Department of Accounting and Finance

252 East Business Building,
(307) 766‑3136
FAX: (307) 766-4028
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/acct-fin
Department Chair: Nicole Choi

Professor:

ERIC N. JOHNSON, B.A. Whittier College 1978; M.B.A. Arizona State University 1982; Ph.D. 1989; Clara R. Toppan Professor of Accounting 2011; Professor of Accounting 2013, 2011.

Associate Professors:

NICOLE CHOI, B.A. Chungbuk National University 2002; M.B.A. Washington State University 2004; Ph.D. 2009; Associate Professor of Finance 2015, 2009.

ALI NEJADMALAYERI, B.Sc. University of Tehran 1993; M.B.A. Texas A&M University-Kingsville 1997; Ph.D. University of Arizona 2001; John A. Guthrie Endowed Chair in Banking and Financial Services; Associate Professor of Finance 2018.

MITCHELL OLER, Bachelors of Commerce, University of Alberta 1997; M.S. Brigham Young University 1998; Ph.D. University of Washington 2006. Associate Professor of Accounting 2019, 2015.

Assistant Professors:

MACKENZIE FESTA, B.S. West Virginia University 2010; M.P.A. 2013; Ph.D. 2017; Assistant Professor of Accounting 2017.

PAWAN JAIN, B.S. Chattrapati Sahuji Maharaj University 2000; M.S. 2002; M.S. University of Wyoming 2008; Ph.D. 2008; Ph.D. University of Memphis 2013; Assistant Professor in Finance 2016.

AARON ROSENBLUM, B.A. University of Central Florida 2010; M.S. Florida State University 2013; Ph.D. 2018; Assistant Professor of Finance 2018.

TENG (TIM) ZHANG, B.S. Shandong University 2010; M.S. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2012; Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology 2015; Assistant Professor of Finance 2018.

KENNETH ZHENG, B.A. Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China; M.S. University of Texas at Dallas 2007; Ph.D. University of Texas at Dallas, 2011; Assistant Professor of Accounting 2015.

Academic Professionals:

JANICE A. BENSON, B.S. Kansas State University 1991; M.B.A. 1993; Senior Lecturer of Accounting 2010, 1999.

EVEN BRANDE, B.S. University of Wyoming 1991; M.B.A. 1993.

JENN DORWART, B.S. Chadron State College 2004; M.S. 2007; D.B.A. Walden University 2016; Assistant Lecturer of Finance 2019.

JAMES GUNDERSON, B.A. University of Nebraska 1977; Ph.D. University of Minnesota 2004; Assistant Lecturer in Finance 2014.

JENNIFER A. KREISER, B.S. University of Alabama 2001; M.S. 2002; Senior Lecturer 2019.

AMBER MERCIL, B.S. University of Wyoming 2004; M.S. University of Oregon 2006; Graduate Coordinator in Accounting; Assistant Lecturer of Accounting 2014.

TOMMY RAULSTON, B.S. Cameron University 1987 M.S. Oklahoma State University 1991; Assistant Lecturer of Accounting 2015.

JIM ROBINSON, B.S. University of Wyoming 1976; M.S. in Finance 1979; M.S. in Economics 1994; Assistant Lecturer in Finance 1985.

PHILIP W. TREICK, B.S. University of South Florida 1987; Assistant Lecturer in Finance 2016.

Emeriti:

Penne L. Ainsworth
Richard G. Elmendorf
George R. McGrail
Suzanne S. Roe
Frederic P. Sterbenz
Kenton B. Walker
Stuart K. Webster

Accounting Graduate Study

Accounting is an integral part of the College of Business degree programs. The department offers courses in support of college graduate degree programs, as well as a master of science in accounting (MS in Accounting) degree. The MS in Accounting degree was developed in response to emerging needs of the accounting profession. Those students who wish to become professional accountants, whether that be in a corporate setting, a not-for-profit setting, or public accounting, will find the MS in Accounting degree to be one that enables them to develop both the personal and professional skills needed to enjoy a productive career.

The MS in Accounting program satisfies the Wyoming requirements for individuals to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and it further develops students’ professional skills. The MS in Accounting program focuses on the two main areas of development: 1) advanced accounting and business education, and 2) professional skills development-including written, oral, interpersonal communication, computer applications, critical thinking, and adaptability. The MS in Accounting degree is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting in the United States. However, it is possible to be admitted to the program once deficiency courses are successfully completed. Those holding a bachelor’s degree from within the U.S., but not in accounting, and international applicants can still apply for admission once the deficiency courses are successfully completed. We do not provisionally or conditionally admit students to our program.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Accounting program generally requires:

Completed university application and nonrefundable application fee.
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 and a minimum GPA of 3.000 in accounting courses, preferred. Based on a 4.000 scale.
A total score of 550 or better on the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or a combined score of 300 or better on the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). GMAT and GRE scores must be sent directly to the MS Accounting Program. The institution code for the GRE is 4855.
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and gradaute coursework (post-secondary) must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the University of Wyoming Office of Admissions. Official University of Wyoming transcripts do not need to be requested sent to the department. Copies of all transcripts must also be uploaded into the UW Graduate Admissions Application.
Letters of recommendation (3). Professional or educationrelated letters of recommendation provided directly by the reference via the UW Graduate Admissions application.

Additional requirements for International Applicants:

Provide proof of satisfactory English ability if native language is not English by completing the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 540 on the paper-based test or a score of 76 on the internet-based test. The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5
International students must also prove sufficient financial resources as establish by the University of Wyoming, Graduate International Student Admissions.

Additionally, to be admitted to the Master of Science in Accounting program, a student must have a bachelor’s degree and must have completed courses in the following core areas:

Accounting (U.S. GAAP, U.S. tax code, U.S. auditing, managerial accounting)
Finance
Management
Marketing

Coverage in these courses must include:

Ethical and global issues
Political, social, legal, and environmental issues
Technological issues
The impact of diversityon organizations

Application Deadlines

Fall admission: all required application materials are due by May 1.

Spring admission: all required application materials are due by December 1.

International applicants: Please be advised that there are additional university requirements that may take additional processing time - you are encouraged to apply prior to the application deadline if possible to ensure that if admitted, all required documentation can be provided prior to the term of entry.

Note: These are the minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission or funding. Students who have earned their undergraduate degree in Accounting from a United States AACSB accredited institution with the minimum preferred GPA are eligible to have the GMAT/GRE required waived on a case-by-case basis. Please contact program office for additional information. For a comprehensive list of United States AACSB accredited schools, please visit the AACSB webpage.

Finance Graduate Study

The Master of Finance program will allow students to obtain advanced training built on the foundations of principles and practices of modern finance. The MS in Finance is a rigorous, yet practical program that encompasses the fundamentals as well as cutting-edge topics in investment analysis, portfolio management, financial modeling, risk management, and fixed income securities. The MS in Finance program aims to make you well prepared to evaluate and react to change with confidence and to develop effective solutions to meet the needs of markets and industries.

The objectives of the master of science in finance are:

To provide students with an advanced understanding of the field of finance.

To provide students with specific advanced knowledge of the subtopics within finance.

To provide students with professional skills that will enable them to enjoy productive and rewarding careers in finance and other finance-related areas.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Finance program generally requires:

Completed university application and nonrefundable application fee.
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 and a minimum GPA of 3.000 in finance courses, preferred. Based on a 4.000 scale.
A total score of 550 or better on the GMAT (General Management Admissions Test) or a combined score of 300 or better on the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). SMAT and GRE scores must be sent directly to the MS in Finance Program. The institution code for the GRE is 4855.
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework (post-secondary) must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the University of Wyoming Office of Admissions. Official University of Wyoming transcripts do not need to be requested sent to the department. Copies of all transcripts must also be uploaded into the UW Graduate Admissions Application.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

Provide proof of satisfactory English ability if native language is not English by completing the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 540 on the paperbased test or a score of 76 on the internet-based test. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.
International students must also prove sufficient financial resources as established by the University of Wyoming Graduate International Student Admissions.

NOTE: Students who have earned their undergraduate degree in a business or a STEM related field from a United States regionally accredited institution with a minimum of preferred GPA or who have 3+ years of professional work experience in a financial services or related field are eligible to have the GMAT/GRE requirement waived on a case-by-case basis. Please contact program office for additional information.

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses will be required if you have completed a business bachelors or masters degree from a regionally accredited college or university with the minimum preferred GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale or if you have 3+ years of professional work experience in a financial services or related field.

Applicants without a business related undergraduate or graduate degree or without 3+ years of professional work experience in a financial services or related field must provide evidence of proficiency in the following: Business Math and Statistics Corporate Finance

Application Deadlines

Fall Admission: All required application materials are due by May 1.

Springs Admission: All required application materials are due by December 1.

International Applicants: Please be advised that there are additional university requirements that may take additional processing time - you are encouraged to apply prior to the application deadline if possible to ensure that if admitted, all required documentation can be provided prior to the term of entry.