PREPARED TO HAVE a seat at the table GRADUATING ACCOUNTING LEADERS

Professors within the Department of Accountancy at the Knauss School of Business believe it’s important to prepare students to have a seat at the table when an organization struggles with a vexing problem. The ability to think beyond the numbers puts USD accounting graduates at the top of employers’ recruiting lists and o en sees them securing jobs long before graduation.

“Management should be able to call on the accounting staff for innovative solutions,” said Rick Warne, chair of the accounting department.

“We strive to teach beyond simply acquiring technical knowledge of accounting. We want to help students gain a broader perspective and to have a strategic approach. Our program prepares students to become not only excellent accountants, but also leaders who are able to think strategically, make ethical decisions and help their organizations succeed.”

Undergraduate students can pursue a variety of degree options. The school offers a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy for those interested in becoming a CPA and a B.B.A-Business Accounting degree for students interested in other accounting careers. The department also offers a Master of Accountancy (MACC) degree.

Learning technical skills prepares students for successful careers, but it’s only one aspect of the academic experience provided by the Knauss School of Business. Faculty members who teach those skills are engaging, esteemed professors who know each student by name. Small classes and a low student-to-faculty ratio allow professors to spend more time with students one-on-one.

Faculty members also dedicate hundreds of hours to schedule guest speakers and career professionals for campus recruiting, skill building and networking events. These events provide a wealth of opportunities for accounting students to gain knowledge of a variety of potential employer industries and helps polish them for the real world. The Department provides an unparalleled number of extra-curricular activities that offer students the ability to establish a professional network prior to graduation and complete their academic experience with job offers in hand.

Warne prefers the words “coach” or “mentor” when describing the teacher/student relationship. It’s one important aspect of the Knauss School of Business academic experience that sets the school apart. The Department of Accountancy has an accomplished, dedicated and approachable faculty that invests heavily in the success of each student.

“Student success is at the forefront of all of our activities,” said Warne.

They will speak the language of business, and that means they will possess an enormous potential to innovate for good.”