Department website: https://mays.tamu.edu/departments/accounting/

The accounting profession continues to be recognized as one of the world’s leading professions and as one offering many opportunities for a challenging career. The major challenge confronting the accounting profession today is the continuous development of accounting and information systems that can be utilized by business firms operating in an increasingly complex global environment. Within this environment, business firms and government units are generating and utilizing information at an accelerating rate.

A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in accounting provides the opportunity for entry into a career offering a variety of different and challenging paths. Many accounting graduates are employed by public accounting firms that provide assurance, tax and other services to all types of organizations. Other accounting graduates pursue careers with business firms and financial institutions, within all levels of government, and as accounting educators. All of these careers provide an opportunity to earn the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and to serve society by maintaining the highest levels of integrity.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) recognizes the need for technically competent graduates entering the accounting profession. The State Board of Public Accountancy in Texas requires a minimum of 150 semester hours of college coursework (including at least 27 hours of upper-division accounting courses) as well as other requirements for CPA licensure. Therefore, highly motivated students are encouraged to give serious consideration to pursuing advanced studies to enhance their potential for a successful accounting career. The BBA degree alone does not meet the requirements to sit for the CPA examination in Texas.

The James Benjamin Department of Accounting offers a 5-year combined professional program that students apply for admission to enter during their junior year. The Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) offers a curriculum integrating undergraduate and graduate education. Graduates receive a BBA and a Master of Science degree (MS) or receive a BBA and a Master of Financial Management (MFM). This program offers opportunities for successful and motivated students to pursue academic coursework that challenges both their interests and abilities. Courses are taught by experienced faculty with superior teaching and professional credentials and are limited in class size.

Objectives of PPA include developing sound conceptual, technical, analytical and communication skills that are required for success in the accounting profession. The program develops decision making and teamwork skills through extensive use of discussions and case studies. Also, the program enables the student to select a coursework specialization in audit, non-profit, information systems, financial management, marketing, entrepreneurship, taxation, consulting, supply chain management, wealth management, or human resource management. Each track offers the student an opportunity to participate in a professional accounting internship which can be taken for course credit, should the student elect to do so.

The department also offers a standalone traditional Master's Program (Master of Science in Accounting) that students enter after completion of the Bachelor’s degree. For more details about PPA or the traditional Master’s Program, refer to the Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional Catalog or contact the PPA Director in the James Benjamin Department of Accounting. Students must be able to complete the coursework of any of the aforementioned programs in College Station, TX.

Lastly, the department offers a Flex Online Master of Science in Accounting degree in a fully online format. This program is designed for working professionals looking to advance a current accounting career or to move into accounting from another field. Refer to the Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional Catalog or contact the director of the Flex Online Accounting Program in the James Benjamin Department of Accounting.

Please be advised that Texas A&M offers many programs that lead to an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. Licensing authorities may have guidelines concerning prior criminal convictions that would make an individual ineligible for issuance of a given license. Applicants are encouraged to review all eligibility requirements related to degrees resulting in a license. Note the following:

• An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license.
• Licensing authorities must establish and make available guidelines explaining why a particular offense is considered a basis for ineligibility for a particular license and other criterion that may affect the decision to grant or withhold a license.
• An individual has the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding their eligibility for a license issued under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.

Also, students should be advised that professional licensure/certification requirements vary from state to state, which may affect a student’s ability to apply for a professional license/certification upon the completion of the program. The U.S. Department of Education regulation, 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), requires an institution to disclose whether the program will fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification for each state. The James Benjamin Department of Accounting provides more details about state requirements on the website https://mays.tamu.edu/department-of-accounting/professional-licensure-and-certification-disclosure-statement/.

Questions related to eligibility requirements to take the CPA examination in Texas should be directed to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (or the licensing authority in other jurisdictions).

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Master of Financial Management, 5-Year Degree Program
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Master of Science, 5-Year Degree Program

• Energy Accounting Certificate
• Internal Audit Certificate
   

Accounting (ACCT)