Accounting and Information Systems

Accounting and Information Systems | Courses | Faculty

359 SOM Building

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration

Contact: Ronald C. Mannino
Office: 357 SOM Building
Phone: (413) 545-5625

Chair of Department: Associate Professor Ronald C. Mannino. Professors Elgers, Kida, Pfeiffer; Associate Professors Asebrook, Gal, Porter, Simpson, Smith, Whiteman; Assistant Professor Piercy; Lecturers Akisik, Kelliher, Milne, Shmerling, Sorcinelli, Trafford, West.

The Field

Accounting is often referred to as the language of business. Today’s accountants are highly skilled professionals who identify, measure, communicate, and interpret economic information. Whether in the largest accounting firm in the world or the smallest not-for-profit organization, accountants use their knowledge and skills to provide information and advice on many different issues.

As members of CPA firms, accountants may work on the financial statements of Fortune 500 companies, provide recommendations to improve operating or control procedures, help small businesses raise capital, help to develop and install computer systems, and give advice on a range of financial and tax matters. In industry, accountants use their knowledge to develop and manage accounting control systems, manage capital, provide cost and profit analyses of products and services, or provide tax and financial services.

Curriculum concentrations exist in the areas of public accounting, management accounting, information systems, and areas of special interest. Students planning to satisfy certification requirements as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified in Management Accounting), CDP (Certified in Data Processing), or as a teacher, should consult with a faculty adviser as to the specific requirements.

Note: Students who plan to seek the professional designation CPA should meet with a faculty adviser concerning the educational requirements for certification. Requirements are mandated by each state. For states other than Massachusetts, students should obtain information concerning educational requirements from the appropriate state board of accountancy, before final selection of courses to ensure that the requirements will be met. A number of states, including Massachusetts, now require 150 semester-hours of education to qualify for the CPA exam. Interested students should meet with a faculty adviser to discuss how best to satisfy the 150-hour requirement or contact the Graduate Program Director, James F. Smith.

The Major

Requirements

Required freshman-sophomore and Isenberg School core courses (see under Isenberg School of Management).

Required courses in the major:
ACCOUNTG 321 Financial Reporting I (or SCH-MGMT 521)
ACCOUNTG 322 Financial Reporting II (or SCH-MGMT 522)
SCH-MGMT 541 Auditing

ACCOUNTG 311 Business Applications of Computers or
ACCOUNTG 312 Business Information Systems

MANAGMNT 361 Law II—Contracts or
MANAGMNT 362 Law III—Corporate or
SCH-MGMT 583 Law for Accountants

Electives sufficient to reach a minimum of 21 hours in accounting courses. Following is a sample of courses that can be taken as additional electives:
ACCOUNTG 311 Business Applications of Computers
ACCOUNTG 312 Business Information Systems
ACCOUNTG 331 Cost Accounting
ACCOUNTG 361 Fund Accounting
ACCOUNTG 371 Federal Income Taxes
SCH-MGMT 523 Financial Reporting III
SCH-MGMT 572 Advanced Federal Taxation
SCH-MGMT 582 International Accounting

Four electives outside the Isenberg School of Management (12 cr).

Additional electives to bring the total to the 120 credits required for graduation.

Career Opportunities

The demand for accounting professionals is strong. The need for financial information by businesses, government agencies, and investors furthers the need for individuals with an accounting education.

Accounting graduates follow very diverse career paths. They work for large and small firms, national and international firms, and in every kind of business imaginable. They have careers in public accounting and private industry, holding positions such as independent or internal auditor, tax specialist, bank examiner, treasurer, controller, and financial executive. In addition, they work in government agencies and in non-profit organizations; and some graduates form their own companies.

A number of professional certifications are available in accounting, including the certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), certified internal auditor (CIA).

Students wishing to graduate with honors must meet University and departmental requirements. For magna cum laude and summa cum laude, these include completion of at least eight honors courses, among which should be one accounting course at the 300 level or higher, one accounting or SCH-MGMT honors course at any level, and completion of a Capstone Experience Option. Contact Commonwealth College or the department for options.

(Students who have completed the Isenberg School of Management freshman-sophomore requirements may apply for admission as a major in the Department of Accounting and Information Systems.)

Accounting and Information Systems | Courses | Faculty