Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a 162-credit program that provides an integrated coursework approach to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and a business environment that demands effective communication, critical thinking, and data analysis.

Program Overview

The BS in Accounting curriculum is designed to prepare students for success in professional accounting, which requires the CPA exam and 225 credits. The program is unique in its blending of accounting with analysis-based business coursework and an internship requirement. Students graduating from the program are prepared for successful careers in public and private accounting that require systems and financial analysis.

Why Consider a Bachelor of Science in Accounting?

The BS in Accounting provides the opportunity to meet the 5th year CPA requirements and complete a concentration that expands skills and qualifies students for additional career opportunities. The program offers five different analysis-focused concentrations to meet a variety of student interests and provides the skills employers are increasingly requiring from graduates.

Concentration Options

The BS in Accounting offers the following concentration options:

• Economics Concentration: studies resource allocation and societal costs and benefits, providing skills to succeed in an analysis-driven environment.
• Finance Concentration: focuses on theories, concepts, and skills to make decisions using imperfect data, providing skills to succeed in analyzing accounting and financial data.
• Financial Economics Concentration: provides an understanding of core economic concepts and the functioning of the economy and financial markets, developing students' ability to apply economic and financial theory to solve complex problems.
• Management Information Systems Concentration: provides skills to solve problems at the intersection of organizations, technology, and people, combining accounting skills and information system skills in high demand.
• Operations Management Concentration: provides skills to increase organizations' operational effectiveness and efficiency, determining resources necessary to complete tasks and deploying resources to meet customers' needs.

Program Details

• The program requires 162 credits (minimum) and is designed to be completed in five years.
• Students are expected to complete a full load of coursework every quarter and limit non-academic commitments.
• The Accounting Department does not provide or guarantee internships, but students can find their own internships with the assistance of a graduate career advisor.
• The same scholarships available to all accounting and CBE students are also available to BS in Accounting students.
• Acceptance into the program requires timely application and acceptance into the BS in Accounting program and a concentration area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would someone want a BS in Accounting?

To become a Certified Public Accounting (CPA), one must have 225 quarter credits, which is equivalent to a 5th year. The BS in Accounting provides the opportunity to meet the 5th year CPA requirements and complete a concentration that expands skills and qualifies students for additional career opportunities.

What are the BS in Accounting's advantages over other alternatives to meet the CPA 225 credit requirement?

The primary alternatives are to take more accounting courses, non-accounting graduate courses, or a potpourri of courses to meet the 225 credit requirement. The BS in Accounting offers an undergraduate degree without higher fees typically associated with graduate programs, focusing studies in an analysis-heavy concentration that broadens students' skills beyond accounting.

Why should I consider Western's BS in Accounting?

Western's Bachelor of Science in Accounting is the only BS accounting program available from the major public and private residential campuses in the State of Washington. The program offers five different analysis-focused concentrations, providing skills employers are increasingly requiring from graduates. The concentration areas are only available to Accounting students who choose the BS program.

How is the BS in Accounting and Concentration shown on my diploma and transcript?

Both the BS in Accounting and the concentration area are specifically identified on the WWU diploma and transcript.

What are the entrance requirements and how do I apply?

Students must be accepted into the BS in Accounting program and concurrently, or soon thereafter, apply to and be accepted into their chosen area of concentration.

Are there any special requirements to be accepted into the BS in Accounting?

No, the only requirement is the timely application and acceptance into the BS in Accounting program and a concentration area.

How long does it take to complete the BS in Accounting?

The program is expected to be completed in five years, with students taking a full load of coursework every quarter.

Will the Accounting Department find me a required internship? What if I don't have an internship?

The Accounting Department does not provide or guarantee an internship, but students can find their own internships with the assistance of a graduate career advisor. In extraordinary circumstances, other accommodations may be available but are not guaranteed.

Does the BS in Accounting offer scholarships?

The same scholarships available to all accounting and CBE students are also available to BS in Accounting students. There are no scholarships solely dedicated to BS in Accounting students.