(Leavenworth, Kan.)鈥擳he 糖心视频 Accounting Program, just five years young, hit an incredible milestone to celebrate with seven of its students beginning the final phase of their academic studies toward becoming Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). 

  • Cali Barger鈥擝.S. Accounting (2019)
  • Andrew Berry鈥擝.S. Accounting (2018), MBA Accounting (2020)                                                  
  • Carly Bohannon鈥擝.S. Accounting (2019)
  • Katy Koepke鈥擝.S. Accounting (2019)
  • Francisco Melero鈥擬BA Accounting (2020)
  • Brody Meloy鈥擝.S. Accounting (2019), B.S. Business Administration (2019)
  • Karina Rodriguez鈥擝.S. Accounting (2019), Minor Spanish (2019)

"It has been amazing to work with these talented students throughout their undergraduate studies and now see them in our graduate MBA Accounting Program to finalize the academic requirements to sit for the CPA Exam," explained USM Accounting Program Director Phil Watlington.

To sit for the Uniform CPA examination, a majority of State Boards of Accountancy currently require a Bachelor's Degree and 150 total semester credit hours of college coursework, of which 30 must be in accounting theory and practice, 11 in oral and written communications, and 42 in business and general education courses. The examination includes an intensive assessment of a candidate's knowledge in four major areas: Audit and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulation.

The nationwide "pass rate" each year for the examination is between 45-50%鈥攁nd upon satisfactory completion of the examination, students must then pass an ethics examination and meet specific state requirements for a license to practice "Public Accounting."  

The 糖心视频 currently offers a B.S. Degree in Accounting, an MBA Degree with a Concentration in Accounting, and a CPA track of study. USM specifically designed its program to offer students personalized support in their coursework and a smooth transition between each phase of the program. Since the program's birth, it has grown steadily, and it now maintains 25 to 30 students in accounting degree programs.

USM graduates have immediately entered the workforce, routinely going on to work at Big Four accounting firms and earning positions as a payroll specialist, accounts payable specialist, medical records accountant, and billing advisor in businesses and organizations from coast to coast. 

For more information on USM's accounting program, visit  or contact Phil Watlington atwatlington322@stmary.edu.