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Major in Accounting

A Rewarding Career

In more ways than one!

As an accountant, you can earn a good living while supporting the financial health of individuals and organizations. At its core, accounting is a service industry. You’ll work with a wide range of people—from individuals and families to non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes. And it's not all just number-crunching. You'll be in demand as a creative problem-solver helping others save money and maximize assets too.

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Degree Path

From beginning to end—we'll show you a road map on your path to success.

Map Out Your Degree

Internships

Because of our partnerships with local companies, there’s no shortage of internship opportunities.

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Resources

Having a tough time with a course? Get in touch with The Learning Center to find a tutor.

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Accounting Emphases

As an accounting major, you have the option between three emphases that can shape your career.

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Business Analysis & Reporting

If you want to find the ideal merger between business and accounting, the Business Analysis & Reporting emphasis is for you. In addition to core courses that help build a foundation, you’ll take courses focusing on state law regulation corporations, debtor and creditor relations, property law, analysis of actual municipal financial statements and advanced accounting concepts. This emphasis is recommended if you want to take the CPA exam.

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Certified Management

Use your financial accounting knowledge to make effective business decisions. In the Certified Management emphasis, you’ll focus on corporation finance and project management. If you want to take the CMA exam, this emphasis is right for you.

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Tax accountant works with client

Tax Compliance

Like the Business Analysis & Reporting emphasis, Tax Compliance is recommended if you want to take the CPA exam. However, this emphasis is more focused on tax theory. Skills include estate planning, retirement planning, employee benefits, federal taxation and estate and gift taxation.

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Accelerate Your Master's Degree

Each emphasis in our accounting program can be accelerated, meaning you can complete your bachelor's and master's degrees in a shorter time frame. As an undergraduate, you’ll complete nine credits of graduate-level classes at the cost of undergraduate tuition. After completing the bachelor’s degree (about 120 credits), you can complete our Master’s Degree in Management by taking an additional 22 credits.

 

Master's in Management

Want to Become a CPA?

In Wisconsin, you have to have 120 college credit hours to write the Uniform CPA Exam, and 150 college credit hours to become a licensed CPA. Our program is designed so you have several options to get enough credits to become a CPA, like double majoring or choosing the accelerated emphasis. Get in touch with your advisor to see which option is best for you.

The certification exam process is rigorous and includes a proctored closed note exam. In order to prepare our students, this program uses proctoring software or may require proctors for certain online courses. Various proctors are acceptable including HR departments, local libraries and more. Details will be provided in specific courses.

Digitize Your Degree

Our accounting program is offered fully online so you can enjoy more accessibility and flexibility.

Learn Online

Student Success

From 2016-2020, 99% of our graduates found jobs or were continuing their education within six months of graduation.

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Transfer Credits

We accept courses from all technical colleges in Wisconsin and have created agreements with specific associate degree programs at Gateway Technical College, FVTC, NTC and NWTC.

Transfer Your Credits
Eliceli Contreras, Accounting and Finance Double Major, Accounting Clerk at Jones Sign Co., Inc.

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Possibilities

"The Cofrin School of Business generates many possibilities for students to interact with outside resources. Accounting organizations like ASA (Accounting Student Association) allow us students to network and make important connections. Professors even recommend students for internships and post-grad jobs!"

Eliceli Contreras '24
Accounting and Finance Double Major | Accounting Clerk at Jones Sign Co., Inc.

Assistant Professor Heather Kaminski

Want to Know More?

If you have any questions about our accounting program, get in touch with Assistant Professor Heather Kaminski. She focuses on economics and how it intersects with environmental policy and sustainability.

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