Virginia Tech® home

Bachelor's Degree

The Department of Accounting and Information Systems strives to provide a world class accounting and information systems education to our students. With our Undergraduate Programs we seek to prepare students to enter the accounting and information systems professions with the skills and knowledge of business, information systems, and accounting concepts and practices.

It is hard to beat Virginia Tech if you want to study Accounting.
Virginia Tech accounting majors receive $16,000 more than the average accounting grad.
--from College Factual, March 2019 & 2022

Accounting Option

The Accounting Option is a leading edge accounting, auditing and tax program that prepares students for careers in the preparation, reporting, audit, analysis and use of financial information. Graduates from the accounting option go on to careers as accountants, auditors, chief financial officers, consultants, controllers, cost accountants, financial analyst, forensic accountants, internal auditors, partners, professors, tax specialists, treasurers, etc.

This program provides basic education for careers in public accounting (CPA) firms, large and small corporations, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. The program helps prepare graduates to earn the CPA, CMA, and other professional accounting certification. Students planning to take any of these professional exams are advised to talk to their department's faculty and advisors during their junior year so that they may select the electives appropriate for the selected exam.

As a CPA candidate and later as a senior accountant with Arthur Andersen, I always felt that I was well prepared to complete the assignments I was asked to undertake. However, it was not until I returned to school to pursue an MBA at Cornell University and subsequently joined Air Products that I truly appreciated how well-rounded my undergraduate education was. The accounting program at Virginia Tech is demanding, but the skills I acquired as an undergraduate (communication, teamwork, leadership and organization) have served me well, especially in juggling the demands of work and family. The Pamplin College of Business is committed to turning out graduates who are not only technically competent, but also those who communicate well, thrive on teamwork, and are well-qualified to meet the exciting challenges presented by an ever-changing business environment. ---Jennifer Snyder Thomas, ’91, Financial Analyst, International Gases Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

Information Systems Audit Option

The Information Systems Audit Option is an innovative systems program designed to prepare students for careers in assurance services (or auditing) and to add value to the financial reports of businesses and the information systems they use.

This program is designed to prepare students for careers as information systems auditors and information systems professionals in enterprise risk assurance services, computer risk management services and other systems assurance services in business, government, or nonprofit organizations. It helps prepare graduates to sit for the CPA, CISA, or other professional certification.  Students planning to take any of these professional exams are advised to talk to their department's faculty and advisors during their junior year so that they may select the electives appropriate for the selected exam.

Initially, I studied computer science at Virginia Tech, yet went on to obtain a degree in accounting. At that time, the accounting information systems major was not available. My education at Virginia Tech and participation in the accounting honors fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi, helped me secure a position with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., later to become KPMG. After 10 years experience as an auditor, I accepted the opportunity to build the information risk management practice in Virginia. This practice focuses on the risks inherent in the technology systems used to support our clients' business objectives. I'm proud to say that some of the best and brightest professionals in our IRM practice today are recent accounting information systems graduates from Virginia Tech. Go Hokies! 

Lynne Doughtie, '85, Chairman and CEO, KPMG
Lynne Martin Doughtie, '85, Chairman and CEO 2015-2020, KPMG

For more information on each program of study, see the appropriate checksheet.

All Accounting and Information Systems majors must complete an Option Selection Form which identifies the option (ACCT or ISA) desired. This form should be completed by the second semester of the sophomore year or within 3 weeks of being admitted to the major. Completed forms should be delivered to Pamplin 3007.

In addition to having a minimum 2.00 in-major and overall GPA, all ACIS students must also earn a grade of C- or higher in ACIS 3115, ACIS 3116, ACIS 3314, ACIS 3504, ACIS 4214, ACIS 4414 and ACIS 4654 to graduate.  


152-hour Program

For students who enroll as undergraduates and who are interested in becoming certified public accountants, we have a special 152-Hour Program that combines undergraduate and graduate course work. The program allows students to take courses necessary to take the CPA examination in Virginia and to receive both the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree in Accounting and Information Systems upon completion usually in five years or less.