Bachelor in Accounting

The Accounting program prepares students for careers in public accounting, private business and not-for-profit organizations, and governmental entities.

Accounting is often called "the language of business." As with any language, to comprehend its meaning one must not only read it, write it, and speak it but also understand the context in which it is communicated. Within the college’s liberal arts environment, the accounting program develops students' technical competencies while stressing critical thinking and analytical abilities as well as written and oral communication skills. Additionally, the importance of ethical considerations and the significance of the interdisciplinary nature of societal problems are emphasized as we help students prepare for careers in public accounting, private business and not-for-profit organizations, and governmental entities.

Course offerings include financial, managerial, government and nonprofit accounting; taxation of individuals and business entities; auditing and assurance services; and related courses. Students receive the foundation to pursue advanced studies in accounting, business administration, law, and various other disciplines while developing technical competencies, critical thinking, analytical abilities, written and oral communication skills.

The Accounting major and minor are associated with the Department of Economics and Business. A major requires 13 courses and a minor requires six courses. Independent study and internship opportunities are available.

About Washington & Jefferson College (W&J)

Washington & Jefferson College is a private liberal arts and sciences college located 30 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our dedicated, experienced professors are passionate about teaching and work closely with our students to ensure that they receive a quality, comprehensive education. Our entire community is focused on student success. To that end, we offer an On-Time Graduation Guarantee, opportunities to study all over the world through our Magellan Project and a committed staff of career counseling experts.

For more than 200 years, our alumni have been influencing change in business, politics, the arts and sciences as CEOs, lawyers, state representatives, doctors, researchers, writers and teachers, and in many other equally worthy professions.

Mission Statement

The mission of Washington & Jefferson College is to graduate people of uncommon integrity, competence, and maturity who are effective lifelong learners and responsible citizens, and who are prepared to contribute substantially to the world in which they live.

To this end, the College promotes the development of skills, knowledge, personal qualities and a worldview that characterizes a well-educated person. All components of the living and learning environment at W&J are designed and intended to support this mission.

Why W&J?

Vision Statement

Washington & Jefferson College is recognized nationally as a highly selective, residential, student-centered liberal arts college with an exceptional record of producing future leaders, whose graduates are prepared for a breadth of life opportunities and professional success. Toward that end, W&J asserts its place as Pittsburgh’s premier liberal arts institution, a role it has played for more than 230 years. More broadly, it is known as a robust community of engaged and intellectually curious faculty, staff, and students.

Outside the Classroom

W&J highly values educational experiences that take our students outside of the classroom, such as internships, experiential and service learning, and student-faculty collaborative research that often leads to conference presentations and publications. In addition to activities directly linked to the academic programs Washington and Jefferson College is known for the Magellan Project that provides students with the support and funding necessary to pursue their own self designed summer research projects and the Washington Fellows Program, a selective program for exceptional students who want to challenge themselves in distinctive ways during their years at the College.

Strong Alumni Support

A key strength and resource of the College are its alumni; in addition to financial support, W&J alumni serve as active mentors and networkers for students. For more than 200 years, W&J’s distinguished alumni have been influencing change in business, politics, and the arts and sciences as CEOs, lawyers, state representatives, doctors, researchers, writer and teachers, and in many other equally worthy professions. They are the best examples of an advertisement for the positive trajectories our current students wish to pursue, and they and the members of the Board of Trustees give generously of themselves to help current students.