Accounting (ACCT)

ACCT 1011 Introduction to Financial Accounting    3 Credits

This course introduces students to financial accounting. Students learn to read and comprehend published financial statements and are introduced to the financial reporting process. Topics include financial statement analysis; accrual accounting; revenue and expense recognition; and accounting for assets, liabilities, and equities. Previously AC 0011.

ACCT 1012 Introduction to Management Accounting    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 1011.

This course introduces students to managerial accounting and the role of accounting information in managerial decision-making. Topics include a description of basic cost elements; the interrelationship between fixed costs, variable costs, and profit; and methods of accumulating the costs associated with producing products and providing services (e.g., activity-based costing), so that students can make recommendations about performance evaluation, project evaluation and other management decisions. Previously AC 0012.

ACCT 2203 Intermediate Accounting I    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 1011.

This course builds on the fundamental concepts of financial accounting and reporting covered in Introduction to Financial Accounting. It provides an in-depth study of financial accounting theory and concepts, including balance sheet valuations and their relationship to income measurement and determination, as well as the presentation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Using a practice set, students create financial statements from transactions to reinforce their knowledge of the accounting cycle. Previously AC 0203.

ACCT 2204 Intermediate Accounting II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 2203.

This course continues the in-depth study of financial accounting theory and concepts, and the presentation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) begun in ACCT 2203. In addition to balance sheet valuation and income measurement issues, the course includes special topics such as earnings per share, accounting for income taxes, leases, and cash flows. Previously AC 0204.

ACCT 2250 Role of Money and Accounting in Society    3 Credits

This course is designed to give students two viewpoints on a variety of topics that involve personal finance and concepts that are not always taught in a practical way. One viewpoint will be from the eyes of a practicing accountant/CPA and the other will be from a sociologist. Assessing different perspectives and approaches is critical to personal, civic, and professional development, as well as the ability to critically engage social science scholarship and professional best practices. Topics will range from budgeting to buying a house versus renting, savings, retirement, investing, insurance, income taxes, banking, accounting, reading financials, and fraud, as well as general discussions about wealth and income inequality. The class explores a variety of theoretical as well as practical approaches to navigate the complexity regarding money and finance in contemporary American society as well as abroad. Crosslisted with SOCI 2130.

ACCT 2265 Standalone Accounting Systems: Development and Use    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 2203.

This course covers how accounting data are captured, processed, stored and disseminated in a standalone accounting information system, and the importance of an effective system of internal controls. Employing a common general ledger program, the course incorporates a hands-on approach in which students are taught the flow of data from system set-up, to data entry, and to report generation and customization. Students also develop a chart of accounts from scratch and learn how data flows into the financial reporting model. Previously AC 0265

ACCT 2980 Internship    1 Credit

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

Students gain practical experience in accounting. Students must be matriculated in the Dolan School of Business and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Enrollment by permission only. Previously AC 0393-0394.

ACCT 3265 Enterprise-wide Accounting Systems: Design and Control    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 2265.

This course covers fundamental concepts inherent in establishing and maintaining accounting systems that are integrated within a company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, with an emphasis on mitigating financial reporting and data ethics risks. Topics include best practices in designing systems to promote data integrity and security (e.g., Completeness, Accuracy, Validity and Restricted access, referred to as “CAVR”).

ACCT 3275 Data Analytics in Accounting and Taxation    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 3265.

This course provides students with the opportunity to combine accounting/taxation, technology and analytical methods. Students will address real world problems in accounting and taxation using contemporary analysis tools to collect, clean and analyze large, accounting- and tax-specific sets of data. Students also will learn to present project results using appropriate visualizations and reports.

ACCT 3320 Cost Management    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 1012 and 2203.

This course focuses on the proactive management of costs and the effect of costs on managers' decision-making, planning, and control. Students learn to accumulate costs and assign them to products and services using several different techniques such as activity-based costing. Other topics include profit planning and resource allocation through the budgeting process; the evaluations of organizational performance in cost, profit, and investment centers; and the importance of cost in the strategic management of the organization. Previously AC 0320.

ACCT 3320L Cost Management Lab    1 Credit

Corequisite: ACCT 3320.

In this lab, students practice applying cost accounting concepts. Activities include using computer applications (e.g., Excel) to solve and present solutions to cost management problems. Note: This optional lab is not required, but highly recommended. Previously AC 0320L.

ACCT 3330 Auditing    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 2204.

This course introduces the audit of financial statements by independent CPAs. It bridges the gap between knowledge of accounting principles and the professional practice of accounting and auditing in the working world. Students learn about the role of auditing in society and the professional standards for behavioral and technical competence. They also study the factors entering into judgments about audit risk and the fair presentation of financial statement assertions. The course presents programs and procedures for defining audit objectives, gathering evidence, making decisions, and exercising professional skepticism. Previously AC 0330.

ACCT 3343 Federal Income Taxation I    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 2204.

This course introduces students to income tax, adjusted gross income, deductions from adjusted gross income, itemized deductions, property transactions, filing status and exemptions, passive activity losses, tax credits, and tax computations. The course also includes tax compliance and preparation considerations for individuals. Previously AC 0343.

ACCT 3344 Individual Taxation: Socioeconomic Applications    3 Credits

Attributes: UDIV U.S. Diversity

Prerequisites: ACCT 3343, junior standing.

This course builds on the knowledge students obtained in ACCT 3343. In addition to reviewing the fundamentals of individual income tax theory and the associated various forms and schedules, the course will provide students with practical experience in preparing and filing individual tax returns and the procedures used to enforce the individual taxation system. Students will become familiar with using the tax forms, calculating different tax credits and deductions, and conducting research to answer tax questions. The course will also address different social, economic, and ethical perspectives of the taxation system. Students will apply professional tax software, and will be required to obtain the necessary certification and volunteer in a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site as tax preparers. Previously AC 0344.

ACCT 3345 Federal Income Taxation II    3 Credits

Prerequisites: ACCT 3343, junior standing.

This course continues the study of taxation begun in ACCT 3343. The topics include formation of the corporation, distributions, liquidations, and reorganizations. The course covers tax return preparation, tax planning, research, and compliance issues throughout, and also includes personal holding companies, Subchapter S corporations, and partnerships. Previously AC 0345.

ACCT 3380 Not-for-Profit Accounting    3 Credits

Attributes: PANM Public Administration Nonprofit Management

Prerequisites: ACCT 2204, junior standing.

This course examines accounting theory and concepts,and the reporting principles promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) as they relate to voluntary health and welfare organizations, healthcare organizations and universities and all types of not for profit organizations. Learning will be enhanced by a service learning experience. Previously AC 0380.

ACCT 3900 Seminar: Special Topics in Accounting    3 Credits

This course presents recent practitioner and academic literature in various areas of accounting, including guest speakers where appropriate. Topics change semester to semester, depending upon faculty and student interests.

ACCT 3980 Internship    3 Credits

Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Students gain practical experience in accounting. Students must be matriculated in the Dolan School of Business and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Enrollment by permission only. Previously AC 0391-0392.

ACCT 3990 Independent Study    0-6 Credits

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

This course provides students with the opportunity to study and research a specialized topic under faculty guidance. Students must have a GPA or 2.5 or higher. Open to Accounting majors only. Enrollment by permission only. Previously AC 0397-0398.

ACCT 4310 Advanced Accounting    3 Credits

Prerequisites: ACCT 2204, senior standing.

This course focuses on accounting for various financial investments, including financial instruments, derivatives, and business combinations. Students also study the role of financial instruments in hedging foreign currency exposures and the complications encountered in financial reporting in a global environment. Previously AC 0310.

ACCT 5400 Introduction to Accounting    3 Credits

This course examines the basic concepts necessary to understand the information provided by financial and managerial accounting systems. The focus is on interpretation of basic information, as students learn about internal and external financial reporting. Topics include: accrual accounting; revenue and expense recognition; accounting for assets, liabilities, and equities; accumulation and assignment of costs to products and services; and budgeting. Previously AC 0400.

ACCT 6500 Accounting Information for Decision-Making    3 Credits

Prerequisite: ACCT 5400.

This course emphasizes the use of accounting information by managers for decision-making. It is designed to provide managers with the skills necessary to interpret analytical information supplied by the financial and managerial accounting systems. Financial accounting concepts based on profit, liquidity, solvency, and capital structure are used in the process of employing management accounting tools to decisions and evaluate organization performance and changes in cost, profit and investment centers. Previously AC 0500.

ACCT 6510 Issues in a Regulatory Reporting Environment    3 Credits

This course brings together technical accounting and reporting concepts and theories with a focus on the financial accounting information that is required to be filed with regulatory agencies, the most predominant being the Securities and Exchange Commission. This course aims to provide an in-depth conceptual understanding of regulatory reporting requirements coupled with an appreciation of how these regulations affect the quality of information in publicly available corporate reports. Students will enhance their ability to analyze and understand unique and complex future accounting issues and possible solutions. The course is taught seminar style with students leading the discussions of cases and research. Previously AC 0510.

ACCT 6515 Property Transactions: Regulatory and Tax Issues    3 Credits

This course covers concepts that are relevant in practice for both a public and private accounting and taxation setting. Drawing on and integrating complimentary law and tax topics, the course will consider issues such as: real estate used in a trade or business or held for the production of rental income, ownership of a principal residence, and indirect ownership of real-estate interests in the form of securities under federal law, including a REIT, as well as secured transactions and bankruptcy. Crosslisted with TAXN 6515.

ACCT 6520 International Accounting    3 Credits

The primary focus of this course is the study of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Particular emphasis will be placed on developing an understanding of significant differences between the current United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and IFRS standards. Students will also learn the pros and cons of U.S. GAAP and IFRS approaches for select technical accounting issues. Some other non-IFRS related topics include International Taxation, International Transfer pricing and the impact of culture on the development of accounting standards and practices throughout the world. Previously AC 0520.

ACCT 6525 Law of Commercial Transactions: Advanced Studies in the Uniform Commercial Code    3 Credits

This course provides students with a foundation in the Law of Commercial Transactions. The course begins with a review of the principles of common law contracts which underpins many aspects of the Uniform Commercial Code. This course entails an advanced study of several provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (hereinafter referred to as "UCC" or "the Code"). The sections of the Code to be studied include Article 2 Sales, Article 2A Leases of Goods, Articles 3 and 4 Negotiable Instruments and Bank Deposits and Collections, and Article 9 Secured Transactions. With an emphasis on case analyses and/or problem sets, students taking the course will have the opportunity to improve their critical thinking and written and oral communication skills, particularly as they relate to the legal settings associated with the UCC. Crosslisted with TAXN 6525. Previously MG 0512.

ACCT 6530 Accounting for Governments, Hospitals, and Universities    3 Credits

This course examines the generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental entities (as issued by GASB) as well as accounting principles applicable to not-for-profit entities (as issued by FASB). The focus will be on the financial statements and reports prepared by state and local governments and financial reporting for the wide array of not-for-profit entities with an emphasis on the contrast of these entities with for-profit accounting. Previously AC 0530.

ACCT 6550 Topics in Accounting Systems and Data Analytics    3 Credits

This course addresses technological topics of current interest to the accounting profession. Topics such as accounting information systems, cybersecurity, enterprise resource planning systems, and business intelligence may be discussed, but the focus of the class will be development of computer skills for extraction, data visualization, and cleaning and analysis of accounting data. Previously AC 0550.

ACCT 6555 Issues in Internal Audit    3 Credits

This course covers internal audit from a broad perspective. Course topics cover three main areas: internal audit basics, risks, and metrics. During the course, students will develop critical thinking skills (particularly employing professional skepticism) and learn to effectively communicate their professional opinions. Previously AC 0555.

ACCT 6560 Audit Issues in a Global Environment    3 Credits

This course will expose students to the global profession of auditing, with a primary focus on public company auditors. Topics will vary any given semester, but may include the following: the different international organizations that set auditing standards and enforce auditing standards; the impact of culture on auditing standards and practices throughout the world; the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards on international and U.S. auditing rules; the evaluation of audit evidence; auditor independence; materiality; internal controls; computer assisted audit tools and techniques; fraud detection and forensic accounting. The course is taught seminar style, with students leading the discussions of cases and current articles. Assignments are designed to develop students' written and oral communication skills, analytical skills, and critical thinking skills. Previously AC 0560.

ACCT 6565 Forensic Accounting    3 Credits

This course provides students with a foundation in investigative accounting. Topics covered include identifying, investigating and documenting fraud and providing litigation support for forensic engagements. With an emphasis on case analyses and/or independent research, students taking the course will have the opportunity to improve their critical thinking and written and oral communication skills, particularly as they relate to the legal settings associated with investigative accounting. Previously AC 0565.

ACCT 6570 Issues in Accounting Ethics    3 Credits

This course investigates ethical problems in contemporary accounting practice. The goal is to increase students' ethical perception so they are better able to identify, consider, and ultimately act on the ethical issues they may face in their professional accounting career, regardless of specialty area (e.g., audit, tax, and corporate accounting). The course is taught seminar style, with students leading the discussions of cases and current articles. Assignments are designed to develop students' written and oral communication skills, analytical skills, and critical thinking skills. Previously AC 0570.

ACCT 6580 Financial Statement Analysis    3 Credits

The course is designed to increase and extend the knowledge of the student in financial statement information and topics introduced in undergraduate courses in intermediate and advanced financial accounting through lecture, problem solving and case analysis. A critical examination of both objective and subjective aspects of financial reporting will be undertaken with both quantitative as well as qualitative assessments of financial information emphasized. Previously AC 0580.

ACCT 6585 Effective Communications for Accounting Professionals    3 Credits

In this course, students will practice communicating effectively in accounting settings. Topics include considering the communication needs of accountants' diverse audiences, adapting communications to varying purposes, and writing and speaking clearly and concisely in both preparing accounting-specific documents and in presenting accounting-focused information. Crosslisted with TAXN 6585.

ACCT 6900 Seminar: Special Topics in Accounting    3 Credits

This course presents recent practitioner and academic literature in various areas of accounting, including guest speakers where appropriate. Topics change semester to semester, depending upon faculty and student interests. Previously AC 0585.

ACCT 6970 Research on Contemporary Issues in Accounting    3 Credits

This course is a designated research course. In it students will investigate, analyze, develop, and present recommendations for emerging issues, recent pronouncements of accounting rule-making bodies and/or unresolved controversies relating to contemporary financial reporting. In doing so, students will consider institutional, historical, and international perspectives. In their research, students are expected to use authoritative resources (e.g., FASB and/or IASB pronouncements). The course is taught seminar style, with students leading the discussions of cases and current articles. Assignments are designed to develop students' written and oral communication skills, analytical skills, and critical thinking skills. Previously AC 0590.

ACCT 6980 Practicum in Accounting    3 Credits

This course builds on the in-class lessons covered during the student's graduate studies by providing the student with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to a professional accounting context. As such, it is an experiential learning activity. Successful completion of the practicum will entitle students to three credits that count as a graduate-level accounting elective. Enrollment by permission of the department chair or designee. This course may not be repeated for credit. Previously AC 0591.

ACCT 6990 Independent Study    3 Credits

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop research skills while exploring a specific contemporary accounting issue with a full-time faculty member specializing in the area of the discipline. Students are expected to complete a significant research paper as the primary requirement of this course. Enrollment by permission from department chair or designee only. Previously AC 0598.