Bachelor of Science
Accounting
Mission
The mission of the Accounting program is to prepare students for careers in accounting, including corporate accounting and finance, law, and similar professions, as well as develop the basis for advanced work at the graduate level. We challenge students to develop technical expertise as well as critical thinking and reasoning skills and then apply this understanding through a variety of hands-on experiences, including Internships, Small Business Advisory Groups (SBAG), and self-designed business projects.
The major in Accounting combines a basic liberal arts education with a strong preparation for a career in accounting. During the first two years of study, emphasis is placed on the General and Liberal Education and School of Business core course requirements. During the Junior and Senior years, emphasis is placed on those areas most necessary for entry into the accounting field.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of core tax and accounting concepts.
- Students will be able to apply quantitative tools and strategies to support organizational decision making in the domain of accounting.
- Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Students will demonstrate an awareness of the need for ethical leadership within an organization and ethical behavior in the greater global context.
Majors, Minors and Certificates
Courses
AC101: Principles of Accounting I
Credits 3Emphasizes basic principles and concepts and the use of accounting information. This segment of the course concentrates on accounting for a sole proprietorship from inception to the preparation of financial statements.
AC102: Principles of Accounting II
Credits 3Applies the principles and concepts learned in Principles of Accounting I to the partnership and corporation forms of business organization. Special attention to the analysis and interpretation of financial data, and to the measurement and control of costs. Prerequisite: AC101.
AC135: Introduction to QuickBooks
Credits 1Students will gain a basic understanding of QuickBooks, a popular accounting software for small businesses. This introductory, hands-on course will provide students with the ability to use the software to work through the accounting cycle, from setting up a new company to preparing financial reports. Prerequisites: Accounting I or permission of instructor
AC213: Intermediate Accounting I
Credits 3An intensive examination of accounting principles related to financial statements. Overall survey of the accounting cycle followed by an in-depth consideration of cash, receivables, inventories, and plant assets. Prerequisite: AC102.
AC214: Intermediate Accounting II
Credits 3Accounting principles as they pertain to the areas of intangibles, long term investments, current liabilities, stockholders’ equity, funds flow, and financial statement analysis. Prerequisite: AC213.
AC299: Independent Study in Accounting
Credits 2 3Independent Study in Accounting (2–3 credits). Each offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor and must meet with the approval of the Dean or Dean’s designee. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study. A “Proposal for Independent Study” form may be obtained from the Registrar or from the School of Business. Independent Study courses are assigned numbers of 299, 399 or 499, depending on the level of the course.
AC312: Forensic Accounting and Fraud
Credits 3This course will develop the students’ understanding of what forensic accounting is and how it pertains to both civil and criminal matters. The participant in this course will gain a basic understanding of the characteristics of forensic accounting, the tools used in this area and the applications in the business world today, including financial statements and tax fraud, bankruptcy, divorce, identity theft, organized crime and litigation services. Prerequisites: AC101, BA213
AC314: Cost Accounting
Credits 3Addresses the problem of cost control in a manufacturing environment by studying common cost accounting techniques, job order, process, and standard cost accounting methods. Prerequisite: AC102.
AC323: Auditing
Credits 3Auditing reports and standards of professional ethics and legal responsibility. Methods of internal accounting control. The interpretation and preparation of audit reports. Prerequisite: AC214 or permission of instructor.
AC345: Analysis of Financial Statements
Credits 3This course will examine financial reporting, the quality of accounting information, US GAAP and IFRS. Students will use ratio analysis to compare Financial Statements to uncover anomalies in financial reporting.
AC354: Individual Income Taxes
Credits 3Examines the Internal Revenue Code as it applies to individuals and sole proprietorships. The student will apply this knowledge in the preparation of income tax returns and related schedules and forms. There are no prerequisites for this course. Sophomore or junior class standing recommended.
AC355: Taxation Partnerships Corporations
Credits 3Examines the Code as it applies to business entities. The student will apply this knowledge in the preparation of income tax returns and related schedules and forms for corporations and informational returns prepared for partnerships. Prerequisite: AC354 or permission of instructor.
AC390: Internship in Accounting
Credits 2 3The opportunity to gain experience in the administration of profit or non-profit organizations. The internship typically is completed during the junior or senior year but can be completed earlier with the approval of the academic advisor. The internship should be arranged with the assistance of the major internship advisor. An agreement is drawn up and approved by the student, the proposed employer, and the major internship advisor. Internships require a minimum of 55 hours of on-the-job work for each hour of credit. Evaluation is made by the major internship advisor and in consultation with the employer. Prerequisites: junior class standing, permission of the academic advisor and the Dean or Dean’s designee.
AC391: Internship in Accounting
Credits 2 3May be taken when an unusual level of job responsibility, such as being in sole control of a business for an extended time, or other unique learning opportunity is encountered which would warrant additional credit above that granted for AC390 or FM390. The granting of more than 3 credits for one internship will be a rare occurrence. In some instances, when deemed appropriate by the academic advisor and the Dean or Dean’s designee, a second internship, which is entirely different than that pursued under AC390 or FM390, may be taken. Prerequisite: AC390 or FM390.
AC395: Advanced Internship in Accounting
Credits 4The Advanced Internship follows the same guidelines as the 390 Internship. However, research criteria (applicable to each internship situation) provided by the academic advisor are also included for one additional credit. Students who elect the Advanced Internship must also meet College Honors requirements.
AC399: Independent Study in Accounting
Credits 2 3Independent Study in Accounting (2-3 credits). Each offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor and must meet with the approval of the academic advisor and the Dean or Dean’s designee. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study. A “Proposal for Independent Study” form may be obtained from the Registrar or from the office of the School of Business. Independent Study courses are assigned numbers of 299, 399 or 499, depending on the level of the course.
AC474: Advanced Accounting
Credits 3Required for all Accounting majors. Concentrates in areas which are common requirements for both public and non-public careers. Topics to be covered are: consolidated financial statements, foreign operations and transactions, and SEC reporting. Prerequisite: AC214.
AC495: Sr Independent Project Accounting
Credits 4The student will develop a project arranged with the assistance of the major advisor and the approval of the Dean or Dean’s designee. Projects include a thesis, business plan, or other significant research project. Prerequisites: senior class standing; declared major in the School of Business or permission of the Dean or Dean’s designee.
AC499: Independent Study in Accounting
Credits 2 3Independent Study in Accounting (2-3 credits). Offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor, and must meet with the approval of the academic advisor and the Dean or Dean’s designee. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study. A “Proposal for Independent Study” form may be obtained from the Registrar or from the School of Business. Independent Study courses are assigned numbers of 299, 399 or 499, depending on the level of the course.
AC530: Business Taxation
Credits 3This course will examine all forms of taxable entities; including Individuals, C corporations, Partnerships, and S corporations. Topics will cover the history of taxation, income determination, deductions and credits, acquisitions and dispositions of property and related gains and losses. In addition, distributions and liquidation of business entities, tax planning, and tax research will be studied. Choice of entity will be discussed from the tax, legal, and accounting aspects.
AC560: NonProfit & Governmental Accounting
Credits 3This course will provide an in-depth study of the specialized accounting and financial reporting practices of governmental and not-for-profit organizations, as well as an understanding of how those organizations can better meet the information needs of a diverse set of financial statement users and decision makers.
AC565: Ethics & Accounting Professional
Credits 3This course will examine legal and ethical issues and the professional conduct expectations of the public accounting practitioner. Using the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, SEC and AICPA independence rules and regulations related to Sarbanes Oxley, the student will gain the ability to both understand and apply these concepts with the accounting profession.
AC630: Audit – Risk Man & Assurance Serv
Credits 3This course will cover the relationship between the client’s financial statements and the business risks, controls, strategies and performance. The interconnected subjects of accounting, business strategy, and ethics will be explored. Using both problems and case studies, the student will develop the skills necessary to perform a quality financial statement audit. The role of investigatory skills in the case of fraud and forensic accounting, and moral reasoning will also be covered, and how conflicting business and stakeholder considerations may influence decision making.
AC640: Accounting Information Systems
Credits 3This course will explore the interaction of accounting information systems and an organization’s accounting processes. Students will be introduced to researching the systems best suited to an organization along with developing the appropriate accounting structure. Control and efficiency issues necessary to automate functions will be covered.
AC660: Adv Financial Statement Analysis
Credits 3The objective of this course will be to teach students the skills necessary to analyze and interpret financial statements efficiently and effectively. Topics will include earnings quality, ratio analysis, valuation, off-balance sheet financing, inter-corporate investments and consolidations, equity carve-outs, employee stock options, derivatives, foreign currency translation, leases, pensions, and deferred taxes.
AC670: Cont & Emerging Accounting Issues
Credits 3The course will examine current and topical issues in accounting today. The course will l include study of internal controls and XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language). Current issues will include; study of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards, the COSO Framework and Compendium, inversion, and international issues. Other issues to be highlighted include Identity Theft, Crowd-funding issues for the Accountant, and Fraud Control. Sustainability accounting will be studied in relation to economic viability, social responsibility and environmental responsibility.