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.
We offer two majors. Both majors provide a fundamental education for careers in public accounting (CPA) firms, large and small corporations, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations:
- The Accounting & Business Analysis Major (ABA) is designed to help prepare graduates for the broadest range of accounting careers, including those in public accounting that require the CPA professional certification.
- The Accounting & Information Systems Major (ACIS) is designed to provide students with flexibility to combine a core accounting education with a leading-edge specialty in accounting, business analytics, or another discipline.
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
Program Descriptions
The Accounting & Business Analysis Major (ABA) is the best choice for CPA-bound students. This program offers a strong foundation in accounting and then provides students with an opportunity to select additional study in an accounting specialty. Specialty areas include:
- Financial Accounting and Auditing - prepares students for careers in the preparation, reporting, audit, analysis, and use of financial information. Graduates go on to careers as accountants, auditors, chief financial officers, consultants, controllers, cost accountants, financial analysts, fornsic accountants, partners, business owners, treasurers, etc.
- Tax - prepares students for careers in individual and business tax planning, compliance, and consulting. Graduates go on to careers as tax preparers, tax consultants, financial planners, partners, etc.
- Information Systems & Controls - prepares students for careers in assurance and advisory services pertaining to corporate technologies as well as related business processes. Graduates go on to careers as information systems auditors, information systems professionals in enterprise risk assurance services, forensic acountants, consultants, partners, etc.
The Accounting & Information Systems Major (ACIS) allows students to select electives in the field of accounting to build a specialized background in Accounting Analytics, Artificial Intelligenct and Accounting, Sustainability Accounting, or other emerging areas in accounting. This major also supports traditional corporate accounting careers such as cost accountant, internal auditor, management consultant, budget analyst, etc. ACIS majors seeking CPA certification, please see CPA note.
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!
Required ACIS Courses by Program
All ACIS programs share a common core of accounting courses:
- ACIS 1104 - Careers in Accounting & Information Systems
- ACIS 1504 - Introduction to Business Analytics & Business Intelligence *
- ACIS 2115/2116 - Principles of Accounting
- ACIS 2504 - Introduction to Accounting Analytics *
- ACIS 3115 - Intermediate Financial Accounting
- ACIS 3504 - Accounting Systems & Controls
- ACIS 4214 - Cost Planning & Control
- ACIS 4444 - Forensic Accounting
- ACIS 4544 - Applied Accounting Analytics *
- ACIS 4654 - Accounting Analytics
All majors in the Department of Accounting & Information Systems also select at least one ACIS Experience course. ACIS Experiences include:
- ACIS 3714 - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Experience *
- ACIS 3754 - Undergraduate Internship in Accounting
- ACIS 4714 - Justice for Fraud Victims Project Experience *
* These courses also fulfill Pathways General Education requirements.
ABA Major Courses
- ACIS 3116 - Intermediate Financial Accounting
- ACIS 3314 - Tax Impact on Decisions
- ACIS 4414 - Financial Statement Auditing
- ACIS 4454 - AI in Accounting & Auditing
Plus 2 courses from one of the following Accounting Specializations:
Financial Accounting & Auditing Specialization
- ACIS 4114 - Advanced Financial Accounting
- ACIS 4124 - Governmental & Nonprofit Accounting
- ACIS 4664 - Sustainability Accounting
Tax Specialization
- ACIS 4364 - Taxation of Business Operations
- FIN 4004 - Wills, Trusts, & Estates
Information Systems & Controls Specilization
- ACIS 4024 - Information Systems Audit & Controls
- ACIS 4684 - IS Security & Assurance
ACIS Major Courses
Select 6 ACIS Restricted Elective courses. This can be any ACIS 3000-level course or higher except ACIS 3714, ACIS 3754, ACIS 4194, ACIS 4344, and ACIS 4714.
Free Electives
Both the ABA major and the ACIS major include at least 7 credits of free electives.
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.
For more details about 2026/2027 program requirements, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Professional Certification
Both majors, ABA and ACIS, meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA Exam in Virginia. The three specialization areas of the ABA major align with the three discipline areas of the CPA exam. ACIS majors should consult the ACIS department regarding specific elective choices for CPA exam preparation.
In addition to the CPA exam, graduates of our programs sit for other professional certifications. If students are interested in pursuing other professional certification(s), it is recommended that they discuss with their ACIS faculty, or email acis@vt.edu, to determine if their major will help prepare them for the respective professional certification(s).
Accelerated MACIS Program
For students who enroll as undergraduates and who are interested in becoming certified public accountants, we have a special Accelerated Master's in Accounting & Information Systems Program that combines undergraduate and graduate coursework. 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.