Career Resources

Meet the Firms | Interviewing Workshop | Marshall Student Services | USC Career Services | CPA Information | Office of International Students

Students in the Leventhal School of Accounting have various opportunities to network and develop the skills needed to successfully secure either a full-time position or admission to graduate school upon completing their undergraduate degree. A good place to start is student organizations.

Both student organizations, The Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi have weekly meetings where representatives from the big four accounting firms, mid-tier firms, regional and local firms as well as other companies come to talk about the kinds of opportunities available to accounting majors. Many of these firms also sponsor firm tours and social events for students with their staff, giving students the chance to get a sense of the corporate culture. Join one of these organizations, get involved and you'll be connected!

Another place of use is the USC Career Center. Check out all the workshops and information sessions available through the USC Career Center. There are lots of opportunities to improve your interviewing skills. Take advantage of them.

We recommend you schedule a career advising appointment with Milli Penner. All seniors are encouraged to schedule a career advising appointment with Milli Penner. Are you sure of what you plan to do, considering graduate school, haven't a clue what you want to do? These are all good reasons to come in, discuss your plans and brainstorm about your options.

And, we also have many events for students like Meet the Firms and Interviewing Workshops.

Be sure to keep coming back to this website to see updates, newly scheduled events, and job listings.

Meet the Firms

Each semester the big four and mid-tier accounting firms, as well as several other companies come to campus for a networking event, Meet the Firms. The recruiters from each of these firms bring around 20 staff members (usually alumni), giving students the opportunity to ask questions and learn about what it's really like to work in accounting. Beta Alpha Psi hosts the event in fall and Accounting Society hosts the event in spring. Visit their websites for sign-up information. This evening event takes place at Town & Gown, and the required attire is business professional.

Interviewing Workshop

Each semester we present a workshop that addresses the kinds of skills you need to interview successfully, as well as how to get registered on Interviewtrak for on-campus interviews for both internships and full-time positions. Get the date on your calendar and be there!

California CPA Exam and Licensure Requirements

In California there are two pathways that you can follow to meet the requirements for CPA Certification. Please refer to the California Board of Accountancy website listed above for the specific details, but here is a boiled-down version:

Pathway 1

Requirements to be eligible to sit for the CPA Exam

A Bachelor's degree including 24 semester units of business-related subjects and 24 units of accounting. All degree requirements must be completed at the time of application to take the CPA Exam.

Experience Requirement for Licensure

Two years general accounting experience, which may include 500+ attest hours for those who want to sign attest reports.

Pathway 2

Requirements to be eligible to sit for the CPA Exam

A Bachelor's degree including 24 semester units of business-related subjects and 24 units of accounting.

Experience and Education Requirements for Licensure

1) One year general accounting experience, which may include 500+ attest hours for those who want to sign attest reports.

2) Evidence of 150 semester units of education.

CPA Exam Updates

For updates on the computer-based exam beginning in April 2003, go to the AICPA CPA exam website.

California Board of Accountancy

Information on CPA Certification Requirements throughout the USA

The AICPA website provides up-to-date information about the 150-hour requirement in all the states, as well as discussing the rationale for the requirement.