Accounting

Learning Objectives

Graduates of the online Bachelor of Science in Accounting program will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and principles of accounting.
2. Verify, organize, analyze, and apply data and use quantitative decision-support tools to provide effective solutions to accounting problems.
3. Identify ethical issues and apply ethical principles and Christian values for organizational decision-making.
4. Demonstrate effective professional communication skills.

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program, a variety of careers are available in both the private and public sectors. Listed below are just some examples of career paths open to students with accounting proficiency.

Professional CPA Firms (Auditing and/or Tax Services)

• Staff Accountant
• Manager
• Partner

Government

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Treasury Department (Internal Revenue Service)
• Secret Service
• Central Intelligence Agency
• S. Postal Service
• Homeland Security
• Department of Defense

Corporate and Small Business

• Chief Financial Officer
• Controller
• Treasurer
• Tax Director
• Internal Auditor
• Personal Financial Planner
• Financial Analyst
• Cost Accountant
• Regulatory Compliance Officer

Not-for-Profit

• Controller
• Compliance Analyst
• Budget Director

Graduate Outcomes

Recent graduates who have majored in accounting have obtained positions in the public accounting field, private corporations, educational, and not-for-profit organizations. With accounting positions projected to grow at an annual rate of 29% over the next four or five years, there are plenty of opportunities available for the graduate with strong accounting, tax, finance, and business acumen. Strong regulatory requirements established by the United States Congress are projected to continue in the near future.

Courses Within the Major

Intermediate Accounting I

This course provides an in-depth look at financial statements and the information found on them. Various accounting issues are examined with emphasis on assets, liabilities, and problem-solving techniques.

Intermediate Accounting II

This course is a continuation of Intermediate Accounting I with an emphasis on equities, problem-solving techniques, and ethical issues in accounting.

Cost Accounting

This course provides a study of the basic cost-accounting concepts and procedures, with emphasis on the development, interpretation, and application of managerial accounting information for planning, control, and decision-making. Prerequisite: ACTG 212.

Accounting Information Systems

This course provides an introduction to the field of accounting information management. Students will examine key accounting processes and how information systems support the execution of and management of these processes. Students will learn how to structure and analyze data that may be found in an information system by using the spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel and the database management system Microsoft Access.

430 Federal Income Tax

This course examines the basic federal income tax laws as they relate primarily to individuals.

Federal Income Tax – Corporations, Partnerships, Estates, & Trusts

An introduction to federal income taxation of business corporations. The course reviews the tax considerations relevant to the various life cycles of a corporation, from incorporation through liquidation. The course also introduces tax laws pertaining to flow-through entities such as S-corporations and partnerships and a review of tax laws as they apply to estates and trusts.

Auditing I

In this course students are exposed to the philosophy and environment of the profession, with special attention focused on the nature and economic purpose of auditing and assurance services, professional standards, professional ethics and conduct, audit planning, internal control, and audit sampling and documentation.

Accounting for Non-Profit Organizations

This course will focus on the external financial statements for government and other non-profit organizations and will include a discussion of fund accounting and non-profit reporting requirements.

Advanced Accounting Capstone

This capstone course is a study of consolidation accounting, foreign transactions issues, the SEC, and other special topics, including a capstone project.

Managerial Finance

This course surveys the financial problems associated with the life cycle of a business and with personal finance needs. Topics covered include financial analysis, financial planning, capital budgeting, cost of capital, the sources and uses of business funds, and the instruments utilized in raising funds.

Statistical  Applications

This course presents an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics used in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data as it relates to business or health care applications.

Writing for the Workplace

This course focuses on developing research and writing skills required for most professionals.  Assignments include emails, memos, reports, proposals, descriptions, web writing, resumes, and cover letters.

*A Business minor is required for all Accounting majors.*

Courses in the Business Minor

Principles of Management and Leadership

This course provides an analysis of the organizational environment and the processes of management, including leadership concepts, in business enterprises. The course focuses on the concepts, methods, and techniques of the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling functions of the modern manager and the impact of these processes upon effective interpersonal relations, global matters, and ethical issues.

Legal and Ethical Issues in Business & Management

This course focuses on the legal and ethical issues related to businesses and organizations. Students will examine how government, business, and society interact by reviewing the forms of business organizations, business transaction laws, employment laws, international trade treaties, and corporate and social responsibility.

Business Strategy and Policy

This capstone business course examines the interdependence of the different functions of a business. Through the use of computer simulations, students gain a comprehensive and integrated view of business operations and the role of top management in analyzing the environment, setting goals, and implementing plans with special emphasis on ethical issues. Business students take this course in the final semester of their senior year.

Marketing

This course introduces the study of price, product/service, promotion, and place. Also studied are the basic principles and practices involved in the distribution of goods and services, market surveys, salesmanship, advertising, as well as ethical considerations in all areas of marketing.

Choose two courses from the following:

Internship

Field internships provide an opportunity for students to gain practical work experience in accounting. Internship students work at a designated business or public organization under close supervision of a faculty advisor. Repeatable for credit.

Small Business Management

This award-winning online course uses innovative features to introduce students to the basic topics and issues of small business management. Using an educational novel as the primary text, students follow the main character’s learning curve to gain enough knowledge to resolve the central dilemma of the story. Using web-based resources and a workbook, students explore issues of leadership, business ethics and social responsibility, economics, legal forms of business, accounting, finance, marketing, e-commerce, operations and human resource management, and communication.

Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship

The learning outcome of this course is the student’s development of an entrepreneurial mindset centered in Christian values culminating in a project to solve contemporary social issues in a globally connected world. Using an educational novel as the primary text, students study those innovative individuals throughout history who have acted as catalysts to human progress. Using web-based resources and a workbook, students explore issues of entrepreneurship, business ethics, social responsibility, economics, historical development of western capitalism and its financial sectors, legal forms of business, and the innovative use of information technology in a globalized environment.

Global Business Management

This course explores topics related to managing an organization in a global, multinational environment. Special areas to be examined include the social, cultural, economic, and political environments, as well as ethical and legal issues. Matters dealing with trade, business operations, and monetary systems will also be explored.

Operations Management

This course examines planning and control of production and operations with respect to products/services, processes, technology, and personnel. Topics include strategy, quality, forecasting, capacity, location, layout, the supply chain, just-in-time manufacturing, and inventory activities.