Accounting and Finance

Schneider Social Science 400a
715-836-2184
www.uwec.edu/acctfin

Accounting is the discipline centered on creating and delivering financial data concerning businesses, encompassing details on product costs, service expenses, and financial insights into governmental and not-for-profit entities. This information is indispensable for internal and external decision-makers and various stakeholders within organizations. The accounting program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of accounting and business operations while fostering the development of communication, interpersonal, critical thinking, and analytical skills. These abilities are greatly appreciated by employers seeking proficient accountants. Career opportunities in accounting extend to public accounting, financial accounting, managerial accounting, internal auditing, tax accounting, governmental accounting, not-for-profit accounting, forensic accounting, cost accounting, and environmental accounting.

Finance is a vital field focusing on managing and optimizing monetary resources within businesses, encompassing activities such as budgeting, investing, and financial analysis. It plays a crucial role in providing insights into the allocation and utilization of funds, aiding both internal decision-making processes and external stakeholder evaluations. Finance programs are tailored to offer students a profound understanding of financial principles and practices, while building essential skills in communication, problem-solving, and data analysis. These competencies are highly sought after by organizations seeking adept financial professionals. Career paths in finance are diverse, including roles such as financial analysis, investment banking, corporate finance, risk management, portfolio management, financial planning, and wealth management, among others.

The Department of Accounting and Finance offers a 64-credit comprehensive major in Accounting. The Department also offers a 62-credit comprehensive major in Finance. Minors in Accounting and Finance are also available.

Department of Accounting and Finance Scholarships

Refer to the College of Business website for an up-to-date listing of Department of Accounting and Finance scholarships, or contact the department chair, Schneider 400A.

Faculty

Ling Liu, Chair

Accounting Faculty
Emrah Ekici
Sheril Gilberstadt
Chip Kochendorfer
William Miller
Seungbin Oh
DeeAnne Peterson
Yuxin Shan
Jidong Zhang

Business Finance Faculty
Pamela Baughman
Yom Bui
Bradley Dobson
Dylan Howell
Hyoseok (David) Hwang
William Ogden
Pedro Sottile
Xinruo (Emma) Wang
Karlton Mac Wetzsteon

Majors

Minors

Accounting (ACCT)

How to Read Course Descriptions

ACCT 201 Introduction to Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: Eligible for MATH 104 or above (MATH 104, MATH 106, MATH 108, MATH 109, MATH 111, MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 114, MATH 184, MATH 246).

• Not recommended for freshmen. Recommended completion of MATH 109 prior to enrollment in ACCT 201. This course requires access to a laptop computer which can be brought to class when required. Please see the COB laptop requirement: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-business/laptop-requirement/.

An introduction to accounting applied to business organizations. Emphasis is on the uses of accounting information in decision-making by internal and external users.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 202 Principles of Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 201

• May not be taken concurrently with ACCT 201.

Accounting 202 is a continuation of Accounting 201. Additional principles and practices of accountancy are introduced. Emphasis will continue to be placed on the uses of accounting information in decision-making by internal and external users.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 214 Managerial Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 201 or ACCT 202, IS 240. Not open to accounting majors. No credit after ACCT 314.

• No credit toward accounting majors. This course requires access to a laptop computer which can be brought to class when required. Please see the COB laptop requirement: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-business/laptop-requirement/.

Analysis and interpretation of accounting data approached from the managerial viewpoint, with emphasis on planning and control, and decision-making.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 296 Topics in Accounting (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to accounting majors and minors.

Covers a variety of topics to be determined by faculty interest and student demand.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 202. Limited to accounting majors and minors, and finance majors.

Development and implementation of the conceptual and practical aspects of valuation and income determination, time value of money, accounting changes, inventory valuation, and current and noncurrent assets. Special emphasis on GAAP as it relates to topics being covered.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 302 Intermediate Accounting II (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 301

Development and implementation of the conceptual and practical aspects of valuation and income determination, with emphasis on intangible assets, retained earnings and contributed capital, diluted earnings per share, pensions, leases, deferred taxes, current and long-term liabilities, statement of cash flows, financial statement analysis, interim and segment reporting. Special emphasis on GAAP as it relates to topics being covered.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 313 Auditing (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302, BCOM 206. Open only to accounting majors and minors. Minimum junior standing.

• This course requires access to a laptop computer which can be brought to class when required. Please see the COB laptop requirement: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-business/laptop-requirement/.

Basic coverage of all steps in creating audit programs according to the audit risk model, and current issues in auditing. Specific coverage includes company risk evaluation, internal control, company analysis, and audit reporting.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 314 Cost Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 202, IS 240. Credit may only be earned in either ACCT 214 or ACCT 314. Limited to accounting or finance majors/minors. Minimum junior standing.

• This class requires access to a laptop computer which can be brought to class when required. Please see the COB laptop requirement: https://www.uwec.edu/academics/college-business/laptop-requirement/.

Principles of cost accounting, emphasizing analysis of materials, labor, and factory overhead; application of standard costing to job order and process cost systems; analysis of cost behavior in the manufacturing firm with exposure to cost-profit-volume relationships, break-even analysis, and direct costing.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 321 Individual Federal Income Taxation (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 202. Limited to accounting majors and minors, and finance majors. Minimum junior standing.

Federal taxation on individuals including gross income, exclusions, deductions, exemptions, capital gains and property transactions. Tax return problems and tax research are included in this course.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 396 Topics in Accounting (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: BCOM 206. Limited to accounting majors and minors.

Covers a variety of topics to be determined by faculty interest and student demand.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

ACCT 401 Advanced Financial Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302/ACCT 502, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Minimum senior standing

Accounting for multiunit business enterprises; consolidated balance sheets, income statements, and statement of cash flows; Security and Exchange Commission reporting; foreign currency transactions and translation; international operations; and liquidation of partnerships.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 403 Financial Accounting Integration (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302

This course covers a variety of complex topics in financial accounting and reporting and is designed for students who expect entering to accounting practices and/or preparing for a CPA exam.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 417 Governmental and Nonprofit Organization Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Minimum senior standing.

An introduction to accounting principles for governmental, quasi-governmental, and nonprofit organizations. Includes budgetary and financial reporting requirements as well as the compliance requirements related to these entities. The course also introduces government and nonprofit audit requirements, and preparation of the nonprofit tax return.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 420 Fraud Investigation and Prevention (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302, ACCT 313, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Minimum senior standing.

Coverage of fraud methods, fraud investigation, and fraud prevention through internal controls. Emphasis on financial and asset misappropriation frauds.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 423 Corporate, Partnership, and Other Entity Tax (3 crs)

Prerequisite: BCOM 206, BCOM 207, ACCT 321. Minimum senior standing

Federal income taxation of entities including C corporations, partnership, and other business forms of taxation. Emphasis is on the Internal Revenue Code as it relates to business entities.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 425 Ethics in Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 313, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Minimum senior standing.

An introduction to ethics and professional responsibility in accounting. Coverage includes models of ethical reasoning, ethical dilemmas in accounting, and creating solutions to those ethical dilemmas.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 434 Advanced Cost Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 314

A continuation of Accounting 314, with special emphasis on managerial profit analysis, planning, and control; direct costs, distributed costs by-product and joint product costs; differential and comparative costs, and variances.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 460 Accounting Information Systems and Technology (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302. Completion of these BUSCORE requirements: BCOM 206, BCOM 207, BLAW 305, FIN 320, MGMT 340, MKTG 330, and OSCM 341. Accounting Majors and Minors only. Minimum Senior standing.

Analysis and design of accounting information systems, including internal controls, data extraction and management, spreadsheet applications, and reporting.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 470 Data Analytics for Accounting (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 313

This course addresses the impact of Data Analytics on business, especially on financial accounting and audit. This course is lab oriented and will cover lab practices to solve business and accounting problems using Excel, Tableau, Power BI, and Access.

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

ACCT 495 Accounting Internship (1-12 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to accounting majors. Completion of Student Professional Development Program (SPDP).

Consent: Department Consent Required

• A maximum of twelve credits is allowed. A maximum of 3 credits can count towards the Accounting major and graduation requirements.

Internship experience in business situations relevant to the accounting major under supervision of a faculty member.

Attributes: LE-I1 Integration, Internship, Special Course Fee Required

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

ACCT 496 Topics in Accounting (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to accounting majors and minors.

Covers a variety of topics to be determined by faculty interest and student demand.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

ACCT 499 Independent Study (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 302 Minimum senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Finance (FIN)

How to Read Course Descriptions

FIN 135 Personal Finance (3 crs)

• Not open to juniors and seniors in the College of Business. No credit toward the finance major.

Concepts inherent in personal finance. Units presented include career planning, budgeting, banking, saving, credit, insurance, annuities, investments, taxes, and estate planning.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 210 Service-Learning in Finance (1 cr)

Consent: Instructor Consent Required

• No credit toward finance major.

Students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of volunteer service. Service must be approved by faculty supervisor. A journal must be kept throughout project documenting service-learning project. The service-learning project must be completed within one calendar year (preferably one semester). Assignments outstanding longer than this will be graded unsatisfactory.

Attributes: Service-Learning, Half 15 Hours

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 2 credits

Grading Basis: S/U Only Grade Basis

FIN 296 Topics in Finance (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to finance majors and minors only.

Covers a variety of topics to be determined by faculty interest and student demand.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

FIN 310 Financial Literacy Program (1 cr)

Prerequisite: FIN 320

Course provides students with instruction in basic financial literacy. Students will mentor clients in financial literacy. Students provide workshops and one-on-one mentoring.

Attributes: Service-Learning, Half 15 Hours

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 2 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 1

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 320 Principles of Finance (3 crs)

Prerequisite: ACCT 201 or ACCT 202, ECON 103 and ECON 104.

Study of the techniques used to make investment, financing, and dividend decisions in order to maximize the value of the firm to its owners. Topics include financial planning and control, working capital management, capital budgeting, capital structure, cost of capital, dividend policy, and international finance.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 321 Financial Markets and Institutions (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320, BSAD 202 or MATH 246 or MATH 345 or MATH 346. Finance majors and minors only.

A study of the U.S. financial system. Topics include the Federal Reserve System, term structure of interest rates, financial markets, instruments and financial institutions including regulation of commercial banks.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 322 Investments (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320, BCOM 206, BSAD 202 or MATH 246 or MATH 345 or MATH 346. Finance majors and minors only.

Overview of security markets. Analysis of stocks, bonds, and other securities. Evaluation of risk and return characteristics and market efficiency.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 325 International Financial Management (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320

An introduction to the international elements of a business's operating environment. Topics include global economic factors, risk management, cost of capital, capital budgeting, and financing in a global environment.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 326 Short Term Financial Management (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320. Limited to finance majors and minors only.

Short term financial management includes the management of working capital accounts. Banking relations and performance analysis will complete the tools required for a financial manager.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 327 Long Term Financial Management (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320. BSAD 202 or MATH 246 or MATH 345 or MATH 346. Finance majors/minors and Math-actuarial majors only.

Long term financing and investment issues to include capital budgeting methods, cash flow determination, risk analysis, long term debt, preferred and common stock financing, and leasing.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 328 Introduction to Derivative Securities (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320, 321. BSAD 202 or MATH 246 or MATH 345 or MATH 346. Finance majors and minors.

Introduction to options, futures, and forward contracts as financial instruments used to control various types of business risk.

Attributes: Undergraduate/Graduate Offering

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 330 Wealth Management (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320, BCOM 206, 207

Understand the breadth of the individual wealth management process and the wealth management profession.

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 337 Financial Modeling (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320. Limited to finance majors and minors only.

This course will focus on conceptual applications involved in Corporate Finance. Content is structured around career expectations in corporate finance. This is where the Financial Analyst is part of the management team responsible for managing financial actions of one particular company or organization. This course presents the theory and practice of corporate financial management. Special emphasis will be on emphasizing computer-based modelling. Spreadsheets will be used to analyze financial and non-financial information to make business decisions.

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 339 Investment Strategy (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320. Limited to finance majors and minors, actuarial science majors and minors. Minimum junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

• Student must apply to the course and will be notified of acceptance prior to registration.

The course provides a select group of students the opportunity to obtain experience in the process of managing an investment portfolio.

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 396 Topics in Finance (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320. Limited to finance majors and minors only.

Covers a variety of topics to be determined by faculty interest and student demand.

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 399 Independent Study Projects (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Minimum junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.

FIN 410 Advanced Financial Literacy Program (1 cr)

Prerequisite: FIN 310.

Consent: Instructor Consent Required

Students will assist with financial literacy training, financial literacy program development, and client recruitment. Students will mentor clients in financial literacy. Students provide workshops and one-on-one mentoring.

Attributes: Service-Learning, Half 15 Hours

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 2 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 1

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 420 Corporate Valuation (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 327, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Limited to finance majors and minors. Minimum senior standing.

Applications of financial management theories and tools to decisions in capital budgeting, financial structure, current asset management, etc. Application is done through use of case and computer analysis.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 424 Portfolio Management (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 322, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Limited to finance majors and minors. Laptop is required. Minimum junior standing.

Students will create and manage mock portfolios to learn asset allocation, portfolio construction, and management methods. Other topics include developing investment policies, the psychology of portfolio choices, ethics, and standards of practice in portfolio management.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 426 Topics in Finance (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: BCOM 206, BCOM 207, FIN 320. Limited to finance majors and minors. Minimum senior standing.

Covers a variety of advanced topics to be determined by faculty interest and student demand.

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits

FIN 429 Advanced Wealth Management (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 330. Limited to finance majors and minors

Advanced issues in financial planning are analyzed by means of case studies, readings and class discussion

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 434 Portfolio Theory (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 424/FIN 624, BCOM 206, BCOM 207. Limited to finance majors and minors. Minimum senior standing.

Introduction to portfolio theories and asset pricing models. Includes mathematical methods of asset pricing, portfolio optimization, and performance measurement and evaluation.

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 439 Advanced Investment Strategy (3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 339. Limited to finance majors and minors, actuarial science majors and minors. Minimum junior standing. Requires department consent.

Consent: Department Consent Required

• Student must apply to the course and will be notified of acceptance prior to registration.

The course provides a select group of students the opportunity to expand their experience in the process of managing an investment portfolio as a senior analyst.

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 490 Finance Honors Seminar (1 cr)

Prerequisite: Minimum senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

An in-depth analysis of relevant finance topics adapted to student needs with emphasis on understanding relationships between different areas of finance.

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 1

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

FIN 495 Finance Internship (1-3 crs)

Prerequisite: FIN 320. Limited to finance majors. Minimum junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

• A maximum of three credits.

Internship experience in business situations relevant to the finance major under supervision of a faculty member.

Attributes: LE-I1 Integration, Internship, Special Course Fee Required

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

FIN 499 Independent Study Projects (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Minimum senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual project under the direction of a faculty member.

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Academic Catalog

Accounting and Finance

Department of Accounting and Finance Scholarships

Faculty

Majors

Minors

Accounting (ACCT)

How to Read Course Descriptions

Finance (FIN)

How to Read Course Descriptions

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