Learning Goals – M.S. in Professional Accounting and M.S. in Professional Accounting and Analytics

Department Mission:

We prepare students to be leaders in a dynamic accounting profession.

Building on student learning in the University and the Stillman School, we strive to create an engaging educational environment that focuses on knowledge of accounting disciplines, collecting and managing accounting data, problem solving, communications skills, and professional leadership. 

Building on student learning in the University and the Stillman School, we strive to create an engaging educational environment that focuses on:

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of accounting disciplines:
   1. Financial accounting – Financial statement presentation and proper recognition of its elements within the framework of generally accepted accounting principles.
   2. Taxation – Federal income tax concepts with respect to individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts.
   3. Auditing - Assessing risk and providing assurance to users of financial information.
   4. Managerial accounting – Providing quantitative information to support management planning, control, and decision-making.
2. Students will demonstrate understanding of how accountants collect and manage accounting data:
   1. General ledger systems – Classifying, recording, and accumulating accounting information.
   2. Modelling business processes – Visually representing business processes.
   3. Internal controls – Designing and evaluating internal control procedures.
   4. Enterprise systems – Articulating how to integrate business processes throughout an entity.
   5. Database management – Defining, manipulating, retrieving and managing data in a database.
   6. Data governance and security – Articulating understanding of the appropriate availability, usability, integrity and security of data used in a business entity.
3. Students will demonstrate problem-solving ability using:
   1. Data analytical tools – Inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data in order to support decision-making in accounting disciplines.
   2. Data visualization – Graphically representing relevant information and data to support decision-making in accounting disciplines.
   3. Research – Evaluating and applying relevant sources, including data and authoritative guidance, to address multifaceted issues in accounting disciplines.
   4. Professional judgment – Analyzing and integrating information in order to make informed decisions in accounting disciplines.
4. Students will demonstrate communications skills:
   1. Written communications – Writing business documents that are concise, clear, and persuasive.
   2. Oral communications – Speaking effectively in one-on-one and group settings.
   3. Technology – Demonstrating effective use of advanced technology communications tools appropriate to business settings.
5. Students will demonstrate dedication to professional leadership:
   1. Leadership – Setting direction, planning, organizing and executing while creating a positive culture to work towards a common goal.
   2. Ethical and legal decision-making –Applying knowledge of professional standards and law to make decisions in an ethical manner.
   3. Teamwork – Collaborating to maximize team effectiveness in achieving shared goals.