Accounting Major, BS in Business Administration - Collateral Option

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Tennessee

Program Overview

The Accounting Major within the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, combines accounting principles, business knowledge and analytical skills to prepare students for careers in financial reporting, auditing, taxation and business consulting. The Collateral Option allows students to complement their accounting studies with a secondary area of business specialisation, helping them build a broader understanding of how accounting information supports organisational decisions.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students develop a foundation in business, economics, mathematics and financial literacy through introductory business coursework and general education requirements. These subjects establish the quantitative reasoning and business knowledge needed to understand financial transactions and organisational performance.

Second Year: Students strengthen their accounting knowledge through Introduction to Financial Accounting (ACCT 203) and business technology coursework such as Business Software Applications (INMT 242). These subjects introduce financial reporting and the use of business software to organise, analyse and communicate information.

Third Year: Students develop specialised accounting expertise through Intermediate Financial Accounting I (ACCT 311), Managerial Accounting (ACCT 421) and Introduction to Auditing (ACCT 411). These subjects strengthen their ability to prepare financial reports, evaluate business performance, examine financial records and understand internal controls.

Fourth Year: Students advance their knowledge through Intermediate Financial Accounting II (ACCT 414), Principles of Internal Auditing and Forensic Accounting (ACCT 412) and Federal Income Taxation (ACCT 431). Depending on their selected collateral, students can also explore business analytics, finance, information management, international business or real estate to broaden their professional capabilities.

Focus Areas

Financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, forensic accounting, financial reporting, business analytics, information management, business software applications and financial decision-making.

Learning Outcomes

Prepare and interpret financial statements, analyse business transactions, evaluate financial performance, understand auditing and internal controls, apply taxation principles, use business software and data analytics, assess ethical and regulatory issues, communicate financial information and support organisational decisions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

AACSB accreditation: The Haslam College of Business holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Students planning to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) should check Tennessee's current education, examination and licensing requirements, as a bachelor's degree alone may not satisfy all requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The Haslam College of Business reports that 98% of accounting graduates were employed or continuing their education, with an average salary of $66,489 and an internship participation rate of 81% in its published undergraduate outcomes data. These figures relate to the Accounting major, not exclusively to students following the Collateral Option.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, combines accounting education with business technology, analytical coursework and opportunities for professional experience. Students learn how accounting information supports organisational decisions while developing practical skills in financial reporting, auditing, taxation and business systems. Key opportunities include:

Business Software Applications (INMT 242): Develop skills in business software and digital tools used to organise, process and communicate business information.
Business Process Analysis (INMT 341): Explore how organisations evaluate and improve business processes, including the flow of information within accounting and management systems.
Introduction to Database Systems (INMT 342): Develop an understanding of databases and how structured information supports business operations and analysis.
Accounting and Auditing Coursework: Apply accounting principles to financial reporting, internal controls, auditing and forensic accounting through specialised classes.
Internships: Explore accounting internships with public accounting firms or businesses. Haslam's career resources provide guidance on resume preparation, interviewing and internship searches.
AIM Accounting Alliance: Engage with accounting and information management professionals, develop interview skills and gain insight into career opportunities through student-to-professional interaction.
Career and Employer Networking: Use Handshake, recruiting events and career coaching to identify opportunities and connect with prospective employers.
Collateral Specialisation: Complement accounting studies with business analytics, finance, information management, international business or real estate, depending on the chosen option.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Accounting Major with a Collateral Option prepares students for careers in accounting, auditing, taxation and business analysis while allowing them to develop additional expertise in a related business field. The combination of financial knowledge, technology and business decision-making can support opportunities in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies and consulting organisations. Potential career paths include staff accountant, audit associate, tax associate and forensic accounting analyst.

Career Development Services: Haslam's career coaches and the university's career services help students prepare resumes, practise interviews, explore job openings and plan their transition into professional employment.
Industry Connections: The college identifies employers such as EY, Amazon, PepsiCo, Oracle and other organisations among those recruiting its undergraduate students. These are examples of employers across Haslam's programs, not guaranteed placements for accounting graduates.
Professional Experience: Accounting internships and participation in the AIM Accounting Alliance can help students develop workplace skills, build professional networks and understand the expectations of accounting employers.
Employment Statistics and Salaries: Haslam reports an average salary of $66,489, an 81% internship participation rate and a 98% employed-or-continuing-education rate for accounting majors in its published undergraduate outcomes data. These are accounting-major figures rather than results exclusively for the Collateral Option.
Professional Recognition: AACSB accreditation provides recognition of the college's business education standards. Students seeking CPA licensure should verify the applicable state requirements and whether further coursework or a graduate qualification is needed.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can pursue accounting, auditing, taxation, financial reporting, consulting and business analysis roles. Those who combine accounting with information management or business analytics may also explore opportunities involving accounting systems, data analysis and process improvement.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can pursue a Master of Accountancy (MAcc), a master's degree in accounting and information management, business analytics, finance or an MBA. A graduate accounting qualification can help students develop advanced expertise in auditing, taxation, financial reporting or forensic accounting. Students seeking CPA licensure should plan their further studies around the education and examination requirements of the state in which they intend to qualify.