33:010:416 Audit Analytics3pre-req: 33:010:415
33:010:422 Topics in Income Taxation3pre-req: 33:010:326 and 33:010:421
Credit Total24 

Required Courses for students admitted prior to Fall 2022

Required Accounting Courses
CourseCreditsNotes and Prerequisites
33:010:325 Intermediate Accounting I3pre-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 II3pre-req: 33:010:325
33:010:451 Cost Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:275
33:010:415 Concepts of Auditing3pre-req: 33:010:325
33:010:421 Income Tax Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:325
33:010:401 Advanced Accounting3pre-req: 33:010:326
33:010:416 Audit Analytics3pre-req: 33:010:415
Credit Total21 

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.