Western Governors University Finance and Accounting Degree Programs
Western Governors University appears in our ranking of the 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting.
Degrees in accounting and finance prepare individuals for many different career options. With a bachelor’s degree in finance, it is possible to obtain a position as a loan officer with an average salary of $63,040 or a logistician with an average annual salary of $74,600. Accounting degrees prepare individuals for careers such as auditors with an average annual salary of $70,500 or budget analysts with a salary of $76,220. Western Governors University offers degree programs designed to prepare individuals for these growing fields.
Bachelor of Science Business Administration-Accounting Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting is available online and on campus, equipping students with the financial skills to help companies grow. Students learn how to use Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP), ledgers and journals to perform tasks related to financial assets and liabilities. Students gain an understanding of taxes, payroll, financial planning as well as a foundation in business. Courses required include:
- Accounting Information Systems
- Applied Probability and Statistics
- Auditing
- Best Practices in Management: Projects, Staffing, Scheduling and Budgeting
- Business Environment Applications: Business Structures and Legal Environment
- Business Environment Applications: Process, Logistics, and Operations
- Business Ethics
- Business Law for Accountants
- Business Management Tasks
- Concepts in Marketing, Sales and Customer Contact
- Cost and Managerial Accounting
- Critical Thinking and Logic
- Emotional and Cultural Intelligence
- Employment Law
- Finance Skills for Managers
- Financial Accounting
- Fundamentals for Success in Business
- Information Technology Management Essentials
- Innovative and Strategic Thinking
- Intermediate Accounting I, II & III
- Introduction to Spreadsheets
- Managing in a Global Business Environment
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Accounting
- Principles of Economics
- Quantitative Analysis for Business
- Taxation I
Master of Science in Accounting
The Master of Science in Accounting provides instruction in banking laws, government regulations, the complex tax structure, and the global economy. The program is available online or on campus and prepares students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination as it meets the 150-credit hours required in most states to sit for the exam. Students gain an understanding of tax concepts, auditing, accounting research as well as strategic and financial management. Courses required may include:
- Accounting Research
- Advanced Auditing
- Advanced Financial Accounting
- Advanced Managerial Accounting
- Advanced Tax Concepts
- Financial Management
- Fraud and Forensic Accounting
- Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
- Management Communication
- Strategic Management
About Western Governors University
Mike Leavitt, who was then the Governor of Utah, presented the idea of a unique institute of higher learning at the Western Governors Association meeting in 1995. One year later, the 19 governors’ in attendance signed an agreement to create the school and each state committed $100,000 toward the establishment of the university which would focus on distance learning while also offering outstanding on campus programs.
Indiana opened the first offshoot with Texas and Washington opening in 2011. WGU Texas and WGU Washington were funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, $4.5 million from the Gates Foundation was used to improve WGU Indiana. WGU Tennessee and WGU Missouri both opened in 2013. Today, the school still follows the demands of the founders who wanted it to remain affordable and flexible so those with modest incomes could achieve their higher education goals.
WGU has been awarded the 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning by the United States Distance Learning Association for the past several years. Dr. Janet Schnitz, Dr. Robert Mendenhall, and Dr. Phillip Schmidt, all faculty at the University, have received the Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning. Dr. Mendenhall was also awarded the McGraw Prize in Education for outstanding work in post-secondary education.
Western Governors University Accreditation Details
WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria the Commission has determined indicate excellence in education. To confirm that the school continues to meet this criterion, the school undergoes periodic review and agrees to address any areas that are deemed as needing improvement. In addition, programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Western Governors University Application Requirements
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an accounting concentration must hold a high school diploma or GED in order and must submit official high school transcripts. Those who have earned college credit after high school graduation must also provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. An in-person or phone interview with an admissions counselor is required and all applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
Applicants to the Master of Science in Accounting must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. A current resume must also be provided. They must also demonstrate accounting experience either through a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a current CPA license.
Western Governors University Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting is $3,225 per six-month term and for the Master of Science in Accounting is $4,325 per six-month term. Tuition charged per term rather than per credit helps students control the cost of their degree, finish faster and pay less.
All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), regardless of income. Financial aid may be awarded in the form of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study. Graduate students may be offered loans but are encouraged to seek grants and scholarships as well.
Western Governors University, students are provided online programs that use the same rigorous academics, and are taught by the same faculty, as programs that are taught on the campuses throughout the country, creating a true university without borders.
