New curriculum gives students four career-focused tracks, modern technology skills, and flexible preparation for CPA and non-CPA career paths.
Marietta College’s Department of Business & Economics is launching a redesigned Accounting major this fall, giving students a more flexible, career-focused path into one of today’s most in-demand and versatile professions.
Built around a strong business core and rigorous accounting foundation, the new program allows students to customize their education through four specialized career tracks while developing the analytical, technological and professional skills employers increasingly expect from accounting graduates.
The redesigned curriculum reflects the rapid evolution of the accounting profession. Today’s accountants do far more than prepare financial statements. They analyze data, advise organizational leaders, assess risk, evaluate internal controls, work with emerging technologies and help organizations make informed strategic decisions.
“Accounting is the language of business, but today’s accountants do much more than work with numbers,” said Doug Ankrom ’97, assistant professor of accounting. “They help organizations understand what the numbers mean, how to respond, and how to plan for the future. Our new major is designed to make accounting approachable, relevant, and connected to real careers.”
One Major. Four Career Tracks.
After completing a common business and accounting foundation, students can pursue the career path that best matches their interests:
- Professional Accounting & Auditing – Ideal for students pursuing careers in public accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal audit, advisory services, or CPA licensure.
- Tax Planning & Strategy – Focuses on individual and business taxation, tax planning, compliance, wealth management, and tax research.
- Governmental & Nonprofit – Prepares students for careers in public service through coursework in governmental accounting, nonprofit financial management, budgeting, grants, and fund accounting.
- Accounting Technology & Analytics – Equips students for technology-driven careers involving accounting systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, data analytics, IT audit, cybersecurity controls, consulting, and process automation.
Students are not required to select a track immediately. Because each pathway shares a common foundation, they can explore career options before choosing a specialization, typically by the end of their sophomore year. Students also can change tracks as their interests evolve.
The redesigned major also aligns with recent changes to the CPA Exam and emerging CPA licensure pathways while recognizing that many successful accounting careers do not require CPA certification. Across each track, students develop sought-after skills in critical thinking, communication, business analytics, technology, automation, independent research, risk assessment and internal controls.
A Proven Record of Student Success
Marietta's accounting program continues to produce outstanding outcomes for graduates.
Since 2020, the program has achieved the following:
- 100% of accounting graduates have been employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.
- 100% of accounting students who applied to graduate school have been accepted.
Those outcomes reflect the program's longstanding emphasis on experiential learning, faculty mentorship and career preparation. The redesigned curriculum prepares graduates for careers in public accounting, corporate finance, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, taxation, consulting, technology, analytics and business leadership.
With defined career pathways, modern technical skills, and a strong accounting foundation, Marietta's redesigned Accounting major is built for the future of the profession.
Flexible. Focused. Future-Ready.