Accounting
Accounting is at the core of nearly every institution and organization—from your favorite sports teams and bands to nonprofit groups and Fortune 500 companies. If you want the financial expertise and big-picture business perspective to help organizations make smarter decisions and make a difference, even in uncertain times, this is the program for you. And if you like giving back and being at the center of it all—and you want a flexible, highly respected career that can take you virtually anywhere—then accounting might be the perfect fit.
What will I learn?
As an accounting major, you'll learn about accounting concepts and theories and gain the technical skills and competencies you'll need to deliver reliable information as a professional accountant. Most of your classes will cover such subjects as financial reporting, auditing, taxation and data analysis, and you'll have time for some electives, too. Because your professional success often depends on navigating complex situations and working with people (often at the same time), you'll also learn how to think critically, mitigate risk, share actionable insights and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
What can I do with an accounting degree?
UB accounting grads are often recruited before graduation and have held some incredible jobs through the years, including:
- CFO of what is now SiriusXM Radio.
- Partner at a firm managing budgets and accounting for Broadway and touring productions.
- Leadership positions at Big Four accounting firms, top investment companies and local accounting firms.
- CFO of Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute.
- Vice president of finance for a National Hockey League team.
- Executive leader of the event and emerging risk examination team at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Senior vice president of finance for the Madison Square Garden company.
- Strategic deals and risk management at Apple.
- Executive director and co-founder of the National Museum of Mathematics.
- Vice president of finance for public TV and radio stations.
The accounting program will prepare you for positions in a variety of organizations, including accounting firms, consulting firms, startup companies, nonprofit institutions, large public companies and government agencies. Most students also go on to become licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), thanks in part to our very high pass rate, or earn an advanced degree in accounting and other fields.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,130.00 | $35.16 | Rapid Growth, Many Openings |
| Budget Analysts | $82,920.00 | $39.86 | |
| Credit Analysts | $73,760.00 | $35.46 | |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $40,980.00 | $19.70 | Rapid Growth |
| Financial Examiners | $92,380.00 | $44.41 | Rapid Growth |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $93,920.00 | $45.15 | |
| Tax Preparers | $93,920.00 | $45.15 | |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $55,970.00 | $26.91 | Rapid Growth |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.