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University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers a master
of accounting (MAcc) program designed to prepare students
for careers in professional accounting. The program provides
advanced education in taxation, financial accounting, and
auditing necessary for students to pursue leading positions
in public practice, business, not-for-profit organizations,
government and related fields.
An accounting background may provide a competitive edge for
those aspiring to become chief executive officers, according
to a recent Robert Half International survey. The survey showed
that 72 percent of executives believed that during the 1990s,
top management would be more reliant on information provided
by the accounting department than it was during the 1980s.
Therefore, students often study accounting even though their
major interests may be in other areas of business. This enables
students to gain a marketable skill that facilitates entry into a business
firm. The accounting profession may be divided into the following
two major segments:
- Public Accounting
Specialties in this area include auditing, tax, and management
advisory services. Some of the larger firms have reorganized
these activities along industry lines. Students entering
public accounting should prepare to become Certified Public
Accountants (CPA). Many graduates with an accounting degree
are employed by national or international CPA firms, or
by local CPA or public accounting firms. Some open their
own independent practices, after they become certified.
- Other Accounting Jobs
Accounting positions in industry are most often available
in firms engaged in manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing,
banking, transportation, insurance, and real estate, as
well as in hotels, entertainment enterprises, and restaurants.
Positions in these organizations can be found in the areas
of financial accounting, managerial accounting, internal
auditing, tax accounting, and accounting information systems.
Graduates also find employment as accountants in various
branches of federal, state, or local governments or in not-for-profit
organizations.
Graduate students have access to personal computers in the college's
three microcomputer labs. An extensive library of software
for business applications and several research centers are
also available. The UHM library offers a wealth of information
to the students. The Asian Collection in Hamilton Library
has a heavy concentration of statistical materials related
to South and Southeast Asia. Business information on other
Asian countries is also available in the collection. More
than 175 databases can be searched for references.
The MAcc program is offered by the UHM Shidler College of Business. It is the only business school in Hawai'i
accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools
of Business (AACSB International) and is a member of the Graduate
Management Admissions Council. Many of Hawai'i's top business
leaders are graduates of the college.
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