What Does an Accounting Professor Do?

Accounting professors are responsible for teaching students about the field of accounting. They may cover topics such as financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and other related areas.

Accounting professors must be well-versed in the subject they’re teaching. They should have a deep understanding of the material they’re presenting to their students so that they can answer any questions or address any concerns they might have.

Accounting Professor Job Duties

Accounting professors typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Developing new methods for teaching accounting topics, such as using technology in the classroom or engaging students in experiential learning activities
• Preparing course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts for each class session
• Providing individualized attention to students who need extra help with course material or who have academic concerns
• Assisting students with financial aid applications, registration, and other administrative tasks
• Performing academic research in their field of expertise and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals
• Preparing lectures and teaching classes to undergraduate or graduate students in undergraduate business programs
• Preparing and reviewing financial reports such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
• Advising students on academic and career issues, including course selection, study skills development, and major planning
• Preparing for and attending departmental meetings, such as faculty meetings and committee meetings

Accounting Professor Salary & Outlook

Accounting professor salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the type of institution they work for. They may also earn additional income through consulting or freelance work.

• Median Annual Salary: $76,500 ($36.78/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $162,000 ($77.88/hour)

The employment of accounting professors is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Demand for accounting professors will depend on the demand for accounting and finance degrees. As demand for these types of degrees grows, so does demand for accounting professors who teach introductory accounting classes.

Accounting Professor Job Requirements

A position as an accounting professor typically requires:

Education: Most employers require accounting professors to have a master’s degree in accounting or a related field, such as finance or business administration. Some universities offer master’s programs in accounting, and these programs typically take two years to complete.

Many universities also require professors to have a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. in accounting. A doctoral program takes four years to complete and includes coursework and a dissertation.

Training & Experience: Most accounting professors have a Ph.D. in accounting, which requires them to complete a one-year internship. During the internship, they learn how to teach and how to manage a classroom. They also learn how to manage a budget and how to manage students’ grades.

Accounting professors can also receive on-the-job training in the form of mentorship from an experienced accounting professor.

Certifications & Licenses: Accounting professors are required to be certified public accountants (CPAs) or have the ability to obtain the certification. Some schools may require a CPA even if a professor does not have the certification.

Accounting Professor Skills

Accounting professors need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the ability to convey information to others in a clear and understandable manner. As an accounting professor, you may be required to teach a large lecture to a large group of students. This requires you to be able to speak clearly and loudly enough for all students to hear you. You may also be required to answer questions from students and faculty members. This requires you to be able to communicate in a way that is easy to understand.

Organization: Organization is another skill that accounting professors use in the classroom and in their professional lives. In the classroom, accounting professors often have to keep track of student grades, attendance records, student assignments and other records. Professors who are organized can keep track of all of these records and find them quickly when needed.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to analyze a situation and make a decision based on the information you have. As an accounting professor, you may need to make decisions about grading, student performance and course content. Having strong critical thinking skills can help you make the best decisions for your students and your course.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As an accounting professor, you may be responsible for helping students understand complex accounting concepts. This can involve identifying the source of confusion and devising a strategy to overcome it.

Teaching: As an accounting professor, you may be responsible for teaching several different courses, including introductory accounting, intermediate accounting and advanced accounting. Depending on the institution, you may also teach courses in taxation, auditing, financial analysis and other accounting-related subjects.

Accounting Professor Work Environment

Accounting professors typically work in university settings, although some may find positions in government or public accounting firms. They typically work a standard 40-hour workweek, although they may need to put in extra time to prepare for classes, meet with students, and grade papers. Accounting professors typically have summers off, although some may teach summer classes or do research during this time. The work can be stressful at times, particularly during the busy season when professors are preparing for classes and grading exams. However, most professors find the work to be stimulating and rewarding, and they enjoy the opportunity to share their knowledge with students.

Accounting Professor Trends

Here are three trends influencing how accounting professors work. Accounting professors will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Use of Technology in the Classroom

The use of technology in the classroom is becoming increasingly popular as teachers look for ways to make learning more engaging and effective. This trend is having a significant impact on accounting professors, who are now being asked to incorporate technology into their teaching methods.

As technology becomes more prevalent in the classroom, accounting professors will need to learn how to use it effectively in order to keep students engaged. They can do this by using online tools such as virtual reality or video conferencing to bring real-world examples into the classroom. In addition, they can also use technology to help students learn about financial concepts through games and simulations.

Accounting Education Reform

Accounting education reform is a trend that is seeing increasing popularity among universities and colleges. This trend is driven by the need for businesses to have employees with strong accounting skills in order to stay competitive. As a result, accounting professors are needed to teach these skills to students.

In order to be successful in this field, accounting professors will need to be able to not only understand the latest trends in accounting but also how to teach them to students. They will also need to be able to work with business professionals to ensure that the curriculum meets their needs.

More Focus on Ethics

As businesses become more complex, the importance of ethics in the workplace has become increasingly evident. This has led to an increased focus on ethics in accounting schools, where students are learning how to apply ethical principles to their work.

Accounting professors can capitalize on this trend by focusing on ethics in their classes. This can include discussing current events that relate to ethics in accounting, as well as providing students with opportunities to practice applying ethical principles to real-world situations.

How to Become an Accounting Professor

An accounting professor career path can be rewarding in many ways. It offers the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students, to stay current on changes in the field, and to contribute your knowledge to the profession. However, it’s important to consider all aspects of this career before embarking on it.

One consideration is the type of institution you want to work for. Some schools have more rigorous standards than others, so it’s important to find an environment that matches your own expectations. You should also think about the size of the school; larger institutions offer more opportunities for teaching and research but may not provide as much one-on-one interaction with students.

Another factor to consider is the subject area you want to teach. There are many different specializations within accounting, so you should pick something that interests you and matches your skills and experience.

Advancement Prospects

Advancement for accounting professors generally comes in the form of tenure and promotion. To be eligible for tenure, professors typically need to have a strong record of research and publication, as well as teaching experience. Once tenure is achieved, professors may be eligible for promotion to a higher rank, such as associate professor or full professor. In addition, accounting professors may also take on administrative roles within their department or university, such as department chair or program director.

Accounting Professor Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we are looking for an experienced accounting professor to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong accounting background with experience teaching at the college level. He or she will be responsible for developing and teaching accounting courses, as well as advising students on their accounting studies. The professor will also be responsible for maintaining office hours, grading student work, and participating in departmental meetings.

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator with the ability to engage students in the material. He or she will also be able to work independently and be self-motivated. If you are passionate about accounting and teaching, we want you on our team!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach one or more accounting courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level
• Develop and revise course materials, including syllabi, lectures, assignments, and exams
• Advise and mentor students on their academic and professional development
• Engage in scholarly research and writing, and present findings at conferences and in journals
• Serve on departmental, college, and university committees
• Participate in accreditation and assessment activities
• Foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, workplace, and curriculum
• Model ethical behavior in accordance with professional codes of conduct
• Stay abreast of developments in the field of accounting through continued professional education and research
• Use technology effectively in teaching and learning
• Manage budgets and other resources responsibly
• Perform administrative duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited institution
• CPA certification
• Minimum of five years full-time teaching experience at the college level
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching accounting courses, as evidenced by student evaluations, course materials, and peer review
• Ability to develop and teach online courses
• Active participation in scholarly research and publication
• Service to the profession and/or community

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience working with a diverse student population
• Experience teaching graduate-level accounting courses
• ABD candidates will be considered if all requirements will be completed by August 2021
• Experience living and working abroad