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Program Highlights

Completion of the Department of Accountancy undergraduate program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. A minor in Accountancy is not available at NIU.

This innovative program combined with the NIU Department of Accountancy's focus on undergraduate teaching, nationally-recognized faculty, one-on-one academic advising, strong student organizations, professional internship opportunities, timely career planning and placement assistance, and outstanding professional examination review courses creates a truly unique environment in which students can build the foundations of a successful twenty-first century accounting career.

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Department of Accountancy Fact Sheet

Department Accreditation

The Northern Illinois University Department of Accountancy is one of 170 accountancy programs that has earned the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business accounting accreditation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels out of over 1,000 accountancy programs nationwide.

Undergraduate Student Placement Fall 2008 to Spring 2009

Public Accounting	17%
Corporate Accounting	11%
Graduate School	69%
Other	3%

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The NIU Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program provides essential study in accounting to prepare students at a level appropriate for entrance into the profession or graduate study. This preparation is demonstrated by the student's ability to:

1. Apply technical knowledge in cost management, financial accounting, accounting information systems, auditing and assurance services, taxation, and related business areas.
   
   Accountants must have a strong fundamental understanding of cost management, financial accounting, accounting information systems, auditing and assurance services, and taxation.
   
   Historically, business students were required to complete four separate business core courses in finance, management, marketing, and operations management during their first academic year in the upper-level program. At NIU, students have the opportunity to complete the same twelve hours of business core courses in an exciting innovative two-course format, UBUS 310, Business Core: Lecture (9 hours), and UBUS 311, Business Core: Applications (3 hours).
   
   These innovative courses integrate material from the four courses to show how departments or functional areas within any business work together. UBUS 310 and UBUS 311 provide more opportunities for students to understand "real world" business experiences in addition to receiving a good theoretical foundation. The knowledge and skills students gain in these courses serves as a foundation for other 300- and 400- level business courses.
   
   To broaden a student's education, one-half of the course hours required for the degree (60 hours) are taken outside the College of Business. These courses should be selected so that the student gains opportunities to develop intellectual and analytical skills and/or interpersonal leadership and communication skills. For students who have already earned a bachelor's degree, the applied/diversified study degree requirement will be waived.
   
2. Communicate in a professional manner (oral and written).
   
   Accountants must be able to listen effectively in order to gain information and understand opposing points of view. They also need the ability to locate, obtain and organize information from both human and electronic sources. Further, accountants must be able to present and defend their views through formal and informal, written and oral presentation. They must be able to communicate with other accountants and with business executives.
   
3. Employ accounting-related technology.
   
   Technology impacts almost every facet of our lives – and the profession of accounting quickly incorporates changing technology. Accountants use computers for business planning, research, auditing as well as preparing financial statements and spreadsheets. Other accountants design software for accounting systems. Accountants must have the ability to use software efficiently and also communicate information electronically to others.
   
   Technology is integrated into most (if not all) of the courses offered by the NIU Department of Accountancy. Faculty members teaching these courses assume that every student has a working knowledge of personal computers and related software – and course projects build on these basic skills. The College offers training so students can obtain or improve these skills – and it is the student's responsibility to acquire such proficiency.
   
4. Contribute to team projects.
   
   The ability to work with others is an important part of accounting. Working effectively in groups with diverse members to accomplish a task is an essential skill. The accountant must be able to influence others, organize and delegate tasks, motivate and develop other people, and withstand and resolve conflict.
   
5. Apply knowledge and skills to structured problems.
   
   Accountants continually use problem-solving skills to solve business problems that are complex and multi-facetted. Case studies and group projects help you develop these skills.
   
6. Evaluate unstructured/ambiguous situations and provide relevant business alternatives.
   
   Real-world business problems require more than accounting knowledge. Acquiring research, decision-making, and critical thinking skills through course projects provide students the opportunities needed to develop these skills.
   
7. Identify ethical issues, decision alternatives, and consequences, incorporating appropriate professional codes of conduct.
   
   Accounting graduates should identify with their profession and be concerned with developing the knowledge, skills, and values needed to be a successful professional. They should understand the ethical requirements of the profession and be able to make value-based judgments. They should be prepared to address issues with integrity, objectivity, competence, and concern for the public interest.
8. Demonstrate professional conduct in business.
   
   Accountancy students drafted the Honor Pledge and Code of Conduct that describes the environment, culture, and expectations of all accountancy majors (both of which were endorsed by our Advisory Council and faculty). Our goal is that all accountancy majors will embrace the spirit of the Pledge.

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Additional Program Highlights

Advisement

All students are strongly urged to contact an academic advisor concerning their course schedules. Basic study accountancy majors (students who have not met the requirements for 300- and 400- level business courses) should work with the College of Business advisors. Accountancy majors enrolled in 300- and 400- level business courses should see the department advisor.

Career Services

NIU Accountancy students have several programs designed to aid in their career planning and job placement.

Accounting Career Planning Seminar (ACCY 370). This one hour course is required for the Accountancy degree. It is designed to assist students in identifying and developing career goals, job search strategies, and interpersonal skills. Activities include self-assessment and career goal planning, resume writing, mock interviews, role-playing, and information interviews.

Career Services. NIU helps its students and alumni identify and secure employment through this center. Available services include counselors to talk about job-related concerns; workshops on resume writing, interviewing and job search strategies; on-campus interviews; part-time and temporary off-campus job listings; weekly job bulletins; and alumni resume referral service.

Endorsed Internal Auditing Certificate

NIU is a member of The Institute of Internal Auditor's (IIA) Internal Auditing Education Partnership. To receive an IIA Certification of completion, a student must have either a B.S. in Accountancy at NIU or an M.A.S. degree at NIU and complete ACCY 360, ACCY 462, an approved business elective, and an academic internship (ACCY 473) in the internal audit area. For additional information regarding the Internal Audit Certificate, please contact Dr. David Sinason at 815-753-6501.

Professional Certification Examinations

Both undergraduate and graduate Accountancy programs at NIU provide students with the technical skills necessary to pass professional certification examinations. NIU Accountancy graduates have been very successful in passing the Certified Internal Auditor (C.I.A.), the Certified Management Accountant (C.M.A.), and the Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.). Students are strongly encouraged to defer sitting for professional examinations until they have completed the appropriate courses. NIU has review courses to help you successfully complete these important professional examinations. For additional information regarding these exams and their reviews, please contact the Department of Accountancy at 815-753-1637.

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