Accounting is essential for a thorough understanding of finance, business, and markets. Learn to organize and analyze quantitative data for essential business decisions as an accounting major at RMC. Through an active learning environment that incorporates accounting, business and economics theories, you’ll gain fluency in the language of business while enjoying the unique setting of a liberal arts education. Randolph-Macon accounting majors are well-prepared to take the CPA exam and for a career in all business environments. Students graduate with an excellent understanding of the complexity of business organizations and a strong foundation for graduate studies in accounting, business, taxation, and law.

Major/Minor Accounting
Accounting
up Close In and Beyond the Classroom

global education
The study of accounting isn’t all about numbers. While studying in residence at Wroxton College, students discovered how the cultural and historical events of a tumultuous time in Great Britain impacted the practice of accounting. The travel course combined student cohorts enrolled in International Accounting (ACCT 481) and The Industrial Revolution and Early Management in Great Britain (BUSN 390) to offer a holistic learning experience that shed new light on the interconnectedness of business, culture, and world history.
high-impact internships
Accounting majors complete valuable internships that secure relevant work experience while also providing opportunities to explore positions and industries you’d could pursue after completing your degree.
Recent RMC accounting internship sites include:
- Keiter CPA
- Richline Group
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Virginia State Corporation Commission
- WellsColeman


advising and mentorship
Randolph-Macon accounting faculty work closely with you, providing one-on-one support and guidance from your freshman year through graduation, and even after you’ve moved on to the workforce or graduate school. In addition to this personalized support, RMC’s nationally-ranked EDGE Career Center is a key resource, with services like self-assessment, professional development, internships, on-campus jobs, and career search.
After RMC
preparing for a cpa exam
Planning for a career as a CPA? Accounting majors at RMC considering taking the exam should plan to take two additional classes in upper-level accounting and one additional class in economics or business in order to meet Virginia State Board of Accountancy requirements for 120 hours of coursework completed. (Students planning to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination should consult with their individual state Board of Accountancy to determine the requirements for admission.) These additional hours can be met in a variety of ways including advanced placement credit, summer school, and graduate school.
For more information, consult with Professor Catherine Staples at cstaples@rmc.edu.
direct pathways to grad school
RMC accounting graduates have the opportunity for direct admission to the master of accounting program at Virginia Commonwealth University.
In addition, the Randolph-Macon Department of Economics, Business, and Accounting recommends up to five students each year for admission to The College of William and Mary master of accounting program. Both programs offer qualifying RMC accounting students with direct educational pathways to excellent graduate school programs in Virginia.
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$77,250the median annual salary for accountants and auditors with a bachelor’s degree
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$868Bthe 2022 value of the global accounting services market
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1942the year Wroxton College, RMC’s education partner in England, was founded
Accounting
in full Courses You Won’t Want to Miss
ACCT 372
tax accounting
Study taxation and learn the theory, structure, measurement, and significance of the federal income tax as it affects the decision-making process of households and businesses. Learn about the development of tax planning techniques and issues surrounding tax compliance.
ACCT 380
Financial Investigations
Learn the accounting techniques used in financial investigations that uncover money, tax, and other financial fraud. Using case studies, explore the outcomes of accounting investigations including legal penalties and court processes; and apply learned accounting techniques toward your own financial investigation case study.
ACcT 440
Contemporary Topics in Accounting
Learn about pensions, leases, revenue recognition, international accounting and financial statement analysis. Achieve proficiency in the Accounting Codification System; the financial accounting resource database developed and maintained by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
Clubs and Other Opportunities

Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society
for students in business, management and administration
Phi Beta Lambda
Student professional organization
From Here To What you can do with an Accounting degree from RMC

charleita richardson ’00
Chief Executive Officer
Durham Children’s Initiative
“Randolph-Macon College has been instrumental in my success. RMC helped me to further develop my critical thinking skills and instilled in me that with a liberal arts education, my professional journey can take many paths. The value of my experiences in college, the lessons taught by my professors (who are among the best in the country) and the opportunities afforded me have made my transition from Corporate America to local government and now nonprofit work worthwhile, easy, and meaningful.”
Bo Garner ’08
Partner, Not-for-Profit Team Leader
PB Mares CPAs
Michelle Kutcher Mertens ’08
Controller
Sportsbackers

Rachel Pisarz ’20
Staff Accountant
GRF CPAs and Associates
“The professors at RMC not only teach you the core mechanics of your major but provide you with lifelong lessons. They also care for their students in a way that goes beyond their educational development which is what I think gives RMC the edge.”
Brian davies ’17
Financial Services Assistant Manager
Ernst & Young London
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