What is Accounting?
Accounting is an information system that measures, processes, and communicates financial information about an economic entity to interested users of the information such as investors, managers and creditors. Accounting is often called the language of business and appeals to students with the ability to communicate effectively with other individuals as well as those who demonstrate strong analytical, management, and mathematical skills.
The primary goal of the accounting program is to prepare students for successful careers, whether in public accounting, private accounting, government, management, or graduate study. The Professional Emphasis in Accounting (one of the two comprehensive forms of our major) is specifically designed to meet the needs of students who wish to enter public accounting and obtain their CPA certification. The Standard major and the comprehensive Finance Emphasis meet the needs of students who desire to entire non-public accounting careers or careers in the financial sector such as banking and investments.
Although most states have passed a requirement for 150 credit-hours to take the CPA exam, Colorado continues to require 120 credit-hours. Completion of the Professional Emphasis meets all requirements to sit for the exam in Colorado. In addition, Western State offers classes that meet all aspects of the 150-credit requirement. Students should work with an Accounting faculty advisor to develop an appropriate academic program if they are interested in meeting out-of-state requirements.
What can I do with an Accounting degree?
Accounting is one of the fastest growing professions and promises to continue growing with the expansion of technology. A bachelor's degree in accounting or finance is suitable preparation for careers in the private, corporate, and public sectors. Graduates find positions such as auditors, management consultants, general accountants, tax specialists, educators, securities investigators, fiscal officers, budget analysts and special agents with the IRS, DEA or FBI.
Furthermore, few academic majors offer career opportunities with the geographic diversity that Accounting does. Simply put, every town or city, from the smallest to the largest, needs accountants. For students that have their hearts set on working in a small town, such as Gunnison or Crested Butte, Accounting offers a realistic chance to do so.
Program Summary
Western offers two Comprehensive Majors in Accounting (Professional and Finance), a Standard Major and an Accounting minor. To graduate from Western, a student must have either a standard major and a minor, two standard majors, or a comprehensive major.
The most popular program of study for Accounting majors is a double standard major in Accounting and Business Administration. Because both of these majors require the same tool courses, a student can complete both majors and only take two or three additional courses as compared to either of the Comprehensive Accounting Majors. This double major combination will also qualify students to take the Uniform CPA Examination as long as the Auditing course (ACC 410) is included as one of the required elective courses in the Accounting Standard Major.
Borick Business Building
The Borick Business Building, named for Steven J. Borick, a 1975 Western graduate, is a welcoming and attractive space for students in the Business, Accounting and Economics Department to network, study, and learn. All BAE classes are being held in the new Borick Business Building.
