For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: August 13, 2021
Accounting program ranked top 5 nationally
Fennimore -Best Value Schools has named Southwest Wisconsin Technical College fifth in its national ranking of top Associate in Accounting Degree Programs of 2021.
Dr. Jason Wood
“Our Accounting program continuously graduates students who are highly proficient in their skills and ready for the workforce,” said Dr. Jason Wood, Southwest Tech president. “This national ranking is another indication that our students are getting a great education at an affordable cost.”
Melinda Nicely
Gary Christiansen and Melinda Nicely are the instructors for the Accounting program, which trains students in basic accounting for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Students also study income tax preparation for individuals, payroll accounting, and computerized accounting. They can then choose to specialize in business taxation or business spreadsheet applications. “The students get all the ‘debits & credits,’” said Christiansen. “We add the ‘this is how it’s done’ job ready component.”
“The balance between hands-on learning through our technical classes and the explanation of accounting in our theory classes gives students an excellent opportunity to succeed in the job force,” said Nicely. “We have seen a high demand in all areas in accounting in our area. The face-to-face and online delivery gives students the flexibility to choose what is best for them. Students are also able to transfer to a four-year institution with ease due to our agreements with multiple universities. As instructors we are very proud of our student success and look forward to providing opportunities for the next generation of accountants.”
“Students choose to come to Southwest Tech to ‘train’ for a career in accounting,” said Christiansen. “We just help them to be successful in that goal.”
According to Christiansen, many Southwest Tech Accounting graduates remain in southern Wisconsin, putting their degrees to work in public accounting, private industry, banking and finance, county and local government, school districts, family businesses, and more. “The accounting field at the entry level is wide open,” he said.
Gary Christiansen
More information about the program can be found at swtc.edu/accounting.
According to Best Value Schools, “Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of the leading community colleges in the region. It offers an excellent Associate Degree in Accounting that can be completed over the Internet. The program is also available on-campus in Fennimore. This degree program prepares students to use a wide variety of accounting software, including Quickbooks.”
The rankings are created using a formula that considers a school’s yearly tuition rate and its graduation rate. More information about the ranking can be found at bestvalueschools.org/associates-in-accounting.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |