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John Chambers College of
Business and Economics
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Accounting

Accounting majors learn skills vital for every organization, from multi-national companies to government agencies and nonprofits. We provide the foundation you’ll need to enter the profession.

Our undergraduate program offers specialized tracks in the following areas:

  • The CPA Exam grounded in the new CPA Evolution (BAR, ICS, Tax)
  • Corporate and organizational accounting with ties to the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Financial Management (CMA) exams.
  • Data analytics and big data
  • Forensic accounting and fraud examination with ties to the Certified Fraud Examiners exam

Undergraduate students can mix and match their accounting careers tracks to set their career on a path to success.

At the undergraduate / masters level we also offer a “3+1” program where advanced placement students earn both an undergraduate degree and either a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) or Masters for Forensic and Fraud Examination in approximately four years.

Points of pride for the WVU Accounting Undergraduate Programs:

  1. Jobs, jobs, jobs! Followed by promotions, promotions, promotions (Spring 2021 88.5% placement for UGs)
  2. Big data and data analytics are operationalized in accounting decision-making and included in virtually every accounting class
  3. CPA exam pass rates – at WVU: MAcc = 75%; options other than CPA include Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  4. Tracks: CPA Exam; Organizational / Corporate Accounting; Data Analytics; Forensic Accounting
  5. Faculty in accounting have superior pedigrees and specialization like: 
  • Dr. John Treu, tax professor, has his law degree from NYU.
  • Professor Gary LeDonne has 30 years of tax experience with EY
  • Four accounting faculty author textbooks used by other universities (Professors Nigrini, Riley, Dull, and Holderness)
  • 3+1 undergraduate degree, plus masters options:
    • Masters of Accounting (MAcc)
    • Masters in Forensic and Fraud Examination (MS-FFE)
    • Certificate in Fo rensic Accounting and Fraud Examination (FAFE)

    5 Degree Programs

    Want a career leading companies through expert knowledge of financial performance? Look no further. With five accounting degrees across our undergraduate and graduate programs, and full knowledge of the business, you’re sure to find your place within our College and graduate with the skills you need to excel on examinations and in real-world accounting. 

    The undergraduate Accounting degree program builds upon a general education curriculum to provide students with a base of academic knowledge in Business and Accounting. The program is designed to integrate business knowledge with a professional orientation, to form a foundation for future learning in industry and academics. The Accounting program and courses are subject to periodic review by the  Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for timeliness, professional requirements and relevance in a global marketplace.

    Advanced courses and tracks in the program provide both specialized knowledge in accounting and financial reporting and an integrated overview of the economic activities of a business entity. These courses give students the basic educational foundation required for a variety of entry-level positions in public accounting, business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Accounting graduates have the knowledge to become controllers, financial officers, certified public accountants, managerial accountants, budget analysts, internal auditors, tax accountants, public administration officers, financial fraud investigators, and other executives.

    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 the CPA,  Certified Management Accountant (CMA),  Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and  Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). The requirements to sit for the uniform CPA Examination vary by state. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the requirements of the states where they plan to get their certification. Many states, including West Virginia, require 128 credit hours to sit for the exam and 150 credit hours of college credit to be fully certified.

    The accounting programs at WVU have been separately accredited by AACSB International since 1997.

    Careers

    Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Accounting major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

    • Bright Outlook
    • Green Occupation
    • Requires a Graduate Degree
    • Accountants

      Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization. Possible job titles for this career include: Accountant.

      $68,150 Median Salary

      Learn More

    • Auditors

      Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures. Possible job titles for this career include: Audit Manager.

      $68,150 Median Salary

      Learn More

    • Budget Analysts

        Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports. Possible job titles for this career include: Analyst.

        $73,840 Median Salary

        Learn More

      • Credit Authorizers

          Authorize credit charges against customers' accounts. Possible job titles for this career include: Business Manager.

          $36,930 Median Salary

          Learn More

        • Financial Managers, Branch or Department

          Direct and coordinate financial activities of workers in a branch, office, or department of an establishment, such as branch bank, brokerage firm, risk and insurance department, or credit department. Possible job titles for this career include: Banking Center Manager (BCM).

          $121,750 Median Salary

          Learn More

        • Tax Examiners and Collectors and Revenue Agents

            Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations. Possible job titles for this career include: Revenue Agent.

            $52,060 Median Salary

            Learn More

          This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

          Employers of WVU Accounting Graduates

          Big 4

          • Deloitte
          • EY
          • KPMG
          • PwC

          Mid-Sized

          • A&M
          • Aronson
          • Baker Tilly
          • BDO
          • BNY Mellow
          • Brown Edwards
          • CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
          • CohnReznick LLP
          • DHG (Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP)
          • GRF CPAs & Advisors
          • Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP
          • McGregor and Company, LLP
          • RMA Associates
          • Ryan, LLC
          • SEK CPAs & Advisors
          • Suttle & Stalnaker, PLLC
          • YHB (Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C)

          Corporate

          • Highmark Health
          • Leidos
          • Oshkosh Corporation
          • PNC Financial Services
          • Rocket Companies
          • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
          • UPMC
          • Walgreens
          • WESCO Anixter

          Government Agencies

          • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
          • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
          • U.S Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General

          State Agencies

          • WV Department of Highways
          • WV Department of Transportation
          • WV State Auditor

          Cost and Aid

          How much does Accounting at WVU cost? And how can you save?

          Tuition and Fees

          Estimated rates for the 2018-19 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

          West Virginia Resident

          Per Credit - $428

          Per Semester - $5,136

          Fall and Spring Semesters - $10,272

          Non-Resident

          Per Credit - $1,126

          Per Semester - $13,512

          Fall and Spring Semesters - $27,024

          International

          Per Credit - $1,126

          Per Semester - $13,812

          Fall and Spring Semesters - $27,624

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          By the Number$

          88.5%

          Spring 2021 placement rate for Undergrads

          5

          DEGREE PROGRAMS

          75%

          CPA exam pass rate for WVU MAcc Program 

          3 + 1

          4 Undergraduate degree plus masters options

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