Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) and its Business Institute are kicking off the fall semester with a celebration of International Accounting Day and the launch of the college’s new bachelor’s degree in Accounting, inviting students, faculty, staff, and community partners to join the festivities.
PVCC’s Business Institute was created to strengthen connections between students, faculty, and industry partners, building a pipeline of talent that meets the growing workforce needs in Greater Phoenix. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting at PVCC is the first of its kind in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) system, and will address the Valley’s growing demand for professionals in accounting and finance, providing an affordable, high-quality degree pathway to rewarding careers. By aligning education with employer demand, the institute helps students gain real-world experience and career connections in not only accounting, but healthcare and technology as well.
“We’re here to serve students across the system, and this bachelor’s degree is helping us meet industry needs while offering students an affordable path to a high-demand career,” said PVCC’s Accounting Program Director Lynn F. Clark, CPA.
“The PVCC Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting is a game changer for Greater Phoenix,” said Abran Villegas, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation board member and managing director of Lazear Capital, who has been instrumental in connecting PVCC with industry leaders. “We’ve had a long-standing need for more talent in this area, and the program prepares graduates to excel in the field as well as in financial services. It yields a diverse array of opportunities for students to pursue.”
PVCC has also seen success with its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting, which integrates into the bachelor’s degree and prepares students for careers in the accounting profession – public, private, government, and beyond.
International Accounting Day Celebration
The celebration begins Wednesday, October 29, with an Ice Cream Social to welcome students new to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting program. Attendees will have the chance to meet faculty, network with employer partners, and learn more about how this degree opens doors to careers in tax, assurance, forensics, government, nonprofit, and beyond. The ice cream social will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Quad courtyard behind building K, room 117.
Then on November 12, PVCC will mark International Accounting Day with a special panel discussion in which leaders from top accounting firms and organizations have been invited to attend, including Clifton Larson Allen, Heinfeld Meech, Pope Waller, and Eide Bailly. They will share insights into career paths across the profession, followed by speed networking and interview sessions designed to connect students directly with industry professionals. The panel discussion will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the KSC Building Rooms 1000A & B.
“Our industry partners are thrilled to support the bachelor’s degree program, and we’re excited to host them alongside our current and prospective students for International Accounting Day,” said Dr. Brianna DeGeus, executive director for PVCC’s Strategic Partnerships. “The top firms in the Valley are represented, and the connections being made are inspiring our students to see what’s possible.”
Students and community members interested in attending the events or learning more about the accounting bachelor’s degree can email [email protected] or visit the website