MBA Concentration in Finance and Accounting

At Willamette University, we believe in learning by doing. We offer many courses where students collaborate with actual clients and build their resume of professional experience.

As an MBA student, you'll have the chance to gain practical experience through the O'Neill Student Investment Fund. This immersive course gives students the opportunity to manage a $500,000 portfolio. The course brings students to a real trading floor where they can use real-time financial information to make decisions. We offer additional resources to simulate a professional setting including a dedicated boardroom available for collaboration and discussion. 

This experience can prepare you for a variety of careers including financial planning and investment banking. 

Building a strong professional network is crucial in the financial industry. Our students benefit from the connections provided through the Atkinson Accounting and Finance Association. This association offers students a platform to connect with finance and accounting professionals, attend networking events, and gain insights into industry trends.

It's not just a student organization; it's a bridge to a thriving professional network. Discuss cost accounting, financial accounting and reporting, and capital structure tactics.

You can also meet with career management experts to help you propel your finance career. They can help connect you with opportunities with industry leading companies in the financial sector. Students can also utilize programs like career fairs, mentorship programs, and even mock interviews. 

There are many aspects of financial careers, including managing investments, assessing risk, optimizing financial strategies, and reporting. Willamette's finance and accounting concentration offers a wide range of financial courses. Discover financial markets and institutions, discuss venture capital strategies, and explore finance from a government and non-profit perspective. Review course descriptions of many of the courses we offer to get a better understanding of our finance and accounting program.

•  Accounting for Managers (GSM 5105)
  • Learn the accounting rules and processes, how to record events of the accounting equation, tabulate entries in a ledger and format then in a standard way for reporting as financial statements. Develop an understanding of accounting from the perspective of making good managerial decisions.
• Finance and Economics I and II (GSM 5111 and GSM 5112)
  • Explore the fundamental tools of economic decision-making and develop your understanding of financial tools and methods of financial management.
• Valuation (GSM 6017)
  • Dive into the world of finance by developing analytical skills for valuation. You'll learn to apply various techniques, such as free cash flow analysis, financial ratio analysis, and real option analysis. These skills will help students make informed long-term financial decisions. 
• Financial Statement Analysis (GSM 6206)
  • Learn how to decipher financial statements and use them to assess the prospects, risks, and capacities of organizations. You'll also learn to make compelling arguments and evaluate them through comparative data analysis. 
• International Finance (GSM 6258)
  • Explore the complexities of international financial markets. Learn more about topics such as fixed and floating exchange rates, monetary unions, and strategies for hedging foreign exchange exposure. 
• Financial Derivatives and Risk Management (GSM 6264)
  • Master the use of financial derivatives such as options, futures, and swaps to create value and manage risk. Learn to avoid the potential pitfalls associated with these instruments. 
• Corporate Finance (GSM 6283)
  • Develop expertise in planning, implementing, and evaluating financing, investing, and dividend payout strategies in domestic and multinational corporations. Analyze real-world situations using finance concepts and valuation models. 
• Investments (GSM 6291)
  • Combine financial and macroeconomic analysis to design and implement investment strategies in stocks and exchange-traded funds. Gain insights into asset allocation and performance benchmarking. 
• O'Neill Student Investment Fund (GSM 6292A/B & GSM 6294)
  • Experience hands-on investment management as you manage a real portfolio of stocks and exchange-traded funds. Experience portfolio management and present your results and outlook to an external panel. Extend your investment management experience into the summer semester with GSM 6294. 
• Corporate Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructurings (GSM 6293)
  • Explore the world of corporate restructuring, including mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers. Develop skills in financial modeling and quantitative techniques. 
• Internship (GSM 7251)
  • Build your professional experience through our internship course. Apply what you have learned in your MBA program to a real professional setting. Willamette MBA students can complete up to three semesters of internship.
• Angel Investing I & II (GSM 6226 & GSM 6227)
  • In this hands-on course, MBA students join real Angel investment groups, evaluate deals, conduct due diligence, and make investment decisions with expert guidance. Plus, explore cutting-edge research on venture investing and entrepreneurship.