Council on Accountancy
The Department of Accounting is proud of its affiliation with the Council on Accountancy, a group of over fifty accounting and financial executives who serve as advisors to the department. This group works closely with the faculty of the department in providing quality educational and professional opportunities for students and attracting superior students to the Canisius Accounting programs. The council has been instrumental in the creation of an endowment of over $4 million that provides scholarships for upper-class accounting, accounting information systems, and graduate students. The department also offers a program that affords opportunities for a paid summer work experience. Other programs include advising students through a mentoring program, hosting students for breakfast meetings with professionals, and mock job interviews. The council also assists the department in developing new programs and courses and job placement for graduates.
Accounting Experience Program
Members of the Council on Accountancy help students find accounting positions. These positions are available in public accounting firms, industry, financial institutions, and the government sector.
Clubs & Activities
The Accounting Society, a student-run organization, is extremely active and organizes numerous professional and social events throughout the academic year. The society's events include the Accounting Banquet, 'welcome back' picnics, workshops on resume writing and interviewing skills, holiday parties, golf outings, and several professional panels. Also, the society continuously works with Canisius alumni to sponsor presentations by members of the local accounting and business communities. As one of the most active clubs on campus, the Accounting Society is a great way for students to foster relationships with their fellow classmates, build their networks with alumni and other business professionals, and gain leadership experiences by serving as executive board members for the society.
Internships
Each year, many Canisius accounting students are placed in internships. Internships allow students to begin accumulating professional experiences by exploring potential career fields, stregthening their technical skills, and gaining valuable networking contacts. As the second largest city in New York State, Buffalo offers numerous opportunities. Canisius accounting students have and continue to acquire internship experiences in a variety of fields, including governmental agencies, not-for-profit organizations, companies in a wide array of industries, and public accounting firms.
Networking with Accounting Professionals
The Department of Accounting provides ample opportunity for accounting students to meet and network with members of the business and accounting community in Western New York. Accounting students are regularly invited to breakfast meetings hosted by members of the Council on Accountancy. The council, composed of successful area accountants, serves as an advisory board to the Accounting Department. Also, the department hosts different career panels throughout the academic year, including panels focused on professional opportunities related to accounting informatin systems and data analytics.
Meet the Accountants Night
Cohosted by the Accounting Society and the Department of Accounting, Meet the Accountants Night is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Held in the fall of each year, over 20 local, national, and international firms and businesses come to Canisius' campus to network with Canisius accountig students. Students have the opportunity to discuss open positions, learn about leadership programs, and ask any questoins they have with as many recruiters as they desire. Meet the Accountants Night not only provides students the chance to grow their professional networks, but it also helps students learn about different accounting tracks and serves as a kick-off for the fall recruiting season.
Accounting Banquet
Held in the spring each year, the Accounting Banquet brings together students and members of the accounting and business community in Western New York. Awards are given to outstanding students, departmental scholarships are announced, and awards are given to an outstanding alumnus/alumnae of the Department of Accounting.
Mentor Program
Helps graduate students, especially those who work in the areas not related to accounting or finance, make the transition into accounting careers. Students get the opportunity to have two mentors: one from public accounting and the second from industry.
Post-Graduate Study
Accounting students can continue to earn a graduate MBA in Accounting degree after finishing their undergraduate studies. This graduate program meets the education requirements for CPA licensure in New York State, and Canisius offers scholarships for undergraduate accounting students who qualify for the graduate program.