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What Is a Bachelor's in Accounting and What Can You Do with One?

Find out more about the different types of bachelor's degrees you can earn when you're interested in studying accounting.

Accounting is a central business need. Companies, government agencies, and nonprofits all rely on trained professionals to fulfill a variety of financial needs. If you enjoy working with numbers and being analytical, and you are looking for a career with industry flexibility, earning your bachelor’s degree in accounting may be a good choice. 

In this article, we’ll go over what you’ll learn in a bachelor’s degree in accounting program, the difference between an accounting and finance degree, and what you can do with this particular major after graduation. 

What is a bachelor’s degree in accounting?

When you earn your bachelor’s degree, you have the option of majoring in accounting. The way each school handles this major can differ. Some offer it as a stand-alone college major , meaning you can earn either your Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in the subject, while others situate accounting in business school, so you can earn your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and specialize in accounting.

While each school’s accounting program will look different, the overall curriculum for any accounting bachelor’s typically involves taking a combination of foundational business courses alongside advanced math courses.  

Bachelor of Science in Accounting: Also known as a Bachelor of Accountancy, this degree focuses on a general business education alongside core math requirements, such as calculus and statistics. It can help you prepare to enter the workforce, go on to graduate school, or take the certified public accountant (CPA) exam. 

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting: This program isn’t offered as frequently as a BS in Accounting. While it also focuses on business and math, it tends to emphasize a liberal arts education to strengthen your approach to accounting. 

Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting: This degree program helps prepare you for the workforce or graduate studies in accounting. Coursework includes accounting, business administration, economics, and management.

Each degree takes between four and five years to earn , depending on your school’s requirements. You can expect to complete a range of core courses during your first two years before moving into your major coursework. The average total cost of a bachelor’s degree, including books, supplies, and living expenses, is $35,551, according to the Education Data Initiative [ 1 ]. 

Learn more: Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

What you’ll learn in a bachelor’s accounting program

Because of the role accounting plays in business, it’s important that graduates understand the fundamentals of business as they pursue accounting roles. The exact coursework in your Bachelor of Accounting degree program will vary, but you can expect to take courses pertaining to business, management, economics, and math. 

Accounting coursework can include: 

Principles of accounting

Financial accounting

Managerial accounting

Cost accounting

Federal income taxation

Accounting information systems

Business coursework can include:  

Financial statement analysis

Operations management

Leading and managing

Principles of marketing

Corporate strategy

Macroeconomics 

Introduction to statistics

4+1 accounting programs

Many schools increasingly offer “4+1” programs so you can earn your master’s degree in accounting with just one additional year of full-time attendance rather than two. With a graduate degree, you may qualify for more advanced roles, such as forensic accounting, tax director, or chief financial officer.  

Bachelor’s in accounting vs. bachelor’s in finance

When you’re interested in working with revenue and expenses, you have the option of earning your degree in accounting or finance. There’s some deal of overlap between the two majors, but typically an accounting degree focuses on a company’s day-to-day finances, while a finance degree focuses on key money management skills with the purpose of expanding a company’s growth and profits. 

Both degree programs share some common courses, such as business law, business ethics, business statistics, and principles of finance, but many other requirements tend to differ. For example, as an accounting major, your classes may include personal taxes, investment and business taxation, and fraud auditing. If you major in finance, however, your courses will include micro and macroeconomics, risk management, and principles of management.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in accounting?

Accountants are in demand, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Accountants and related roles are expected to grow by 7 percent between 2020 and 2030 [ 2 ]. The median salary for accountants and auditors is $77,250 [ 2 ]. 

Investment analyst 

Individuals and companies need information about where they should invest their resources. An investment analyst reviews asset classes, like stocks and bonds, and makes recommendations to an investment manager. 

Average annual salary (Glassdoor)$72,620 + $21,303 average bonus 

Financial analyst

Financial analysts help individuals and companies determine where to invest their resources. They must be familiar with, and comfortable researching, industry trends, evaluating a client’s financial history and data, and preparing reports that recommend an investment strategy. 

Median annual salary (BLS): $81,410 

Budget analyst 

Companies need to know about their profits and expenses to make informed decisions. Budget analysts create and review a company’s financial performance, including spending and available funds.

Median annual salary (BLS): $79,940

Tax examiner and collector 

Tax examiners and collectors tend to work on behalf of a local, state, or federal government. They calculate how much an individual or company owes in annual taxes and set about collecting it. 

Median annual salary (BLS): $56,780

Financial examiner

When institutions handle monetary transactions, such as banks, they are subject to laws that require compliance. Financial examiners ensure compliance with those laws by reviewing an institution’s portfolio and developing reports. 

Controllers typically lead an accounting team, and are responsible for ensuring a company is doing well financially by reviewing and analyzing its budgets and other financial documents. While you can become a controller with a bachelor’s degree, you must first acquire several years of experience before moving into this senior role.

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $104,337 

Can you become a CPA with a bachelor’s in accounting?

Many accounting students are interested in becoming certified personal accountants (CPA)—or certified professionals who can prepare taxes on behalf of an individual or corporation and conduct audits, among other responsibilities. Each state sets different licensing requirements to become a CPA, but many states require you to complete 150 college credit hours before being eligible to sit for the licensure exam. 

Since undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 hours , you may need to complete additional coursework or consider earning a master’s degree to meet your state’s CPA stipulations. Take time to review your state’s requirements to find out more. 

Learn more: How to Get Your First Accounting Entry-Level Job

Explore further

Earn a bachelor’s degree in general business from the University of North Texas on Coursera. You can learn at your own pace and study from anywhere there’s an internet connection. Try a free course to see if it’s a good fit. 

You can also explore accounting certificate programs and accounting online, such as the University of Illinois’ Fundamentals of Accounting or the University of Virginia’s Financial Accounting Fundamentals . Neither program requires previous experience. 

Article sources

1. Education Data Initiative. “ Average Cost of College and Tuition , https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college.” Accessed August 29, 2022. 

2. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Accountants and Auditors , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm#tab-6.” Accessed August 29, 2022. 

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Top Accounting Degrees

The #1 Internet Guide to the Best Accounting Degree Programs

What Coursework is Required in a Bachelor’s in Accounting Program?

A Bachelor’s in Accounting is a strong degree choice for students who are interested in becoming an accountant, working in the finance industry, or becoming a business leader. Despite the apparent narrow focus of the field, accounting programs can be quite diverse and often include courses that cover a wide range of issues and topics. The required coursework is typically designed to prepare students for entry-level positions, as well as the potential for application to graduate programs, which is a necessary step towards becoming a certified public accountant (CPA).

Finance and Business Law

Accountants are bound by many standards and rules that are implemented at various levels, ranging from recommended practices to federal law. Undergraduate students need to understand the purpose, enforcement and details of these rules in order to practice their skills on a professional level. Accountants also need to know where to look to research recent legislation and have the knowledge to fully appreciate its implications on their work.

Auditing and Forensic Practices

Auditing and forensic accounting are both notable specializations within the field of accounting, and many professionals focus on these areas exclusively. Even students who don’t anticipate entering these specific fields need to have some knowledge of internal and external auditing processes. Forensic courses focus on investigative practices to identify and trace the source of irregularities in the organization’s financial structure. Accountants employed by government agencies, like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), also apply these skills on a regular basis.

Taxation and Reporting

Taxation is one of the basic topics covered throughout an accounting program, so students should expect to take more than one course on this topic. All companies, from massive corporations to tiny non-profits, are required to submit financial reports and file taxes. Accountants responsible for preparing the documents have to investigate, double-check and report their findings according to industry standards and applicable laws. Learning how to navigate the federal tax system is an integral part of undergraduate accounting programs.

Software Proficiency and Programming

Like many other modern professions, accountants rely heavily on the use of computer technology and software to perform their jobs. This means that computer proficiency is absolutely essential for prospective candidates, and many positions require even more advanced skills. Accountants use several types of industry-specific software to track finances, create reports and file taxes. Familiarity with these programs is a prerequisite for many positions at firms and companies. Students should also consider learning Java, Python and other programming languages, as these skills can provide value and career opportunities on their own, according to Forbes .

Accounting isn’t just about crunching numbers, it is a broad field of study that encompasses financial law, business management and numerous niche practice areas. An undergraduate program is just the beginning of the journey towards full professional certification, but it’s still one of the most important steps of all. Students should make an effort to engage and succeed in every course, as they are all essential components of a Bachelor’s in Accounting program.

Related Resources:

• 5 Accounting Careers with an Associate of Science in Accounting Degree
• Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting
• How Can I Find an Accounting Internship?
• What Careers are Available with a Bachelor’s in Finance?

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What Classes Can You Expect to Take For Your Accounting Degree?

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If you have a way with numbers and want to make a living out of it, a degree in accounting can put you on the path to a lucrative career in finance.

With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you can get started in an entry-level accounting job and work your way up to more senior roles as you gain experience. On the other hand, if you want to become a certified public accountant (CPA), advance into a management position, and make more money, you’ll want to consider a master’s degree in accounting.  

There are important differences in the coursework of these degree programs, including their complexity and requirements. Knowing what classes to expect in each can help you make a more informed decision about your educational future. This guide will give you an overview of the courses covered in WGU’s bachelor’s and master’s in accounting degree program.

What Courses Are in a Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Program?

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the first step to a career in business or finance, including the path to becoming a CPA or other accounting professional. This program covers business fundamentals and important accounting concepts such as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), spreadsheets, financial and managerial accounting, tax and audit rules, and more. The following accounting courses are key in preparing you for the job market. 

• Financial Accounting focuses on ways that accounting principles are used in business operations. Students learn the basics of financial accounting, including how the accounting cycle is used to record business transactions under GAAP. You’ll also be introduced to the concepts of assets, liabilities, and equity. This course also presents bank reconciliation methods, balance sheets, and business ethics. Principles of Accounting is a prerequisite for this course.
• Taxation I provides an overview of income taxes of both individuals and business entities in order to enhance awareness of the complexities and sources of tax law and to measure and analyze the effect of various tax options. The course will introduce taxation of sole proprietorships. Students will learn principles of individual taxation and how to develop effective personal tax strategies for individuals. Students will also be introduced to tax research of complex taxation issues. 
• Cost and Managerial Accounting focuses on the concepts and procedures needed to identify, collect, and interpret accounting data for management control and decision-making. Topics covered include budgeting, cost-volume-profit analysis, job costing, process costing, activity-based costing, standard costing, and differential analysis. Prerequisites include Principles of Accounting and Financial Accounting. 
• Business Law for Accountants is designed to provide the advanced accounting student an understanding of the legal environment and issues encountered in the profession. Topics include the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), contracts, securities regulation, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, legal entities, ethics, agency, and bankruptcy.
• Intermediate Accounting I is the first of three in-depth financial accounting courses for accounting majors. It builds on topics covered in Principles of Accounting and Financial Accounting. This course focuses on financial accounting and accounting standards; the conceptual framework of GAAP; the income statement, the statement of cash flows, and the balance sheet; cash and receivables; and inventory valuation.
• Intermediate Accounting II is the second of three in-depth financial accounting courses for accounting majors. The course focuses on acquisition and disposition of noncurrent assets; depreciation, impairments, and depletion; intangible assets; current liabilities and contingencies; long-term obligations; stockholders' equity; dilutive securities; and time value of money concepts. The prerequisite to this course is Intermediate Accounting I.
• Accounting Information Systems (AIS) introduces you to the accountant’s role in management and financial reporting systems. Topics include transaction cycles and related information technology (IT) controls, data management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and e-commerce systems, systems development and acquisition, documentation, and IT auditing. 
• Intermediate Accounting III completes the intermediate accounting journey and provides a comprehensive look at investments, revenue recognition, accounting for income taxes, pension plans, and leases. It explores advanced topics, including accounting changes and error analysis, full disclosure requirements in financial reporting, and interpretation of the statement of cash flows.
• Auditing will help you gain an understanding of the entire auditing process and different assurance services, such as the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. You’ll learn how to assess audit risk, develop an audit strategy, and gain an understanding of the audit client. Audit evidence and a client’s system of internal control will be discussed in depth. You’ll be required to assess risk response by identifying and evaluating tests of controls and substantive procedures. In addition, you’ll evaluate risk response and use data analytics and audit sampling for substantive tests. The course concludes with the completion of the audit through subsequent events, engagement wrap-up and management representation, and reporting on the audit with an unqualified audit report or a modification of the audit report. 

What Courses Are in a Master’s in Accounting Degree Program?

In a master's program in accounting , you'll take advanced classes covering topics in managerial accounting, tax concepts, auditing, financial accounting, and more. These courses give you the foundation you need to feel ready for the CPA exam while exposing you to different specialties within the accounting field.Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting gives you the skills and knowledge required to practice accounting for governmental and nonprofit entities: analyzing and recording transactions, financial statement preparation in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and communication. 

• Fraud and Forensic Accounting provides a framework for detecting and preventing financial statement fraud. Topics include the profession’s focus and legislation of fraud; revenue- and inventory-related fraud; and liability, asset, and inadequate disclosure fraud. 
• Advanced Managerial Accounting introduces the complexity and functionality of managerial accounting systems within an organization. It covers the topics of product costing (including activity-based costing), decision-making (including capital budgeting), profitability analysis, budgeting, performance evaluation, and reporting related to managerial decision-making. This course provides the opportunity for a detailed study of how managerial accounting information supports the operational and strategic needs of an organization and how managers use accounting information for decision-making, planning, and controlling activities within organizations. 
• Advanced Financial Accounting builds upon your accounting knowledge by focusing on advanced financial accounting topics such as consolidations, partnership accounting, and international accounting.
• Advanced Tax Concepts is designed to enhance awareness of the complexities and sources of tax law and to measure and analyze the effect of various tax options. This course provides an overview of income taxes on individuals, corporations, associations, and corporate distributions, while emphasizing the role of taxes in business decisions and business strategy. Also examined will be federal tax laws applicable to individuals and corporations (and shareholders), including tax research, tax compliance, and tax planning. 
• Planning the audit: identifying, assessing, and responding to the risk of material misstatement. 
• Using specialized audit tools: attributes sampling, monetary unit sampling, and data analytic tools. 
• Completing a quality audit.
• Reporting on financial statement audits. 
• Understanding how to audit an acquisition and payment cycle. 
• Applying the knowledge gained through the acquisition and payment cycle to the revenue cycle in a performance assessment
• Accounting Research and Critical Thinking gives you the skills and knowledge to research and add validity to accounting reports, resolution of issues, and procedural arguments: critical thinking, communication, research strategies, and database resources.

Should I Become a CPA?

Becoming a CPA takes experience and education, and a master's degree can help with both. A master’s degree isn’t a requirement to become a CPA, but earning a bachelor’s degree isn’t enough to qualify you to sit for the CPA exam. For instance, most states require you to complete 120 credit hours before you’re eligible to take the CPA exam, and at least 150 hours before you’re able to be licensed as a CPA. A master’s degree can provide those additional hours and valuable knowledge to meet the CPA educational requirement.   All this to say, if you’re hoping for a successful, high-paying career in accounting, becoming a CPA is worth it. CPAs make almost double the average salary of accountants: $119,000 compared to $51,000 , according to UWorld. Even if you don’t go the CPA route, having a master’s degree in accounting can open the door to more opportunities and higher salaries. In fact, M.S. Accounting graduates report an average salary increase of $18,700 after completing their WGU degree.

Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're looking to get an accounting degree that’s flexible, affordable, and industry recognized, consider an online accounting degree program at WGU. The online bachelor's accounting program is ACBSP accredited, a designation that’s widely respected by employers.

Unlike traditional universities, WGU offers a competency-based education model. This means every course in our accounting programs focuses on a set of clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Once you prove mastery of the concepts, you move on to the next course. You’ll be rewarded for your knowledge and experience, not the number of credit hours on your transcript. 

Add to your existing knowledge and launch yourself forward with the help of an online accounting degree from WGU. Learn more and get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects are needed for accounting.

Some subjects you can expect in an accounting degree include: 

• Business law
• Financial markets
• Banking and investments
• Corporate finance

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in accounting?

With a bachelor’s degree, you may be most qualified for entry-level positions as a:  

• Bookkeeper 
• Accounts payable specialist 
• Assistant payroll administrator 
• Payroll accountant 

What can you do with a master’s degree in accounting?

There are many job possibilities for those who pursue a master's degree in accounting, both in public and private accounting. Some of those jobs include:

• Tax accountant
• Finance manager

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What You Need to Know About Becoming an Accounting Major

Accounting majors learn to maintain and report the finances of a person or organization, so they should enjoy math and revel in organization.

Becoming an Accounting Major

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Accounting majors learn how to create, maintain and audit a detailed and accurate system that displays the finances of a business or organization.

AN ACCOUNTING MAJOR gets a strong education in business administration, diving into the technical intricacies of accounting and developing other skills required in an accounting role, such as public speaking and information systems. Students looking to study accounting should be interested in numbers, the communication of financial information, corporate finance, software programs and data analytics.

What Is an Accounting Major?

Accounting majors learn how to create, maintain and audit a detailed and accurate system that displays the finances of a business or organization. They study the theory behind accounting and learn how to analyze the financial position of a firm or organization.

Depending on your program, you may earn a Bachelor of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Schools may also have different names for accounting majors, such as accountancy, accounting and financial management, and accounting technology.

A completed undergraduate degree in accounting may qualify you to take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Exam, a qualification for practicing as an accountant, though in many cases, you may need additional coursework.

Future employers highly value skills like organization, attention to detail, good time management, leadership and communication, which accounting majors may develop over the course of their degree program.

Common Coursework Accounting Majors Can Expect

Most accounting majors begin their studies with a broad liberal arts education that includes courses such as English literature, foreign language, psychology and physics. However, as they progress in their studies, accounting majors can expect to take introduction to accounting and taxation courses as well as principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Math classes like calculus and statistics are part of the curriculum, too. More advanced courses accounting majors take include computer-based systems, operations management, business law, and theory classes for both accounting and auditing. Business communication and public speaking are often part of accounting program curriculums as well.

Many programs, like the one at the highly ranked McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas--Austin, require students to take an accounting internship for credit. This lets accounting majors gain hands-on experience in the field as well as cultivate professional contacts to help them land a job after graduation.

How to Know if This Major Is the Right Fit for You

Accounting majors should enjoy math, and they should revel in organization, as crunching numbers in a computer-based system and analyzing financial information are important parts of the job.

But accounting majors also have to communicate their findings in front of executives of an organization or business and answer questions related to their analysis. Accounting majors should be content with routine, repetitive tasks and expect long hours during tax season, which runs from January through April. Lastly, accounting majors should be honest rule-followers, as the job entails adhering to detailed regulations and tax codes.

Pick the Perfect Major

Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.

What Can I Do With an Accounting Major?

Those interested in continuing their education can get a master’s in accounting or taxation or an MBA with a concentration in accounting. Many schools offer five-year programs where students can obtain their bachelor's and master’s degrees together, and usually complete an internship.

After graduating and passing the CPA exam, majors can work as accountants at firms or organizations, or they can work for large auditing firms. Other options include working as personal financial advisors or financial analysts. Accounting majors can also become the chief financial officer or the vice president of finance at a business or organization.

Schools Offering an Accounting Major

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Is an Accounting Degree Worth It?

Understanding the Numbers When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors — like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

If you're thinking about a bachelor’s degree in accounting, you might have questions about what the degree program is like and what you can do with it.

Choosing your major or degree program is a big decision, but doing your research can help you make a choice that works for you, your interests and your goals.

First Things First: Is Accounting a Hard Major?

Some accounting degree courses do fall into the category of what you probably think of as typical “math” classes. For example, you can expect to take a course in statistics. But many classes in your accounting degree will focus on the theories, documentation and laws that inform accounting practices, like microeconomics or federal taxation.

“In accounting, the math involved is manageable, with resources readily available to assist in understanding,” Regis said, “but the focus should be on problem-solving and logical thinking rather than complex mathematical computations.”

Regis has been an instructor and administrator at SNHU for 10 years. As a senior associate dean, she currently oversees accounting, finance and business administration programs and courses, among others. During this time, she’s seen the challenges students face in an accounting program , but also the skills that can help them succeed.

So, What Makes Someone a Good Accountant?

According to Regis, you may be a good fit for a degree in accounting if you have:

• A keen eye for detail: Details matter in accounting, and being detail-oriented ensures accuracy in your financial reporting.
• Strong analytical skills: Accountants have to make sense of complex financial data to help inform business strategies.
• A strong sense of integrity: Financial information often has a sensitive nature. “Integrity and ethical conduct are non-negotiable,” Regis said.

Every major comes with its own set of challenges, and they will be different for every student. Regis encourages students who are facing challenges or difficulty to share their concerns with an instructor or advisor and to take advantage of academic support services .

Find Your Program

How valuable is a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

If you are interested in becoming an accountant , getting your bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field (like business administration) is a good first step. While there are some jobs you can do without a bachelor's degree, like becoming an accounting clerk, auditing clerk or bookkeeper , your earning potential will see a significant increase if you have a bachelor's degree.*

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2023, accountants and auditors with a bachelor’s degree made a median salary of $79,880 compared to the median salary of $47,440 for accounting clerks, auditing clerks or bookkeepers.*

In addition to increasing your earning potential and career options, an accounting degree can also lay the groundwork for further certifications, like becoming a Certified Public Accountant  (CPA).*

Accounting Degree Career Outlook and Outcomes

Your bachelor’s degree in accounting can be the gateway to multiple career opportunities  — and the career outlook for accountants is good.* According to the BLS, there will be an expected 126,500 job openings for auditors and accountants each year between 2022 and 2032, which is a growth rate of 4%.* This is slightly higher than the projected 3% growth rate across all careers in the U.S.*

“An accounting degree offers flexibility, allowing graduates to explore various sectors within the business world,” said Regis. She also noted that some career paths you may choose to pursue with an accounting degree include:

• Auditing: Auditors make sure that an organization’s financial statements are accurate and compliant with relevant laws.
• Financial analysis: Financial analysts guide businesses in decision-making based on data and financial insights. Find out how you can become a financial analyst .
• Forensic accounting: Forensic accountants and fraud examiners investigate financial transactions and crimes. If this interests you, explore how to become a forensic accountant .
• Public accounting: Public accountants advise individuals and businesses on tax matters.

To increase your skills and help boost your employability after graduation, Regis said it’s beneficial to look for internships that will give you practical experience — and you can often get course credit for them during your degree as well. She also suggests looking into professional certifications, student organizations, competitions and conferences to develop your leadership skills  and professional networks .

Is an Accounting Degree a Good Fit for Me?

If you’re thinking about a bachelor's degree in accounting, take the time to look at your options and your goals. To aid your research and reflection, Regis encourages students to check out industry websites sites like AICPA & CIMA or the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants to learn more about the career path.

“Prospective students should assess their interest in accounting, understand the commitment required for a rigorous academic journey and explore the various specializations within accounting to find their niche,” said Regis.

Discover more about SNHU's online bachelor's in accounting : Find out what courses you'll take, skills you'll learn and how to request information about the program.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location and worker skill.

Meg Palmer ’18 is a writer and scholar by trade who loves reading, riding her bike and singing in a barbershop quartet. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English, language and literature at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and her master’s degree in writing, rhetoric and discourse at DePaul University (’20). While attending SNHU, she served as the editor-in-chief of the campus student newspaper, The Penmen Press, where she deepened her passion for writing. Meg is an adjunct professor at Johnson and Wales University, where she teaches first year writing, honors composition, and public speaking. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

Explore more content like this article

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What is Public Administration?

About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

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How (and When) To List Relevant Coursework on a Resume

Everything you need to know about listing relevant coursework on your resume, including where it belongs, what to include, and when to take it off.

a year ago   •   5 min read

You’re fresh out of school, armed with years’ worth of knowledge and the most up-to-date skills. But should you include specifics about your coursework on your resume?

If you graduated recently , are changing careers , or simply lack a lot of relevant work experience in the field you’re aiming for, the answer is probably yes. Keep reading as we cover exactly how to do that, including real examples and tips on where it belongs and how to match it to the job you want.

Let’s start with a brief rundown of when relevant coursework belongs on your resume — and when it doesn’t.

When (and when not) to include relevant coursework on your resume

Relevant coursework doesn’t belong on every resume. For most job seekers, it’s completely optional (and probably unnecessary if you have any actual work experience in a similar role or industry).

You can consider using coursework to highlight relevant skills and industry knowledge, especially if:

• You graduated recently (or are about to). As a recent graduate, your most relevant “experience” is likely to be your education, so it’s okay to focus on that.
• You’re changing careers. This is doubly true if you went back to school or completed a short course to retrain.
• You have limited experience and/or are applying for entry-level positions . Without a lot of experience in the field, it makes sense to focus on what you do have — things like relevant coursework, community involvement, or extracurricular activities .

Decided that listing relevant coursework on your resume is the right step for you? Here’s how to do it.

How to include relevant coursework on a resume

• Create an Education section on your resume. For recent graduates, this can go at the top of your resume, above your Work Experience section .
• List the name of the school, the degree you studied, and your graduation date (optional).
• Underneath, create a subheading titled “Relevant Coursework.”
• List a small number of courses (no more than 3-4) that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. That’s enough if you want to keep your education section brief, but if you choose to expand it, you can also:
• Include a single bullet point for each course that highlights a key accomplishment. Start each bullet point with an action verb so it more closely resembles your other resume bullets.
• Focus on how the course prepared you for the kind of job you aim to be doing — for example, if you’re applying for roles in marketing, focus on things like conducting market research surveys or implementing social media campaigns.
• Use our free resume scanner for more tips on how to perfect your resume bullet points and Education section.

Examples of listing relevant coursework on a resume

Here are some examples of including relevant coursework in a few common areas of study. Feel free to copy and paste or customize these to fit your own experience.

Finance coursework on a resume

EDUCATION Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance XYZ University, Graduated May 2022 Relevant Coursework : Corporate Finance : Analyzed financial statements and conducted valuation analysis to assess the financial health of a company. Investment Analysis : Evaluated investment opportunities and presented recommendations to a panel of industry professionals. Financial Modeling: Created complex financial models to forecast revenue and expense projections.

Marketing coursework on a resume

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Marketing ABC College, Graduated June 2021 Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing: Created and implemented a social media campaign for a local business, resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic. Market Research : Conducted focus groups and surveys to gather insights on consumer preferences and behavior. Brand Management: Developed a brand identity and positioning strategy for a new product line.

Technology coursework on a resume

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Computer Science DEF University, Graduated December 2021 Relevant Coursework: Database Systems : Designed and implemented a database management system for a student organization to track membership and event attendance. Web Development: Built a responsive website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for a local business, resulting in a 50% increase in online sales. Operating Systems: Worked on a team to develop a custom operating system using C++, implementing process scheduling and memory management algorithms.

How to determine which coursework to include

The number one rule of writing a resume is that everything on it needs to be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for — even your education. Anything that isn’t relevant should be a) kept as brief as possible or b) left off altogether.

That means you should only list coursework that more or less matches the kinds of tasks you’ll be doing in your new job. Sometimes this is obvious — for example, if the job ad asks for experience with specific tools, software or programming languages, it makes sense to include any coursework you completed on those topics

Here’s an example:

Job Description: "Experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++." Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Python, Object-Oriented Programming (Java), Data Structures and Algorithms (C++)

Other times, you’ll need to read between the lines a little — which can help demonstrate that you understand the basic requirements of the job. For example:

Job Description: "Experience with digital marketing tools and analytics software." Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Web Analytics

Here’s another example:

Job Description: "Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles." Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Corporate Finance

I’d recommend using the tool below to get a list of skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Where to put relevant coursework on a resume

There are a few places where it makes sense to list relevant coursework on your resume. This could be in your:

• Education section. This is the most obvious place to list coursework, so it should always go here first.
• Skills section. If your coursework involved a specific hard skill, you can also list it in your skills section — for example, listing an “Adobe Photoshop Fundamentals” course under a subheading like “Software” or “Graphic Design.”
• Certifications or Licenses section. If you completed a course that led to a specific certification — especially if it’s one that’s well known or highly regarded in your industry — you can highlight that by listing the course separately in a dedicated section.

Key takeaways

Listing relevant coursework on your resume is optional. It’s generally a good fit for recent graduates and career changers, but not for more experienced job seekers.

• Alongside relevant coursework, you may also want to highlight educational accomplishments like GPA, honors , awards, study abroad , educational projects , and extracurricular activities. Check out our complete guide on how to list education on your resume for more tips and examples.
• Make sure you’re tailoring your resume for each position you apply to and reviewing it regularly to remove sections (like relevant coursework) that no longer belong.
• Career Advice

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• How to List Relevant Coursework on Resume (with examples)

You have probably heard the importance of the job experience section in a resume on numerous occasions. What you may not know, however, is that it’s not the only thing that hiring managers are interested in when looking for the ideal candidate to fill a job opening. Even though related experience does matter, you should also pay attention to other sections, like relevant coursework, to come up with a well-balanced resume that persuades the potential employer to hire you.

In this piece, we will expound on:

• When it is right to add a coursework section and when it isn’t necessary;
• Where your coursework should appear and how to include it;
• Samples of coursework listed on resumes.

Listing Relevant Coursework on Resume and When to Leave It Out

In essence, listing related coursework on resume is optional. It is usually an essential section for your first resume with no work experience , i.e., student and entry-level resumes. The purpose of this part is to highlight any completed coursework that relates to the position you are targeting. It strengthens other components, such as academic accomplishments, volunteer experience, projects, and extra-curricular activities.

Adding relevant coursework can also be a great idea when you are crafting your resume for an internship. In this case, it can help you show why you are fit for the organization. So, when is listing related coursework not necessary?  

If you have a year or more of working experience that you can list on your resume, then adding a section for your coursework isn’t essential. Instead, pay attention to making your resume resound with the job description and add any other parts that you think could improve your candidacy.

Don’t also list coursework if you are forcing it. That is to say that any coursework you highlight in your resume should be relevant. If it does not relate to the job you are applying for, it will not make sense to the recruiting manager. Instead, work on drawing attention to your skillset.

How to Put Relevant Coursework on Resume Correctly

Now that you know when to include coursework, it’s time to figure out where to put relevant coursework on a resume. Relevant coursework on a resume should be included as a sub-section within the education part. Now, both the education or experience part can come first, depending on how much working history you have. For an entry-level candidate whose job experience is limited, the education section should precede experience.

Here are some ways of adding coursework to resume: 

List Coursework as an Extra Line Within Your Education Part

One easy way to talk about relevant coursework is to include an additional sentence below your degree. This method allows you to highlight other educational accomplishments too. For example:

University of Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, May 2018

Relevant coursework : enterprise accounting systems, advanced financial accounting, income taxation, valuation and analysis, cost accounting, business law.

Use Bulleted Points to Emphasize on Your Coursework

Bullet points play a huge role when it comes to emphasizing the statements you put on your application. The same is true when it comes to showing your relevant coursework. Below is an excellent relevant coursework resume example.

2019 BA in Geography with Transport Studies

University of Leeds, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

Coursework:

• Digital Geographies
• The Urban Age
• Global Geopolitics, Migration and Uneven Development
• Transport Policy in Action
• Population, Society, and Space
• Planet Under Threat

Show the Relevance of the Coursework to the Role with Detailed Bullets

Describe the relevance of the coursework to the role you want to take up using more comprehensive bullet points. This way, you will provide the talent acquisition executive with a better perspective regarding the suitability of your coursework to the vacancy you want to fill. Below is an example showing how to write detailed bullet points for relevant coursework on resume.

• Digital Geographies - submitted a term paper on how digital devices, logic, forth are transforming geography.
• The Urban Age - covered the details on how the modern age has impacted existence on the universe.
• Global Geopolitics, Migration, and Uneven Development - learned how migration and disparity in economic development are impacting worldwide geopolitics.
• Transport Policy in Action - examined the impact and efficacy of transport policies by analyzing different case studies.
• Population, Society, and Space - understood the relationship between people, communities, and land.
• Planet Under Threat - examined the different threats to earth in the 21 st century and beyond.

An essential thing to keep in mind is that if the role demands an excellent educational background and accomplishments, it would be sensible if you dedicated a whole CV section to your coursework. Then, you will have to provide bulleted-lists with more detailed descriptions of your resume related coursework.

Are you struggling with creating bullets for your coursework? Use our free resume building service to overcome this predicament and be on course to landing your dream job!

What to Remember When Including Relevant Coursework on Resume

All told, when putting coursework on resume, there are essential things to have in mind. These include the following:

• Ensure that your CV matches the role you want to fill.
• If your coursework is vital to the position, include it in the upper section of your document.
• Coursework info should be accompanied by other academic details, case in point, GPA, honors, recognitions, etc.
• Include keywords from the vacancy description in your coursework info to make ATS find your CV quickly.
• Provide information other than your coursework, for instance, school projects, publications, etc.
• List online certifications, if any.
• Go through to ensure all the info you have provided is relevant.

To conclude, these are the tips for crafting the perfect resume with relevant coursework. By following this guide, you will write an application that stands out in a pile, boosting your chances of getting accepted for the occupation of your dream.

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How to List Relevant Coursework on your Resume

When you’re a college student or a recent grad working on your resume, sometimes your most related experiences are from your college courses. If that’s the case, then it’s totally acceptable and easy to list your relevant coursework on your resume.

The goal of your resume is to show off how your experiences and knowledge come together to make YOU an excellent candidate. So, it’s important to be strategic when you put your relevant coursework on your resume.

Let’s dive into the most common questions about listing classes on a resume, then  how to put relevant coursework on your resume!

“What is relevant coursework?”

Relevant coursework on your resume is the classes and projects that relate to the jobs you’re applying for.

We’ll go into more details later, but this section is usually for advanced or niche classes- not super general or intro level. Instead of using it to prove you took the basic classes of your program, you should show off the specific industry knowledge you have.

For example, if you’re a photography major who took a few advanced classes on editing or portrait photos. Or, if you’re a marketing major whose program dove deep into crisis communication or PR for celebrities.

Basically, any impressive or industry specific classes should be listed on your resume. 

You can also use this section if you have classes with related transferable skills. For example, if you took an advanced course on leadership or small group communication, and the job description lists those as qualifications.

Alright, now that we know what relevant coursework is, let’s go into if you should put college classes on your resume!

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“Should I put relevant coursework on a resume?”

If you’re in college or recently graduated and have little or no experience related to the position, then a relevant coursework section is a great solution.

It takes up space, shows off your industry knowledge, and lets them see the value of your education. As long as you use it strategically, instead of just throwing up all the classes you can think of.

However, if you have a ton of related experience on your resume and you’re choosing between putting your classes or another relevant position, then ditch the related coursework section.

Wondering how to format the experience on your resume? Check out The Best Resume Forma t

Your goal with your resume is to stand out and show you have the skills and knowledge they’re looking for. So, if you don’t have direct experience in the field, then a related coursework section is your BFF. If you do have experience, then go with the experience.

Another great way to use your related classes strategically is if you’re changing careers and don’t have much experience in the field- so, you’d use this section to emphasize your transferable skills. 

If you’re not sure whether you should change careers, this video has great advice on how to know if it’s time for a career change!

“Where do I put relevant coursework on my resume?”

Well, it depends. Btw, if you’re searching for a resume template with a related coursework section, you’ve gotta hop over to my guide to the best resume templates (the answer WILL surprise you!)

When you’re putting college classes on your resume, you might be asking “Should I have a relevant coursework section on my resume?”

• If you have just a couple of solid, relevant courses to list, then just put them in your education section. 
• If you have 3 or more classes that work (or need to add space to your resume), then you can list them in their own section labeled “Relevant Coursework.”

So, depending on the number of relevant classes and the space you have on your resume, you can either add them under education or create a new section for them.

Alright, now that I’ve answered the most common questions about it, let’s get into exactly how to list courses on your resume!

Are you wondering how to format the rest of your education section? Check out Expert Tips to Write & Format Your Resume Education Section

How to Write a Resume with Relevant Coursework

1. keep it related.

You might’ve already figured this out, but the college courses you put on your resume must be related to the job you’re applying for.

Since employers spend an average of 7 seconds reading your resume, it’s important you grab their attention with relevant courses.

If you’re applying for a marketing job, they’re not going to care if you took classes on human anatomy. Instead, focus on courses that show how your education has prepared you for this job specifically .

Keeping the coursework listed on your resume relevant to the job also shows them you’re paying attention to the company and the job description.

So, when you’re listing coursework on your resume, keep it relevant!

2. Use ones that stand out

In addition to being related, you also want the college courses on your resume to help you stand out.

If your college offers a class that’s given you a unique perspective on a topic, then listing it would help you get noticed. This also goes for classes gave you specific skills or knowledge. 

As an example of relevant coursework on my resume, since I was a Communication Studies major, two classes I think stand out are Gendered Blackness and Rhetoric of Religion . They were both advanced classes in my program and neither of them are a standard part of a communications program.

If you’ve taken a niche/ advanced, technical, or unique course, then it would definitely help your resume stand out- so include it when you’re listing relevant coursework on your resume .

3. NO intro levels

This ties in with the last one, but it’s worth saying on its own: you shouldn’t include intro level courses on your resume.

Why? Here’s the example I always said to my clients…

Let’s say you’re an accounting major applying for an accounting job. Even though it’s relevant, listing “Introduction to Accounting” is unnecessary. Employers know you took intro to accounting- it’s standard and beginner.

Your goal is to show them the amount of knowledge you’ve gained through your coursework: listing beginner classes doesn’t give them an idea of your growth and experience .

Remember, when you list classes on your resume leave intro level classes off.

4. List 3-6(ish)

You might also be wondering how many courses you should list on your resume.

A good rule is around 3-6 classes, depending on (again) your space and amount of related classes. 

If you only have one or two relevant classes, then it’s probably better to just leave them off or put them in your education section. However, if you have 10+ related classes, then you should get more selective about which to include.

Essentially, you want your resume to have a good balance between courses and experiences. Sticking to 3-6 college classes on your resume makes sure you keep that balance.

5. Use the course’s name 

Finally, here’s the last rule of putting relevant coursework on your resume- and it’s important. 

Although your school uses an internal system to number your courses, o nly list the name of your classes on your resume. Since the system for numbering courses is internal , employers won’t know or care what the numbers mean.

By listing only the course names on your resume, the information is clearer and easier for employers to understand. You can also use a short bulleted list to describe each class and the work you did, especially if you need to take up more space on your resume.

Adding relevant coursework on a resume is a great way to show your knowledge about a subject and make up for a lack of work experience on your resume. When listing college classes, make sure to keep them related, use ones that stand out, avoid intro levels, add them to the right spot, list 3-6, and use the course names. With these simple rules, it’s easy to add your college courses to your resume!

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I'm touching up my resume right now, but it's coming up a bit empty. I'm trying to decide what coursework I should list that would be appropriate for a banking internship. Problem is, I haven't taken any "real" finance courses yet, just general business stuff that's part of our core curriculum. Would appreciate feedback on which courses should go on the resume...

So far, I've taken: Problem Solving using Computer Software (Word, Excel, & Powerpoint, basically) Calculus Statistics with Regression Principles of Financial Accounting Principles of Managerial Accounting Principles of Management Principles of Marketing Supply Chain and Operations Management Principles of Entrepreneurship Macro/microeconomics

Maybe I have more courses relevant to consulting internships at the moment?

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listing resume coursework

Our users shared that you should not list the most basic coursework - IE the entry level classes such as "principles of management." It is assumed that these are fluff classes that all business majors take. Instead you should focus on highlighting the hard skills classes that you have taken such as Financial Accounting, Calculus, Statistics, and Micro / Macroeconomics. Our users explain below.

User @j-rad", a corporate development manager, shared the relevant courses from the OP’s list:

j-rad - corporate development manager: Calc, stats, financial accounting, macro/micro

User @mwgr5", a hedge fund associate, shared that you need to be prepared to talk about your coursework in interviews:

mwgr5 - hedge fund associate: I agree with the classes j-rad highlighted. Also, be prepared to talk about the classes you list in interviews.

RJohns - Investment Banking Managing Director: The "principles" courses aren't worth mentioning because they are the same low-level, intro courses everyone in b-school takes. Calc and stats also are standard, but better to mention. You have taken just the standard stuff, so you don't have anything distinctive to mention. If you can, take a more advanced course in math or analysis or something that sets you apart from the tens of thousands of business majors.

You can see a picture below that demonstrates an example of how to format this section on your resume.

Read More About Relevant Coursework on WSO

• Classes I Am Currently Taking In Relevant Coursework?
• What Qualifies As "Relevant" Coursework?
• Listing Coursework On Resume

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calc, stats, financial accounting, macro/micro

I agree with the classes j-rad highlighted. Also, be prepared to talk about the classes you list in interviews.

www.sharpeinvesting.com

Just say "Financial Accounting", etc. They will get it (there aren't upper-level marketing courses just called "Marketing" because they are more specific).

The "principles" courses aren't worth mentioning because they are the same low-level, intro courses everyone in b-school takes. Calc and stats also are standard, but better to mention. You have taken just the standard stuff, so you don't have anything distinctive to mention. If you can, take a more advanced course in math or analysis or something that sets you apart from the tens of thousands of business majors.

this section should be as minimal as possible - try to give more substance to work experience and extra curriculars. they should have a good idea of the courses you've taken based on your major(s) and minor(s), listed in your education section

Hello... Names Devin am in class right now well in careers and were doing a mock resume and what the resume says in one of the things, well in Education, is relevant courses and then the next is relevant projects what does that mean?? Oh am in grade 10 too.

Relevant Coursework and GPA question ( Originally Posted: 07/09/2010 )

Should I include relevant coursework on my resume? I'm majoring in Financial Math and Econ but I have low GPA (low 3's). However, I already have alot of stuff to put on my resume (internships at F500 financial services, F500 tech, small VC advisory, MO at BB).

Anyways it'd look something like this:

Relevant Coursework: Calc 1, Calc 2, Calc 3, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Statistics and Data Analysis, Probability, Theoretical Statistics, Math of Finance, Elementary Programming Concepts, Economics of Crime, Experimental Econ, Intro Microecon, Intro Macroecon, Intermediate Microecon, Intermediate Macroecon, Game Theory, International Finance

Current Coursework: Financial Management, Principles of Accounting, Probability Theory, Numerical Methods with Financial Applications, Advanced Calculus, Discrete State Stochastic Processes, Industrial Organization and Performance, Corporate Financing Decisions

Once again, my resume space is already pretty tight given I have four internships, but do you think putting my coursework on my resume is a good idea (cause my difficulty of courses may help offset my low GPA)? (for FT recruiting, looking to get into IB)

If you do decide to include coursework on your resume I would advise you to tailor the relevant course work to what your employer is interested in. ie:lets say you apply at a prop shop, I don't think they would be as interested in knowing that you took Principles of Accounting versus Probability Theory.

Your listing is pretty redundant. Doesn't the fact that you've taken Calc 3 imply that you've taken 1 and 2? The same going for intermediate macro/micro and intro macro/micro. In fact, I'd just get rid of those macro and micro courses as they are really par for the course for any econ major.

And if you're looking to get into IB , you can easily get rid of some of the others (Industrial Organization and Performance for example).

Agree with trackstart2k2. If you're going into trading then not all of that is relevant. If you're going into IBD then most of it isn't necessary to list. And you don't need to list lower courses when higher courses are there. For example, you don't need to say calc 1 and calc 2 and calc 3 when calc 3 basically says that you've covered 1 and 2. Same for econ. You don't need to list intro micro and intro macro when you've also got intmdte micro and macro. That'll save you some space and redundancy and not make it feel like the recruiter is combing over your transcripts. As for GPA, everyone knows that it's going to be more difficult to maintain a superb GPA in hard sciences like math as opposed to history or english lit. The real driver of your resume looks like it's going to be your work experience anyways

So would you guys advise me just take off all coursework on my resume or just shorten it up / make it more specific?

Also, if I had a major GPA of a 3.2 and cumulative of 3.1, you guys think there is any benefit in listing major GPA even though it's only slightly higher

Since the difference is marginal, I would say no. Makes it seem like your overall would be even more lacking.

After college, the results speak for themselves. You already have results, so let that speak over your college.

That said, include the difficult classes to help justify a lower resume.

Any update on where you ended up?

Relevant Coursework? ( Originally Posted: 04/03/2011 )

I am currently a sophomore at a top 5 public university and I am looking to get a summer analyst position at a BB next summer (probably IBD but it depends on the firm). Course registration is next week and I was looking for input on what classes I should take to put in the relevant coursework section of my resume for these positions. I currently have taken: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Microeconomics, Decision Models for Business, and Business Analytical Applications. I am definitely taking corporate finance in the fall, but I am not sure what others courses I could take that would be considering relevant to an IBD position. My choices are:

Operations Management Financial Statement Analysis Strategic Management Business Law Introduction to Decision Sciences Decision Making Using Spreadsheet Models

I could probably take up to 4 of these. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

for sure financial statement analysis. strategic management might show you understand the big picture though was most likely a class were you just bullshited.

dont you have any corporate finance, options & futures, fixed income , accounting 101 or the likes courses?

Probably Financial Statement Analysis, but understand that the course you take don't really matter for interviews.

Financial Statement Analysis no question

thanks for the help guys. to gbb, i am taking corporate finance next semester and i have taken both accounting courses. the other courses you mentioned have corporate finance as a prereq so i wont be able to take them until the spring.

Relevant coursework=wasted space=I have no experience. It's redundant, if you are in college studying a discipline, it's assumed you will have taken/need to taken those courses.

BocaYankee: Relevant coursework=wasted space=I have no experience. It's redundant, if you are in college studying a discipline, it's assumed you will have taken/need to taken those courses.

he's a sophomore so his resume is only a year old. Keep the relevant coursework until you have at least 1-2 substantial internships/extracurriculars under your belt

Of the courses you listed I would definitely say Financial Statement Analysis is the most relevant. That being said, because they're all "resume worthy," I would go with whatever combo is easiest, so that you can raise/maintain a high GPA. Check which professors are teaching next semester, ask friends, etc. to get the easy ones. GPA is a much greater factor than coursework.

Financial Statement Analysis Decision Making Using Spreadsheet Models

Really the only two that might be relevant and I'm not sold on the second one.

Thoughts on including "Relevant Coursework" on Resume? ( Originally Posted: 11/16/2014 )

I am currently updating my resume and wanted to hear some thoughts on including relevant coursework under the education section? I know it is fairly common but just have a hard time believing employers actually read and or care about the classes taken.

Any advice or insight is much appreciated.

I've had an interviewer (who was brought in spontaneously to meet me after others had, so hadn't seen my resume) ask whether I'd taken some relevant classes - so maybe it's a check the box thing that some people like to see. Never had it brought up otherwise.

If you have better stuff to fill the space I'd say go with that - if not, listing some coursework won't hurt.

I have a totally unrelated major so I include it just so firms know that i've taken finance and accounting and other shit like that. But if You're major is finance then its probably not super necessary

From the people I've networked with, it seems to be much more important if you're non-finance major. If you're a finance major, I think it's assumed that you've taken a fair amount of relevant coursework, but it wouldn't hurt to add it unless you're really hard-pressed for room on your resume.

If you're a finance major...don't put it. It's redundant. Relevant coursework? ...You're in a relevant major.

If you're a non-finance major it will definitely help you to put in on there.

Would any of these deserve to be listed? • operations research • project engineering • statistical methods • engineering economic analysis

What would be your guys' opinions on neglecting to put it on there as an economics major?

I'm an economics major and I've been told that it's always a safe call, especially when related to accounting or Excel coursework.

I find it to be most effective to put a Relevant Coursework section if your GPA is on the bubble line at the underclassmen level. It shows you started taking core classes early. As an upperclassmen, that's not exactly a good strategy any longer and may not be necessary.

I think it's a good idea when you graduate and are looking for that first job. Especially if you're a non finance major. It helps interviews assess you and it also added fullness to your resume. Once you've started working I would cut that section first though.

relevant coursework vs. work experience ( Originally Posted: 12/28/2010 )

Would it be a mistake if I omit "relevant coursework" from my resume when applying for junior SA positions? A little background:

-have taken a few finance courses -have relevant experience at a boutique

My resume is getting cramped however, and I can either keep relevant coursework or another bs internship that I did...any suggestions?

How many other work experiences do you have listed? If this legal internship was freshman year, it can probably go.

Try to keep both. Put relevant coursework in 2 rows with 3 columns each (find another fin-related class to make it 6 courses).

But work experience matters too, so def. keep it there. I'd say since you're not an econ major, relevant coursework might be important to show off your interest in finance, whereas work experience will show that you worked in a corporate environment.

do i need a "relevant coursework" bullet point if I'm majoring in finance and i bus ( Originally Posted: 10/29/2010 )

I don't really have the space for it, also it seems quite unnecessary if i'm majoring in finance and i bus.

even if you weren't it's not really necessary

no one seems to care about it, and people that have critiqued my resume always suggest cutting it if i need more space

I've you've got enough other stuff to fill up the page and you majored in finance I don't think you need the relevant coursework bullet.

If you've got space anyways, however, it might be worth including - particularly if you took a lot of accounting, finance and hard math classes (which always look good). Accounting is very important.

I second that, accounting is very very important.

Accounting is b!tch work.

If youre looking for an internship i might include it, but its not necesary. full time cut it

Business Ethics = Relevant Coursework? ( Originally Posted: 05/07/2013 )

In the "Relevant Coursework" section of my resume (within the bullets for my degree, under "Education"), I've put down 2 courses: corporate finance, and Financial Accounting.

I'm taking a Business Ethics class right now; should I put it under the "Relevant Coursework" section?

(My rationale: I'm an Econ major, and our school has no undergrad business or finance. We're allowed to take classes at our biz school though, and all 3 courses above are biz school courses)

(Why not?: How related is Business Ethics to finance, really? And doesn't it sound kind of douche-y?)

Normally I am personally against putting down 'relevant coursework' in my Resume. I feel like generally your major and year speaks enough and no need to take up the space. In your case I think it is good to have those two classes there, but no, Business Ethics would not fit as well under that section - the rest of your resume is to show that you are a hardworker and act ethically (perhaps Volunteer experience). I don't think it would turn anyone off a resume, but if someone asked you in an interview about it what would you say?

GoHuskies: Normally I am personally against putting down 'relevant coursework' in my Resume. I feel like generally your major and year speaks enough and no need to take up the space. In your case I think it is good to have those two classes there, but no, Business Ethics would not fit as well under that section - the rest of your resume is to show that you are a hardworker and act ethically (perhaps Volunteer experience). I don't think it would turn anyone off a resume, but if someone asked you in an interview about it what would you say?

This is not true at all. Most targets have certain courses that almost every recent alum on the street took, often with a specific professor, and its helpful to know whether you took that class as well and how you did. I would also throw in any functional finance courses you had (i.e. financial accounting, derivatives pricing) and then maybe a course that is interesting to talk about (game theory, behavioral economics, etc.)

If you have space in your resume I would put it. But I personally don't have space for relevant coursework.

resume how important is a relevant coursework section when ( Originally Posted: 01/05/2011 )

Take it out.

HarvardOrBust: Take it out.

Yeah, take it out.

edit: sorry, double submit.

Put "relevant coursework" on resume even though you are business major (not finance). ( Originally Posted: 07/18/2010 )

My school offers a finance major but I am an actuarial science major who took some finance classes outside of my major? Should i put that in my resume even though i go to the business school?

IMO- no need

unless your resume is blank and need to make it fuller....

Relevant Coursework on a Resume ( Originally Posted: 12/26/2012 )

Since the relevant coursework section is a filler, would it be acceptable / better to list a few unique projects / analyses that I've done instead of the typical list (corp fin, accounting, math, etc.)?

It seems everyone has the same list of classes, so I was trying to switch it up to stand out more. So, good idea or WTF dude? Thanks.

i think relev coursework is utterlya nnoying and a crap section on a resume so yes your idea sounds better :)

Relevant Coursework On Resume? ( Originally Posted: 06/08/2007 )

What is everyone's opinion regarding including this on your resume?

For example, would saying I've taken a course specifically in "Derivatives" (for example), make much of a difference if applying for a finance related job, rather than just listing my major as finance? The main reason for me asking is that, as many of us know, at a young age, resumes shouldn't be more than a page, and space is precious.

Include it if you have enough room, but if it causes an aesthetic problem by cramping things up, don't.

Only if you lack the experience or need more room.

Relevant Coursework ( Originally Posted: 07/15/2012 )

I have already written down these courses under relevant coursework on my resume. I am also going to add Finance when I take it.

-Financial Accounting -Business Statistics -Macroeconomics -Microeconomics

Which of these courses should I add to the above, I'm looking for a Equity Research/Investment Management summer internship?

Public Private Sector Economic Linkages Business Regulation International Trade Policy Writing Speech Communication

I find it pointless to add relevant coursework if you're a finance/econ major. Especially econ and accounting classes. You're a finance major, obviously you took econ, accounting, and finance -- it's part of your degree. Unless you took intermediate microeconomic theory or stochastic calculus, leave it off. (I've taken both of these and don't have them listed).

If you're a non-business major then I'm all for the relevant coursework. Also if you're a freshman or sophomore then listing courses can show your interest in finance (but nothing is better than a finance internship).

But to answer your question, I would drop all the ones you've currently listed and add the first 3 you suggested (assuming you will take all these courses). And maybe list accounting.

Relevant coursework ( Originally Posted: 12/05/2010 )

I am hoping to apply for a Summer Analyst position with Goldman Sach's Corporate Treasury, but on my resume, I'm afraid I don't have much to list for relevant coursework. I'm an economics major, but I haven't taken classes in accounting or financial reporting (yet).

Basically, all I have to list is Microeconomics (both introduction and intermediate), Macroeconomics (both introduction and intermediate), and Econometrics. I have also taken Labor Economics and Health Care Economics, but are these relevant enough to mention? Also, how about Calculus courses? Should I just not bother to include this section at all?

The problem is that I started out as a political science major, so I have just recently begun taking classes in my major.

Thanks for any help!

In my experience, "relevant" can be loosely defined. If you want to have that section, you can put Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and maybe a math class. If you were to omit the section, I don't think it would be a mortal sin.

Your fine. The Relevant Courses bullet is one of the weaker bullet points and is used mostly as a segway into technical questions (ie Equity Valuation leads to "What are some ways you value a company,ect). Putting those economics courses are perfectly acceptable, and you can probably expect to be asked a question like "tell me about the economy ". You can also put the calculus courses if you want to add a quantitative aspect to the resume (which can never hurt provided you can at least do multiplication problems in your head)

Should I include my relevant coursework? ( Originally Posted: 06/27/2012 )

I go to a top public university (non-target) and I am getting my B.S. in Economics. However, economics is within the college of liberal arts and not within the business school at my university. I chose the Econ degree because a degree in Finance or Accounting (in the bschool) required a ton of bullshit courses like Marketing and Human Resources. I instead chose to minor in both Finance and Accounting which allowed me to take all of the core classes without the fluff. So as of now I don't have any relevent coursework on my resume but I am thinking of putting it on there to show that I have taken some legit classes that other Finance/Accounting majors have taken.

Here are the courses I have taken:

*Finance and Investments *Security Valuation *Corporate Restructuring *Derivative Securities *Advanced Managerial Accounting *Financial Reporting & Analysis 1 and 2 *Econometric Analysis *Calc 1,2,3 *Ordinary Diff EQ's *Probability and Statistics

My question is - which of these courses should I include, if any? Also, my overall GPA is a 3.7 but my GPA in my finance classes is a 4.0 - is that something I should include on the resume or is overall good enough?

Thanks for any advice

I would absolutely list the first 4 and Financial Reporting. Econometric and calc are totally irrelevant.

if your Econ GPA is > 3.7 then list it i've never seen someone list a minor GPA though, maybe you want to switch to finance major and say Finance GPA 4.0 and Cumulative 3.7?

I'd definitely list the relevant coursework especially since you're an Econ major in lib arts. I think it shows the technical side of your knowledge/abilities. however, just pick out a few (at most 4) that are the most applicable to the position youre applying to.

Relevant Course Work for Resume ( Originally Posted: 12/10/2012 )

I am a current sophomore at a semi-target and I am working on my resume. I was wondering what courses I can list under Relevant Coursework for S&T/Prop Trading, I was thinking:

Financial Engineering Probability & Stats Statistical Modeling Financial Modeling Differential Equations Financial Microstructure & Trading Strategies Stochastic Calculus Algorithms Multivariate Analysis & Optimization

I'm trying to narrow it down but most of my courses seem relevant. Which courses on that list should I include? Should I include lower level math like Calc I-III and Lin alg?

I personally think the best approach to a resume is being specific. It gives the reader a more concrete idea of what you are referring to and makes the experience seem more "real," (although all of your experiences should be real...) For example, I wouldn't list Algorithms. As a reader that doesn't really mean much to me. What did you do with algorithms? Learn the definition? Write a simple algorithm to multiply two numbers? Etc.

Going off the list you've got I'd say Financial Engineering, Statistical Modeling, Financial Modeling, Trading Strategies and Algorithms are pretty vague; the rest seems fine. To give you an example of what I personally might change: instead of saying statistical modeling maybe you could say Econometrics, Time Series Analysis, or whatever exactly it was. Just a thought, but I think that it is generally more helpful for the reader and doesn't make it seem quite like you're just throwing a bunch of buzzwords around.

iwa1409: I personally think the best approach to a resume is being specific. It gives the reader a more concrete idea of what you are referring to and makes the experience seem more "real," (although all of your experiences should be real...) For example, I wouldn't list Algorithms. As a reader that doesn't really mean much to me. What did you do with algorithms? Learn the definition? Write a simple algorithm to multiply two numbers? Etc. Going off the list you've got I'd say Financial Engineering, Statistical Modeling, Financial Modeling, Trading Strategies and Algorithms are pretty vague; the rest seems fine. To give you an example of what I personally might change: instead of saying statistical modeling maybe you could say Econometrics, Time Series Analysis, or whatever exactly it was. Just a thought, but I think that it is generally more helpful for the reader and doesn't make it seem quite like you're just throwing a bunch of buzzwords around.

Thanks for the advice! Do these courses sound better?

C++ with Financial Applications Financial Time Series Financial Risk Management Differential Equations α/β strategies Introduction to Derivatives Intermediate Financial Modeling Financial Microstructure & Trading Strategies Algorithms for HFT (C)

I guess I didn't specifically answer your question, but a variety of quantitative courses is probably best--also anything CS related if you've taken it. I wouldn't list Calc I-III or Linear Algebra, it's kind of assumed you've taken those if you're taking Diff Eqs. and Stochastic

Yeah that sounds a lot better, still a little unclear on "Financial Risk Management" (may want to specify if you mean risk management for derivatives, portfolios, etc.) and "Trading Strategies," but I don't think either is a big deal and again that could just be me. Also, be ready to answer questions on " Algorithms for HFT " especially for Prop Trading roles as I'm sure they'll be interested to hear.

You're a undergrad sophomore at a non-target, and you've taken/mastered those courses? -.-

Alpha_1: You're a undergrad sophomore at a non-target, and you've taken/mastered those courses? -.-

In the "Relevant Coursework" section of my resume (within the bullets for my degree, under "Education"), I've put down 2 courses: corporate finance , and Financial Accounting.

Which of these courses should I add to the above, I'm looking for a Equity Research /Investment Management summer internship?

Basically, all I have to list is Microeconomics (both introduction and intermediate), Macroeconomics (both introduction and intermediate), and Econometrics . I have also taken Labor Economics and Health Care Economics, but are these relevant enough to mention? Also, how about Calculus courses? Should I just not bother to include this section at all?

I am a current sophomore at a semi-target and I am working on my resume. I was wondering what courses I can list under Relevant Coursework for S&T/ Prop Trading , I was thinking:

In Coursework section of resume ( Originally Posted: 01/14/2015 )

I'm a sophomore looking for internships and I haven't taken Financial Modeling courses yet.

So far my list is Financial Accounting, Business Statistics, Macro/Microeconomics.

Should I mention that I've taken any of the following: Multivariable Calculus, Python Programming I was considering putting them on to show I'm good with logic/quantitative but I thought I'd ask for advice.

Also should I add an Independent Coursework? I've studied stuff like IB by Rosenbaum?

A couple quant courses is not a bad idea, but independent work isn't really needed

Coursework on Resume ( Originally Posted: 12/25/2014 )

I've chosen to include the following related coursework on my resume....

Financial Accounting: A+ Managerial Accounting: A+

Calculus II (2): B

Any opinions on the above? Should Calc 2 be included or omitted? It's impressive given the insane difficulty of my school's math department, but it's unlikely that a firm will know this. It's direct relevance to IB is questionable.

My GPA is a 3.7, and were it not for math classes, it would be a 4.0. Including my math grades on my resume may help to shed light on the less than perfect GPA.

Thank you for your opinions and advice.

I wouldn't include it because like you mentioned, it's not directly relevant and also weakens your resume. Also, unless you are at a top school like MIT or Cal Tech, Calculus II is not difficult.

not sure what kind of school you're at but at a lot of schools calc 2 is a weed out class for engineers. I transferred into a top school in one of the more difficult majors and calc 2 at my old school is without a doubt the hardest class I've taken in college (i did have a terrible instructor though). but in regards to the question, i definitely wouldn't put it on your resume

On the intern resumes I look at, applicants only list their GPA.

GPA is really the only thing score I'm interested in seeing. I'd find it odd to see marks for individual subjects listed.

I'm still in college so I'm not sure how much my opinion would matter, but I wouldn't even list the other 2 classes on your resume unless you have nothing else to fill it with. A 3.7 GPA is an A, so I imagine recruiters would assume you'd be getting mostly A's in your classes. Plus if you leave out the B, they might think the 0.3 slip was due to a couple A-minuses, which I think looks better than a B (some professors just don't seem to give out A's, even if you did almost everything right).

English Major---Courses on Resume ( Originally Posted: 11/16/2009 )

I'm an English major applying for BB Summer Analyst positions. I have mostly taken humanities courses, however, I have also dabbled in Mathematics, Economics, and some finance courses. Should I put down on my resume in the education part, "Relevant courses include: Econ 101, blah blah" or not? I worry that if I don't show my quant aptitude, I'll automatically get dinged and won't get the chance to prove, in an interview, that I'm just as qualified as a pupil pursuing a more technical major. Thanks for your input.

If you attend a target, or semi-target you will not be dinged for majoring in something outside of business or math so don't worry too much about them not thinking you can handle the work. That said, I would definitely showcase a few relevant courses that you've taken if your resume has room and if you can back up the claim of knowledge. I would not, however, put down all intro level courses - if you've taken anything beyond the basic 100 level courses, I would out those down, but I wouldn't only put down 2 or 3 intro courses as an attempt to demonstrate your aptitude in those particular fields. If you make it past the initial screen and are invited to interview, I would, however, be ready to clearly articulate your interest in banking given your major, and why you chose English as your major.

For non-target students, majoring in English will definitely be a bigger hurdle to get over and you will definitely need to show not just your aptitude in the field, but prove your interest in the field as well - relevant courses, club involvement, past internships , etc.

Resume Questions (SAT, coursework, cover letter) ( Originally Posted: 11/18/2010 )

I'm a college junior applying for a summer internship , most/all for finance positions. Questions about the resume:

Thoughts on including SAT score? (700 verbal / 800 math) On one hand, math is good and apparently banks like it or ask for it. On the other, I'm a junior in college, thinking it may come off as scrambling for something impressive or filler. Don't know.

Cover letter... include one if not asked for?

And last, relevant coursework. Mine would be: Intro to Econ, Macro, Micro, Accounting, Finance, Prob/Stats, Regression, MIS(relevant?). Currently planning on including this, although the list is mostly intro/basic level courses. Thoughts?

yes sat yes cover letter so u can kick off the objective and no for relevant courses

Ignore the cover letter if they don't ask for it, few people read it even when they do ask for it. Definitely include those SAT scores, of course with scores like that you most likely go to a target so getting interviews shouldn't be a problem anyway.

For your relevant courses, you don't need to list all of them. just the key 4-5 that you want them to focus on. It should be a healthy combination of accounting, finance, math, maybe one economics course. If your aiming for banking include more accounting/corp finance/valuation courses. If you want trading , include the more quantitative courses. The goal of relevant courses is to get asked technicals about those courses. " Oh I see you took fixed income markets....what are some of the risks to a bond, tell me about duration, ect" Also, another hint---you don't need to include the full course name if it is really long---one example is Intermediate Corporate Finance 101---all you need to put on the resume is "Corporate Finance" This saves space and get the idea across--it is also used somewhat for math classes. MIS isn't really that relevant, although putting excel and MS word on the bottom of the resume helps.

EDIT: I recommend relevant courses on a resume, but know that if you need space for something more valuable...they are the first to go.

Don't worry too much about the cover. Write something short and sweet if anything at all.

Definitely include your SAT scores... (1) they're solid (math is more important than verbal anyways) and (2) along with your GPA , your SAT scores are probably the most important thing on your resume at this time. Even when you're 2 years out of school and have just completed an analyst program at goldman, the PE firms looking at you will still be looking at your SAT scores as an important part of your application

listing relevant courses ( Originally Posted: 06/23/2017 )

should i list relevant courses if my major is not related to investment banking? Also wat are you thoughts on listing my avg GPA for those relevant courses in addition to my cumulative GPA since my cumu gpa is decent, not great

People I've networked with recommended I list relevant courses I've taken - listing the GPA for them, probably wouldn't do that

yeah agree with above, I have listed relevant courses to the position im applying to on my resume. I did not show the GPA per each of those classes though (if they wanted to know they would check your transcript tbh). i personally think relevant courses on the resume is a good thing to do in my opinion.

right, but the point is to show ppl that while ur gpa is not that high, you do well in all your relevant courses

Maybe label it "Relevant GPA: xx/xx?"

yea was thinking about something like that, but just not sure if thats a good idea

Always list college of liberal arts coursework like; gender studies, feminist 101, protesting for a cause 202. You want to let them know you're woke af and that it will transfer to a SA stint.

Putting Grades next to relevant courses? ( Originally Posted: 01/26/2010 )

I.e. on a relevant courses section would it be ok to put Valuations (A), Investments (A), or should I just list them?

Just list them, no grades.

if you put specific classes up, be ready to get grilled on those topics

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• Tax Accountant Resume Example

Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Tax Accountant Resumes:

• Prepare and file individual, corporate, partnership, and trust tax returns
• Analyze financial data to identify potential tax savings opportunities
• Research and interpret tax laws and regulations
• Develop and implement tax planning strategies
• Prepare and review estimated tax payments
• Represent clients before the IRS and other tax authorities
• Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations
• Prepare and review tax provisions for financial statements
• Prepare and review tax returns for multi-state and international entities
• Assist with tax audits and appeals
• Develop and maintain client relationships
• Provide tax advice to clients on business transactions and investments

Speed up your resume creation process with the AI-Powered Resume Builder . Generate tailored achievements in seconds for every role you apply to.

Tax Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented tax planning strategies for a portfolio of 50+ clients, resulting in an average tax savings of 15% and a 20% increase in client retention.
• Represented clients before the IRS and other tax authorities, successfully resolving 90% of cases and reducing penalties and interest by an average of 25%.
• Provided tax advice to clients on business transactions and investments, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue for the firm.
• Managed the preparation and review of tax returns for multi-state and international entities, ensuring compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations and reducing errors by 30%.
• Developed and maintained client relationships, resulting in a 25% increase in new business and a 15% increase in referrals.
• Assisted with tax audits and appeals, successfully reducing tax liabilities by an average of 20% for clients.
• Analyzed financial data to identify potential tax savings opportunities, resulting in an average tax savings of 10% for clients and a 15% increase in revenue for the firm.
• Prepared and reviewed tax provisions for financial statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP and reducing errors by 25%.
• Monitored changes in tax laws and regulations, providing timely updates to clients and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Tax planning and strategy development
• Tax compliance and regulation knowledge
• Financial analysis and data interpretation
• Tax return preparation and review
• IRS and tax authority representation
• Tax audit and appeal assistance
• Client relationship management
• GAAP and financial statement compliance
• Multi-state and international tax expertise
• Tax law monitoring and updates
• Business transaction and investment tax advice
• Tax provision preparation and review
• Tax savings identification and implementation
• Client retention and referral growth
• Team management and leadership

Top Skills & Keywords for Tax Accountant Resumes:

Hard skills.

• Tax Preparation and Planning
• Tax Law Knowledge
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Accounting Software (e.g. QuickBooks, Xero)
• Payroll Processing
• Bookkeeping
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Auditing and Compliance
• Cost Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Microsoft Excel
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Soft Skills

• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Organization and Planning
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Ethics and Integrity
• Critical Thinking and Decision Making
• Customer Service and Client Management
• Stress Management and Resilience
• Continuous Learning and Professional Development

Resume Action Verbs for Tax Accountants:

• Strategized
• Collaborated
• Implemented
• Communicated
• Coordinated

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Resume FAQs for Tax Accountants:

How long should i make my tax accountant resume, what is the best way to format a tax accountant resume, which keywords are important to highlight in a tax accountant resume, how should i write my resume if i have no experience as a tax accountant, compare your tax accountant resume to a job description:.

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Tax Accountant job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

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Related Resumes for Tax Accountants:

Senior tax accountant, tax analyst, tax associate, tax consultant, tax manager, tax preparer, tax advisor.