UNDERGRADUATE
Accounting
Develop the analytical rigor, financial insight, and professional judgement organizations depend on to make sound business decisions.
Understand the Numbers. Influence the Outcome.
Accounting is the language every organization depends on. At Penn State Smeal College of Business, you'll build the expertise to interpret financial data, apply professional standards, and deliver the accurate, ethical reporting that guides business decisions.
Through coursework, leadership opportunities, and hands-on experiences, you’ll learn to:
Interpret the financial data behind business performance
Apply accounting standards, audit principles, and tax law to real business environments
Deliver accurate, ethical financial reporting that organizations depend on
Prepare for professional credentials such as the CPA, CMA, or CIA
Launch a career in public accounting, corporate finance, or government
What You'll Study
Featured Courses
Financial Accounting: Understand and report financial performance.
Managerial Accounting: Use financial data for planning and decisions.
Taxation: Apply tax laws to financial strategies.
Auditing: Evaluate financial information and strengthen accountability.
Data Analytics: Use data tools to uncover insights and support decisions.
What You Can Do with an Accounting Degree
Certified Public Accountants
Audit financial records, advise organizations on tax strategy, and ensure compliance across public, corporate, and government sectors. The CPA is one of the most in-demand destinations in business. Median salary: $81,680
Financial Controllers
Oversee the financial health of organizations, managing reporting, budgeting, and strategy across every industry. Financial managers are the people who keep businesses on track. Median salary: $161,700
Government & Regulatory Accountants
Work with agencies like the SEC, IRS, and FBI to enforce financial law, investigate fraud, and protect public interest. Median salary: $62,553
91%
Placement Rate
$71,050
Average Starting Salary
#21
Accounting & Finance - U.S.
QS World University Rankings
Professional Experience and Credentials
Professional Certifications
Prepare for industry-recognized credentials, including the CPA, CMA, and CIA, that can strengthen your expertise and expand career opportunities.
Master of Accounting Pathways
Continue your education through Smeal’s STEM-designated Integrated M.Acc., One-Year M.Acc., or Conditional Early Acceptance (CEA) pathway and build the academic foundation needed for CPA licensure and advanced accounting careers.
Beta Alpha Psi
Join an internationally recognized accounting honors organization focused on professional development, networking, leadership, and community service.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Gain hands-on tax preparation experience by helping community members file returns through the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Accounting Society
Connect with industry professionals, accounting firms, and Smeal alumni through the premier student-run accounting organization at Smeal.
Fred H. Schaefer Scholars Program
Compete for a scholarship program that emphasizes leadership, ethics, community service, and international experiences, including study abroad and internship opportunities.
Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program
Pursue graduate study with support from the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program, which can cover the full tuition cost of a Master of Accounting or Master of Taxation degree for selected students.
Accounting Alumni Network
Connect with our accomplished alumni and accounting leaders through a department network that helps students explore career opportunities and build professional relationships.
Is Accounting Right for You?
Accounting Is a Strong Fit If You:
Enjoy working with financial information and solving business problems
Want to understand the financial side of how organizations operate
Value accuracy, accountability, and ethical decision-making
Want to earn professional credentials—the CPA, CMA, or CIA
Want a career where precision and professional judgement matter
Apply to Smeal
An Accounting degree from Penn State Smeal puts you at the center of critical business decisions—with credentials and career opportunities across the Big Four, federal agencies, and organizations in every industry. Apply today.
Connect With Us
Penn State Undergraduate Admissions
Smeal College of BusinessSmeal Undergraduate Advising
Accounting Department
More Information: Accounting Degree
Accelerate your education through Penn State's Integrated Master of Accounting (M.Acc.) Program. Qualified students can begin graduate coursework while completing their undergraduate degree, allowing them to earn both degrees in as little as four and a half years.
Expand your business expertise by pairing Accounting with another Smeal major through the Dual Track in Accounting program. Eligible students can combine Accounting with fields such as Finance, Management, Risk Management, Real Estate, Supply Chain and Information Systems, and Business Analytics to broaden their perspective and career opportunities.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential remains one of the most respected designations in the accounting profession. Learn more about CPA requirements and the options available to Penn State students pursuing licensure.
Get a closer look at the coursework that comprises the Accounting major at Penn State Smeal, including financial reporting, auditing, taxation, managerial accounting, and financial statement analysis.
Explore the curriculum
Understanding the cost of your education is an important part of the college decision process. Explore tuition information, financial aid resources, and planning tools to help you estimate the investment required for your Penn State degree.
Get involved outside the classroom through accounting-focused student organizations at Smeal. These groups help you connect with peers, alumni, employers, and the broader accounting community.
Explore student organizations:
AI can process financial data at a scale no accountant can match alone, but organizations still rely on accountants to interpret results, exercise professional judgment, and communicate financial information with accuracy and integrity. At Smeal, you'll learn to apply AI tools to accounting work while building the professional judgement employers expect.