Accounting at Lakeland University

Earn Your Accounting Degree & Gain Experience

The accounting major does not simply teach one to balance books; it trains students to be economic problem-solvers and analysts, professionals who are able to identify, measure, and make judgments about all types of economic information. These accounting skills lead to rewarding positions in financial and tax planning, business consulting, bookkeeping, auditing, and many other fields in the global marketplace. With a few additional courses, the Lakeland accounting major qualifies its students to sit for the CPA and CMA examinations.

By The Numbers: 
  • Over 32% of our accounting graduates have graduated with no student loans.
  • 54% of students who start their accounting degree with Lakeland (non-transfer) graduate in less than 4 years.
  • Accounting.com recently ranked Lakeland University:
    • #5 on its Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting Programs.
    • #7 on their list of the 25 best online bachelor’s degree-earning programs.
Ability To Graduate In

3 Years

Formats

Main Campus (Full-Time) Six Centers 100% Online Online Live BlendEd Live

Cooperative Education

Interested in an accounting degree from Lakeland University? Contact us today!
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Accounting at Lakeland University

Most colleges offer an accounting degree, but our degree will make you more attractive to employers

Our accounting program is comprehensive. You will be exposed to financial accounting (record-keeping); managerial accounting (budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning); tax accounting and many other facets of this popular field.

White collar corporate crime is a growing problem in our society. We are one of only a few United States colleges that offer a fraud and forensic emphasis accounting degree. That’s a source of pride for us, and a valuable option for you.

At Lakeland, you won’t just learn how to crunch numbers and balance books. You will apply your knowledge in a real-world setting, and that’s exactly what employers want to see on a resume. While we certainly provide all the necessary technical knowledge, the link between classroom learning and actual experience in the field is what’s most valuable. Through our award-winning Cooperative Education program — we emphasize becoming a strong professional and help students get that actual experience, so when they go out into the work world, they’re prepared to be great employees.

Setting You Up For Success

$0 — Graduate Debt Free
  • Over 32% of our accounting graduates have graduated with no student loans.
$15,000 = Median Student Loan Debt
  • Median student loan debt for a Lakeland University accounting graduate is $15,000; significantly less than state and national averages
    • National average = $37,650
    • Wisconsin average = $31,894
Graduate In Less Than 4 Years
  • 54% of students who start their accounting degree with Lakeland (non-transfer) graduate in less than 4 years.
  • 42% of all accounting students graduate in less than 4 years.

*Survey of recent Lakeland accounting program graduates who attended the main campus as a full-time student from December 2019 - May 2024. 

Students who have successfully completed a B.A. in Accounting from Lakeland University will be able to:

  • Explain the major concepts in the functional areas of economics, marketing, finance, management and management information systems.
  • Construct and present effective oral and written forms of professional communication.
  • Identify the key legal and ethical issues related to contemporary accounting scenarios.
  • Demonstrate responsible and effective workplace behavior skills and traits in a professional business environment.
  • Explain the major concepts in the functional areas of financial accounting, cost accounting, taxation and auditing.

CAREER OUTLOOK

What are some careers available to me?
Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Tax Accounting
Auditing
Data Anlaytics
AVG. SALARY (USA)
$78,000*
AVG. SALARY (WI)
$77,420*
AVG. HOURLY RATE (USA)
$37.50*
AVG. HOURLY RATE (WI)
$37.00*

*Data provided by Job Center of Wisconsin's Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for accountants and auditors.

What Makes Our Program Unique?

  • Ability to graduate with little to $0 tuition student loan debt.
  • Ability to graduate in 3-years.
  • Ability to earn your bachelor’s degree in Accounting plus your MBA degree in 4 years.
  • Only college or university in Wisconsin that requires students to take at least 3 courses in the important, emerging field of data analytics.
  • Only college or university in Wisconsin that requires students to take a course in personal finance.
  • Only college or university in Wisconsin offering an emphasis in the growing area of forensic accounting.
  • Only college or university in Wisconsin offering MBA courses for credit in preparing for the CPA and CMA exams.
  • Students often obtain high paying internships at local CPA firms as early as their sophomore year.
  • Offers an intimate classroom setting with small class sizes and personalized advising by a department faculty member.

    Why Lakeland?

    There’s more than one way to get a college education and Lakeland offers them all. Lakeland University students have access to a variety of pathways, and each one can be customized to meet your needs. Since our founding in 1862, Lakeland University has been a leader in finding ways to help students make their dreams come true.

    • Traditional, main campus located in Sheboygan Co.
    • Six Centers located throughout the state of Wisconsin.
    • Flexible delivery formats:
      • Onsite: In class one night per week at one of our six center locations
      • Online: participate weekly when it works best for you
      • Online Live: attend live classes virtually from anywhere one night per week
      • BlendEd Live: attend classes in-person or online … you choose each week
    • Transfer up to 90-credits
    • Financial aid, scholarships and discounts are available
    • Individualized advising and career development support
    • Award-winning Cooperative Education program allows students to earn college credit for professional work experiences
    Apply Now


    First Time Freshman

    • Step 1: Complete an application online.
    • Step 2: Submit official high school transcripts directly to Lakeland University.

    Transfer Students

    • Step 1: Complete an application online.
    • Step 2: Request official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended to be sent directly to Lakeland University.
      • Students who have NOT completed 12 transferrable credits MUST submit official high school transcripts.

    Apply Now

    You may apply at any time as Lakeland University operates on a rolling admission basis with 6 start dates throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed until about two weeks before the start of each term.

    Main-Campus (Full-Time)
    Evening/Online (Adult)

    Admission Requirements

    Once your application is received, your Lakeland University admissions counselor will be in touch.

    • Lakeland University accepts a high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above or the equivalent of a high school diploma.
    • Lakeland University accepts transfer students who have earned at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and are in good standing at other accredited institutions of higher learning.
    • We review each application on an individual basis.

    *Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be granted for students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.75 to 1.99 if the academic experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than two years ago. Furthermore, typically students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.50 to 1.75 will only be considered if the poor academic performance experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than five years ago. Students receiving an exception will be admitted conditionally.

    Meet Our Accounting Faculty

    Main Campus (Traditional) |

    Chris Heinen

    Assistant Professor of Accounting

    Academic Affairs |
    Main Campus (Traditional) |

    Bob Martin

    Adjunct Instructor of Accounting

    Contact us to learn more about the Accounting degree at Lakeland University.

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