Accounting and Finance (Integrated Degree), Bachelor of Science

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Accounting and Finance is designed to provide students with a unique blend of insights into financial information. Accountants and finance professionals often view the same data from different vantage points and with different goals. This often leads to a lack of communication between these two sets of professionals within the same organization. Conflicts between preparation and usefulness can arise and while neither side is wrong, a more careful understanding of the other’s position will lead to better information being provided to the decision makers of the organization. This program integrates both disciplines with a carefully selected flow of courses that enables the student to interrelate the information provided to make both tactical and strategic decisions. The program provides a competitive advantage for students pursuing careers in either accounting or finance.

Program of Study

This program in the area of accounting and finance gives the student flexibility in both course offerings and career choices. The program of study provides a firm foundation in both accounting and finance. It differs from the University’s traditional accounting or finance programs in two ways. It does not require the student to complete courses in advanced accounting (typically required for those pursuing the CPA); however, it provides the option to integrate those courses easily into the program. Similarly, FIN 301, Personal Finance is not required in this program as the emphasis is more in the organizational arena; however, by using a free elective, the student can easily fit this course into her or his course of study.

Cooperative Learning Experiences

Cooperative learning experiences (co-ops) are available in the Accounting and Finance program. Students with a finance concentration can use for FIN 302: Financial Planning and FIN 308: Financial Economics and Instruments for a co-op experience sequence, and students with an accounting concentration can use for BBM 301: Organizational Behavior and BAC 435: Accounting Information Systems. Elective courses may also be structured as co-ops. Each co-op experience is expected to last for two consecutive semesters and earn the student six credits toward their 120-credit degree.

To be eligible for the co-op the student must have completed 60 credits and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. The student must inform the Director of the Co-op program and the Accounting and Finance Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.

Program Competencies

In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies given in the Academic Information section of this catalog, graduating students will:

1. Demonstrate effective information literacy and communication with valid and reliable research.
2. By analysis, apply ethical standards as required by accounting and finance professionals.
3. Prepare and deliver a complete financial statement package presented in a professional format in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
4. Use technology to efficiently communicate accounting information.
5. Integrate financial terms, concepts and theories affecting corporations, brokerage firms, insurance companies and financial institutions (banks, credit unions, pension funds, etc.).

Minimum Grade Policy

Students pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance are required by College of Business policy to attain a minimum grade of “C” for all program core courses. For the purpose of this policy, program core courses are all accounting courses and finance courses. These courses are designated by the prefix “BAC” and “FIN.”