Undergraduate
What is Accounting?
Accountants and auditors help to ensure that firms are run efficiently, public records are kept accurately, and taxes are paid properly and on time. They analyze and communicate financial information for various entities, such as companies, individual clients, and federal, state, and local governments.
Haslam has one of the leading accounting programs in the nation. The program emphasizes the conceptual and applied understanding of business information, and prepares students for careers in accounting and business. Many who earn their bachelor’s in accounting also pursue a master of accountancy (MAcc) degree through Haslam.
Accounting & Information Management
Career Opportunities
Accounting graduates have a variety of career options open to them. Many begin in public accounting firms, where they build experience in tax services, financial planning, auditing, and consultation. Others work within a particular sector of the labor market. Business and industry accountants manage budgets and financial assets, identify risks, and advise decision-makers on maximizing profits. Government accountants maintain revenue and tax records , conduct audits, and ensure departments adhere to regulation. Not-for-profit accountants help those organizations track revenues and comply with tax-exemption laws.
In addition to being in demand across multiple sectors, accountants may experience significant advancement in an organization, within 10 to 15 years after graduating. A partner at a public accounting firm or a chief financial officer of a company are two of the high-level positions that accountants may achieve.
96%
Graduates employed or pursuing higher education
$65,061
Average accounting graduate salary
Haslam Undergraduate Outcomes Report, 2022–2023
Job Examples
Associate Auditor (public accounting)
Associate auditors conduct audits in the field, analyze financial records, prepare reports, and present their findings to management. They should have one or more years of public accounting experience and demonstrate strong accounting, time-management, and communication skills.
Average salary (25th percentile): $45,613
Average salary (50th percentile): $55,848
Average salary (75th percentile): $64,525
Senior Tax Associate (public accounting)
Senior tax associates research and prepare various tax forms and filings, following current tax laws and regulations. They also supervise entry-level staff, have at least three years of experience in tax accounting, and demonstrate strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Average salary (25th percentile): $64,748
Average salary (50th percentile): $80,100
Average salary (75th percentile): $90,558
Director of Finance (corporate accounting)
Directors of finance maintain budgets, perform and analyze financial modeling, assist with business funding decisions, and help hire and train finance staff. They should have a bachelor’s in accounting or finance, and at least 10 years of work experience in one of those fields.
Average salary (25th percentile): $112,585
Average salary (50th percentile): $148,630
Average salary (75th percentile): $160,868
Chief Financial Officer (corporate accounting)
Chief financial officers are part of a company’s executive leadership. They oversee all activities related to accounting and finance, from identifying business risks and recommending improvements, to maintaining relationships with investors and auditors. The position requires strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills, at least 10 years in accounting or finance, plus management experience.
Average salary (25th percentile): $172,883
Average salary (50th percentile): $238,743
Average salary (75th percentile): $286,358
2025 Robert Half Salary Guide. Average salaries based on data from the Knoxville, Tennessee area.
Majoring in Accounting
The undergraduate accounting curriculum introduces students to the major functional areas of accounting – from financial and managerial to taxation and auditing. Accounting majors have the choice of an integrated business and engineering program, an international business concentration, or a collateral option focused on business analytics, finance, information management, international business, or real estate.
Required Courses
- Cost Management (ACCT 204)
- Business Software Applications (INMT 242)
- Intro to Financial Accounting (ACCT 203)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting I (ACCT 311)
- Business Process Analysis (INMT 341)
- Business Software Applications (INMT 242)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting II (ACCT 414)
- Legal Environment of Business (BULW 301)
Scholarship Opportunities
The Haslam College of Business awards more than $5 million annually in scholarships to students. Awards include college and departmental scholarships. Each year, students should apply to be considered for college and departmental scholarships through the university’s Continuing Undergraduate Student Scholarship application.
Scholarship criteria is varied and may be based on a student’s need, academic merit, engagement in student organizations and research, and overall profile.