Accounting Programs

120 Hour and 150 Hour Accounting Programs &
Accounting Systems & Analytics Program
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 with degrees in accounting find positions in public accounting, the financial sector, government and nonprofit entities, and other areas of business.

The accounting curriculum is registered with the New York State Education Department and the 150 hour accounting programs meet the education requirements of the state of New York for CPA licensure. To become a licensed NY 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. Academic options for CPA licensure specific to each variation in the Accounting degree program can be found in the pages that can be accessed by clicking the Majors tab at the top of this page.  

BS Accounting and MBA (DACC) - A 150 credit hour degree that prepares students to sit for the NY Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license exam as well as fulfills the educational requirement for NYS CPA licensure.  Students earn both a BS and MBA degree. 

Accelerated DACC Program (BS MBA) complete requirements in four years instead of five

Eligibility:  

1. A high school average of 90 or better.

2. Equivalent of 21 academic credit hours earned through any of the following:

  • Advanced Placement Credit (score of 3 or better on an AP exam) 
  • Academic credit earned through dual enrollment courses with a college or university (you will have a college or university transcript)
  • Any college or university credit you received before you started at Canisius (you will have a college or university transcript).

Requirements for Graduation

To qualify for graduation with any of the undergraduate Accounting degrees, a candidate must complete all the graduation requirements outlined in this catalog and must have a cumulative grade average of 2.0 in all Accounting courses taken at Canisius University as well as an overall GPA of at least 2.0.  Students pursuing an MBA in Accounting as part of a combined undergraduate/graduate (150 Hr.) degree program must also achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.8 (scale of 4.0) in their graduate studies.

Advisement

All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one.  Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

Retaking Courses

Students who are dissatisfied with their grade in a course, did not meet the minimum grade requirement for upper level accounting courses, or withdrew may repeat the course once (exceptions may be approved by the assistant dean of business in consultation with the department chair). In such cases both grades will be entered in the student’s record, but, for the purpose of computing grade point average, only the second grade will be used for the calculation. Because retaking courses that have already been passed (any grade of D or above) affects a student’s financial aid, students should consult with the financial aid office before retaking any courses.

Double Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement.  In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean. 

Per university policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major.  Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless completing the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.

Note:  Many accounting majors choose to dual major by combining an Accounting degree with a degree in Accounting Information Systems.  Please consult your advisor for more detailed information.

Minors in Other Disciplines

Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major.  Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.

Note: While students are encouraged to begin meeting with an academic advisor early in their college career to consider various degree options, they generally do not have to make a decision about which accounting program to pursue until their junior year. For additional information regarding the MBA in Accounting refer to the Graduate Catalog or meet with an advisor. Programs are subject to change to meet State standards.

Accounting Majors/Programs

  • Accounting - A 120 credit hour degree that provides options for students that want to earn a NY Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license as long as they complete the NY State required courses as well as for those students who do not intend to pursue CPA licensure and want to work in private industry. 

  • Professional Accounting - A 150 credit hour degree that prepares students to sit for the NY Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license exam.

  • Accounting and MBA in Accounting (MBA) - A 150 credit hour degree that prepares students to sit for the NY Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license exam as well as earn both undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.B.A.) degrees in Accounting.

  • Accounting Systems & Analytics - A 120 credit hour degree program for students interested in careers that require accounting skills and advanced technology skills.  Many accounting majors elect to add this degree as a dual major option to enhance their career options following graduation.

Accounting (ACC), Business Law (LAW)

Accounting Courses

ACC 201 Financial Accounting 3 Credits

Introduction to accounting concepts for external financial reporting. Accounting theories and principles relative to asset and liability valuations, and income determination.

Offered: fall & spring.

ACC 202 Managerial Accounting 3 Credits

For Non-Accounting Majors. Introduction to accounting concepts for internal reporting and control. Cash budgeting, decision making, breakeven analysis, and performance evaluation.

Prerequisite: ACC 201.

Offered: fall & spring.

ACC 212 Principles of Accounting II 3 Credits

For Accounting Majors. Fundamental concepts and procedures of financial and managerial accounting with emphasis on asset funding, including debt and equity and cash flows. Accounting applications of present value concepts, introduction to budgeting and product costing. During the Spring semester the course has a mandatory 1 hour non-credit recitation section for preparation for the intermediate accounting series.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 201.

Offered: every fall.

ACC 301 Intermediate Accounting I 3 Credits

First of a two-course sequence. In-depth accounting concepts and theories pertaining to external financial reporting. Emphasis on theories surrounding asset valuations, liability and equity measurements, income determination and cash flows.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in both ACC 201 & ACC 212, junior standing, & overall GPA of 2.0.

Offered: every fall.

ACC 302 Intermediate Accounting II 3 Credits

Second of a two-course sequence. In-depth accounting concepts and theories pertaining to external financial reporting. Emphasis on theories surrounding asset valuations, liability and equity measurements, income determination and cash flows.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 301, junior standing, an overall GPA of 2.0.

Offered: every spring.

ACC 303 Cost Accounting 3 Credits

Preparation and analysis of data utilized by management in planning and control decisions. Inventory valuation and reporting methods. Establishment and use of standards and budgets. The department offers ACC 303PD sections. These sections have a mandatory professional development lab attached to them. Their objective is to guide students as they develop the communication and leadership skills valued by the accounting profession. The course has a mandatory 3 hour non-credit recitation section.

Prerequisite: ACC 212, junior standing, & an overall GPA of 2.0.

Offered: every fall.

ACC 307 Accounting Systems and Analytics 3 Credits

Development, organization, and implementation of accounting and management information systems. Emphasis on data analytics, enterprise risk management..."

Prerequisite: ACC 201 & ISB 101.

Offered: every spring.

ACC 331 Data Analytics in Accounting 3 Credits

Data analytics theories and concepts applied to accounting settings. Emphasis on business intelligence, data analytics models, data visualization, data storytelling, and descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. Students apply data analytic concepts through data storytelling and the use of analytics software.

Prerequisite: ACC 307 (may register concurrently).

Offered: every spring.

ACC 415 Basic Taxation 3 Credits

Provisions of Internal revenue Code relating to the determination of income, exclusions, deductions and credits. Emphasis is on the individual and sole proprietors. The course includes learning basic tax reseach and communication skills.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in both ACC 201 & ACC 212.

Offered: fall.

ACC 416 Advanced Taxation 3 Credits

Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to taxation of corporations, shareholders; partnerships, partners, estates, trusts and multistate taxation.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 415.

Offered: spring.

ACC 421 Advanced Accounting Problems 3 Credits

Accounting for corporate mergers and acquisitions, state and local government, non-profit institutions and foreign exchange transactions.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 302.

Offered: fall.

ACC 425 Auditing Theory and Practice 3 Credits

Generally accepted auditing standards and practice relevant to verification of historical financial statements; responsibilities and ethics pertinent to the public accounting profession; internal control evaluation; applying auditing programs; development of working paper documentation; the application of statistical sampling to gather audit evidence; the determination of the appropriate audit report for a given audit situation.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 302.

Offered: every fall.

ACC 426 Information Systems Auditing 3 Credits

Information system control design and auditing in the internet, electronic and paperless environment; management of security technology; operating and application system processing controls; prevention of unauthorized activity.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in each of ACC 307 & one of the following: ACC 331, ACC 452, or ACC 425.

Offered: fall.

ACC 427 Advanced Auditing 3 Credits

This course embeds the advanced study of auditing in an experiential professional context through case analysis, simulations, and professional standards. Emphasis is placed on the development of competencies such as critical thinking, professional judgment, professional skepticism, oral and written communication, ethical reasoning, and leadership and team building. Broad exposure to the professional accounting/auditing literature assists students in reflecting on course technical content.

Prerequisite: ACC 425.

Offered: every spring.

ACC 441 Fraud Examination Detection and Deterrence 3 Credits

The course will concentrate on financial fraud, white-collar crime, how financial fraud is perpetrated, approaches to fraud investigations and documentation, and fraud detection and prevention. Ethical issues in fraud examination and investigation will be covered as well as strategies and tools for fraud deterrence in organizations.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in each of ACC 301, ACC 302, & either ACC 425 or ACC 426.

Offered: occasionally.

ACC 451 Accounting Theory and Research 3 Credits

Standard setting procedures at the U.S. and international levels, accounting concepts and principles, contemporary accounting issues, concepts of income determination, database/library research to support or oppose accounting positions.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 302.

Offered: fall.

ACC 452 Strategic Performance Analytics 3 Credits

Evaluating enterprise information, enterprise resource planning (ERP) system design and functionality, data integrity, use of financial and non-financial information for organizational decision-making, business process improvement and risk management.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in ACC 307.

Offered: spring.

ACC 496 Internship 1-3 Credits

Internships require an application and approval by the associate dean.

Prerequisite: student must complete a WSB Internship Application and obtain permission of a faculty supervisor, department chair, & the associate dean.

ACC 499 Independent Research in Accounting 1-3 Credits

Undertaking of a significant piece of independent research. By appointment with chairperson. Independent studies require an application and approval by the associate dean.

Prerequisite: student must complete a WSB Internship Application and obtain permission of a faculty supervisor, department chair, & the associate dean.

Offered: fall & spring.

Business Law Courses

LAW 371 Business and Commercial Law 3 Credits

American legal system and substantive law relating to business. This course focuses on the Constitution, Torts, Criminal, Cyber, Interllectual Property,Contracts, UCC Sales, International law and ehthics and accountants professional responsiblilty.

Offered: fall.

LAW 372 Business Organizations and Commercial Paper 3 Credits

The American Legal System and substantive law relating to business focusing on the law relating to: negotiable instruments, banking, debtor creditor relationships, bankruptcy, secured transactions, agency, partnerships and LLCs, securities regulation, employment, environmental, anti-trust, property and wills and trusts.

Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in LAW 371.

Offered: spring.

LAW 603 Legal Environment & Ethics 3 Credits

This course is designed to be an introduction to the basic rules of law and the ethical responsibilities of business decision makers. This course is not intended to make you lawyers or to give legal advice. Almost every chapter/subject covered is a semester or longer in law school. We will address important legal aspects of relating to business transactions and business entities.

Offered: every fall, spring, & summer.