Core Course Descriptions
22:010:660
Accounting for Digital Era (3 credits)
This course provides the student with the evolution of accounting information to the digital economy. It explores the migration of the economy to a real time economy and the electronization of the business as well as the globalization of business. Enabling and emerging technologies provides the student with an awareness of the future of accounting, reporting and auditing in the digital age. Technologies and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act provide an understanding about future methodologies that address compliance with the Act.
22:835:628
Advanced Accounting Research (3 credits)
The goal of this course is to give you the opportunity to use various aspects of your analytical accounting skills to analyze real-world problems. It is an independent study in which teams address accounting issues and research authoritative literature to prepare suggested solutions to the issue. It is an excellent course for professionals who enter public accounting in that it helps a student develop a methodology in researching the authoritative literature.
22:835:626
Advanced Auditing & AIS (3 credits)
The course adds to the knowledge of future accounting and auditing professionals who have taken the prerequisite course, "Auditing," by becoming familiar with the technologies use in Accounting Information System and related IT audit methodology. The emphasis of this course is to assist students in (1) obtaining an understanding of the risks associated with key aspects of information systems including: operating systems security, databases, networks, and systems development; and the audit role of Computer Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques (CAATTs); and (2) having a working command of ACL in performing standard attest function tests and fraud detection.
22:010:661
Contemporary Issues in Corporate Governance (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the corporate governance mechanism, especially focusing on accounting issues of corporate governance. Considerable stress is placed on internal controls and monitoring by independent auditors, which have been emphasized by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Other topics include earnings management, transparency and timeliness of financial disclosures, and the role of independent corporate boards, including independent audit committees, in ensuring reliability of financial disclosures. The course also evaluates the role played by institutional investors, ownership structure and managerial compensation in the firm's operating performance and valuation.
22:010:645
Decoding of Corporate Financial Communication (3 credits)
This course is designed to strengthen your ability to understand and interpret key corporate reports and disclosures. The course begins with exploring incentives for corporations to communicate, user groups to which they communicate, and various forms and channels of communication. We then consider major corporate reporting mechanisms such as the Annual Report, Form 10K, Form 8K, and Form 10Q, as well as voluntary disclosures. We will spend discuss interpreting and understanding comparison of financial information and disclosure within and across industries. Throughout the course we will discuss key financial statement analysis tools including: ratio analysis, working capital, asset management, return on assets, return on equity, the impact of debt on the capital structure. We will also study the impact of fixed and variable costs and will link this to operating and financial leverage. The ability to analyze, interpret and manage a firm's financial statements with an emphasis on understanding the reporting choices available to management is an invaluable skill-set. The course will emphasize the interpretation, evaluation, and application of financial accounting concepts and theory. We will emphasize communication skills, critical thinking, decision-making skills, and real-world issues in accounting including but not limited to financial malfeasance and ethics.
