If numbers are your thing—look no further
As an accountant, you follow the money—where it is, where it comes from, and where it goes. The money trail you uncover is essential to diagnosing the health of a business, as well as keeping it on the right side of tax and regulatory laws. A foundation in accounting gives you unlimited opportunities to help clients and organizations achieve their strategic goals.
Two paths to success
Career opportunities are on the rise for accounting majors—whether you sit for the CPA or choose to work in the private sector. Tippie’s flexible program gives you options, so you can customize your curriculum depending on what type of career you want to step into.
CPA Track
- Build strong technical knowledge
- Prepare to pass the CPA exam and work in public accounting
- Stay on track for the 150-hour CPA requirement with a double major or through Tippie’s MAc program
Corporate Accounting Track
- Build foundational knowledge with a strong analytics/finance focus
- Prepare for non-public accounting positions
- No 150-hour requirement, will not sit for CPA exam
A stacked curriculum and expert professors
As the business world has increased their investment in technology and data analytics, we’ve updated our curriculum to incorporate these crucial skills. When you study here, you’ll be part of an undergraduate program that was named one of the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. To date, seven faculty members from Tippie's Accounting Department have received the AAA Outstanding Educator award.
Prepare to present your case
Following the money won’t matter if you can’t effectively communicate what you’ve found. That’s one of things that sets an accounting degree from Tippie apart —an emphasis on communication supported by our one-of-a-kind Accounting Writing and Communications Program.
“I feel comfortable walking into a room with the CFO and talking him through something that I have done. Tippie built up my confidence to be able to hold my own in that conversation.”
# 18
Best Public Undergrad Accounting Program
U.S News & World Report, 2024-2025
$ 66,000
average starting salary for accounting graduates
Class of 2022
98 %
of accounting alums employed or enrolled in grad school
within 6 months of graduation, 2020
# 21
CPA pass rate for large U.S. programs
within 6 months of graduation, 2023
More to Explore
Beta Alpha Psi
An international honorary organization for financial information professionals, Beta Alpha Psi creates an interactive accounting environment for Tippie students. Our members possess a desire for self-improvement, high moral standards, and a respect for professionalism.
Semester abroad
Spend a semester abroad — designed specifically for accounting majors.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA)
Support the community and gain hands-on experience at the same time. Volunteer to help low and moderate income taxpayers by offering free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).
HawkTrade
HawkTrade Stock Investment Club meets weekly to discuss investment strategies, market news, and share stock opinions. From finance to engineering and from beginners to those who trade options and derivatives, members of HawkTrade vary greatly in their chosen majors and experiences.
Master of Accountancy (MAc)
Want to develop your accounting expertise even further? Earn a master's degree in accounting and deepen your knowledge in Iowa's nationally ranked MAc Program. No standardized test is required for University of Iowa accounting majors.
Iowa Ledger Magazine
Iowa Ledger is an annual publication for alumni and friends of the Department of Accounting featuring in-depth articles, alumni updates, and more.