ACCT 2304: Accounting, Business, and the World – Course Guide
1. What Is ACCT 2304 About?
ACCT 2304: Accounting, Business, and the World is a career-development-focused accounting course at the University of Houston. Rather than centering primarily on technical accounting procedures, the course introduces students to accounting career opportunities while developing professional and workplace skills that can support internship and full-time job searches.
The course connects classroom learning with interactions with accounting professionals, career research, networking, interviewing, resume development, presentations, and personal branding. Students have opportunities to interact with representatives from accounting firms and companies and learn about different career paths available to accounting graduates.
Course information at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Course | ACCT 2304 |
| Title | Accounting, Business, and the World |
| University | University of Houston |
| Course focus | Accounting careers, professional development, networking, communication, and career preparation |
| Format | Classroom-based course with presentations, speakers, group work, and career activities |
| Prerequisites | Not specified in the provided syllabus |
2. What Do Students Learn?
ACCT 2304 is designed to support students’ professional development and preparation for accounting-related employment. The course objectives include exposing students to different positions available to accounting graduates, improving preparation for internship and full-time interviews, and providing opportunities to interact with potential employers.
The course also incorporates three accounting-program learning goals:
- Identifying and diagnosing accounting problems
- Communicating business information effectively in writing and verbally
- Recognizing ethical and regulatory dilemmas
Students also work on practical professional-development areas such as:
- Personal strengths and weaknesses
- Personal branding
- Elevator speeches
- Business communication
- Professional body language
- Networking
- Interviewing
- Resume development
- Career research
- Presenting information professionally
- Building relationships with accounting professionals
3. ACCT 2304 Course Topics
The course covers accounting and professional-development topics through lectures, guest speakers, employer presentations, career activities, and student presentations.
Major topics include:
Accounting career opportunities
Students investigate the range of positions available to people with accounting degrees, including roles within companies and CPA firms. The syllabus lists positions such as accountant, financial analyst, internal auditor, controller, forensic accountant, tax manager, risk manager, treasurer, CFO, and others.
Professional communication
Communication is addressed through topics such as business writing, presentations, networking, body language, and interviewing.
Personal branding
Students develop an elevator speech and explore how to communicate their strengths, interests, accomplishments, and professional value.
Networking and employer interaction
The course includes a Meet the Employers Career Mixer and multiple presentations from accounting firms and companies.
Interview and resume preparation
Students complete a mock interview and have their resume reviewed by a career counselor.
Professionalism and workplace skills
Guest sessions address professionalism, generational differences, communication, business body language, the mood elevator, imposter syndrome, and related workplace topics.
4. How Is the Course Structured?
ACCT 2304 combines regular classroom meetings with guest presentations, career activities, individual assignments, and group work.
The semester begins with introductions to the accounting program, university career and support services, and professional development. It then moves into employer presentations, networking preparation, personal branding, communication, interviewing, and research into accounting careers. The latter part of the course includes student group presentations and additional employer forums.
Major components include:
- Guest presentations from accounting professionals and business experts
- Accounting firm and company presentations
- Career research
- Career Mixer preparation and participation
- Personal branding activities
- Resume review
- Mock interviewing
- Group research and presentations
- Employer forums
- Professional networking
The course therefore has a strong participation component rather than relying exclusively on traditional exams or textbook-based assignments.
5. What Assignments Are in ACCT 2304?
Career Project
The Career Project is divided into several parts and focuses on helping students understand themselves, communicate their professional value, and research potential accounting careers.
Strengths and Selling Points
Students identify their strengths, weaknesses, and selling points, provide examples, and develop plans for addressing weaknesses. The assignment requires at least ten items with explanations.
Elevator Speech
Students create a short personal brand statement designed to introduce themselves during networking and answer questions such as “Tell me something about yourself?” The statement is intended to last approximately 30–60 seconds.
Career Opportunities in Accounting
Students research three accounting positions they may be interested in and examine the characteristics of each position, required education and experience, and potential employers.
Mentor Interview — Extra Credit
Students may identify a professional working in one of their areas of interest, interview that person, and summarize what they learn about the career and professional environment. This part is worth extra credit.
Meet the Employers Career Mixer
Students participate in a career mixer involving approximately 20 firms and companies. The activity is intended to provide opportunities to learn about employers, explore internship opportunities, network, and provide resumes to participating organizations.
Group Presentation
Students work in small groups to research five accounting positions. The presentation addresses what each position involves, required education and skills, job availability, and potential employers. The instructor must approve the group’s career topic.
Mock Interview
Students complete at least one Bauer Mock Interview with a career counselor and submit an informational memo describing the questions and topics discussed, along with confirmation that the interview occurred.
Resume Review
Students meet with a career counselor to have their resume reviewed and submit the revised resume through Canvas.
6. ACCT 2304 Grading Breakdown
The course is graded on a 300-point system.
| Requirement | Points | Approx. Share |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance | 100 | 33.3% |
| Career Project Report | 60 | 20.0% |
| Class Group Presentation | 60 | 20.0% |
| Career Mixer | 40 | 13.3% |
| Mock Interview | 20 | 6.7% |
| Resume Review | 20 | 6.7% |
| Total | 300 | 100% |
The syllabus assigns letter grades according to accumulated points:
| Grade | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 270–300 |
| B+ | 258–269 |
| B | 240–257 |
| C+ | 228–239 |
| C | 210–227 |
| D | 180–209 |
| F | 179 or less |
Because attendance represents 100 of the 300 points, regular participation is a substantial part of the course grade.
7. What Is the Final Project?
There is no separate final exam or final project identified in the provided syllabus. Instead, the major semester-long individual project is the Career Project, while the major collaborative assignment is the Class Group Presentation.
The Career Project develops across multiple stages, beginning with self-assessment and personal branding, followed by research into potential accounting careers. An optional mentor interview can be added for extra credit.
8. What Readings and Materials Are Used?
There is no required textbook for ACCT 2304. The syllabus does, however, recommend several books:
- Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants by Claire B. May and Gordon S. May, 11th edition (2019)
- Strictly Business Body Language: Using Nonverbal Communication for Power and Success by Jan Hargrave, 2nd edition (2008)
- Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves (2009)
The course also makes substantial use of guest speakers, employer presentations, career counselors, and university support services.
9. ACCT 2304 Weekly Topics
The provided schedule lists the following major activities for the Fall 2026 schedule:
| Date | Topic / Activity |
|---|---|
| Aug. 24 | Accounting program, Writing Center, RCC, and Library Services |
| Aug. 26 | Navigating the Future and Becoming an Executive |
| Aug. 31 | BDO presentation |
| Sept. 2 | Grant Thornton presentation |
| Sept. 9 | KPMG presentation |
| Sept. 14 | Career Mixer preparation |
| Sept. 16 | Business Body Language |
| Sept. 21 | Personal Brand |
| Sept. 23 | Generational Differences and The Mood Elevator |
| Sept. 28 | Meet the Firms Career Mixer |
| Sept. 30 | Baker Tilly presentation |
| Oct. 5 | Communication and Imposter Syndrome |
| Oct. 7 | Withum presentation |
| Oct. 12 | Deloitte presentation |
| Oct. 14 | Forvis Mazars presentation |
| Oct. 19 | Successful Interviewing, Professionalism, and Accounting Myths |
| Oct. 21 | PwC presentation |
| Oct. 26 | Blazek & Vetterling presentation |
| Oct. 28 | EY presentation |
| Nov. 2 | P66 presentation |
| Nov. 4 | Employers’ Forum |
| Nov. 9 | RSM presentation |
| Nov. 11 | Employers’ Forum |
| Nov. 16 | Student Group Oral Presentations |
| Nov. 18 | Employers’ Forum |
| Nov. 23 | TBD |
| Nov. 25 | Thanksgiving Break |
| Nov. 30 | Student Group Oral Presentations |
| Dec. 2 | Student Group Oral Presentations |
The schedule is explicitly labeled Fall 2026, despite the syllabus URL identifying the document as Spring 2027. This is a significant syllabus inconsistency.
10. What Skills Can Students Develop?
Based on the assignments and course objectives, students can develop skills in:
- Professional written communication
- Verbal communication
- Interview preparation
- Resume development
- Personal branding
- Networking
- Professional introductions
- Business body language
- Career research
- Self-assessment
- Presentation development
- Group collaboration
- Employer interaction
- Professional relationship building
- Identifying accounting career options
- Communicating strengths and accomplishments
- Researching educational and experience requirements for careers
The course specifically emphasizes communication, professional development, career preparation, and exposure to accounting employment opportunities.
11. What Should Students Expect?
Students should expect ACCT 2304 to be highly focused on professional development and participation.
Expect frequent interaction
The course includes numerous guest speakers, accounting firms, company representatives, employer forums, and career activities. Students are encouraged to interact directly with professionals and use these encounters as networking opportunities.
Expect significant attendance requirements
Attendance is worth 100 of the course’s 300 points, and the syllabus states that participation is required. Students are expected to sign in at the beginning of class and sign out at the end.
Expect multiple career-related assignments
The Career Project is completed in stages, while the course also requires a career mixer, group presentation, mock interview, and resume review.
Expect firm deadlines
The syllabus states that career assignments must be submitted before class on the stated due date. It also states that late work is not accepted and missed assignments are not accepted.
Expect an emphasis on networking
Students are encouraged to introduce themselves to professionals, use their elevator speech, ask questions, exchange contact information when appropriate, and follow up with contacts.
Expect career exploration rather than traditional exam preparation
The provided syllabus does not identify conventional midterm or final examinations. Instead, much of the assessment is based on attendance, career research, presentations, employer interaction, mock interviewing, and resume development.
12. ACCT 2304 at a Glance
| Category | Summary |
|---|---|
| Course | ACCT 2304: Accounting, Business, and the World |
| University | University of Houston |
| Primary focus | Accounting careers and professional development |
| Prerequisites | Not specified |
| Required textbook | None |
| Recommended materials | Three professional-development and communication books |
| Major project | Multi-part Career Project |
| Group work | Research and presentation on five accounting positions |
| Career activity | Meet the Employers Career Mixer |
| Career preparation | Mock interview and resume review |
| Guest speakers | Accounting firms, companies, career professionals, and subject experts |
| Total points | 300 |
| Largest grading component | Attendance — 100 points |
| Late work | Syllabus states that late career assignments are not accepted |
| Participation | Required |
| Schedule issue | Document URL says Spring 2027, while schedule and deadlines say Fall 2026 |
Final Takeaway
ACCT 2304: Accounting, Business, and the World is structured around helping accounting students understand potential career paths and prepare for professional opportunities. The course combines accounting-career exploration with communication, networking, personal branding, interviewing, resume development, employer interaction, and professional presentations.
Students should be prepared to participate actively, interact with accounting professionals, research possible careers, complete several career-development assignments, and attend class consistently. The course places substantial weight on participation and professional engagement, with 100 of 300 points assigned to attendance and additional points tied to the Career Project, Career Mixer, group presentation, mock interview, and resume review.
