Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Accounting

The accounting program has a rich heritage of producing successful accounting professionals and business leaders. Graduates excel on professional examinations, and the majority of students seeking employment upon graduation are successful. With a strong alumni network and a solid reputation among major accounting firms, the accounting program at WVU has an excellent record of placing students in the accounting profession. The overarching goal of the accounting programs is to meet the evolving needs of its constituencies through teaching, research, and service. The undergraduate accounting degree program builds upon a general education curriculum to provide students with a base of academic knowledge in business and accounting. It is designed to integrate basic knowledge with a professional orientation and form a foundation for future learning as well as career and academic success. The accounting program and course offerings are subject to periodic review for timeliness, professional requirements, and relevance in a global marketplace. The accounting major is also designed to give students the basic educational foundation necessary to prepare for the professional examinations that may be required of them in their careers. These examinations include those needed to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination vary by jurisdiction, and students are encouraged to become familiar with the requirements of the jurisdictions where they plan to be certified. Many states, including West Virginia, require a bachelor degree to sit for the exam and 150 semester hours of college credit to be certified. Major Learning Goals The objective of providing a foundational education in accounting at the undergraduate level cannot be realized without appropriate curricula content, effective teaching, and ultimately, learning. Within the undergraduate accounting major, we subscribe to the following learning goals for each of our undergraduate students. Competence in core technical areas Knowledge of the use of accounting information systems Awareness of the Professional Standards and the US Federal Income Tax Code The ability to identify the effect of regulatory and ethical issues on the global practice of accounting Career Profile A graduate with a degree in accounting has many career options, including controllers, financial officers, certified public accountants, managerial accountants, budget analysts, internal auditors, tax accountants, public administration officers, financial fraud investigators and other executives.