School of Accountancy
Every organization, both for-profit and nonprofit, must have talented and professional accountants to be successful. With a degree in Accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery, you will be prepared to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in private practice, government, business, and nonprofit corporations. Whether you are drawn to auditing, taxation, financial reporting, or management accounting, AUM’s School of Accountancy equips you with the technical knowledge and professional competencies needed to thrive in one of the most in-demand fields in today’s economy.
AUM’s Accounting program offers both undergraduate and graduate courses designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in accounting, advanced graduate studies, and the education requirements needed to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Alabama. This dual-level structure means that whether you are just beginning your academic journey or looking to build on an existing undergraduate foundation, there is a clear and supported pathway for you at AUM. The program’s curriculum is built around real-world application, ensuring that what you study in the classroom directly maps to the skills employers are actively seeking.
What sets AUM’s School of Accountancy apart is its AACSB-accreditation, not only at the overall business program level, but with specific discipline-level accreditation in Accounting. This is a distinction held by very few programs and signals to employers, graduate schools, and professional licensing boards that AUM’s Accounting graduates have met the highest global standards in accounting education. As the only AACSB-accredited business school in Montgomery, AUM offers an unmatched level of academic credibility for students pursuing careers in accounting in the region.
Beyond the classroom, AUM’s accounting students benefit from engaged faculty who bring both scholarly research and professional experience to every course, small class sizes that allow for meaningful mentorship, and a strong alumni network that opens doors across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. From launching a career at a public accounting firm to working in corporate finance or serving in a government agency, an accounting degree from AUM positions you for long-term professional success.
Degrees in the School of Accountancy
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting Specialization
Master of Accountancy
AUM's Accredited Accounting Program
Auburn University at Montgomery’s School of Accountancy is the only AACSB – International separately accredited accounting program in Montgomery and the River Region and ranks the program in the top of all business AACSB accredited programs in the world.
The School and the professional accounting community are linked by AUM’s Accounting Advisory Board, which advises the School in determining the direction of its instructional and non-instructional programs, and assisting with the placement of graduates.
Frequently Asked Questions
AUM’s School of Accountancy holds a distinction that very few programs in the world can claim: AACSB accreditation at both the overall business program level and with supplemental, discipline-specific accreditation in accounting. Fewer than 200 institutions worldwide hold AACSB accounting accreditation, making this an especially distinctive recognition of the quality of AUM’s accounting programs. This prestigious recognition signals to employers, graduate schools, and professional licensing boards that AUM’s accounting programs meet rigorous global standards for quality and continuous improvement. AUM’s School of Accountancy is also the only accounting program in Montgomery and the River Region to hold separate AACSB accounting accreditation. Combined with small class sizes, engaged faculty, and a curriculum built around real-world application, this distinction gives AUM accounting students an exceptional academic foundation.
AUM’s School of Accountancy offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, giving students a clear and supported pathway at every stage of their academic journey. At the undergraduate level, students pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting, covering core subjects including Intermediate Accounting, Cost and Managerial Accounting, Federal Taxation, and Auditing. For those looking to advance further, AUM offers a 30-credit-hour Master of Accountancy (MAcc) that allows students to deepen their accounting expertise through required graduate coursework and electives in areas such as auditing and forensic accounting. The MAcc also provides students with additional graduate accounting education that can support their preparation for the CPA examination and professional licensure.
Preparing students for CPA eligibility and success is a central focus of AUM’s Accounting program. AUM’s undergraduate Accounting program is designed to meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination in Alabama. Students who continue into the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program can further develop the advanced accounting knowledge and credit hours applicable to CPA certification requirements. Beyond meeting educational requirements, rigorous coursework across the core accounting disciplines builds the foundational knowledge tested on the CPA examination. MAcc students may also work with an advisor to enroll in CPA review courses designed to enhance their preparation for the exam. Because CPA examination and licensure requirements are established by state boards and may change, students should consult the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy for current requirements.
An accounting degree from AUM opens doors across virtually every sector of the economy. Accounting professionals are needed in healthcare, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, defense, government agencies, public accounting firms, and nonprofit organizations, making accounting one of the most versatile business disciplines. Graduates can pursue roles as staff accountants, financial analysts, auditors, tax professionals, forensic accountants, internal auditors, government accountants, financial managers, and other accounting and advisory professionals. Career opportunities can expand considerably as accounting professionals gain experience, pursue graduate education, and earn professional credentials such as the CPA, CMA, CFE, and other specialized certifications.
Yes! Technology is increasingly central to the accounting profession, and AUM’s School of Accountancy incorporates accounting information systems, data analytics, emerging technologies, and technology-enabled decision making into the accounting curriculum. Students develop experience using technology to analyze accounting information, evaluate business processes, communicate insights, and solve real-world accounting problems. The curriculum also addresses the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on accounting, auditing, taxation, and professional practice. This technology-forward approach helps prepare AUM graduates to be not only technically sound accountants but also digitally capable professionals ready to adapt as the profession evolves.
Yes! AUM’s School of Accountancy and College of Business are committed to making a high-quality accounting education as accessible as possible. Accounting students may be eligible for a variety of scholarships and awards based on criteria such as academic achievement, financial need, professional involvement, and donor-established requirements. Students may also have opportunities to pursue scholarships offered by professional accounting organizations, firms, foundations, and other external organizations. Prospective and current students are encouraged to explore available funding opportunities through AUM and the College of Business.
Absolutely! AUM’s School of Accountancy maintains strong relationships with accounting firms, businesses, government agencies, and other employers across the public and private sectors. These connections provide students with opportunities for internships, recruiting, professional networking, career development, and interaction with practicing accounting professionals. Through employer engagement and School of Accountancy activities, students can begin developing professional relationships before graduation while gaining a better understanding of the many career paths available within the accounting profession. Combined with AUM’s alumni network and career development resources, these opportunities help students transition from the classroom to meaningful professional careers.
Accounting
Staff & Faculty
The School of Accountancy faculty not only produces academic publications and presentations, they also produce continuing professional education programs, professional conferences, and high-quality teaching to our undergraduates as well as the graduate students in the Master of Accountancy program.
Darlene Adkins
Assistant Professor | College of Business
Dr. Adkins is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Auburn University at Montgomery, where she has been teaching since 2020. Dr. Adkins earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, with a dissertation focused on the impact of regulatory interventions on broker-dealer audit quality. She also holds a Master of Accountancy from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MBA from Old Dominion University, and multiple certifications, including a Certificate in Public Administration.
Dr. Adkins brings over two decades of experience in both academia and industry, having held teaching positions at institutions like the University of Tennessee at Martin and Box Hill College Kuwait. In addition, she has extensive industry experience, including roles in finance and auditing for organizations such as the Department of Health and Human Services, Lynchburg Community Action Group Inc., and public accounting firms. Her research interests focus on accounting curriculum development, audit quality, and the PCAOB inspection process.
Lauryn Beckham
CPA – Lecturer | College of Business
William Lyle
Assistant Professor | College of Business
William Lyle, DBA, CMA, CFE is an experienced accounting educator and researcher that currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Auburn University at Montgomery. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Florida, where his dissertation focused on the effects of information on tax evasion. He also has a Master of Science in Taxation and a Master of Business Administration from Robert Morris University, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business from the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to his educational qualifications, William is a Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
His research primarily focuses on behavioral accounting, fraud, accounting education, and decision aids. His recent work includes research on occupational fraud, comparisons of traditional and non-traditional doctoral programs, and the effects of tax software on reporting behavior. He has published and presented numerous papers in prestigious journals and conferences
Rhonda Seay
Senior Lecturer; Master of Accountacy Advisor | College of Business
Walter Smith
Associate Professor | College of Business
Walter Smith is an Associate Professor at Auburn University at Montgomery. He earned a BSBA in Production and Operations Management) from The Ohio State University, a BA in Accounting from Marietta College, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from The Ohio State University with minors in microeconomics and decision theory. Walter’s work experience includes the construction and retail industries. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and completed the Experiential Education Academy at the National Society for Experiential Education. His primary research interests are accounting education and student success. Walter teaches undergraduate and graduate accounting courses at AUM and is actively involved in service activities for the School of Accountancy, College of Business, and AUM.
Accolades & Awards
