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Due to increasing international trade and the rapid pace of commercial transactions, the need for accountants is growing and the role they play in the business world is expanding. The Accounting education you will receive from the AACSB-International accredited School of Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills to explore the wide range of positions in industrial, public, and institutional Accounting. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the field firsthand through internships at major Accounting firms and establish connections with business leaders through student chapters of professional organizations.

Quick Facts

  • Our students are prepared to enter the Accounting profession in a variety of areas including audit, taxation, and corporate Accounting. Our MSA program enhances this education and allows a student to obtain the necessary background to take the CPA exam in a state requiring 150 credit hours of education.
  • As a member of the Accounting Association you will have the opportunity to participate in numerous networking events to build relationships with public Accounting firms and other regional businesses.
  • In your junior or senior year, you will have the opportunity to participate in an internship in the areas of auditing, taxation, or financial reporting.

The Accounting Curriculum

The Accounting major will provide an understanding of such topics such as:

  • financial reporting
  • auditing and attestation services
  • accounting information systems
  • business law
  • taxation
  • cost determination
  • enterprise resource management
  • strategic planning

A Gateway to Major Accounting Firms

The Springfield-Hartford region is where you will find the headquarters and branches of some of the largest insurance and Accounting firms in the world including:

  • KPMG
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Deloitte & Touche
  • MassMutual Financial Group
  • The Hartford
  • St. Paul Travelers

This strong regional presence means our students have excellent opportunities for internships or other professional experiences during their undergraduate education and excellent potential for job opportunities.

Faculty

Learn from business professionals who have years of experience and who have earned numerous accolades for their teaching proficiency.

  • In 2006, Professor John Coulter received the Gold Medal Award for earning the highest score on the CPA exam in Massachusetts.
  • Professor May Lo was invited to develop and teach a class on International Accounting Standards at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. The school is ranked ninth in the Wall Street Journal European MBA Rankings for 2005.

Pursue Your CPA

Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you can choose to head directly into our full-time accelerated Master of Science in Accounting program, which qualifies you to sit for the CPA Exam in states that require 150 credit hours of education.

Five-year Bachelor/MSA Degree

 Today, more than ever, you will need an advanced degree to compete in this highly competitive field. The Western New England College Five-year Bachelor/MSA gives students a marked advantage in the job market, while saving on tuition costs.

Internships, Research, and Networking Opportunities

Our Accounting students intern at nationally recognized firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Hartford Group, Cigna, Aetna, United Technologies, KPMG, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, Moriarty and Primack, and ISO New England; regional companies such as Northeast Utilities; and organizations such as The Basketball Hall of Fame, and the American Red Cross.

The student Accounting Association meetings feature prominent Accounting professionals who speak about issues and employment opportunities. These popular events are excellent networking opportunities.

Accounting students are active in:

as well as varsity and intramural sports, special interest groups, and student government.

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Career Paths

Fields: Public accounting, tax preparation, auditing, and payroll services

Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 226,000 new accounting positions (a 18 percent increase) will be created by 2016 and calculates that new accountants with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of more than $46,000 a year in initial salary.

Opportunities: Various opportunities in finance, tax, and business