Western Carolina University - From the Department Head

WCU is a University of North Carolina Campus

From the Department Head

Looking for an education that will prepare you for a vast array of high-paying, recession-proof careers? You’ve come to the right place. The Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics offers undergraduate and graduate programs that will prepare you to be tomorrow’s business leader.

For those interested in accounting, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree with a major in accounting and a Master of Accountancy (M.Ac.).

B.S.B.A. students are prepared for careers in corporate and small-business accounting, tax-return preparation, banking and financial services, cost analysis, management, internal audit, credit and collection and for graduate study in accounting, business, law and other areas.

M.Ac. students are prepared for careers in public and government accounting as well as those stated above. Starting salaries for graduate students in accounting are approximately $50,000 per year, some with signing bonuses and all with significant employee benefits.

For those interested in finance, we offer two concentrations: banking and financial planning. Our banking concentration prepares students for careers as retail bank managers, loan officers, in credit and collection, and other financial service careers.

Our financial planning concentration qualifies students to sit for the Certified Financial Planner® Certification Exam and prepares them for careers in financial planning, stock brokerage, insurance and other financial services.

Either concentration is suitable preparation for graduate studies in finance, business, accounting, law, and other areas. Starting salaries for undergraduate students range from around $30,000 to the low $40, 000s.

What do Mick Jagger, John Elway and former President George Bush have in common? Each studied economics as their undergraduate major. For those interested in economics, we offer an 18-hour minor open to any WCU student. A major in economics with a business focus is planned for fall 2008 pending approval. Transitioning from a minor to a major in economics should be seamless. The study of economics is excellent preparation for careers in banking, economic analysis, regional development, business economics, governmental economics, consulting, and graduate study in economics, accounting, business, law, finance and many other areas.

To learn more about our programs, faculty, careers and your choices, call or visit us today!