2015-16 Academic Catalog

Adkerson School of Accountancy

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.msstate.edu.

Director: Dr. Shawn Mauldin
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Frances McNair

300 McCool Hall
Box EF
Mississippi State, MS  39762
Telephone: 662-325-3710
Fax: 662-325-1646
E-mail: sac@business.msstate.edu

Graduate study is offered in the Adkerson School of Accountancy leading to the Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.) degree or the Master of Taxation (M.TX.) degree.  The objective of graduate study at the master’s level is to further the student’s education in business and accounting in preparation for a professional career in accounting.

The Adkerson School of Accountancy cooperates in interdisciplinary programs leading to the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Administration degree (see the Business Administration section of this publication).

Master of Professional Accountancy

The objective of the Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.) program is to further the student’s education in business and accounting while preparing for a professional career in accountancy.  The accountancy program is accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, as part of the overall accreditation of the College of Business, as well as the separate and additional accreditation of accounting programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Admission Criteria

An applicant to the M.P.A. program should hold a bachelor’s degree from a fully recognized four-year institution of higher learning that enjoys unconditional accreditation by appropriate regional accrediting agencies. In addition, the applicant for the M.P.A. degree must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Regular admission to the M.P.A. program requires an acceptable GMAT score, a G.P.A. of 3.00/4.00 over the last 60 hours of baccalaureate work, an appropriate GPA on all upper-level accounting courses attempted in baccalaureate work, and acceptable recommendation letters.  When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student’s application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of the materials contained in the student’s application.  However, reasonable minimum levels of performance must be achieved in both the applicant’s GPA and GMAT scores.

International Applicant

An international applicant not holding a prior degree from a U.S. institution must submit an  indicator of English proficiency including one of the following: 

  1. A TOEFL score of 575 PBT (233 CBT or 84 iBT)  or
  2. an IELTS score of 7.0. 

Other indicators of English proficiency may be considered on a case by case basis.

Provisional Admission

A student who has not fully met the GPA or other requirements stipulated by the University may be admitted on a provisional basis.  The provisionally-admitted student is eligible for a change to regular status after receiving a 3.00 GPA on the first 9 hours of graduate courses at Mississippi State University (with no grade lower than a C).  The first 9 hours of graduate courses must be within the student's program of study.  Courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.  If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student shall be dismissed from the graduate program.  Academic departments may set higher standards for students to fulfill provisional requirements; a student admitted with provisional status should contact the graduate coordinator for the program’s specific requirements.  While in the provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.

Prerequisite Courses

A grade of C or better is required on all undergraduate prerequisite courses. The prerequisites listed below, or their equivalent, must be completed either before or during graduate coursework.  A complete transcript evaluation will be more specific in individual cases.

ACC 3003Accounting Information Systems I3
ACC 3013Cost Accounting3
ACC 3023Intermediate Accounting I3
ACC 3033Intermediate Accounting II3
ACC 4013Income Tax I3
ACC 4033Auditing3
EC 2113Principles of Macroeconomics3
EC 2123Principles of Microeconomics3
FIN 3123Financial Management3
BL 2413The Legal Environment of Business3

Computer literacy and written communication skills are other prerequisites.

NOTE:  Where appropriate, M.B.A. foundation courses may be used to satisfy some of the prerequisites.

Academic Performance

A grade of C or better is required on all undergraduate prerequisite courses.  A student in any graduate degree program in the College of Business may not continue with grades below B in more than 6 hours of program coursework, regardless of the overall average. Thus, any program is terminated automatically when a seventh credit hour below B is recorded on program coursework.  In addition, the normal MSU requirements for satisfactory progress in a graduate program will be applied.

Completion Requirements

  1. A student must complete the required curriculum and a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours.
  2. A student must have no more than 6 hours of C grades on program coursework.
  3. A student must achieve a 3.00/4.00 GPA on graduate accounting work attempted.
  4. A student must achieve a 3.00/4.00 GPA on all graduate work attempted at MSU after being admitted to the degree program.
  5. A student must pass an end-of-program examination or other evaluation.

Master of Taxation

The primary objective of the Master of Taxation (M.TX.) program is to further the student’s education in business and accounting with an emphasis in taxation while preparing for a professional career in accounting and taxation.

Admission Criteria

An applicant to the M.TX. program should hold a bachelor’s degree from a fully recognized four-year institution of higher learning that enjoys unconditional accreditation by appropriate regional accrediting agencies. In addition, the applicant for the M.TX. degree must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Regular admission to the M.TX. program requires a 510 GMAT score, an appropriate GPA on all upper-level accounting courses attempted in baccalaureate work, and acceptable recommendation letters.  When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student’s application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of the materials contained in the student’s application.  However, reasonable minimum levels of performance must  be achieved in both the applicant’s GPA and GMAT scores.

International Applicant

An international applicant not holding a prior degree from a U.S. Institution must submit an indicator of English proficiency including one of the following: 

  1. A TOEFL score of 575 PBT (233 CBT or 84 iBT) or
  2. an IELTS score of 7.0.

Other indicators of English proficiency may be considered on a case by case basis.

Provisional Admission

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the school for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status.  A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first 9 hours of graduate-level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University in order to achieve regular status.  Courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.  If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student may be dismissed from graduate study.  While in the provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.

Prerequisite Courses

The prerequisites listed below, or their equivalent, must be completed either before or during graduate coursework.  A complete transcript evaluation will be more specific in individual cases.

ACC 3003Accounting Information Systems I3
ACC 3013Cost Accounting3
ACC 3023Intermediate Accounting I3
ACC 3033Intermediate Accounting II3
ACC 4013Income Tax I3
ACC 4033Auditing3
EC 2113Principles of Macroeconomics3
EC 2123Principles of Microeconomics3
FIN 3123Financial Management3
BL 2413The Legal Environment of Business3

Computer literacy and written communication skills are other prerequisites.

NOTE: Where appropriate, M.B.A. foundation courses may be used to satisfy some of the above prerequisites.

Academic Performance

A grade of C or better is required on all undergraduate prerequisite courses. A student in any graduate degree program in the College of Business may not continue with grades below B in more than 6 hours of program coursework, regardless of the overall average. Thus, any program is terminated automatically when a seventh credit hour below B is recorded on program coursework.  In addition, the normal MSU requirements for satisfactory progress in a graduate program will be applied.

Master's Degree Completion Requirements 

  1. A student must complete the required curriculum and a minimum of 30 graduate semester hours.
  2. A student must have no more than 6 hours of C grades on program coursework.
  3. A student must achieve a 3.00/4.00 GPA on graduate accounting work attempted.
  4. A student must achieve a 3.00/4.00 GPA on all graduate work attempted at MSU after being admitted to the degree program.
  5. A student must pass an end-of-program examination or other evaluation.

Consult the Director, Adkerson School of Accountancy for further information.

Master of Professional Accountancy

Required Accounting Courses
ACC 6023Advanced Accounting 13
ACC 6063Income Tax II 13
ACC 8023Advanced Managerial Accounting3
ACC 8013Seminar in Financial Accounting Theory3
ACC 8033Business Assurance Services3
Accounting Electives
Select two of the following:6
Municipal and Governmental Accounting 1
International Accounting
Fraud Examination
Financial Accounting Policy
Research in Tax Practice and Procedures
Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
Taxation of Partnerships, S Corporations, Trusts, and Estates
Advanced Individual Taxation and Wealth Management
Tax Topics
Business Electives
Select 9 hours of graduate-level business or accounting courses.9
Total Hours30
1

If not taken as an undergraduate.

NOTE: No more than nine hours of coursework in the 30-hour program may be at the 6000 level.

Master of Professional Accountancy, Systems Concentration

Required Accounting Courses
ACC 6023Advanced Accounting 13
ACC 6063Income Tax II 13
ACC 8023Advanced Managerial Accounting3
ACC 8013Seminar in Financial Accounting Theory3
ACC 8033Business Assurance Services3
Accounting Electives
Select two of the following:6
Municipal and Governmental Accounting 1
International Accounting
Fraud Examination
Financial Accounting Policy
Research in Tax Practice and Procedures
Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
Taxation of Partnerships, S Corporations, Trusts, and Estates
Advanced Individual Taxation and Wealth Management
Tax Topics
Concentration Courses
ACC 8043Fraud Examination3
BIS 8213Advanced Systems Analysis and Design 23
BIS 8313Advanced Database Design Administration3
Total Hours30
1

If not taken as an undergraduate.

2

Programming prerequisites may be required.

NOTE: No more than nine hours of coursework in the 30-hour program may be at the 6000 level.

Master of Taxation

Required Tax Courses
ACC 8063Research in Tax Practice and Procedures3
ACC 8073Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders3
ACC 8113Advanced Individual Taxation and Wealth Management3
ACC 8093Taxation of Partnerships, S Corporations, Trusts, and Estates3
ACC 8XXXAny taxation course3
Other Required Courses
ACC 8013Seminar in Financial Accounting Theory3
ACC 8033Business Assurance Services3
Electives
ACC XXXX or BUS XXXX Graduate-level accounting or business courses9
Total Hours30

NOTE:  No more than 9 hours of coursework in the 30-hour program may be at the 6000 level.

ACC 6023 Advanced Accounting: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in ACC 3033). (Not open to PACC students). Three hours lecture. Financial accounting and reporting related to consolidations, partnerships and international business issues

ACC 6043 Municipal and Governmental Accounting: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 2023) . (Not open to PACC students). Three hours lecture. Accounting theory and practice applied to governmental units, state operated schools and colleges; classification and use of funds; fiscal procedures; bugetary control; financial statements; reports

ACC 6053 International Accounting: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 2023). (Not open to PACC students). Three hours lecture. A study of the international dimension of accounting as it relates to multinational corporations and the international environment

ACC 6063 Income Tax II: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite:Grade of C or better in ACC 4013). (Not open to PACC students). Three hours lecture. Discussion of the Federal Income Tax treatment of taxpayers other than individuals and the treatment of property transfers which are subject to Federal and State gift and death taxes

ACC 6200 Accounting Internship: 6 hours.

(Prerequisite: Senior Standing and approval by the internship director prior to the internship). Credit to be arranged based on time and circumstances of the internship providing professional experience in audit, tax and other accounting related areas

ACC 6990 Special Topics in Accounting: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

ACC 7000 Directed Individual Study in Accounting: 1-6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

ACC 8013 Seminar in Financial Accounting Theory: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 3033) . Examination of the theoretical concepts, definitions, and models espoused in the accounting literature and relevant to analyzing various contemporary issues in financial accounting and reporting

ACC 8023 Advanced Managerial Accounting: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 3013). Three hours lecture. The study of theoretical conceptual and technical issues in planning, control and decision making

ACC 8033 Business Assurance Services: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: ACC 4033) . Three hours lecture. Financial statement auditing practices, including professional stan- dards, ethical responsibilities, legal liability, and re- porting requirements

ACC 8043 Fraud Examination: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite ACC 3053 and ACC 4033). Three hours lecture. Developing and executing a program of procedures to detect errors and frauds using information generated by computerized accounting systems

ACC 8053 Financial Accounting Policy: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: ACC 3033). Three hours lecture. Integrative course examining recent trends and developments in public accounting. Various problems and cases in financial reporting issues, ethics, and other accounting topics

ACC 8063 Research in Tax Practice and Procedures: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 4013) . Three hours lecture. Preparation of tax protests, tax planning; use of tax services; client representation; structure of Internal Revenue Service; and research problems in taxation

ACC 8073 Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 4013) Examination of federal income tax laws as applied to corporations and shareholders with an emphasis of how research issues deal with these topics

ACC 8093 Taxation of Partnerships, S Corporations, Trusts, and Estates: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 4013). Three hours lecture. An exam- ination of the income taxation of partnerships, S corpor- ations, trusts, and estates with an emphasis on how to re- search issues dealing with these topics

ACC 8101 Analysis Accounting Data: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. The analysis of accounting data extracted from an enterprise resource planning system to monitor business activities and support managerial decision making

ACC 8113 Advanced Individual Taxation and Wealth Management: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 4013 or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. An in-depth analysis of taxation of individuals with an emphasis on how to research issues dealing with these topics

ACC 8123 Tax Topics: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite:ACC 4013). Three hours lecture. An examination of specialized taxation topics such as real estate taxation, state and local taxation, and bank taxation

ACC 8203 Advanced Accounting Analysis for Decision Making: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 2023). Three hours lecture. Application of accounting principles and concepts to alternative business possibilities as an aid to management decision making

ACC 8213 Financial Statement and Management Accounting Report Analysis for Decision Making: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: ACC 2203 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Analysis of financial statements and internal accounting reports to help management make decisions

ACC 8990 Special Topics in Accounting: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

ACC 9000 Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Accounting: 1-13 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

ACC 9013 Seminar in Financial Accounting: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ACC 8013) . Review and analysis of historical and current research in financial accounting theory. Emphasis on developing critical analytical skills for evaluating financial accounting research

ACC 9033 Seminar in Accounting Research: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor) Evaluation and analysis of academic research strategies and methodologies, emphasis on (1) understanding and evaluating empirical research results and (2) formulating and writing research proposals