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The Department of Accounting and Law, in our AACSB-accredited Cotsakos College of Business, prepares students to excel in a wide range of career paths, including auditing and other assurance services, budgeting, tax accounting, systems consulting, internal auditing, and cost accounting, among others.
"I really love my professors... If you have any questions about anything, they make sure that you understand the material. Even if's complicated ... even if you're a different style learner, they'll make sure you are understanding. Teachers here really do love their craft."
Alumni in business are employed in or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Accounting and Law (NACE)
Noteworthy Accounting and Law Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
The accounting program, which includes traditional study of financial and managerial accounting, taxation, auditing, and legal and regulatory topics, gives students the educational experience and the skill set to qualify for a wide range of career paths in auditing and other assurance services, budgeting, tax accounting, systems consulting, internal auditing, and cost accounting, among others.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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A minor in accounting complements any degree with courses that provide an overview of both legal and business practices. Students will gain an understanding of taxation and information systems, as well as the financial and managerial fields of accounting.
This certificate is appropriate for students in any field who want to learn the basics of business budgeting and reporting. The courses in this certificate can be applied towards a business or accounting major, but can also be useful as a stand-alone credential for anyone who might be thinking of entering business from a non-business major or perhaps running a small business. Students will learn the basic principles of accounting, debit and credit, account classification, and preparation of basic financial statements as well as use of spreadsheet and other computer applications. Students will also learn the concepts of cost accounting and the use of accounting as a decision-making tool for management. Learn more »
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Students earning this certificate will learn how to measure an organization’s performance against standards and provide advice and reporting using accounting tools; how to guide decisions, manage risk and monitor performance; and the use of appropriate technologies for analyzing data amongst other learning outcomes. This certificate is appropriate for students who may be considering a business start-up and therefore should have some solid accounting and reporting skills. Learn more »
Students earning the Management Accounting certificate will have the ability to guide decisions, manage risk, and monitor performance; measure an organization's performance against standards and regulations and provide expert advice and reporting; know how to enhance organizational success by using relevant technology and analyzing data; function across many arenas to improve company-wide operations; and inspire and guide a team to achieve the goals of the organization. Learn more »
The accounting curriculum prepares students for professional examinations including the CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), and CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and other certifications. It also prepares students to pursue advanced degrees such as the master of science in accounting, master of business administration (MBA), or master of taxation. Our students gain real-world experience through internships, mentoring, and other professional enrichment activities.
In our accounting programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
After attaining their bachelor’s degree, students generally start in entry level positions in public accounting with local, regional and international firms, private industry in banking, manufacturing, retail and service organizations, and local, state, and federal government agencies.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Accounting and financial planning graduate, senior tax associate, Sax LLP
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
William Paterson University awarded more MBA degrees than any other New Jersey institution in 2024, according to data newly compiled by state business journal NJBIZ.
Flexible scheduling options and innovative degree concentrations have fueled William Paterson University’s MBA enrollment growth by 75 percent in the past four years. The number of William Paterson MBA graduates increased to 291 for 2024, ahead of Rutgers-Newark and Montclair State, respectively.
“We have successfully grown our MBA program very rapidly with momentum that is attracting great attention from prospective students,” says Joshua Powers, William Paterson University provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “In recent years, we have successfully implemented programs that enable MBA students to fit robust graduate education into their busy and complex lives.”
William Paterson’s Cotsakos College of Business offers both online and on-campus MBA programs—taught by the same University faculty—with multiple start times available and accelerated, seven-week sessions designed with working professionals in mind.
Enrollment via the University’s online programs, known as WP Online, has grown rapidly in the past four years. A recent survey of similar online programs, including William Paterson’s, indicated that graduates averaged salary increases of nearly $14,000 in their first year after earning their new graduate degrees, allowing them to cover the cost of their education in just over one year.
“Today’s students are mostly working adults, and they are coming to us to advance or change their careers knowing that we will support their ability to balance graduate studies, career, and family commitments,” adds Anthony “Tony” Bowrin, dean of William Paterson’s Cotsakos College of Business.
Students choose from a general MBA degree or a concentration in accounting, applied business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, healthcare economics and management, human resource management, marketing, or sales strategy.
The Cotsakos College of Business is one of six percent of business schools worldwide to carry accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), considered the “hallmark of excellence” in business education. That accreditation was just reaffirmed for the next six years.
