Transfer Student Resources: Accounting

Welcome, Prospective Accounting Knights!

Are you interested in the Accounting Profession and earning an Accounting Degree? We’ve put together the following information to help you while you are working on your Associate of Arts Degree at one of our state college partners and if you’re planning to DirectConnect to UCF. This page will also give you tips on what to do once you get to UCF.



 
 

Earning Your AA Degree at State College

If you’re planning to continue to UCF after earning your AA Degree at state college, we strongly recommend completing all of your Business Common Program Prerequisites with a grade of C or better before transferring to UCF.

 
 
Goto UCF Catalog

 
 

Signing Up for DirectConnect to UCF

DirectConnect to UCF guarantees admission (consistent with university policy) to UCF with an associate degree (A.A.) or articulated (A.S.) degree from one of our partner state colleges. You must enroll in the Direct Connect Program with UCF.

Please enroll as early as possible during your time at your state college.

 
 
Get Started
 
 
Direct Connect to UCF Checklist

 

Now that You’ve Transferred to UCF…

 
 

Step 1: Join an Accounting RSO

Now that you’ve transferred to UCF, you should join a Registered Student Organization (RSO) for Accounting in your first semester. Getting involved in a student group at UCF enhances your learning and networking opportunities. There are student organizations and chapters of professional associations related to every major in the College of Business. Below are the Accounting-related RSOs:

 
 
 
 
View All Business RSOs

 

Step 2: Complete the Core

Complete the five (5) Core classes needed to be admitted into the Accounting Major. When you get to UCF, the class structure and delivery may be a little different than what you experienced at your State College for the core business classes that you will be taking before you get into your major.

Four of the five Core classes listed below are delivered in a blended learning format that combines online learning with hands-on group learning experiences to improve students’ basic knowledge, problem-solving and soft skills. We refer to these courses as REAL (Relevant, Engaged, Active Learning) courses, and they feature sections of 200 students learning asynchronously online through Canvas and attending five (5) face-to-face, 80-minute Active Learning Labs that synthesize what is learned online through group projects.

Once you get into the accounting major, all of your accounting classes will be face-to-face and each required accounting course will typically have a section that is offered at night during the Fall and Spring semesters.

 

Core Courses, Sequencing & Prerequisites

Five (5) Core classes needed to become an Accounting Major at UCF

  • ACG 3131 – Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • FIN 3403 – Business Finance
  • MAN 3025 – Management of Organizations
  • MAR 3023 – Marketing
  • QMB 3200 – Quantitative Business Tools II

    • Accounting Major Admission Requirements: Completion of the above courses at UCF or at an AACSB accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0, a grade of at least “B” in ACG 3131, and no grade below a “C”. One course may be repeated one time in the next term of enrollment to meet these requirements.

Recommended Progression of Accounting courses in major (you can be flexible in the ordering, this is just a suggested progression that may not work for everyone)

  • ACG 3141 Intermediate II (PR or CR = QMB 3602)
  • ACG 3361 Cost Accounting
  • ACG 4401 Accounting Information Systems
  • TAX 4001 Taxation of Business Entities and Transactions
  • ACG 4840 Accounting Analytics (PR = QMB 3602)
  • ACG 4803 Advanced Accounting (PR = ACG 3141)
  • ACG 4651 Auditing (PR = ACG 3141 & ACG 4401)
 

Overview of CPA License Requirements

Accountants employed in public accounting are typically Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). CPAs must be licensed to practice. Obtaining a license involves passing a four-part examination, meeting educational requirements outlined below and gaining one year experience working with a licensed CPA.

 

Accounting Profession & Areas of Practice

Accounting is a very diverse career field. That is good news! You can match your strengths with the fields you enjoy and have a great career. Here are some options to explore:

Public Accounting

Public accounting refers to firms of accountants that serve clients such as businesses (retailers, manufacturers, service companies, etc.), individuals, nonprofit organizations, and governmental organizations. Public accounting firms range in size from sole practitioners to huge international firms that employ accountants throughout the world. In between are local and regional firms as well as very large national firms. Accountants employed in public accounting are typically Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). CPAs must be licensed to practice. Obtaining a license involves passing a multi-part examination and meeting educational and experience requirements.
CPA firms handle a wide array of challenges for their clients to include:
 

Practice Areas
  • Accounting and Auditing
  • Taxation
  • Personal Financial Planning
  • Information Systems
  • Risk Management and Financial Consulting
  • Fraud and Litigation Support

The CPA examination, a requirement for obtaining a CPA license, is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. For more information, check out the AICPA’s student exploration web page.

Managerial Accounting

Managerial Accounting refers to a broad array of finance and accounting positions that exist within various entities: public companies, private companies, government agencies, non-profit corporations &emdash even in universities like UCF. A managerial accountant will rarely have the job title “managerial accountant.” Instead, positions held could be called: Staff accountant, Accounting Manager, Financial Analyst, Cost Accountant, Budgeting Analyst, Program Analyst, Internal Auditor, Controller, Chief Financial Officer, Planner, Risk Manager and Corporate Tax Accountant.

Perhaps you’ve heard the term Accounting Department. Large companies typically have several accounting functions within these departments that require accounting staff.

A license is not required to be a managerial accountant. However, some CPAs leave public accounting eventually and go to work within organizations as a managerial accountant.

Managerial accountants may seek a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation by passing an exam administered by the Institute of Management Accountants.

Government Agencies

Federal, state and local governments all employ accountants. There are also several federal agencies that employ accountants such as:

Non-Profit Sector

Do you have a passion for a particular cause? Most medium and large nonprofit organizations employ accountants in various positions. The largest nonprofit organizations have CFOs that often receive substantial compensation. Seeking a career in the nonprofit sector can fulfill your desire to benefit society while working in accounting.

 

Pre-Accounting Webcourses (Canvas)

When you Direct Connect to UCF as a Pre-Accounting major, you will automatically have access to our pre-accounting major Webcourses (Canvas) that provide a boot camp for your upcoming ACG 3131 Intermediate Financial Accounting I course, as well as other helpful information for your success at UCF and in the accounting profession.

  • ACG 3131 Intermediate Accounting I with a video tutorial Bootcamp
  • Join an Accounting Student Organization
  • Gaining Experience: Summer Leadership Programs and Internship Opportunities
  • Academic Advising in the College of Business
  • Scholarships available to accounting students