Accounting and Finance Department

Bruce A. Costa, Chair

The Department of Accounting and Finance prepares ethically aware decision-makers with effective analytical and qualitative business knowledge and skills to become professionals in their respective fields in the region and beyond. We commit to high quality teaching and applying scholarship to professional practice, pedagogy, and theory to enhance the professional accounting and finance fields. The department offers the Master of Accountancy degree and two undergraduate majors within the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree: accounting and finance. The department also offers a Certificate in Accounting Information Systems.

Undergraduate Degrees Available

Subject Type Option Track
Accounting Bachelor of Science
Accounting Information Systems Certificate of Art
Finance Bachelor of Science

Course Descriptions

Accounting

  • ACTG 201 - Principles of Fin Acct

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq. or Coreq., grade of C or better in M 115 or M 162, or an appropriate math placement score (4 or higher) . Introduction to financial accounting concepts, including transactions analysis, financial statement analysis, and corporate financial reporting practices.
  • ACTG 202 - Principles of Mang Acct

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq., ACTG 201 with a grade of C or better, M 115 or M 162 with a grade of C or better. Continuation of ACTG 201 with a focus on managerial accounting topics.
  • ACTG 203 - Accounting Lab

    Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term.  Prereq., ACTG 201 with a grade of C or better.  Applying accounting cycle concepts to comprehensive hands-on financial statement cases and/or a practice set and exploring career options.
  • ACTG 298 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate. (R 3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., last semester in program, minimum grade of “C” in all ACTG courses, and approval of program director. On-the-job training in positions related to the accounting field. This experience increases students' skills, prepares them for initial employment, and increases occupational awareness and professionalism. Students work a minimum of six hours each week at an approved site and attend scheduled one-hour seminars.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums
    • Internship graduation limit 6
  • ACTG 305 - Corporate Reporting I

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq. or coreq., junior standing in Business, ACTG 201 and  202 with grades of C or better or consent of instr. Prereq., or Coreq., ACTG 203. Topics include concepts in financial accounting, assets and related income statement accounts.
  • ACTG 306 - Corporate Reporting II

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business, ACTG 203, ACTG 305 with grades of C or better, or consent of instr. Continuation of ACTG 305. Topics include concepts in financial accounting, coverage of the liability and equity side of the balance sheet, the cash flow statement, and several special financial accounting topics.
  • ACTG 307 - Corporate Reporting III

    Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business; prereq., or coreq., ACTG 306, or consent of instr. Application of accounting principles to complex issues such as post-retirement benefits, accounting changes, bankruptcies, reorganizations, income taxes and other topics.
  • ACTG 321 - Acct Information Systems I

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn and spring.  Prereq., Junior standing in Business. Prereq., or coreq., ACTG 203. Provides thorough understanding of  business processes, risks, and internal controls.  Computer applications may be used to demonstrate concepts.
  • ACTG 391 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 9. Level: Undergraduate. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
  • ACTG 392 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • ACTG 394 - Undergraduate Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • ACTG 401 - Principles of Fed Tax - Ind

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., Junior standing in Business or consent of instr. Prereq., or coreq., ACTG 306. The application of the federal income tax law to determine income, deductions and losses. Special topics include property transactions.
  • ACTG 410 - Cost/Mgmt Acct I

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing in business or consent of instr. Prereq., or coreq., ACTG 306. The study of cost management for business and other organizations. Emphasis on how information about costs helps managers make better decisions.
  • ACTG 411 - Auditing I

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business, ACTG 321 and  ACTG 306, or consent of instr. Introduction to auditing with emphasis on the independent audit of financial statements. Coverage includes professional standards, ethics, audit risk, evidence, internal controls, procedures, opinions, operational and compliance auditing.
  • ACTG 420 - Cost/Mgmt Acct II

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., senior standing in Business and ACTG 410 or consent of instr. Advanced cost management with emphasis on how financial and non-financial information helps managers make better decisions in a wide variety of business and not-for-profit organizations. Current readings in cost management and related topics.
  • ACTG 425 - State & Local Gov’t Acctg

    Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., junior standing in Business or consent of instr.  Prereq., or coreq., ACTG 306.  Reporting requirements and generally accepted accounting principles applicable to state and local governmental units.
  • ACTG 426 - Acctg for Nonprofits

    Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., junior standing in Business or consent of instr.  Prereq., or coreq., ACTG 306.  Reporting requirements and generally accepted accounting principles applicable to nonprofit entities, including colleges/universities.
  • ACTG 432 - Income Tax Practicum

    Credits: 1. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business. Service course that provides free tax preparation to low income taxpayers and students, in conjunction with the IRS. Students apply their knowledge of tax law to the preparation and e-filing of income tax returns under the direction of a practicing CPA. Designated as a service learning course.  Graded credit/no credit only.
    Course Attributes:
    • Service Learning/Volunteer
  • ACTG 491 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 9. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
  • ACTG 492 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of inst.
  • ACTG 494 - Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • ACTG 498 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr. Students are placed with private or governmental organizations to receive on-the-job training. Written reports are required. A maximum of 3 credits count toward graduation.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums
    • Internship graduation limit 6
  • ACTG 509 - Financial Rptg & Control

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Online course. Offered spring.  Prereq., admission to M.B.A. or M-Acct. program or graduate standing with consent of graduate business program director.  Reporting and using financial information of an enterprise, with a focus on internal and external decision-making.  Topics include analysis and recording financial transactions, understanding how these events affect financial statements, and using quantitative tools for internal decision-making.
  • ACTG 605 - Adminstrative Controls

    Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn.  Prereq., admission to the M.B.A. program.  Not open to M-Acct. students.  The application of accounting information to managerial and financial decision making.
  • ACTG 615 - Accounting Theory

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all accounting fundamental courses taken to date, Business core, accounting core, and admission to M-Acct. program or consent of accounting graduate director. A critical analysis of the concepts underlying the development and application of financial accounting in the United States. Coverage of current accounting standards as well as other current topics in financial accounting.
  • ACTG 616 - Adv. Financial Topics

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered fall or spring.  Prerq., cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all accounting fundamental courses taken to date, business core, accounting core, admission to M-Acct. program or consent of accounting graduate director.  Study of financial accounting topics requiring complex treatment, such as accounting for business combinations, consolidations, investments in other entities, and accounting for non-corporate for-profit entities.
  • ACTG 631 - Advanced Tax

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all accounting fundamental courses taken to date, ACTG 401, admission to M-Acct. program or consent of accounting graduate director. The application of the federal income tax law to corporations and partnerships, and special problems associated with taxation of trusts, estates and gifts.
  • ACTG 632 - Adv Income Tax Prac

    Credits: 1. Level: Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate student in business or consent of accounting graduate director and instr. Service course that provides free tax preparation to low income taxpayers and students, in conjunction with the IRS. Graduate students apply their knowledge of tax law to the preparation and e-filing of income tax returns under the direction of a practicing CPA, review the work of undergraduate preparers, and assist in the organization and training of undergraduate preparers. Designated as a service-learning course.  Grade option credit/no credit only.
  • ACTG 641 - Advanced Auditing

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., admissions to M-Acct., cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all accounting fundamental courses taken to date, ACTG 411, graduate student in business or consent of accounting graduate director. Research cases in auditing and coverage of contemporary topics in auditing, typically including attestation standards, other reports and services, legal and ethical environment, and fraud detection.
  • ACTG 643 - Fraud/Forensic Acct

    Credits: 2 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., admission to M-Acct., with grade of B or better in ACTG 321 and 411 or equivalents, or consent of M-Acct. director.  A study of fraud motivations, techniques, prevention, and detection.  Includes the study of forensic accounting using  forensic science, information security, and other forensic auditing/investigation  tools and techniques, as they apply in various fraud and financial contexts.
  • ACTG 661 - Acct Law & Ethics

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all accounting fundamental courses taken to date, Business core, admission to M-Acct. program or consent of accounting graduate director. Legal issues from the common law and appropriate statutes applicable to the public practice of accounting. The professional responsibilities and ethics of a practicing CPA.
  • ACTG 675 - Contemporary Acct Problems

    Credits: 4. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered first summer session. Prereq. or coreq., cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all accounting fundamental courses taken to date, student must be in good academic standing, ACTG 611, 615, 631, 641, and 661. Integration of accounting theory and practice. Primarily for the student preparing to take the uniform CPA examination. Graded only credit/no credit.
  • ACTG 694 - Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-15) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate student in business or consent of business graduate director. Selected topics in accounting.
  • ACTG 696 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 9. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate student in business or consent of business graduate director and consent of instr. Directed study of individual or small groups of students in topics not available in scheduled classes.
    Course Attributes:
    • Service Learning/Volunteer
  • ACTG 698 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-3) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate student in business or consent of business graduate director and consent of instr. Placements with private or governmental organizations for practical training. Written reports required.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums
  • ACTG 699 - Thesis

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., graduate student in business or consent of business graduate director. Grade option credit/no credit only.

Business Finance

  • BFIN 191 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
  • BFIN 192 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate. (R-3) Offered every term. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.
  • BFIN 205S - Personal Finance

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered intermittently. Concepts, strategies and techniques in analyzing financial situations and investment opportunities from the individual's perspective.
    Course Attributes:
    • Social Sciences Course
  • BFIN 292 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate. (R-3) Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.
  • BFIN 298 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Level: Undergraduate. (R-3) Offered every term. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements within the business community. The student must complete a learning agreement with a faculty member, relating the placement opportunity to his or her field of study. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums
    • Internship graduation limit 6
  • BFIN 301 - Analysis of Finan Statements

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business. Analysis of balance sheets, income and cash flow statements and statements of owners' equity in terms of structure, strategy and performance of the company being analyzed. Emphasis is on the use rather than preparation of financial statements.
  • BFIN 322 - Business Finance

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business. The methodology and practice of business financial decisions.
  • BFIN 391 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 9. Level: Undergraduate. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
  • BFIN 392 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • BFIN 394 - Undergraduate Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • BFIN 410 - $50,000 Portfolio

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing in Business, grade of C or better in BFIN 322, and consent of department chair. Under the guidance of a broker, students manage a diversified investment portfolio for a semester. Students analyze and discuss investment opportunities and implement their decisions.
  • BFIN 415 - Real Estate Invest & Analysis

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring.  Prereq., junior standing in Business and BFIN 322.  Introduction to real estate focusing on investment, market analysis, appraisal, and mortgage finance. Includes developing valuation and decision making skills to make effective business/investment decisions in real estate and understanding the activities, roles, and participants in the business of real estate.
  • BFIN 420 - Investments

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing in Business, grade of C or better in BFIN 322 or consent of instr. Principles, practices and methodology in investment analysis and portfolio management.
  • BFIN 421 - Real Estate Invtmnt & Analysis

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and FIN 322, or consent of instr. Introduction to the principles and practices of real estate. Includes the study of real estate law, financing, valuation, brokerage and land use.
  • BFIN 424 - Markets, Instns & Fin Enginrng

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business, grade of C or better in BFIN 322 and successful completion of BFIN 429 or BFIN 439, or consent of instr. Topics covered include operations and analysis of the national and international money and capital markets as they affect financial institutions and usage of derivatives to hedge risks.
  • BFIN 429 - Fin Mgmt I:Thry/Analysis

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business, grade of C or better in BFIN 322 or consent of instr. Understanding the practice of business investment and working capital decisions. Computer models and cases used to demonstrate the management process.
  • BFIN 439 - Fin Mgmt II: Analysis/Problems

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing in Business, grade of C or better in BFIN 322 or consent of instr. Topics include business valuation techniques, capital structure, raising capital, mergers and acquisitions, working capital management, and multinational financial management. Course uses computer models and cases to emphasize analysis and decision making.
  • BFIN 450 - Banking

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business, grade of C or better in BFIN 322, or consent of instr. The financial management of banking institutions including financial analysis, interest rate risk management, liquidity management, investment and loan portfolio management.
  • BFIN 473 - Multinational Financial Mgmt

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., junior standing in Business, BFIN 322, or consent of instr. Students are strongly encouraged to complete BGEN 360 prior to BFIN 473. Topics include financial skills required of corporate executives in international business, exchange rate risk analysis, analysis of global financial systems and assessment of real international investments.
  • BFIN 491 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 9. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
  • BFIN 492 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • BFIN 494 - Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr.
  • BFIN 498 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. Offered every term. Prereq., junior standing in Business and consent of instr. Students are placed with private or governmental organizations to receive on-the-job training. Written reports are required. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums
    • Internship graduation limit 6
  • BFIN 522 - Prin Financial Analysis

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Online course. Offered summer. Prereq., admission to M.B.A. or M-Acct. program or graduate standing with consent of graduate business program director; grade of B or better in ACTG 509. Introduction to financial management and the application of these principles to business decisions. Topics include financial analysis, time value of money, theories of risk and return, stock and bond valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital, and working capital management.
  • BFIN 651 - Cornerstone of Grad Fin

    Credits: 1. Level: Graduate. Offered fall. Course is designed to prepare M-Acct. and MBA students who desire an improved foundation in corporate finance.
  • BFIN 681 - Financial Management

    Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to the M.B.A. or admission to the M-Acct. programs. Advanced theory and analysis in corporate financial management.
  • BFIN 694 - Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 15. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-15) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate student in business or consent of business graduate director. Selected topics in finance.

Business: Management

  • BMGT 540 - Mgmt & Legal System

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Online course. Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to the M.B.A. or M-Acct. programs or graduate standing with consent of graduate business program director.  Basic management principles, exploration of concepts such as strategic planning, goal-setting and giving feedback, leadership, motivation, and reward systems. Law as it relates to doing business in the global environment; ethical dimensions of business decision-making.