Departments & Majors

Accounting

College of Business and Economics
Lynn Hafemeister, Chair
Accounting Department
Hyland Hall 3301B
(262) 472-5450
hafemeil@uww.edu

Web site

About the Program

The accounting program at UW-Whitewater is designed to prepare accounting majors to begin their professional careers in any area of their choice: public, industrial, or govern-mental accounting. UW-Whitewater offers both a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) degree. However, students who wish to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination must complete a total of 150 units. UW-Whitewater's MPA program meets these requirements and is integrated seamlessly with the BBA program. Students may also meet the 150-unit requirement by completing a double-major in accounting and another business discipline of their choice (e.g., finance, international business). Students wishing to pursue a career in industry or government need only complete the four-year BBA degree.

Back to Top

Accreditation

The College of Business and Economics is fully accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, the Accounting Department is in the process of seeking separate AACSB accreditation for its accounting programs.

Back to Top

Career Opportunities

Many accounting graduates choose to begin their professional careers in public accounting as auditors or tax specialists. Private industry offers a diversity of opportunities that range from service to production to banking. Either choice offers accountants a chance to progress rapidly into many different and diverse roles within an organization. Public accountants assume additional responsibilities focused on servicing clients; private accountants move into controllership and management positions, perhaps even as a company president or chief financial officer.

Back to Top

Placement

Most UW-Whitewater accounting majors begin their careers in either public accounting or private industry. Over the past 15 years, the placement rate for accounting graduates has been consistently over 95%. As a matter of fact, many students have multiple job offers before their fifth year of study.

Back to Top

Faculty

The Accounting Department stresses teaching excellence and student access. For example, students are taught exclusively by faculty members; i.e., there are no teaching assistants. Most department members are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), while others hold additional professional certifications (e.g., CMA, CIA, CFM). The majority of the faculty has a terminal degree (PhD or EdD) in either accounting or a related field. Department members are especially proud of their active service records to the community and accounting profession.

Back to Top

Internship Opportunities

An extensive internship program is available to accounting students to provide them with valuable exposure in deciding which area of accounting they would like to pursue upon graduation. In 2007, over 65 students were placed in full-time internships with local CPA firms during the spring semester. Questions about the internship program should be directed to Mr. Bill Tatman, Director of the Internship Program (tatmanw@uww.edu).

Back to Top

Student Organizations

UW-Whitewater accounting students can participate in any one of three nationally recognized student organizations. Beta Alpha Psi members have regular contact with professionals through weekly presentations sponsored by international and regional CPA firms and industry organizations. Beta Alpha Psi has been recognized as a ?superior? chapter in 28 of the past 32 years. The student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) recently was awarded its eighth national banner as one of the top three chapters in the nation. No other school has received this award three times. A member of the UW-Whitewater?s chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) was recognized as ?Member of the Year? in 2005. These organizations and their activities prepare students for the professional world in ways unparalleled at other institutions.

Back to Top

Honors and Awards

UW-Whitewater accounting students exceed the national pass rate on all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination. For example, 50.0% of the UW-Whitewater students taking the exam in 2005 passed all four sections as compared to the national pass rate of 28.7%. Between 1994 and 2003, UW-Whitewater students appeared in the top 10 more often than any other school in the nation. In addition, a recent graduate of the accounting program had the top score in the nation on the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) examination.

Back to Top