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Accounting, known as “the language of business,” provides financial information that is useful for making a wide range of business decisions and is a crucial function for every business.

Commitment to research is an integral component of the Accounting department. Our faculty are academically respected and professionally qualified and actively produce and support basic and applied research. Faculty research and teaching expectations emphasize individual strengths, interests and career development through a coordinated program of peer review, support and counsel.

Our faculty pursue external service activities that enhance the student experience, departmental visibility, reputation and presence at the local, national and international levels. We are dedicated to service to the students, college and university that enhances the university's urban mission.

Degree Programs Heading link

The Accounting Department offers undergraduate, graduate and PhD degree programs.

Apply Here Undergraduate Admissions

Apply Here Graduate Admissions

Why Accounting? Heading link

Program Outcomes

Students gather aroung a laptop

About half of UIC Business Accounting graduates enter Public Accounting

  • High average starting salaries for Accounting grads (~$60,000)
  • Public Accounting provides excellent additional training and experience
  • Many current controllers and CFOs started their careers in Public Accounting

“The CPA profession has … significantly lower rates of unemployment than the economy as a whole, even during tough economic times.” (AICPA, 2017)

Accounting and You

Female students around a laptop

Accounting may be a good fit if you:

  • Are analytical – you enjoy working with numbers and logic.
  • Have good attention to detail – you relish “digging into” questions and really understanding the relevant data.
  • Are willing to become a good communicator – accountants often have to explain complex issues in simple terms.
  • Are interested in some day running a company – many top executives started out as accountants!
  • To advance your career you may consider working towards a certification in accounting. Common certifications include:
    • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
    • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
    • Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)

Accounting Club University of Illinois Chicago Heading link

The Accounting Club is a pre-professional and social club for Accounting and business majors. We hold the duty of bridging the gap between UIC accounting students and the recruiters who seek talented young individuals to hold positions within their firms. In addition, we hold events that focus on the development of professional skills, proficiencies not often taught in our university classrooms. Our efforts and events have the full support of the UIC Accounting Department and the College of Business Administration’s Career Services Office.The Accounting Club has a rich and deep-rooted history in our young campus; with over forty-five years of operation behind us, we are confident that we are more than able to meet your needs as students.

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What can I do with an Accounting major? Heading link

This year’s Educator of the Year Award goes to someone who has thrived with their teaching delivery. Their innovative teaching methods, dedication to their students, and their passion for accounting have made them a role model for many aspiring accountants inside and outside the classroom. They are known for their ability to make complex accounting concepts easy to understand and their commitment to preparing their students for successful careers in the field with critical thinking. I am proud to announce the 2023 Educator of the Year: Assistant Professor, Vivek Raval.

Joe Carroll, Award Presenter  |  Accounting & IDS, Class of '23

UIC Business Accounting Research Conference Heading link

Dean Michael Mikhail Will Return to the UIC Business Faculty Heading link

UIC Business would like to thank Dean Michael Mikhail for a decade of outstanding leadership and commitment to enriching the college. After completing two, five-year terms, Dean Mikhail will return to the Accounting faculty.

Dean Mikhail’s tenure has been defined by his ability to distinguish UIC Business as a premier academic college. For seven of the last nine years (2013-2021), UIC Business was ranked No. 1 among Chicago-area accredited schools for undergraduate business programs by U.S. News & World Report.[1] His efforts also led to several noteworthy additions to the college such as the new, strategic undergraduate cohort program and the Business Scholars program, a broad professional development curriculum to be completed in conjunction with the college’s traditional academic programs.

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