Accounting (BS) - 120 Hr.
Chair: Ian J. Redpath, JD, LLM
Introduction
The Department of Accounting seeks to prepare graduates with the skills that are necessary for success in the profession of accounting. Accounting professionals are expected to be competent in accounting skills, well rounded in the various disciplines of business and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Students completing the accounting program find positions in public accounting, industry, the financial sector, government and nonprofit entities.
The accounting curriculum is registered with the New York State Education Department. To become a licensed CPA, an accounting graduate should also meet the experience requirement of the state of New York. Students desiring to sit for the exam and obtain their CPA license in other states should check with those states for their specific requirements.
Note: Please see the Accounting Programs Overview page in this catalog for important information about degree policies and courses.
Becoming a Licensed Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.)
There are two basic tracks for completing the 120 Hr. Accounting Program: 1) The C.P.A. track and, 2) The Non-C.P.A. track. Students who wish to qualify to take the C.P.A. exam must use their accounting elective courses and a free elective course to take a set of classes that cover important topics related to public accounting (see courses listed on the Curriculum tab for this program). Students who do not wish to take the C.P.A. exam can select other classes when choosing how they will satisfy their accounting and free elective course requirements. Students unsure of the correct track, are encouraged to discuss the two options with their advisor.
In addition to passing the NYS CPA. exam, 120 hour accounting majors must also meet additional New York State requirements to become a licensed CPA in New York. This includes completion of 150 credit hours with 33 credit hours in accounting and a work experience requirement.
Curriculum
An Ignatian Foundation
All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.
Free Electives
Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).
Major Requirements
Course Requirements: In addition to the common liberal arts and business courses, students in this program will take:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Business Core | ||
Required courses for all business majors | 49-51 | |
Additional Major Requirements | ||
ACC 301 & ACC 302 | Intermediate Accounting I and Intermediate Accounting II | 6 |
ACC 303 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
ACC 307 | Accounting Systems and Analytics | 3 |
ACC 415 | Basic Taxation | 3 |
LAW 371 | Business and Commercial Law | 3 |
LAW 372 | Business Organizations and Commercial Paper | 3 |
ENG 389 | Business Communication | 3 |
Accounting Electives * | 6 | |
Total Credits | 79-81 |
* Accounting Electives
For NYS CPA exam and licensure students must complete ACC 425 and should take ACC 427 for their accounting electives. If not interested in NYS CPA, two elective courses can be completed from the following areas: ACC 400 level courses or FIN 300/400 level courses.
Roadmap
Typical Schedule
120 Hours — BS in Business Administration (Major: Accounting)
Freshman | |
---|---|
Fall | Spring |
ENG 111 | ENG 112 |
RST 101 | MAT 106 |
MAT 105 | Or Arts & Science Elective if MAT 106 taken in first semester |
Or MAT 106 Field of Knowledge 7 | ECO 102 |
ECO 101 | PHI 101 |
BUS 101 | MKT 201 |
Field of Knowledge 4 (History) | |
Sophomore | |
Fall | Spring |
MGT 101 | ACC 212 |
ECO 255 | ECO 256 |
ACC 201 | ACC 307 |
ISB 101 | Field of Knowledge 3 (Arts) |
BUS 201 | Arts & Science Elective |
Arts & Science Elective - with attribute | |
Junior | |
Fall | Spring |
ACC 301 | ACC 302 |
ACC 303 | ENG 389 |
FIN 201 | BUS 401 |
Field of Knowledge 6 (Natural Science) | Field of Knowledge 2 (Philosophy) |
Field of Knowledge 1 (Religious Studies) | Free Elective |
Free Elective | |
Senior | |
Fall | Spring |
ACC 415 | Accounting Elective (400 Level)1 |
Accounting Elective (400 Level)1 | MGT 325 |
LAW 371 | LAW 372 |
Arts & Science Elective | MGT 446 |
Arts & Science Elective | (MGT 446 counts for core capstone) |
Free Elective1 |
Learning Goals and Objectives
Learning Goal 1
Students will apply current principles of accounting to the measurement and reporting of accounting information.
Students will:
Objective A: Construct the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each statement;
Objective B: Evaluate the reporting and valuation of assets and liabilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
Objective C: Evaluate the various alternatives to the measurement of income and the determination of financial position.
Learning Goal 2
Graduates will know how to compare/contrast alternative business decisions, and evaluate the potential impact of these decisions on future financial performance.
Students will:
Objective A: Demonstrate a sound understanding of cost behavior and analyze the differences resulting from fixed and variable costs in financial performance;
Objective B: Analyze the differences that result in financial reporting from the company's choice of inventory costing techniques;
Objective C: Apply budgeting techniques in the preparation of static and flexible budgets.
Learning Goal 3
Graduates will know the characteristics of internal control procedures needed in the aggregation of accounting information.
Students will:
Objective A: Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of internal controls;
Objective B: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of controls;
Objective C: Analyze the relationship of technology and controls.
Learning Goal 4
Graduates will know how the external regulatory, legal, and ethical environments impact business decisions and financial reporting requirements.
Students will:
Objective A: Apply different ethical frameworks in making business decisions;
Objective B: Apply both societal and governmental laws/regulations in making business decisions;
Objective C: Apply Federal Tax Law and regulation in the determination of taxable liability.