Why study Finance / Accounting at MC?
According to a Carnegie Foundation study published in Rethinking Undergraduate Business Education: Liberal Learning for the Profession, “…Students need to develop intellectual perspectives that enable them to understand the role of business within the larger global society, as well as to gain technical knowledge and skills. They need an education that cultivates a sense of professionalism grounded in loyalty to the mission of business to enhance society’s prosperity and well-being.”
The Finance Accounting (FNAC) Major offers students the opportunity to learn finance and accounting practice and theory in the context of a liberal arts education. Liberal arts courses allow students to expound upon and further engage in the disciplines of finance and accounting. Through case study, collaborative projects, problem sets and journal readings, students in the Finance/Accounting major develop strong critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. Students learn to read and interpret financial statements, to prepare a financial analysis, the importance of budgets and variance analysis in management accounting, and about the role of money and banking in the economy. Through personal attention and small classes, students receive an education which allows them to successfully pursue entry positions in areas as corporate accounting, banking, brokerage, financial planning, trust and estate planning, as well as provide a solid foundation to enter graduate programs in business and accounting.
The Major is designed to provide student a knowledge of the basic principles and analytical tools of finance and accounting as well as an understanding of the environments in which organizations operate. The curriculum prepares students for careers in finance and accounting and graduate study in business.
Accounting or Finance (Minor)
The Minor in Accounting and Minor in Finance are designed to supplement a student’s preparation in another major field. They provide additional depth in the field and background for further study. The minors are not open to students majoring in Finance/Accounting.
To be eligible to take the CPA exam, an individual must have earned a degree from an accredited college or university and complete a total of 150 semester hours with certain designated hours in accounting and in business. Several universities offer Master of Accountancy programs tailored for liberal arts college graduates; the admission standards of these programs require no additional accounting courses beyond what is offered through the accounting minor at Maryville College. Students interested in accounting, who have completed a Maryville College degree and accounting minor requirements may be eligible for the 15-month Master of Accountancy program available at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville upon completion of 3 additional accounting courses at UT in the summer following graduation.
Maryville College(MC) partners with Marriott Business Services(MBS) to offer More
Maryville College and MBS formed a community partnership in 2010, benefiting MC students, MBS, MC, and the community at large. The partnership continues to thrive and provides extraordinary opportunities for FNAC majors at the college. FNAC majors as well as accounting minors have the opportunity to apply for and participate in paid summer accounting internships with MBS. Often these internships result in part-time work or full-time positions upon graduation. MBS serves as the sponsor of the capstone accounting class in the FNAC major, BUS366 – Advanced Financial Reporting, and provides professional speakers for core business classes. MBS executives invite FNAC majors to participate in a tour of company operations. MBS is an important segment of Marriott International, providing accounting services nationally and internationally to support all Marriott brand hotels. MBS is conveniently located in Louisville, TN, less than 10 miles from the MC campus.
Meet a Recent Grad
Colby Vesser ’24
Currently: Completing an MBA Degree from the University of
Tennessee Haslam College of Business
Undecided on his major when he arrived at MC as a transfer student, Colby took an introductory class in the Finance/Accounting major and knew it was right for him. He also took advantage of the advice and hands-on help provided by MC’s Career Center and professors.
As a student he had internships at Dollywood and Financial Executive International (FEI), as well as Whitlock and Company, adding that because of these experiences, he “learned so many
technical and soft skills on the job.” Prior to enrolling for the MBA, he was an accounting intern for Clayton and Blackberry Farm.
In addition to studying for the MBA, Colby serves as a teaching assistant in the Haslam College of Business.
