Concentrations
Most management students learn in their first accounting course that accounting is the "language of business." In fact, accounting is the discipline that provides the information necessary to evaluate the present and planned activities of complex organizations. It prepares students to render diverse services to individuals, business entities, and government at all levels. Professional accountants develop and apply their skills in auditing, taxation, controllership, management advisory services, and information systems.
The broad objective of the accounting curriculum is to give the student a significant insight into all financial information - how it is generated, how it is processed, and what it means. Any business person must have an understanding of the "numbers" if he or she is to be successful. Therefore, we recommend that every student who has a strong interest in the fields of accounting, financial management, or financial information systems consider accounting as a major. The course of study will provide a strong background for the later (or simultaneous) study of finance, economics, computer science, operations management, and related disciplines.
A major in accounting is also worthy of consideration by those students who plan to attend law school or other graduate programs. Students who majored in accounting have found that their preparation was helpful not only for their graduate programs, but also for their subsequent professional careers.
Accounting Concentration
Information Systems and Accounting
Corporate Reporting and Analysis Concentration
Other Information
ACCOUNTING CONCENTRATION
The objective of the curriculum sequence is to prepare the undergraduate accounting major for a professional career, in accounting or a related field, which will span the next several decades. As noted above, this curriculum is broadly based in its scope and coverage so as to be relevant and useful for a professional career, whether that be in public accounting, industry, financial institutions, government, information systems, law, or not-for-profit organizations.
Required
MA301 Financial Accounting Standards and Theory I
MA302 Financial Accounting Standards and Theory II
MA307 Managerial Cost Analysis
MA405 Federal Taxation
And Choose One Elective from the Following List
MA309 Auditing & Other Assurance Services*
MA320 Accounting Information Systems**
MA351 Financial Statement Analysis
MA602 Theory and Contemporary Issues in Accounting
Other Accounting Department Electives
MA398 Directed Readings in Accounting
MA399 Research Seminar in Accounting
MA601 Financial Accounting Standards and Theory III
MA 634 Ethics & Professionalism in Accounting
*Auditing is a requirement to sit for the CPA exam in all states,and a requirement for admission to the Boston College MSA Program
**If you plan to enroll in the MSA Program at Boston College, please be advised that AIS or an equivalent systems course is a requirement to graduate. The systems course can be taken as an undergraduate or graduate student.
[ back to top ]
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ACCOUNTING
Information Systems (IS) has clearly had and will continue to have a profound effect on business entities. Employers continually emphasize the value of professionals who both “understand business” and IS. Information Systems people tend to have strong technical knowledge, while accountants have knowledge of the accounting system and are increasingly obtaining a broad understanding of business processes and controls. The combination of the two areas is powerful.
Students fulfilling this concentration will satisfy all of the requirements for the IS concentration and also obtain a background in Accounting. The curriculum entails 6 courses (5 required and 1 Accounting elective, and is designed for students interested in careers either with the consulting divisions of professional services firms (e.g., major accounting firms,IS departments of companies, or as IS auditors. Students are advised to see a faculty advisor in selecting an appropriate Accounting elective.
This concentration is administered jointly by the Accounting Department and the Information Systems Department.Required
MA 301 Financial Accounting Standards and Theory I
MA/MI 320 Accounting Information Systems
MI 157 Introduction to Programming for Management (or CS 101)
MI 257 Database Systems and Applications
MI 258 Systems Analysis and Design
SAND CHOOSE ONE ELECTIVE FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST
MA 302 - Financial Accounting Standards and Theory II
MA 307 - Managerial Cost & Strategic Analysis
MA 309 - Audit & Other Assurance Services
MA 351 - Financial Statement Analysis
(Note – There are now three majors housed in the Accounting Department; Accounting, Information Systems and Accounting, and Corporate Reporting and Analysis. Students will not be allowed to concentrate in more than one of these three.)
[ back to top ]
CORPORATE REPORTING AND ANALYSIS CONCENTRATION
To enhance the career opportunities of Carroll School students and better meet the needs of employers, the Accounting Department established the “Corporate Reporting and Analysis” concentration. In focus groups held with alumni and recruiters we continually heard of the value of professionals who have a deep understanding of corporate reporting and financial statement analysis. There was also a feeling that strong quantitative skills were needed.
Based on our research with students and prospective employers, the following five-course concentration was developed.
Required
MA301 Financial Accounting Standards and Theory I
MA302 Financial Accounting Standard and Theory II
MA351 Financial Statement Analysis
MA602 Theory and Contemporary Issues in Accounting
And choose one elective from the following list:
MD 384 Applied Statistics
MD 606 Forecasting Techniques
EC 228 Econometric Methods
EC 229 Economics and Business Forecasting
[ back to top ]
OTHER INFORMATION
Information for Study Abroad
Given the international scope of the profession, Accounting concentrators are encouraged to study abroad. The Accounting Department is willing to approve many elective courses, and depending on the topic coverage, the Department will typically accept specific required courses (primarily Managerial Cost Analysis and Accounting Information Systems, but in specific cases other required courses may be approved as well). Prior approval is required in any case. All Accounting concentrators should meet with Professor Ron Pawliczek to plan their study abroad programs and to obtain course approvals.
A Minor in Accounting
Although a "minor" is not officially recognized by the School of Management,
many students seek to take one or more accounting courses beyond the sophomore
year in combination with a major in another department. In particular, finance
majors should consider enrolling in MA301, MA302 and MA351 to gain a stronger
understanding of financial statements. The faculty would be happy to advise
students on this matter and assist them in selecting a group of accounting courses,
from those listed above, that fit their needs.
CPA Recommendations
The Department strongly recommends that students who intend to practice as Certified Public Accountants contact the state in which they plan to practice concerning the educational requirements of that state. Most states have credit and distribution requirements that exceed the minimum course requirements for graduation at Boston College. For example, the majority of states now require an additional year of study beyond the undergraduate degree to practice as a Certified Public Accountant. Please check the AICPA web page for more details at http://www.aicpa.org/states/stmap.htm.
Contacts
Department Secretary: Maureen Chancey, 617-552-3940, maureen.chancey@bc.edu
Website: http://www.bc.edu/accounting
[ back to top ]