SAP Recognition Award Certificate
Advantages
Learn the tricks of the trade on the world-class enterprise software that business professionals use every day.
Outcome
Fortune 500 Accountant
Undergraduate Major
Accounting Major: Bachelor’s Degree in Business (BSBA)
A degree in accounting at Widener prepares you with the financial and analytical skills to speak the language of business.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Major & Minor
Format
On Campus
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Accounting Major
As an accounting major, you'll do much more than just crunch numbers. From business leadership and management strategy to tax law changes and government regulation, you'll learn how to make informed decisions for people and companies across the globe.
Explore a cutting-edge concentration in forensic accounting, network with our successful alumni or jump into a co-op or internship with one of our many industry partners. No matter how you customize your degree, you'll graduate ready to ace your CPA/CMA exam and lead public, private, and non-profit organizations on the path to healthy financial futures.
The School of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This professional accreditation places Widener among the top one-third of college business schools in the U.S. and Europe.
Accounting Major Curriculum & Coursework
The accounting program ensures all students graduate with the financial and analytical skills to succeed. The accounting degree is 127 credits over eight semesters. Several of the required courses are four credits, which means that if a student meets certain qualifications, he or she can earn an additional three credits per semester at no additional tuition cost.
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Obtain a more in-depth understanding of issues related to common federal taxation matters pertaining to individuals, corporations, pass-through entities, and estates. This track is ideal for students who plan to complete the Tax Compliance and Planning specialty area of the CPA exam starting in 2024.
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Designed for students who wish to pursue the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation from the Institute of Management Accountants. The CMA exam is a rigorous two-part examination that students can take while they are still undergraduates. This concentration also aligns well with the Business Analysis and Reporting specialty area of the CPA exam starting in 2024.
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Develop expertise in the area of financial fraud examination, detection, and prevention. This concentration is an advanced specialty within the accounting major and is interdisciplinary in nature including courses from social science, computer science, criminal justice, and philosophy.
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Program Options
The accounting program is designed for students to customize their education and meet the 150 credit-hour requirement to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Let us help you choose a path:
- Complete 150 credit hours in just four years by adding a second major or a minor.
- Complete 150 credit hours by earning two degrees in five years. Earn a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in one of several business graduate programs.
Although all students are encouraged to pursue the CPA, we also know some students may be more interested in becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), a highly-valued credential in private industry.
Learn more about our accounting program in this video.
Pair Your Accounting Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Accounting Majors
Why Study Accounting at Widener?
Learn From Industry Experts
Widener's unique Executives in Residence program brings industry leaders to campus, providing you with career mentorship and networking opportunities with experts in the field.
Industry leaders within our accounting and information management advisory board also provide networking opportunities to students and support the program in its future growth and competitive development.
Expand Your Network & Engage on Campus
Live and learn with fellow business classmates in our Business (Developing Entrepreneurs) Living Learning Community (LLC). This unique experience enables you to form even closer relationships with business majors outside the classroom. You'll also have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations to expand your network and engage with Widener business alums and faculty.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
Student Stories
Our Faculty
"I am an undergraduate and graduate Widener alum dedicated to guiding students to accomplish their goals. I mentor students who wish to have a career in accounting, taxation, or financial planning by embedding case studies with mock client situations into my courses, bringing in professionals to the classroom, and creating rigorous course content that will help students to pass licensing exams that will help them after graduation."
"Students who complete our Taxation & Financial Planning programs graduate to become industry leaders in the financial service field. They work in home offices and boutique financial planning firms. Their careers have a positive impact on thousands of clients."
Recent News
Business Students Become Certified Tax Preparers at VITA Community Tax Clinic
Filing taxes can become a time consuming and costly annual process for many Americans. Students from the School of Business Administration helped to alleviate that burden this tax season.
Student Research Survey Grows from Chester Roots to International Partnerships
Faculty in the School of Business Administration found an opportunity with the Philadelphia Union to have students interacting directly with fans for hands-on research experience that has international potential.
The 2023 Alumni Awards: A Family Affair
The 2023 Alumni Awards recognized the accomplishments of Jill Borin, Donya Moore, Col. Tom Vossler, Ryan Raiker, and Marcia Zaruba O’Connor at an intimate ceremony.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
Financial Aid
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Earn an Income with a Paid Co-Op & Still Graduate On-Time
Tap into our wide network of Philly-area employers and experience a full-time, paid co-op. In addition to earning an income, you do not pay tuition while on co-op. You can also choose to live on campus, at home, or even travel for your co-op.
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
University Pl
Chester, PA 19013
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
Jeffrey C. Lolli
Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate SBA Programs & Professor
-
Academic Center North
Room 166 - (610) 499-1109
- jclolli@widener.edu