Previous Accounting Curriculum

Students in the financial analysis concentration develop skills in the areas of financial statement analysis, and traditional topics in finance (e.g., investments, portfolio analysis, and capital budgeting). This skill set provides a foundation for graduate ­level study in accounting or finance and prepares students for careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, governmental and not­for-­profit organizations.

The Financial Analysis concentration is designed to prepare students in the following areas:

• Reasoning/problem-solving capabilities
• Preparation and analysis of data and information
• Use of financial management decision tools
• Ability to “get behind the numbers” and understand financial reports
• Personal financial planning and management insight

Career Opportunities in Financial Analysis

• financial analyst
• financial planner
• business consultant
• bank loan officer
• treasurer
• controller/chief financial officer
• asset manager
• investment analyst
• portfolio manager

Accounting is at the heart of a company’s business systems.  The discipline of accounting information systems focuses on the use of information systems to capture, process, and analyze financial and nonfinancial data in order to provide operational and strategic information for various decision-makers both internal and external to a company.

Students in the Information Systems concentration will acquire knowledge of accounting information systems (AIS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems that incorporate “best practice” business processes and include reliable and secure internal controls. Additionally, students will learn how to design and implement databases (the foundation of AIS and ERP systems) that collect, store, and process data to provide information for operational and strategic decision-making.

The Information Systems concentration is designed to prepare students in the following areas:

• Deep understanding of core business processes
• Proficiency in ERP and AIS software (SAP and Sage 50, respectively)
• Database design and development using Microsoft Acess
• Proficiency in systems diagramming techniques and flowcharting packages (e.g. Microsoft Visio)
• Knowledge of IT controls in and surrounding information systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel skills related to accounting applications

Career Opportunities in Information Systems

Graduates with an Information Systems concentration have a wide range of career choices. Some examples chosen by recent graduates include:

• IT auditor
• IT consultant
• Systems analyst
• Data analytics consultant
• Data security analyst
• External/internal auditor
• Corporate accountant
• Governmental or non-profit accountant

Students in the internal auditing concentration learn practical knowledge of the role and the best practices of internal auditing in governance, risk management and control. Students develop skills in planning and conducting internal audit assurance engagements. The internal auditing concentration gives students an understanding of fraud risk management and computerized auditing techniques. In some corporations, the entry point to many jobs in the organization is through the internal audit department. In addition, students are offered a clinical learning experience through the internal audit practicum that gives students an opportunity to apply classroom theories to real­ life situations.

Career Opportunities in Internal Auditing

• internal auditor
• fraud examiner
• advisory services
• information technology auditor
• risk management executive
• chief auditing executive

The managerial accounting concentration is designed for students who are interested in careers within business allowing students to combine interests in both accounting and business. The concentration allows students to combine interests in both accounting and business. The coursework is designed to prepare students for the events that are shaping the future of the accounting and finance profession and to equip them with the skills and competencies crucial for career success.

The Managerial concentration is designed to prepare students in the following areas:

• The ability to make insightful contributions to the strategic planning process
• The knowledge to design measures that focus and motivate the organization’s employees and activities
• The skills to develop information and analyses that provide insight into how value is being created and how progress is being matched to strategic initiatives
• An integrated view of how accounting and finance interact with other business functions

Career Opportunities in Managerial Accounting

Strategic finance and planning skills and abilities are applicable in all forms of business, including service, manufacturing and merchandising companies. In these settings, professional careers can be:

• cost accountant
• financial analyst
• tax manager
• product, process and services analyst
• business consultant
• project manager
• budget manager/analyst
• controller
• chief financial officer

The Government and Nonprofit concentration provides students interested in careers in public service through not-for-profit or government organizations with the elemental tools necessary for understanding organizations not motivated by profit-seeking. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of accounting in nonprofit and government agencies and the accounting procedures and devices necessary to provide accountability to the public.

The Government and Nonprofit concentration is designed for students interested in general or financial management of nonprofit organizations and government organizations. All levels of government – local, state, and federal – provide opportunities in the areas of auditing, financial management, and budgeting. In addition, students versed in government and nonprofit accounting have opportunities in public accounting since most local governments and nonprofits are audited not by government auditors but by public accounting firms.

The Government and Nonprofit concentration is designed to prepare students in the following areas:

• The ability to make insightful contributions to the strategic planning process
• The knowledge to design measures that focus and motivate the organization’s employees and activities
• Understanding of budgeting, audit and financial analysis issues unique to government and nonprofit entities

Career Opportunities in Government and Nonprofit Accounting

• Budget manager/director
• Grant accountants
• Accounting managers and directors responsible for all aspects of the organizations financial transactions
• Controllers in nonprofit organizations and government agencies
• General accountants in hospitals and educational institutions

The no-concentration option is intended for students who may want flexibility to pursue minors in other disciplines (the PCOM entrepreneurship minor, a foreign language minor, computer science minor, etc.), to pursue the PCOM analytics honors program, or to put together a unique set of accounting and business classes to better prepare themselves for a career. It may also be appropriate for on-campus and off-campus transfer students who have a significant number of credit hours that otherwise would not count towards the accounting degree.

Students considering this option are encouraged to meet their advisor as well as Prof. Roby Sawyers, Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Accounting.