Accounting (M.S.) - Graduate - 2010 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2010 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

The Master of Science in Accounting, added to an undergraduate degree with a major or concentration in Accounting, meets the minimum education requirements to sit for the CPA examination in New Jersey.

The MS in Accounting degree is designed to enhance and broaden communication skills, quantitative skills and critical thinking, both written and oral, in addition to strengthening a broad range of technical and analytical skills of the professional accountant.

ADMISSIONS

An application to MS in Accounting program requires:

Two (2) official copies of the academic transcript from each college and/or university attended, documenting an earned undergraduate degree with a major or concentration in Accounting.
Official scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test [GMAT].
A statement of professional objectives.
Two (2) letters of recommendation, from persons qualified to evaluate the applicant's promise of academic achievement and potential for professional growth.
A non-refundable application fee.
A current resume is not required, but applicants are encouraged to include one.

DEADLINES

Credentials are processed as soon as they are received. This program does not have a specific deadline; however, the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services recommends that students submit their credentials as far in advance as possible from the semester they plan to begin their studies to ensure a timely review of their application.

Students are admitted to begin courses in the MS in Accounting in both Fall and Spring semesters, but applications are processed throughout the year. We encourage you to apply well in advance of the term in which you plan to begin your studies, to ensure there is time for a comprehensive review of all your credentials.

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ACCOUNTING

Complete 33 semester hours including the following 3 requirement(s):

REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Complete 6 courses for 18 semester hours:

ACCT	506	Internal Auditing	3
ACCT	508	Governmental and Not For Profit Accounting	3
ACCT	514	Advanced Taxation for Accountants	3
ACCT	523	Financial Statement Analysis	3
ACCT	540	International Accounting and Auditing	3
BSLW	503	Business Law I	3

ELECTIVES

Complete 4 courses from the following list. Students may choose up to one course from the business school approved graduate electives list.

ACCT	510	Accounting Information Systems	3
ACCT	525	International Taxation and International Management Accounting	3
ACCT	526	Fraud Examination	3
ACCT	527	Forensic Accounting	3
BSLW	504	Business Law II	3

CULMINATING EXPERIENCE

Complete for 3 semester hours.

ACCT 542 Comprehensive Issues in Public Accountancy 3

MINIMUM 32 GRADUATE HOURS REQUIREMENT

32 semester hours still needed to fulfill the minimum 32 hour degree requirement.

ACCT	506	Internal Auditing	3
ACCT	508	Governmental and Not For Profit Accounting	3
ACCT	510	Accounting Information Systems	3
ACCT	514	Advanced Taxation for Accountants	3
ACCT	523	Financial Statement Analysis	3
ACCT	525	International Taxation and International Management Accounting	3
ACCT	526	Fraud Examination	3
ACCT	527	Forensic Accounting	3
ACCT	540	International Accounting and Auditing	3
ACCT	542	Comprehensive Issues in Public Accountancy	3
BSLW	503	Business Law I	3
BSLW	504	Business Law II	3

Course Descriptions:

ACCT506: Internal Auditing

This is an introductory course in internal auditing. Emphasis is placed on introducing the importance of the internal audit function in today's business environment. Different types of internal audits are presented with an emphasis on operational audits, risk assessment and assisting management in achieving its objectives. Career opportunities for internal auditors are explored. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 520 or undergraduate degree with concentration in accounting.

ACCT508: Governmental and Not For Profit Accounting

This course reviews the accounting and reporting concepts, standards and procedures applicable to the Federal government, state and local governments and not-for-profit institutions such as universities and hospitals. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT510: Accounting Information Systems

Examines the theory and practice of developing and maintaining accounting based information systems. Systems development techniques, system control and documentation are emphasized. Transactional, data-based distributive and electronic data exchange concepts are developed. The auditing of computer based systems is structured. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 and INFO 503; or undergraduate degree with concentration in accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT514: Advanced Taxation for Accountants

The purpose of this course is to further expand on the basic concepts presented in "Basic Taxation for Accountants." Formation, operation and dissolution of sole proprietorships, C Corporations, S Corporations, and Partnerships are discussed. Coverage also includes limited liability entities, alternative minimum tax calculations for individuals and corporations related party transactions, estate and gift tax, fiduciary accounting, tax planning and ethics. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 512 or undergraduate degree with concentration in accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting students only.

ACCT523: Financial Statement Analysis

From an accounting perspective, an in-depth discussion and analysis of financial statements as a basis for valuation of the firm. The real performance of the companies under consideration will be determined as students learn to decode information contained in corporate annual reports. The course leads to the ability to evaluate critically the key issues affecting a company's valuation and operations utilizing accounting information. In addition, the valuation techniques introduced provide the opportunity for statistical modeling and empirical testing of the valuation procedures with accounting data. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 and FINC 501, or undergraduate degreee with concentration in Accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT525: International Taxation and International Management Accounting

This course deals with the impact of international taxation on U.S. multinational corporations doing business abroad, foreign corporations doing it in the U.S., the U.S. residents working abroad, and nonresident aliens working in the U.S. It further concerns the tax rules for controlled foreign corporations and foreign sales corporations. The course also studies the aspects of international management accounting. It investigates the inflation accounting system in the world and the performance evaluation in multinational corporations. In addition, it covers the transfer pricing methods and investment analysis for multinational corporations. Related professional pronouncements and Internal Revenue Codes are integrated into the course content. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 and ACCT 502, or undergraduate degree with concentration in Accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT526: Fraud Examination

The course will cover the principles to be followed and techniques to be adopted to detect and prevent fraud especially in corporate context. Students will gain knowledge and ability to decipher the presence of fraud. Students will learn how to analyze and implement various types of fraud prevention and detection procedures. The course will provide a broad understanding of several major related topics such as skimming, larceny, billing schemes, check tampering, payroll schemes, corruptions and fraudulent financial statements, interviewing witnesses and occupational fraud and abuse. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 and INFO 503; or undergraduate degree with concentration in Accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT527: Forensic Accounting

The roles, responsibilities, and requirements of a fornesic accountant in the litigation environment. Emphasis on how to review, detect, and investigate possible financial statement concerns of public and private companies. Topics covered include: elements of financial statement fraud; management's and auditor's responsibilities, financial statement red flags, earnings management, and investigative strategies. Actual litigation and fraud cases will be discussed to highlight the evolving roles of forensic accountants. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 and INFO 503; or undergraduate degree with concentration in Accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT540: International Accounting and Auditing

This course deals with the measurement of operating results and financial position of multinational corporations involving transactions with foreign currencies. It focuses on the system of foreign exchange markets and the transaction gains or losses due to changes in foreign exchange rates. It teaches the techniques of foreign currency translations. It concerns the foreign exchange risk management in hedging activities. The course specifically investigates the risk aversion tool of forward exchange contracts. It also explores international accounting standards and accounting systems in other countries and the current developments in the harmonization process. Finally the course will focus on the role of internal and external auditing in the international context. Cross listed with International Business INBS 540. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 and ACCT 502; or undergraduate degree with concentration in Accounting; M.B.A. or M.S. in Accounting degree students only.

ACCT542: Comprehensive Issues in Public Accountancy

This course is an overall and extensive review of the current development in the accounting profession, particularly in the financial accounting area. It is an in-depth study of financial accounting standards to date and deals with other contemporary issues in public accountancy. The course is intended to update the knowledge required for the uniform Certified Public Accountants (CPA) examination in the area of financial accounting and reporting. The course is very broad in scope and yet intensive in specifics, with an objective of reviewing a wide range of topics, such as pensions, leases, financial derivatives, comprehensive income, income tax allocation, bonds payable, cash flow statements, earnings per share, consolidation of financial statements, and other contemporary areas in financial accounting that are covered in the uniform CPS exam. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Baccalaureate degree in accounting.

BSLW503: Business Law I

The course introduces the student to the legal and regulatory environment of business and studies the law of contracts, agency and partnerships. 3 sh.