Today's accounting majors are expected not only to provide auditing, accounting, and tax services for small and large companies, but also to provide services in forecasting, financial planning and evaluation, and the creation and monitoring of new technologies.

Professional opportunities include careers as a certified public accountant (CPA) or as a certified management accountant (CMA). The Marist Bachelor of Science in Accounting also serves as a sound educational base for post-baccalaureate study in business and law.

As of August, 150 credit hours are required to sit for the CPA exam. The Accounting Core requires an intensive study of the various responsibilities of the accountant, including?the study of financial accounting theory, its realization in generally accepted accounting principles,?the application of official accounting and auditing standards, as well as tax laws.

The Accounting program at?Marist College?involves both external financial reporting and internal reporting for managerial decision making and control. Hence, professional accountants interact with all?functional areas of a business. Accounting majors develop their knowledge of this interface through both required and elective courses.

For the accounting profession as a whole, the primary interface with business requires a detailed knowledge of the financial and legal aspects of business transactions. Consequently, the required interface courses develop expertise in these areas.

The professional practice of accounting requires accountants to:

• Critically interpret and apply accounting principles and standards to complex transactions that?often involve innovative contracts and contingent claims,

• Evaluate the value of information for managerial decision-making, and

• Take responsibility for their own continuing education and development in the field as new accounting and auditing standards and tax laws are adopted.