Accounting

Accounting, in a limited sense, is the analysis, classification, and recording of financial events and the reporting of the results of such events for the organization. In a broader sense, accounting consists of all financial systems for planning, controlling, and appraising performance of an organization. Accounting includes among its many facets: financial planning, budgeting, accounting systems, financial management controls, financial analysis of performance, financial reporting, internal and external auditing, and taxation.

The accounting curriculum provides an educational foundation for careers in public accounting, management, whether in private business organizations, government or nonprofit agencies, or consulting.

120 credits are required to complete a degree in Accounting; however, students seeking to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) must meet the certification requirements in the state they wish to practice.  Most states including Maryland require a total of 150 credit hours in order to be eligible to take the CPA exam in that state.   In addition, do not assume the course and credit requirements for the accounting major are sufficient in all states. For details, on various state's CPA requirements visit http://www.nasba.org.  See below for suggestions in completing 150 credits.

Please note: The Public Accounting (CPA) Track is the only major track available in Accounting at this time.

Download complete degree requirements and/or a 4 year plan.

New Requirements - Effective for students entering UM in Spring 2008 and later.  Effective for students entering UM in Fall 2007 and later.  Beginning Spring 2008, BMGT410 Government Accounting has been added as an Accounting major option.  Students who entered UM prior to Fall 2007 have the option of adopting these new requirements.  Please consult your Smith School Academic Advisor if you have questions.  See below for more details.

• Freshmen/Sophomore Requirements [ PDF ]
• Junior/Senior Requirements [ PDF ]
• 4 year Degree Plan [ PDF ]

Old Requirements

- Effective for students entering UM in Fall 2005 through Spring 2007.

• Freshmen/Sophomore Requirements [ PDF ]
• Junior/Senior Requirements [ PDF ]
• 4 year Degree Plan [ PDF ]

- Effective for students entering UM from Spring 2003 through Spring 2005

• Freshmen/Sophomore Requirements [ PDF ]
• Junior/Senior Requirements [ PDF ]
• Accounting 4 year Degree Plan [ PDF ]

Links to Related Sites

• Accounting Career Information
• Course Description and Prerequisite Information [ PDF ]
• Accounting and Information Assurance Department
• Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy - provides links to State CPA Boards/requirements
• The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Suggested 150 credit hour Options

Economics Requirements:

Major Requirements:

NOTE: To fulfill the requirements for the CPA exam, contact the Board of Accountants in the state where you intend to take the exam. Do not assume requirements for the accounting major are sufficient in all states.   For details, on various state's CPA requirements visit http://www.nasba.org.

NOTE: All applicants who wish to take the CPA exam in the State of Maryland must complete 150 credit hours.  To view the State of Maryland's CPA requirements visit http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/account.html.

Suggested 150 credit hour Options

Most states including Maryland require a total of 150 credit hours in order to be eligible to take the CPA exam in that state.  Students can typically complete their Accounting degree and the specific course requirements for the CPA in the minimum 120 credits required to earn the degree.  However, if 150 credits are required to sit for the CPA exam, students must complete 30 credits beyond the specific course requirements for the CPA exam. These additional credits can be completed in several ways, as illustrated below.  Please be sure to consult the Board of Accountants in the state where you intend to take the exam for their specific requirements because requirements can vary between states.  For details, on various state's CPA requirements visit http://www.nasba.org.

Graduate Programs

The Smith School offers a Master of Science in Business: Accounting Program with a focus on Internal Auditing.  For more details on this program visit http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/ms/. 

In addition, many institutions offer graduate programs for undergraduate accounting students.  Consult institutions in your area about the availability of these types of graduate degrees.

Double Majors/Degrees

Accounting majors can select a second major in or outside of the Smith School. Any credits required to complete the second major, above the 120 minimum required for a degree, can be applied toward the 150 total credits for the CPA exam.  Students who accumulate 150 credits while completing both majors are eligible to earn two degrees upon their graduation.

To declare a second Smith School major, Smith School students must have the following courses completed: MATH 220 or 140, BMGT 230 or 231, ECON 200 & 201, BMGT 220 & 221.  In addition, because of the high demand for the Marketing and Finance majors, Smith School students must also have a minimum of a 3.500 cumulative UM GPA to declare either Marketing or Finance as a second Smith School major. Students should declare a second major as early as possible in their academic career, but in no case later than one full academic year before their expected date of graduation in their primary major.

Visit, http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad/academicmajors.html, to view a listing of the Smith School's majors and their requirements.  To obtain information on majors outside of the Smith School visit http://www.umd.edu/academic/#Colleges or the online undergraduate catalog at http://www.umd.edu/catalog/.

Minors

The Smith School of Business does not offer any minors. However, many minors are offered in other departments across the campus. To see a complete list and to learn more about these opportunities visit http://www.provost.umd.edu/PCC_DOCUMENTS/Minors/.

Smith Undergraduate Fellows Program

The Smith Undergraduate Fellows Program is an innovative concept in undergraduate business education, offering a series of special academic programs—or tracks—which will create small communities of scholars within the larger Smith School community.  Each specialized Fellows program combines opportunities for action learning and professional development with rigorous in-depth academic coursework focused on cutting edge issues affecting 21st century business.  For more details on this program, visit http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad/specialprograms.html.

Study Abroad Programs (summer, winter and/or semester programs)

Studying abroad is a great way to expand your understanding of other business and cultural environments, and to demonstrate an ability to work effectively in foreign environments. In addition to the campus Study Abroad Office, the Smith School's Center for Global Business offers exchange programs for Smith School students.  Visit the links below for more details on all your program options and for contact information.

• Center for Global Business: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/global/undergradexchangeprograms.html
• Study Abroad Office: http://www.international.umd.edu/studyabroad/