Re-imagine your future with a master’s in accounting for non-accounting majors

A study of the fundamentals of research processes in accounting and taxation. The primary focus of the course will be on analyzing specific accounting and tax issues and utilizing appropriate accounting and tax authorities to determine appropriate conclusions for decision making. Communication of the research, analysis, and conclusion will be in the format of written and verbal contexts. Professional standards and laws, as well as legal, ethical, and regulatory issues will be introduced.

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 management system is a set of policies, processes, and procedures used by an organization to ensure it can fulfill the tasks required to achieve its objectives. During this course, we will analyze various management and leadership systems used by managers to ensure goals and strategies are being implemented throughout the organization. Case analysis and research are 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 covers pass-through entities (partnerships and S-corporations), exempt entities, and family tax planning issues. Partnership topics include partnership formation, operation and basis, distributions, transfer of interests, and terminations. S-corporation taxation focuses on S-Corporation status, operational rules (including taxable income), allocation of income/loss, distributions to shareholders, and basis. Exempt entities are examined including types and characteristics, excise taxes, unrelated business income tax, and reporting requirements. Lastly, the course addresses issues relevant to family tax planning including federal gift and estate taxes, valuation, and income tax concepts. Attention will also be given to practical tax applications including key compliance, 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.