Accounting Success Tips

Success in accounting takes strategic planning, strong study habits, professional development, and active engagement both inside and outside the classroom. The School of Accountancy is committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals by providing practical guidance, resources, and opportunities for growth. Use the tips below to make the most of your time at KSU, strengthen your skills, and prepare for success in internships, professional networking, and future accounting careers.

1. If you have already been admitted to Coles, you can schedule ACCT 3300 in the same semester you take ACCT 3100. This can help spread out your upper-level classes so that you don't have so many your senior year.
   
   
2. If possible, take FIN 3100 before you take ACCT 4050. The present value concepts you learn in FIN 3100 will be very helpful when you study Bonds and Leases in ACCT 4050.
   
   
3. Did you know that an accounting internship counts as 3 accounting hours toward the 30 hours you need to get a CPA license in Georgia? You can apply for up to 12 hours of credit for your full-time internship. Of the 12, three will count toward accounting hours and all 12 hours will count toward the 150 you need to be licensed. Because our undergraduate degree already requires 27 hours of accounting (major field + electives), the additional 3 hours from an internship will get you to the 30 accounting hours you need to be licensed in Georgia.
   
   
4. Did you know that KSU is one of only 7 schools nationally and 14 schools world-wide to hold “Center of Excellence” recognition by the Institute of Internal Auditors? You can earn an Internal Audit Certificate by taking ACCT 4152 and 4800 as electives (and 4550 as a major field requirement). If you have an interest in a career in Internal Auditing, please contact Dr. Brad Schafer for more information about the Internal Audit certificate program (bschafe3@kennesaw.edu).
   
   
5. Planning on getting your CPA? These major field electives represent material that’s heavily tested on the CPA Exam: ACCT 4100 – Advanced Financial Accounting, ACCT 4250 – Advanced Taxation, ACCT 4600 – Governmental & Not-for-Profit Accounting.
   
   
6. KSU Career Planning & Development holds resume workshops each semester. Be sure you update your resume at the end of each semester to reflect changes to your GPA and activities. Post your resume on Handshake for internship and co-op opportunities.
   
   
7. Employers look for soft skills (written and oral communication, teamwork, leadership) along with technical skills. Be sure your resume highlights areas where you have excelled with soft skills. Highlight collaboration, communication and leadership activities you’ve engaged in for work or clubs/service. These will help you to stand out.
   
   
8. Join Beta Alpha Psi or one of the other accounting/business organizations on campus. It’s a great way to start networking with employers and other students and gain valuable leadership skills (by taking on leadership positions in the group).