Accounting Degree

Why Should I Study Accounting?

Every organization needs accountants — from global banking companies and small businesses to sports teams and the FBI. That's why accounting is often regarded as the most versatile degree you can earn.
It's one of the fastest-growing professions, expected to grow 10% by 2026, with 139,900 new jobs to open in the field.
You'll earn a solid salary right after you graduate. Starting salaries for accounting grads are often around $55,000, median salaries are $70,500 and some of the best paid accountants make $122,840.
Accounting majors become leaders. One in four CEOS are accountants and accounting is one of most common degrees among top-earning CFOs.

Why Choose Point Park for Accounting?

Our city campus equals career connections. With industry-focused faculty and our location in Downtown Pittsburgh, we will connect you to networking and accounting career opportunities just steps from campus.
Internships and co-ops pay well. Nearly all of our accounting internships and co-ops are paid, with students often making $20 per hour.
You'll be ready for the CPA exam. As a Point Park accounting major, you'll be prepared for the Certified Public Accountant examination.
Earn six credits toward our MBA degree program, making it possible to graduate in five years with an MBA and the 150 credits generally required for CPA licensure.

Michael Williams '18, Assurance Staff for EY and former intern and staff accountant for Herbein + Company, Inc.

"Michael’s coursework and studies at Point Park provided him a solid knowledge base of both accounting and tax issues, which allowed him to quickly integrate into our firm during the busiest time of the year. Point Park has stoked a passion in Michael and set him on the path to be successful in a very rewarding profession." — Thomas L. Bakaitus, Jr., Operating Officer and Partner, Herbein + Company, Inc.

Meet Michael

Courses & Topics

Our average class size of 15-20 students allows for personalized learning. You will receive a well-rounded education through our core curriculum and various classes in the accounting major.

Courses include:

Auditing
Accounting Information Systems
Advanced Accounting Theory
Business Analytics
Business Communication and Research
Cost Accounting
Federal Taxation
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Intermediate Financial Accounting I, II & III
Managerial Accounting
Microcomputing
Nonprofit Accounting
Tax Accounting
Accounting Internship I & II

Faculty bring industry experience and expertise to the classroom.

Learn from professors who teach from scholarly and professional accounting experience, and share industry knowledge and connections.

Meet the faculty

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Margaret Gillfillan, MBA, CPA

Developed audit expertise in a number of industries
Worked for a “Big Four” public accounting firm and as a CFO for several Pittsburgh organizations
Member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs

Accounting Internships and Co-ops

Students in our accounting program have completed internships and co-ops at a variety of places including:

Arthritis Foundation
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
BDS/Canon Computer Systems
De Julius & Company Certified Public Accountants
Deloitte
EY (Ernst & Young)
Flagship Business Plans & Consulting
Genocea Biosciences, Inc.
Herbein + Company, Inc.
Maher Duessel
PaineWebber, Inc.
PNC
PPG Industries
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
RSM US LLP
Schneider Downs
Scott & McCune Company
UPMC

Connect with the Big Four Accounting Firms

Alumni Success

Learn where our graduates have gone on to build their careers as tax preparers, financial analysts, corporate and public accountants and more.

More news & features

Madeline King '19

Staff Auditor, Maher Duessel

"It was such a relief to spend my final semester at Point Park knowing I had already secured full-time employment, and I was fortunate to have several accounting professors guiding me throughout the process!"

Brandon Camic '16

Intermediate Accounting Analyst, UPMC

"One of the best decisions I made in my college career was switching my major to accounting because of all the opportunities it opened up for me."

Career Options

Our accounting program prepares students for a variety of careers in the accounting field including:

Corporate Accounting
Educational Institutions
Forensic Accounting
Government
Nonprofit Organizations
Public Accounting

News & Features

Accounting Majors Intern at Big Four Firm PwC

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Accounting majors Anjinee Carlisle, Lexie Balkovec and Riley Norman highlight their internship experiences with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Steven Fisher '22

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 "Knowing Point Park is in the center of Downtown Pittsburgh surrounded by the Big Four accounting firms and so much more, I felt it was the right match knowing that the professors have once worked for the biggest companies in the world. No other school can try to reach Point Park’s level when it comes to experiential learning opportunities," said accounting major Steven Fisher.

The Resiliency of Accountancy: A Q&A with Point Park University’s Accounting Faculty

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Point Park University accounting faculty Amy Cesario, Cheryl Clark, Margaret Gilfillan and Jayne Olshanski answer hot topic questions about the accounting field and its stability during the COVID-19 crisis.