| Accounting | |
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Overview |
Welcome from the Division Chair The Jones Division of Business is providing our students an innovative, exciting and challenging undergraduate degree program. Today’s business climate is changing rapidly, and our professional faculty not only keeps pace with this change, but they bring years of classroom and practical experience to our programs. Nearly all have been business leaders, having served as a business or corporate executive prior to joining our faculty – and this is a major advantage for our students. We strive to educate future leaders with an intense emphasis on communication, global awareness, analytical thinking and leadership skills. Focus is placed on preparing our graduates to deal with, and work in, the many dynamic changes facing today’s business world. So, welcome to the University of Charleston and the Jones Division of Business! You will find our faculty members ready to assist you every step of the way in your journey to your undergraduate degree. Dr. Robert L. Bliss |
Accounting is a dynamic profession that is changing to meet the diverse needs of the global business environment. The profession is looking for men and women who are creative, analytical, and have good interpersonal skills. The job market for accounting graduates has been good, and according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics the outlook for the future appears to be strong as well.
A graduate of UC's accounting program will be able to pursue a career in public, private, nonprofit, or governmental accounting. Some accounting graduates use their accounting background as a foundation for a career in a business-related profession. Recent UC accounting graduates have successfully found employment with large international, regional and local CPA firms, banks, retailers, brokerage firms, family businesses, and with federal and state government. Other UC accounting graduates have gone on to graduate or law school.
Students in the Scholars Program can complete their undergraduate degree and the graduate degree (MBAL) in five years. Get more information on the MBAL Scholars Program.
In order to be successful in the profession all accounting majors are required to demonstrate the acquisition of a variety of outcomes and competencies. Some of the knowledge and skills are discipline specific and others are broader liberal learning outcomes. The latter liberal learning outcomes are sought by the accounting profession and business community and, in a greater sense, enable the student to continue to adapt and respond to an ever-changing world
All accounting majors are required to take 21 hours of accounting beyond accounting principles (including intermediate, cost, advanced, and tax accounting and auditing). The accounting classes emphasize the development of critical thinking and communications skills, casework, teamwork, and technology. Since graduates of the bachelor's accounting program earn a bachelor's of science degree in business administration (BSBA) with a major in accounting, students also take 42 hours in the business core (finance, management, marketing, business law, statistics, etc.). This provides them the broad business background necessary to be successful as professional accountants.
Under current West Virginia law UC's bachelor's degree accounting graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. Beginning in the year 2000, new CPA examination requirements become effective. UC's Plus One MBA program (link to AMBA program) will allow UC students to meet those requirements by completing a program of study leading to the BS in accounting and an MBA with a concentration in accounting. Both degrees can be completed in five years. UC accounting graduates also meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) professional examinations.
Our students may also have opportunities for paid part-time accounting jobs and internships in the Charleston area. Accounting internships are valuable in allowing students to apply classroom theories and techniques to real world situations. Students may receive academic credit for their internships.
Recent UC accounting graduates have been successful in gaining employment with a variety of firms including the following:
Ernst & Young, LLP
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Suttle & Stalnaker, PPLC
Arnett & Foster, PLLC
Gibbons & Kawash
KPMG, LLP
Simpson & Osborne
McJunkin Corporation
City Holding Company
United National Bank
State of West Virginia
A. T. Massey Coal Company
United States Department of Defense
Walker Machinery
Huntington Banks
What Graduates Say About Us
"The accounting major at UC has prepared me for the real world in many ways. I had the opportunity to learn even more about the profession by doing an internship for two years during my college education. This internship opened many doors for me, such as a career at one the Big Five Accounting firms."
Petia Petkova (May 1999)
Staff Accountant
Ernst & Young, LLP
San Francisco, California
"UC does not stop by teaching the accounting curriculum but goes beyond that by making students aware of the latest developments in the business world that have an impact on the accounting profession. UC helped me not only to get good grades at school but also to pass the CPA examination in my first attempt and to gain employment at one of the 'big five' accounting firms."
Rajeeva Serasinghe, CPA, CMA (May 1999)
Staff Accountant, Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Washington, DC
"Good grades and activities are not always enough to distinguish students with the top potential employers. The accelerated program at UC provides another platform to raise the value of UC students above their peers. I truly think it was a determining factor in getting my first job."
M. Jay Shannon, CPA, CMA (May 1995)
Cline Resource & Development Company, Inc.
Beckley, West Virginia
For more information about the UC Accounting Program, call 304.357.4870. Send questions and comments to Suzanne King.
