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Accounting

Accounting

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Type

Major, Minor

Department

School of Business

At its most basic level, accounting is recognizing, recording and analyzing the financial effects of business activities. In today’s technologically driven and complex world, this involves more than just a calculator. To understand and communicate the flow of financial information in an organization, accountants must not only understand business and accounting principles, they must also reckon with ethics, up-to-the-minute technologies and the global marketplace. Accounting is the “language of business,” making it one of the most versatile business majors.

Program Overview

A student types at a computer

Become fluent in the language of business and finance.

The comprehensive curriculum will prepare you for success in accounting-related fields by providing a strong foundation in the practices of accounting and a general understanding of how businesses operate. As one of the most versatile business majors, you’ll be prepared for a successful career as a chief financial officer, financial consultant or an independent certified public accountant.

A practical education

An accounting degree will help you contribute to an organization’s success in dozens of industries.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

Program Requirements

All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.

A minimum of 42 credits is required including 18 credits of Tool Courses and the 12-credit Accounting Nucleus:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Tool Courses
ACC 201Introduction to Financial Accounting3
ACC 202Introduction to Managerial Accounting3
ECON 202Microeconomics3
Select one of the following:3-4
MATH 140
College Algebra (GT-MA1)
MATH 141
Precalculus (GT-MA1)
MATH 151
Calculus I (GT-MA1)
One of the following:3
ECON 216
Statistics for Business and Economics
MATH 213
Probability and Statistics (GT-MA1)
One of the following:3
BUAD 220
Spreadsheets and Analysis
CS 120
Professional Computer Skills
Accounting Nucleus
ACC 301Intermediate Financial Accounting I3
ACC 302Intermediate Financial Accounting II3
ACC 320Advanced Management Accounting3
ACC 350Income Tax3
Total Credits30-31

And the following:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Major Requirements
ACC 498Accounting Ethics (Capstone)3
BUAD 210Legal Environment of Business3
Select two of the following:6
ACC 340
Accounting Information Systems
ACC 410
Auditing
ACC 450
Advanced Financial Accounting
ACC 460
Advanced Income Tax
Total Credits12

Capstone Course Requirement

ACC 498 ACCOUNTING ETHICS will fulfill the capstone requirement for the Accounting Major: Standard Program.   

Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation.  Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above).  Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued. 

Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
BUAD 101 Business of Life 3
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
MATH 140 College Algebra (GT-MA1) 3
 Credits14
Spring
BUAD 220 Spreadsheets and Analysis 3
ECON 202 Microeconomics 3
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab 4
Elective Elective course 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
ACC 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
ECON 216 Statistics for Business and Economics 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 6
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
 Credits18
Spring
ACC 202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting 3
Elective Minor course 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences 3
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
ACC 301 Intermediate Financial Accounting I 3
ACC 340 Accounting Information Systems 3
BUAD 210 Legal Environment of Business 3
Elective Accounting Elective 3
Elective Minor course 3
 Credits15
Spring
ACC 302 Intermediate Financial Accounting II 3
ACC 320 Advanced Management Accounting 3
Elective Accounting Elective 3
Elective Minor course 3
Elective Minor course 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
Elective Elective course 6
Elective Minor course 6
Elective Elective OR Minor course 3
 Credits15
Spring
ACC 498 Accounting Ethics 3
Elective Elective course 12
 Credits15
 Total Credits123

Spotlight

Accounting

Ouray Walker

Student

“I came in thinking, ‘I’m going to major as a ski bum,’ but Western opened my eyes to there is more in life than just skiing.”

Accounting

Doug Carlson

Alumni

"Since leaving Western, Doug has co-founded FIJI Water, served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Aspen Ski Co., and run publishing and resort businesses."

Accounting

Chance Chase

Alumni

“Western’s Professional Land & Resource Management program was exactly what I needed, and I was thrilled to have found it."

Careers

Take the first steps toward your dream career.

Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.

Ready to apply or learn more about Western today?

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Find Your Career

The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Get Involved

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Make your education a life changing experience.

A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Prep: Our auditing class is designed to prepare students for the CPA exam.
  • Office of Career Success: Business students have a department-specific career services professional.
  • Study Abroad: Experience Harlaxton College in the English Midlands.
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): IRS-certified students provide free basic tax return preparation to the campus and community.

Prepared for the workforce

An IRS-certified student works on tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free basic tax return preparation to the campus and community.

News & Research

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

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Western’s Supplemental Instruction Program

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Western Students Earn NextCycle Incubator Grant

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Western Students Win Second Straight Rocky Mountain Investment Challenge

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Department Information

School of Business

Associate Dean

Paula Mann, CPA

Associate Dean of the School of Business, Assistant Professor of Accounting

Contact Information

970.943.2231

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Borick Business Building 223
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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