Diploma in Accounting

Duration: 1 to 2 years.
Credit needed for a Diploma: 36
Registration: $50.00US
Tuition: $2150.00US

Also available as individual courses: Registration fee: $15.00US, course fee: $185.00US. A certificate will be awarded after completing a course.

Accounting is called the "language of business." But this does not mean that accountants are only concerned with numbers. In today's market, nothing could be further from the truth. While accountants must be thoroughly grounded in the fundamentals of our discipline, more importantly they must have a strong technology base as well as interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills. Accountants must be problem solvers, helping their clients or employers find creative solutions to complex business problems.

Students have a wide variety of career options in this field. The three primary options are public, industry, and governmental accounting. Students wishing to practice public accounting can do so with large, international firms or with regional or local accounting firms. The same is true for industry. Some students will select multinational corporate organizations while others prefer the smaller local manufacturing or service company. There are numerous opportunities in state, local, and Federal government agencies. Within the various accounting arenas, students might specialize in auditing, tax, or accounting information systems. 

Courses:

• A100   Basic Accounting Skills 
• A200   Foundations of Accounting 
• A201   Introduction to Financial Accounting 
• A202   Introduction to Managerial Accounting 
• A205   Honors Introduction to Accounting I 
• A305   Entrepreneurial Accounting 
• A311   Intermediate Financial Accounting I 
• A312   Intermediate Financial Accounting II 
• A324   Cost Management 
• A325   Intermediate Managerial Accounting I 
• A327   Tax Analysis 
• A329   Taxes and Decision Making
• A420   Financial Statement Analysis and Interpretation 
• A422   Advanced Financial Accounting I
• A424   Auditing 
• A434   Professional Aspects of Accounting 
• A437   Intermediate Managerial Accounting II 
• A490   Independent Study in Accounting 

A100 Basic Accounting Skills (1 cr.)

Introduces students to the accounting and financial information environment of the firm. Consists of five modules: (1) introduction to accounting information users and systems; (2) financial accounting; (3) management accounting; (4) tax accounting; and (5) integrative activity. Includes current real-world examples taken from the popular business press. Provides students with the foundation necessary for higher-level accounting courses.

A200 Foundations of Accounting (3 cr.)

The role of accounting in society and business with a special emphasis on fundamental concepts and the basic design of accounting systems. For non-business majors who are interested in learning about how accounting affects their lives and businesses. Credit not given for both A200 and A201 or A202.

A201 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3 cr.)

Provides balanced coverage of the mechanics, measurement theory, and economic context of financial accounting. Strikes a balance between a preparer's and a user's orientation, emphasizing that students must understand both how transactions lead to financial statements (preparer's orientation) as well as how one can infer transactions given a set of financial statements (user's orientation). Relies on current real-world examples taken from the popular business press. First part of the course introduces students to the financial accounting environment, financial statements, the accounting cycle, and the theoretical framework of accounting measurement. Second part of the course covers the elements of financial statements, emphasizing mechanics, measurement theory, and the economic environment. Students cannot receive credit for both A201 and A200.

Prerequisite: A100

A202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting (3 cr.)

Concepts and issues associated with the accounting of and management of business; particular emphasis is given to understanding the role of accounting in product costing, costing for quality, cost-justifying investment decisions, and performance evaluation and control of human behavior. Credit not given for both A200 and A202.

Prerequisite: A100

A205 Honors Introduction to Accounting I (3 cr.)

Concepts and issues associated with corporate financial reporting; particular emphasis is placed on understanding the role of financial accounting in the economy, how different accounting methods affect financial statements, and developing a basis for life-long learning. 

Prerequisite: A100

A305 Entrepreneurial Accounting (3 cr.)

Expands students' business knowledge by focusing their attention on the accounting issues and concerns that are vital to small- and medium-sized businesses. Focuses on the accounting and finance issues that must be addressed to assist these businesses in meeting their objectives of growth, preparation for a public offering, retirement of owners, etc.

Prerequisite: A201, A202

NOTE: This course is not open to students with a concentration in accounting.

A311 Intermediate Financial Accounting I (3 cr.)

Provides students with a thorough understanding of the theoretical foundations underlying financial reporting, revenue recognition, and the matching of expenses; financial statement presentation; and accounting for assets. Course's primary objective is to give students the tools necessary to understand and execute appropriate accounting procedures. Another goal is to help students understand the process through which accounting standards are determined and to evaluate the outcomes of that process from the perspectives of managers, shareholders, auditors, and others. Students will learn to evaluate competing accounting theories and methods from multiple perspectives.

Prerequisite: A201, A202

A312 Intermediate Financial Accounting II (3 cr.)

Provides students with a thorough understanding of accounting for long-term liabilities and debt investment; stockholders' equity; and preparation of the cash flow statements. Course's first objective is to give students the tools necessary to understand and execute appropriate accounting procedures. Course's second objective is to help students understand the process through which accounting standards are determined and to evaluate the outcomes of that process from the perspectives of managers, shareholders, auditors, and others. Students will learn to evaluate competing accounting theories and methods from multiple perspectives.

Prerequisite: A311

A324 Cost Management (1.5 cr.)

Product costing and strategic cost management. Covers several accounting systems and techniques that ascribe costs to products, services, and other activities, and the costing systems' potential effects on business decisions in light of a firm's strategic, technological, and environmental position. Particular emphasis is placed on interpretation of the numbers and analyses generated by various accounting systems and the pitfalls most commonly encountered in their use.

Prerequisite: A311

A325 Intermediate Managerial Accounting I (3 cr.)

Enables the student to prepare, use, and critically evaluate management accounting information for purposes of planning and control, product costing, and performance measurement and evaluation.

Prerequisite: A201, A202

A327 Tax Analysis (1.5 cr.)

A business framework for tax planning and decision-making. Applications include selection of savings vehicles for individuals, comparison of business entities, compensation tax planning, and international tax planning.

Prerequisite: A311

A420 Financial Statement Analysis and Interpretation (1.5 cr.)

Covers issues associated with the analysis and interpretation of financial statements. Particular emphasis is placed upon understanding the economic characteristics of a firm's business, the strategies the firm selects to compete in each of its businesses, and the accounting procedures and principles underlying the financial statements.

Prerequisite: A312

A422 Advanced Financial Accounting 1 (3 cr.)

Generally accepted accounting principles as applied to partnerships, business combinations, branches, international operations, and not-for-profit organizations. Particular emphasis is given to consolidated financial statements.

Prerequisite: A312

A424 Auditing (3 cr.)

Objectives of course are to provide students with an understanding of:

1. the auditing environment and professional ethics,
2. audit reports and the conditions under which alternatives are used,
3. basic auditing concepts,
4. audit evidence and documentation,
5. analytical reviews,
6. the audit risk model,
7. internal control review, and documentation,
8. audits of cycles,
9. statistical sampling,
10. audit objectives in complex systems.

Emphasis is on the conceptual development of the subject matter, the nature of professional practice, and the technology of auditing.

Prerequisite: A312

A434 Professional Aspects of Accounting (3 cr.)

Preparation for practice as professional public, industrial, or governmental accountant.

A437 Intermediate Managerial Accounting 2 (3cr.)

Objective of course is to provide students with advanced managerial accounting knowledge and skills. Emphasis is on hands-on information analysis and reporting. Students will provide case analyses and presentations.

Prerequisite: A312, A325

A490 Independent Study in Accounting (1-3 cr.)

Supervised individual study and research in the student's special field of interest. Student will propose the investigation desired and, in conjunction with the instructor, develop the scope of work to be completed. Comprehensive written report required.

Prerequisite: Consent of department chairperson and of instructor.