Accounting Honors Program

The Accounting Honors experience provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills in the classroom and as officers in our newest organization: Accounting Honors Alumni Connections. The program develops career-readiness competencies such as writing, public speaking and teamwork and is guided by research-active faculty, most of whom hold PhDs and who are deeply committed to student development at an individual level. The program’s small cohort ―  approximately 30 students each year ― helps develop meaningful and lifelong connections among Accounting Honors participants.  

Most Accounting Honors students participate in student organizations or activities. They offer many opportunities for learning, leadership and fun. Also, student organizations and activities are great for getting to know your classmates.

Student Organizations

The most important organization for Accounting students is Beta Alpha Psi, the national honorary and service organization. Ohio State’s Omicron Chapter plans approximately five events per quarter, with the most important being meetings with Accounting practitioners and faculty. In addition, the Chapter participates in community service activities and holds social events. The two major social and professional events are the Alumnus of the Year and Initiation Banquet and the Golf Outing. Several representatives from the Ohio State Omicron Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi annually attend the BAP Regional and National Meetings.

In addition to Beta Alpha Psi, The Accounting Association and the Information Systems Association (ISA) are both popular groups among Accounting Honors students. These two groups feature speakers in weekly meetings and hold formal banquets and events for career networking. Speakers vary from company recruiters to practicing professionals. The Undergraduate Finance Association is also an organization available to Honors accounting students.

Student organizations provide a way to get involved outside of the classroom. Add some extra value to an Accounting Honors education and get involved! Be sure to visit the student organization web sites or contact the student leaders for more information.

Alumni often mention the lifelong friendships they make with their colleagues during the program. Such bonding occurs as a result of unique opportunities that include the "Ralph Cases," debates over conceptual and current accounting and business issues, and class social events. Members of the wide-reaching and active alumni network are often guest speakers for classes.

A Few of the Accounting Honors Program Alumni

Alumni Testimonials

"The Honors Accounting Program prepared me for success in a broad spectrum accounting and finance career – far beyond what I appreciated when in the midst of the challenging course work. The accounting education, and focus on concepts and critical thinking, creates a skillset that can be leveraged years in to the future – even when the rules change! But most importantly, the experience gained in learning to “think on your feet” through challenging case studies and debates has been invaluable across so many situations in the “real world”! Additionally, the focus on written and oral communication is a skillset differentiator right out of the gate and is an imperative for success in today’s business world. The foundation I received from this program has been instrumental to success in both public accounting early in my career and later in industry."

Melinda Whittington
La-Z-Boy - Accoungting Honors Class of 1989

"Although I knew the Honors Accounting Program was special during my days at Ohio State, I didn’t fully understand how the program would literally change my life. The Honors Accounting Program provided me with the best business education available in Ohio, allowing me to land a job with one of the top accounting firms in the world and providing me with the knowledge and skills to launch a successful career. I didn’t realize it at the time, but a business and accounting background is critical for any strong executive because you must always understand the financial impact of a business decision. Graduates of the Honors Accounting Program are highly valued by prospective employers because of the unbelievable business foundation provided to the students. I also underestimated the personal value of the relationships I established during my time in the Honors Accounting Program. I still communicate regularly with several professors and am proud to count several of my classmates among my very best friends. We have the common bond of loving Ohio State, but more importantly, have the bond established by going through the Honors Accounting Program, and that is an accomplishment that fills me with pride to this very day."

Tom Dewey
Medical Mutual - Accounting Honors Class of 1999

"While the Honors Accounting program provides a solid foundation in the principles and theory of accounting, the true value of the program is in developing critical business skills that apply across professions. Through case studies, presentations, internships, and interactions with professors and peers, you learn not what to think, but how to think. In addition, meeting the demands of the program as a team with your classmates helps you to forge relationships that will last a lifetime. When you enter the business world, you are doing so with a network of peers that you can leverage to help tackle any problem."

Josh Oakes
Worthington Armstrong Venture (WAVE)- Accounting Honors Class of 1999

"The Accounting Honors program approaches accounting from a strategic, managerial perspective. Its focus on understanding and analysis, as well as the practical implications of accounting for a business, taught me how to think about what numbers mean and how they can be used to make managerial and investment decisions. This is important for me in my career as an attorney because it helps me relate to my clients and address their concerns. The Accounting Honors program is a fantastic beginning to a wide variety of careers, many of which are not directly related to accounting. If you're looking for a program that will give you a sophisticated, practical approach to learning about business, not to mention help you with your analytical, writing and presentation skills, this program is as good as it gets."

Jennifer Renzenbrink Smith
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati - Accounting Honors Class of 2003

"The Honors Accounting Program approaches accounting as an academic discipline, rather than as vocational training. It teaches students to apply fundamental principles from economics, information science, and mathematics to achieve a critical understanding of the field. The program's tradition, rigor, and camaraderie provided me with an excellent foundation for my career."

Robert B. Sledge
KPMG LLP - Accounting Honor Class of 2005

"I like the honors program because my classmates are nothing short of brilliant, and through our shared classwork they've become my good friends. It's exciting to get to work with really smart people, and to feel challenged by your peers. The program teaches you to think and to work hard. I had my heart set on a finance major when I decided to try the Accounting honors program just for the fun of it, and because I needed 211 and 212 and wanted to take the honors version. By the midterm in H211, I was starting to change my mind, and by the middle of H212 I was converted. I think joining this program is the best decision I've ever made. I, as a member of the Accounting Honors program, am automatically recognized as a good student with quality critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as experience working in teams, presenting, and communicating with classmates and others."

Nellie Debbeler
KPMG - Accounting Honors Class of 2008

"Regardless of your ultimate goal in life, the Accounting Honors program is an outstanding starting point for careers in business and beyond. The terrific instruction I received in financial reporting, managerial accounting, and general accounting and business principles prepared me not only to become a CPA, but also to enter the workforce as a lawyer. Law firms were thrilled that they had the opportunity to bring on a young associate who can truly understand the complex inner workings of a client's business. The thought experiments and cases our classes would work through together were invaluable in helping students truly understand the scope and depth of real world accounting and managerial issues. Of course, terrific course work is only part of the Accounting Honors experience. Unparalleled professors, great friendships with extremely motivated and intelligent classmates, and unforgettable experiences, from flag football teams to class barbecues, are a few of the things that I particularly enjoyed in the Accounting Honors program. I am extremely proud to be a Buckeye and even more proud to be an alumnus of the Accounting Honors program."

Michael J. Mozes
Harvard Law School Graduate - Accounting Honors Class of 2008

"What started as a hastily made decision to take two required introductory accounting courses at the honors level resulted in becoming a member of a challenging and enriching academic program. The Accounting Honors Program teaches you to think for yourself. Facilitated through case studies and team projects you are taught to approach situations analytically which is much more valuable and interesting than working from typical textbooks. During my three years in the program I had the privilege of meeting some exceptional classmates, classmates who are good friends to this day. The program gave direction to my collegiate experience and prepared me for a career in accounting."

Danielle Verbeck
PwC, UK - Accounting Honors Class of 2008

"The Accounting Honors program does not teach you what to think, it teaches you how to think. That teaching mindset is rarely seen in undergraduate courses and has direct application into business world."

Chad Combs
Nationwide Insurance - Accounting Honors Class of 2003