M.S. in Accounting Program Information

A study of the fundamentals of research processes in accounting. The primary focus of the course will be on analyzing specific accounting issues and common methodologies used in accounting research and on evaluating research results using examples from current accounting literature.

A study of the fundamentals of tax research processes. The primary focus of the course will be on analyzing specific tax issues and common research methodologies used in tax research and on evaluating research results using examples from current tax literature.

A study of financial accounting theory as it relates to decision making in a contemporary, global financial reporting environment. Key areas of concentration include development of accounting theory, international financial accounting standards, revenue recognition, review of financial statements and their components, working capital, income taxes, leases, post-retirement benefits, and business combinations.

A study of the processes and systems used by managers to ensure organizational goals and strategies are being implemented as intended. The course involves analyzing various management control processes and systems, examining the strengths and weaknesses of each, and evaluating effective implementation strategies. Case analysis is emphasized.

This seminar course will provide students with a capstone experience of their academic studies. Students will research and analyze recent literature, both professional and academic, in accounting, focusing on the impact of current developments in various areas of the accounting profession. Students will also apply accounting research strategies, learned over the course of their studies in the program, to a topic agreed upon by the student and professor. Students will present their research findings to colleagues at the end of the course.

This course provides a detailed review of the most prominent income, deduction, and credit issues affecting individuals, particularly those affecting high-income or net-worth individuals or those involved in certain specialized transactions. Topics discussed will include: detailed review of certain itemized deductions; the various loss limitation rule provisions, including the passive activity and at-risk loss limitation rules; the treatment of certain business income and expense items, including individual net operating losses; significant equity and property transactions; and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Substantial emphasis will be placed on key compliance issues and tax planning opportunities for individuals, particularly those involved in investment, business, or other entrepreneurial activities. The class will include numerous components requiring students to apply the tax law to completing tax forms and in performing tax research related to issues in the course.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental tax principles and consequences of corporate formation, operation, and liquidation to both corporations and their shareholders. Principle topics covered include: corporate formation and capital structure, including the treatment and utilization of debt and the application of Section 351; the taxation of corporate operations, including prominent property transactions, tax incentives and credits, and significant deductions; determination of earnings and profits; the tax treatment of distributions or other payments to shareholders and/or corporate officers; stock redemptions; and corporate liquidations and corporate reorganizations, including mergers, acquisitions, and divisive reorganizations.

This course reviews the general provisions of Subchapters S and K of the Internal Revenue Code in considerable detail. Primary topics of focus include: the tax consequences of partnership and S-corporation formation, including the application of Sections 351 and 721; partnership and S-corporation operations, including the pass-through treatment of tax attributes; S-corporation tax accounts (including the accumulated adjustment account and accumulated earnings and profits); S-corporation level taxes; the concepts of inside and outside basis; the treatment of distributions of property to shareholders and partners; partnership and S-corporation liquidation. Special attention will be given to tax issues unique to partnerships, including special allocations, and the various partnership anti-abuse and loss limitation rules. Attention will also be given to practical aspects of pass-through entity tax practice, including key compliance and reporting issues and tax planning opportunities.

In this course, students are introduced to the responsibilities of practitioners dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. It includes a comprehensive overview of the many aspects of dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in tax matters. Students will gain a full understanding of the organization of the IRS. The major topics addressed in the course are ethical responsibilities, tax examinations by the IRS, audit procedures, the authority of the IRS, assessment procedures, statute of limitations, interest and penalties, the appeals process, the collection process, claims for refund and private letter rulings.

A study of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems used by organizations to integrate information flow through a wide variety of disparate functions. This course involves analyzing how an ERP system works, examining the advantages and risks of ERP systems, and evaluating ERP system implementation strategies. Case analysis is emphasized.

A study of the investigative and analytical skills used in preventing, discovering, and resolving financial irregularities in a manner that meets the standards required by applicable laws and/or regulations. The course begins with an examination of the legal fundamentals of forensic accounting followed by an analysis of the key tools and techniques used by forensic accountants. This foundational background is then used in the analysis of common forensic accounting applications. Case analysis is emphasized.

A study of auditing issues from case studies and application of data mining techniques in solving audit issues. Key area of concentration with case studies include client acceptance, understanding client business, audit risk assessment, materiality, fraud considerations, internal control objectives and deficiencies, auditing business processes and related accounts, and professional and ethical responsibilities. Key areas of focus with data mining techniques include application with ACL software tables, filters, and commands; audit planning; test of transactions and test of balances. Students will also explore the use of ACL software for forensic auditing and management reports.

A study of the identification, analysis, measurement, management of operational and financial risk within an organization. Key areas of focus include a historical perspective of risk, the implementation of a risk management program, allocation of capital, and measurement of performance.

An introduction to accounting emphasizing how general purpose financial statements communicate information about the business corporation's performance and position for users external to management. Approximately one third of the course emphasizes how the accountant processes and presents the information and includes exposure to recording transactions, adjusting balances and preparing financial statements for service and merchandise firms according to established rules and procedures. The balance of the course examines major elements of the statements such as cash, receivables, inventory, long-lived assets, depreciation, payroll, bonds, and other liabilities and stocks. Concepts of this course are applied to Managerial Accounting (ACCT 225). Students are advised to avoid any time lapse between these courses.

The study of management accounting for internal reporting and decision-making. The course introduces a business-management approach to the development and use of accounting information. Major topics include cost behavior, cost analysis, profit planning and control measures. Accounting for decentralized operations, capital budgeting decisions, and ethical challenges in managerial accounting are also covered.

The first of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, the conceptual framework, development of generally accepted accounting principles, and applications are stressed. Topics include the income statement, the statement of cash flows and the balance sheet, specifically asset accounts.

The second of two in-depth financial accounting courses. Theory, concepts and applications are stressed. Topics include time value of money, current and non-current liabilities, leases, deferred taxes, retirement benefits, stockholders, equity, earning per share, accounting changes and errors, and statement of cash flows.

A study of the planning, evidence gathering, internal control review, sampling, and application of procedures used to audit assets, liabilities, equity and related income statement accounts of a profit-oriented enterprise. Includes an evaluation of the audit profession including professional standards, ethics and liability of CPAs. Also includes a student-prepared audit case for hands-on application of audit procedures. The reporting requirements for compilation and review services and a thorough study of the types of audit opinions will also be studied. In addition, an audit research paper is required.