The major in accounting prepares students for professional careers in a wide variety of accounting-related positions. This major has two tracks: general accounting and professional accounting. The general accounting specialization is adequate for a wide variety of positions. The professional accounting track includes two specializations: public accounting and managerial accounting. The public accounting specialization is recommended for positions with CPA firms. The managerial accounting specialization is recommended for positions with large or rapidly-growing companies.

The two professional specializations relate to two professional designations: the CPA and the CMA. A certified public accountant (CPA) focuses on external reporting; a certified management accountant (CMA) focuses on internal reporting. The public accounting specialization includes the materials emphasized on the CPA exam; the managerial specialization includes the materials emphasized on the CMA exam. Both the CPA and CMA designation have an experience requirement in addition to passing the national exam. Under the rules of the Minnesota State Board of Accountancy, accounting majors in the public accounting specialization are qualified to sit for the CPA examination after graduation.

Effective May 2006, students will need to complete the equivalent of 150 semester hours of education to be licensed as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). This can be completed in four years through accelerated undergraduate work. Another option is to complete a four-year Bachelors degree plus a Masters degree.