Accounting
Accounting is…
…the art of recording, classifying, and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part at least, of financial character, and interpreting the results thereof. –AICPA
…the system of recording and summarizing business and financial transactions and analyzing, verifying, and reporting the results. –Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Not only does the Carson College of Business hold accreditation from the AACSB but the Accounting department also holds supplemental accounting accreditation, one of approximately 185 accounting programs around the globe.
Bachelor of Arts in
Business Administration
– Accounting Major
Curriculum
The required course work to obtain an accounting degree includes general business classes along with a well-rounded foundation in accounting including audit, taxation and accounting systems. Many of the classes are taken sequentially as they build on each other so it is helpful to meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible to plan coursework.
Accounting Graduation Requirements
Scholarships
The Carson College has a number of general and major-specific scholarships available to undergraduate students. Read how a scholarship can make an impact on your education.
Internships
The majority of accounting firms and many of the large businesses and government agencies who hire WSU students offer summer and winter internships. Due to Pullman’s location, most students choose to participate in summer internships, however, spring internships are possible by supplementing with online courses. This option requires early planning with the assistance of an advisor. Recruiting typically starts in the student’s junior year though students are encouraged to start networking as soon as they know they want to pursue accounting as a major. The accounting department and Beta Alpha Psi (international honor organization for accounting, finance and MIS majors) offer two major recruiting events each year. Summer Leadership/Early Internship is held in February and Meet the Firms is in September.
Dedicated Accounting Career Advisor
WSU is fortunate to be one of the few universities in the US to have a dedicated accounting career advisor. Our advisor assists students with career exploration, resume and cover letter preparation, networking, mock interviews, introductions to recruiters and more.
Faculty & Teaching
Department Chair
Courses taught by Accounting Department Faculty
Acctg 220 Introductory Accounting for Non-Business Majors: Richard Barnes
Acctg 230 Intro to Financial Accounting: Richard Barnes & Nori Pearson
Acctg 231 Intro to Managerial Accounting: Susan Gill, Chase Potter, & Ryan Sommerfeldt
Acctg 298 Introduction to Financial and Managerial Accounting – Honors: Nori Pearson
Acctg 330 Intermediate Accounting I: Jacob Jaggi & Jason Porter
Acctg 331 Intermediate Accounting II: Susan Gill, & Jeffrey Gramlich, & Jason Porter
Acctg 335 Taxation of Business Entities and Individuals: Richard Toolson
Acctg 338 Cost Accounting: Beau Barnes
Acctg 430 Advanced Accounting: Susan Gill
Acctg 433 Accounting Systems and Auditing: Xinghua Gao
Acctg 435 Individual Income Taxes: Richard Toolson
Acctg 439 Auditing: Kat Harris
Acctg 498 Accounting Internship: Susan Gill
Learn About CCB Research in Accounting
CPA Requirements – State of Washington
Many students want to be prepared to sit for the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam. Passing this exam is one of the steps needed to become a Certified Public Accountant. In Washington state, as with most states, the education requirements for taking the CPA exam include 150 semester hours of college credit (30 credits beyond the requirements for a bachelor’s degree) to sit for the exam.
The additional 30 credits can be earned a variety of ways in Washington, including taking additional undergraduate courses or earning a masters’ degree. Other states’ requirements vary, so students should plan a course of study early on with an academic (or accounting career) advisor.
CPA Resources
Visit the following sites for information about the CPA exam.
Contact the Department
Department of Accounting
Todd Hall 242
PO Box 644729
Washington State University
Pullman, WA USA 99164-4729
cb.accounting@wsu.edu
509-335-8541
Fax: 509-335-4275
Office hours:
M–F, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., and 1:00–5:00 p.m.
Accounting in the News
Anonymous $1.5 million gift to lift WSU’s Department of Accounting
Career preparation for WSU accounting students focus of $3.5 million gift
Beau Barnes named one of Provost’s Featured Faculty for 2020-2021
Chase Potter: Empowering Students’ Business Acumen
Family of Former Nike Executive Donates $3 Million to Support Accounting Scholarships
Randy and Sue Fenich: Using Corporate Matching Gifts to Benefit Accounting Students
Student Engagement
A national scholastic and professional organization for future financial information professionals, Washington State University’s Delta Epsilon chapter is one of the 238 chapters in the nation. For questions, please contact the faculty advisor:
Jason Porter, at jason.porter@wsu.edu.
Events
Meet the Firms – Fall: (held the first Friday after Labor Day) Get to know representatives from accounting firms in an open forum. You can gather information and talk informally with industry professionals.
BAP Case Competition (held in the fall in September or October on a non-football game weekend)
Meet the Firms – Spring: (held in February) A spring recruiting event primarily for juniors who still have two years left complete before being CPA eligible with 150 semester credits. This event is primarily for those students who want to work for a CPA firm. Students will meet professionals to help identify which firms they would like to apply with for an internship the year following their senior year. If students perform well during their internships, they may receive a full time job offer as many students do.
Banquet: (held in April) The BAP Spring Banquet is the student’s opportunity to showcase their achievements through the past year, to celebrate graduating students and to announce the Accounting Department Scholarships for the following school year.
WA State Tax Conference (July 13-14, 2023) The Washington Department of Revenue and the Washington State University Hoops Tax Institute will host a day and a half conference for state and local tax professionals and state tax administrators. Learn More
Mentorship Programs
BAP has its own award winning mentorship program with accounting professionals. Please contact the department for more information.
Study Abroad Opportunities
The Carson College has two study abroad programs that are led by accounting professors. They are:
About Accounting Careers
Career Possibilities
Jobs for accountants are projected to grow faster than the national average over the next five years.
| Actuarial Accounting | Advisory/Consulting | Auditing |
| Financial Accounting | Financial Analysis | Forensic Auditing |
| Government Accounting | Internal Auditing | Managerial Accounting |
| Risk Advising | Tax Accounting |
Average accountant salary in Washington – $60,451
ziprecruiter.com
Starting salaries range from $46,000 to $80,000 based on WSU student surveys. These figures do not include additional bonuses that may be paid.
Note that a job in Western Washington will pay more than the same job for the same company in eastern and central Washington due to cost-of-living variances.
Examples of Who Hires WSU Accounting Majors
| Alaska Airlines | Amazon | Bader Martin | Bank of America |
| BDO | Boeing | Brighton Jones | CBIZ Berntson Porter |
| Clark Nuber | CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) | Costco | Deloitte |
| Eide Bailly | EY | Grant Thornton | KPMG |
| Moss Adams | PwC | RSM | Schweitzer Engineering |
| Sweeney Conrad | Starbucks | Washington State Auditor’s Office | Weyerhaeuser |