Policies

Accounting

ACCT- Accounting course descriptions

Faculty

Maggie Schlerman (chair), Crystal Bruntz, Graham Lemke, Tuan Nguyen, George Nwaogu, Jaclyn Rundle, Julie Summers

 

Statement of philosophy

Central’s accounting curriculum begins with a solid foundation in financial and managerial accounting rooted in the theoretical bases of economics and other liberal arts, including ethics, communication, mathematics and statistics. In upper-level courses, students grow through coverage of a variety of theoretical and applied financial accounting topics, as well as cost, tax systems and auditing. Computers are used both within and outside the classroom as learning and professional productivity tools, emphasizing the use and preparation of spreadsheets and databases for accounting applications. Small classes facilitate interactive learning processes. The accounting seminar provides opportunities for students to polish their research and presentation skills.

The program prepares students professionally for careers in public, private, government and not-for-profit accounting. Students are encouraged to study abroad to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago and Washington, D.C. internship programs, and to become active in various student educational and/or service organizations and other co-curricular activities.

As demonstrated by recent success, Central’s accounting graduates are well qualified for national standardized professional exams such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or to enter graduate or professional programs. Students can choose to complete the 150 semester hours required by most states, and of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), at Central or pursue a graduate degree. 


Study abroad opportunities

Accounting majors who intend to participate in the study abroad program should discuss the options with their faculty advisors early in their college careers. 


Accounting Major Requirements (54-55 credits)

Note: The accounting major may not be combined with the information systems major–AIS option.

  1. Complete all of the following:
    ECON 112 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
    ECON 113 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
    BMGT 311 Principles of Management (3)
    ACCT 241 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
    ACCT 242 Introduction to Management Accounting (3)
    ACCT 341 Intermediate Financial Accounting I (3)
    ACCT 342 Intermediate Financial Accounting II (4)
    ACCT 343 Advanced Management Accounting (3)
    ACCT 344 Individual Tax Accounting (3)
    ACCT 347 Accounting Information Systems (3)
    ACCT 441 Advanced Financial Accounting (3)
    ACCT 442 Fraud Examination and Auditing (4)
    ACCT 485 Accounting Research Seminar (1) 
  2. Complete one of the following
    MATH 105 Introduction to Statistics (4)
    MATH 215 Applied Statistics (4) 
  3. Complete one of the following
    COSC 109 Introduction to Information Management (3)
    COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
  4. Complete one of the following:
    ACCT 345 Advanced Taxation (3)
    ACCT 346 Government and Non-Business Accounting (3) 
  5. Complete one ethics-related course from the Philosophy/Religion department; consult an Accounting faculty member for a list of acceptable courses.
  6. Complete one of the following:
    COMM 160 Communication in Everyday Life (3)
    COMM 270 Public Speaking (4)
    COMM 340 Public Relations (4)
    THEA 150 Acting (3)

A note about the CPA exam
Students who wish to take the CPA exam in Iowa are advised to also take BMGT 231, BMGT 332, and BMGT 261. Other students should consult the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to take the exam. Consult with a member of the accounting faculty concerning requirements of other national exams.

 

Accounting Minor Requirements (18 credit minimum)

Note: The accounting minor may not be combined with the information systems major–AIS option. 

  1. Complete all of the following:
    ACCT 241 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)                    
    ACCT 242 Introduction to Management Accounting (3)
  2. Complete one of the following:
    COSC 109 Introduction to Information Management (3)
    COSC 110 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
  3. Complete a minimum of 9 credits at 300-level or higher in ACCT.
    ACCT x96 Co-op, ACCT x97 Internship or ACCT x83 Field Experience in Accounting does not count toward an Accounting minor.