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Accounting & Information Systems

Accounting & Information Systems | Courses | Faculty


SOM Building

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration

Contact: James F. Smith

Office: 351 SOM Building

Phone: 545-5661

Chair of Department: Associate Professor James F. Smith. Professors Elgers, Kida, Sardinas; Associate Professors Asebrook, Gal, Hanno, Mannino, Pfeiffer, Porter, Simpson; Visiting Associate Professor Whiteman; Executive Professor Sondheimer; Lecturer Sorcinelli.

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 now require 150 semester-hours of education to qualify for the CPA exam. In Massachusetts, the 150-hour requirement becomes effective July 1, 2002. Interested students should meet with a faculty adviser to discuss how best to satisfy the 150-hour requirement.

The Major

Requirements

Required freshman-sophomore program.

Required Isenberg School "core" courses (15 cr).

Required courses in the major: ACCTG 321 Financial Reporting I, ACCTG 322 Financial Reporting II, SOM 541 Auditing, either ACCTG 311 Business Applications of Computers, or ACCTG 312 Business Information Systems, and a business law course (i.e., MGT 361 or 362, or SOM 583).

Electives sufficient to reach a minimum of 24 hours in accounting courses (including ACCTG 221 and 222 but not including MGT 361, 362, or SOM 583). Following is a sample of courses that can be taken as additional electives:

ACCTG 311 Business Applications of Com- puters

ACCTG 312 Business Information Systems

ACCTG 331 Cost Accounting

ACCTG 361 Fund Accounting

ACCTG 371 Federal Income Taxes

SOM 514 Computer Auditing Control

SOM 523 Financial Reporting III

SOM 572 Advanced Federal Taxation

SOM 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), and the certificate in data processing (CDP).

Students wishing to graduate with honors must meet University and departmental requirements. For Magna Cum Laude and Sum-ma Cum Laude, these include completion of at least six honors courses, at least three of which must be in accounting, with at least two of the accounting honors courses at the 300 level or above.

(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 & Information Systems | Courses | Faculty