Accounting has been described as the “language of business.”
Besides preparing financial statements and recording business transactions, accountants engage in a wide variety of activities including computing costs and efficiency gains from new technologies, participating in strategies for mergers and acquisitions, managing quality, developing and using information systems to track financial performance, and deciding tax strategy.
What will I study?
After admission, you’ll enroll in a series of courses that we call the Junior Core.
The Junior Core curriculum was designed to include the most critical competencies for accountants as specified by industry professionals and accounting educators. Subjects in the Junior Core include (in alphabetical order) auditing, critical thinking, data analytics, financial accounting, information systems, management accounting, and tax. Following the Junior Core, you will learn about other aspects of business including ethics, finance, marketing, strategy, and business law, among others.
How do I get in?
As with all BYU Marriott majors, you’ll need to apply to be accepted into the accounting program.
Here is what you will submit to the admissions committee when applications are due in June.
Application Requirements
- GPA: Prerequisite, Total GPA, and BYU GPA over the last 30 credits hours are all considered. Please note that we weight ACC 310 grades more heavily than other prerequisite courses.
- Essay: Tell us about your personal background, why you want to study accounting, and what you plan to contribute to the program.
Applications are due on the last business day of June at 4:30 p.m. (MDT). Apply at marriott.byu.edu/apply.
The School of Accountancy has a rolling admission program such that applications are considered throughout the year. Students with exceptional prerequisite GPAs may be granted early admission through this rolling admissions process. All other applications will be held and considered with the full applicant pool after the June application deadline.
For a full description of application requirements, visit https://marriott.byu.edu/apply/.
Knowledge is the key!
While our student organizations are fun, they also provide helpful opportunities for networking, learning skills, and landing a job. For more information about the different organizations, visit careerlaunch.byu.edu. Join today to get the experience and information you need to succeed!
Pre-Business Student Association
The Pre-Business Student Association (PBSA) is devoted to educating and preparing you to discover the right BYU
Marriott major and future career. PBSA conducts several free activities each semester, including degree discovery, mock interviews, networking, luncheons, and more.
Accounting Society
The Accounting Society improves the lives and career prospects of its members by promoting professional attitudes and
behaviors, scholastic excellence, and a sense of loyalty and community. The society seeks to provide information about
the major and future careers, set up networking opportunities, and facilitate mentoring among students and with
alumni.
Beta Alpha Psi
Beta Alpha Psi encourages and recognizes scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. Club meetings include service opportunities, professional development experiences, presentations from visiting
firms/companies, recruiting events, and more.
Institute of Management Accountants
The BYU chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) is an organization for business, accounting, and
finance students interested in jobs and opportunities in financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, and
operations finance.
Internships
While not an academic requirement, internships can help secure subsequent full-time employment. You can explore a different field, learn new skills, and potentially receive a full-time job offer upon completion.
What can I do with a degree in accounting?
If you put in the work, we’ll help you find the career!
The accounting class of 2025 placed 100 percent of its job-seeking graduates within three months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $73,550 for undergraduate students and $81,331 for MAcc students.
Career Paths
Common accounting career paths include advisory services, financial services, industry management accounting, consulting services, public audit, and tax consulting. Some graduates pursue a JD/MAcc or PhD. BYU Marriott accounting graduates can work for private companies, public accounting firms, government and nonprofit institutions, or they are self-employed.
Top Employers
Hundreds of recruiters—many from top companies in the world—come to the Tanner building each year to hire our students. Companies that have recently hired BYU Marriott accounting graduates include Connor Group, Deloitte, Disney, EY, Forvis, KPMG, PwC, Squire, Tanner, Walmart, and many more.