Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy
Director: Shawn Mauldin
Office: 300 McCool Hall, 325-3710
Academic Coordinator: Trina Pollan
Office: 300A McCool Hall, 325-1631
The Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy is a professional school whose mission is to prepare students for successful careers in accountancy and business by fostering an environment that promotes innovative teaching and curricula, high quality research, and professional engagement. Such career preparation includes a wide range of professional accounting activities, general education, and broad training in business administration. This program of study gives students the basic preparation for positions in all areas of accounting including, but not limited to, public, private, and governmental accounting. It also (1) requires students to take a planned and coordinated non-business program designed to increase their cultural appreciation and give them a broad knowledge of world affairs and (2) permits the election of additional non-business courses according to the interests of the individual student.
The accountancy program is accredited by the AACSB (The International Association for Management Education) as part of the overall accreditation of the College of Business as well as the supplemental accreditation of the accounting programs.
Certification
The Bachelor of Accountancy Degree (BACC) from the Adkerson School of Accountancy, Mississippi State University, is recognized by those states requiring the baccalaureate degree as a minimum, as fulfilling all the educational requirements for eligibility to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. However, students planning to sit for the exam should review the specific educational requirements of the state for which they intend to sit. The Bachelor of Accountancy degree is also recognized as meeting educational requirements to sit for the Certificate in Management Accountant (CMA) and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) examinations. Graduates are encouraged to seek professional certification in one or more areas by passing these examinations.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) which prepares and grades the CPA examination, has urged the requirement of five years of academic preparation and has reflected this in the CPA examination. Students who aspire to become certified public accountants should consider the Master of Professional Accountancy or Master of Taxation programs herein described, in addition to the BACC.
Admission
Bachelor of Accountancy (BACC) - Admission to the University is equivalent to admission to the Adkerson School of Accountancy. International students need a 575 TOEFL score to be admitted.
In addition to the College of Business criteria, students must meet the following criteria before taking selected 3000- or 4000-level accounting courses:
- a grade of "B" or better in Principles of Financial Accounting (ACC 2013) and Principles of Managerial Accounting (ACC 2023).
- a grade of "C" or better in the following five courses (or equivalent): BIS 1012, EC 2113, EC 2123, BQA 2113, BL 2413.
Change of Major
MSU students wishing to change their major to accounting must meet a minimum grade point average requirement. Freshmen must have a minimum 2.0 overall, sophomores must have a minimum 2.25 overall, and juniors must have a minimum 2.6 overall GPA.
Graduation
Bachelor of Accountancy (BACC) - Requirements for a BACC Degree from the Adkerson School of Accountancy are listed below. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the requirements of the BACC curriculum before applying for a degree.
- A student must be a BACC candidate and complete the required curriculum and a minimum of 123 semester hours.
- A student must achieve at least a 2.5/4.00 GPA in upper-division business courses.
- A student must achieve at least a 2.5/4.00 GPA in upper-division accounting courses with at least a C in each upper-division accounting course. A student who makes less than a C in an upper-division accounting course must repeat that course the next regular semester that the student is enrolled and the course is offered. Students will be permitted to repeat an upper-division accounting course only once in an effort to make a C in the course. If they make less than a C in two attempts in a specific course, they will no longer be able to continue in the accounting program.
- Take a minimum of 32 upper level business hours at MSU.
- Complete the last 32 hours in resident at MSU.
BACC Program of Study
General Education Requirements
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or EN 1104 | Expanded English Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MA 1613 | Calculus for Business and Life Sciences I | 3 |
| or MA 1713 | Calculus I | |
| See Major Requirements | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| 2 courses with labs from General Education courses | 6 | |
| Humanities | ||
| See General Education | 6 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| See General Education | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PS 1113 | American Government | 3 |
| See General Education (excluding: AEC and EC) | 3 | |
| Accounting Major Requirements | ||
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| CO 1003 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| or CO 1013 | Introduction to Communication | |
| International Elective | 3 | |
| BIS 1012 | Introduction to Business Information Systems | 2-3 |
| or TECH 1273 | Computer Applications | |
| ACC 2013 | Principles of Financial Accounting 1 | 3 |
| ACC 2023 | Principles of Managerial Accounting 1 | 3 |
| BQA 2113 | Business Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| or MA 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| or ST 2113 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| EC 2113 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| EC 2123 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| BL 2413 | The Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| Upper-level Business Courses | ||
| MGT 3113 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MGT 3213 | Organizational Communications | 3 |
| BQA 3123 | Business Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| BL 3223 | The Law of Commercial Transactions | 3 |
| MKT 3013 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BIS 3233 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| FIN 3123 | Financial Management | 3 |
| BUS 4853 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| Upper-level Accounting Courses 2 | ||
| ACC 3003 | Accounting Information Systems I | 3 |
| ACC 3013 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 3023 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC 3033 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC 3053 | Accounting Information Systems II | 3 |
| ACC 4013 | Income Tax I | 3 |
| ACC 4033 | Auditing | 3 |
| ACC 4023 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 4043 | Municipal and Governmental Accounting | 3 |
| Free Electives (Consult Advisor) | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |
- 1
A grade of B or better is required in these courses.
- 2
A grade of C or better is required in ALL upper-level Accounting courses.
Accounting Minor
Students may obtain a minor in accounting by completing 15 hours of upper-level accounting courses with a C or better as follows:
| ACC 3023 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACC 3033 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC Electives | 9 | |
Double Degree in Accounting and Another Field
Combined curricula leading to a BACC degree and a degree in another field are available in the Adkerson School of Accountancy and the other colleges of Mississippi State University. Such curricula may be designed with a major in accounting combined with a major in any non-accounting field. This program requires that a student satisfy the normal graduation requirements in the other major as well as meet the GPA and course requirements of the BACC Degree.
The BACC as a Second Baccalaureate Degree
The curriculum is available to students who hold a baccalaureate degree in any recognized field of study from a regionally accredited institution. The candidate’s combined undergraduate program must include the same course and GPA requirements as required of anyone who receives the BACC degree. A minimum or 30 semester hours of upper division work must be earned in residence at Mississippi State University after the first degree has been conferred. Consult Trina Pollan, Academic Coordinator, Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy, P.O. Drawer EF, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or email tpollan@business.msstate.edu for specific details.
Masters Programs in Accounting
Trina Pollan, Graduate Advisor, Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) and Master of Taxation (MTX)
Departmental Office : McCool 300
662-325-3710
The Adkerson School of Accountancy offers two graduate programs in Accounting - Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) and Master of Taxation (MTX). Additional information can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Courses
ACC 1001 Introduction to the Accounting Major: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. Introduction to the accounting curriculum, profession, and career opportunities. Concepts of the role of the student, department, college, and university will be introduced as well as the student’s responsibility in those roles. College survival skills and student success will also be discussed in the course
ACC 2013 Principles of Financial Accounting: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Financial accounting fundamentals including accounting cycle, accounting systems, cash flow, assets, liabilities, equity, and forms of business organizations.Honors section available
ACC 2023 Principles of Managerial Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ACC 2013; ACC majors must have a grade of B or better in ACC 2013). Three hours lecture. Managerial accounting fundamentals including interpretation and use of management reports, cost behavior, cost accumulation, budgeting, financial statement analysis, responsibility organizations. Honors section available
ACC 2203 Survey of Accounting: 3 hours.
Fundamentals of financial, managerial, and cost accounting for interpreting accounting reports. Primarily for engineering and pre-MBA students. (Not open to undergrad accounting or business majors)
ACC 2990 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 3002 Running the Numbers: Fundamentals of Financial and Managerial Accounting: 2 hours.
(Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MVP Program). The course presents financial and managerial accounting concepts necessary to understand the essential financial components of businesses
ACC 3003 Accounting Information Systems I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of B or better in ACC 2013 and ACC 2023). Three hours lecture. The course will help the conceptualization (design), development, implementation, documentation, and use of accounting information systems. Also, the course will leverage the power of dynamic spreadsheets to facilitate dynamic financial analysis
ACC 3013 Cost Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in ACC 2013 and ACC 2023). Three hours lecture. The course focuses on using accounting information to make management decisions; including measurement and behavior of product costs, cost-volume-profit analysis, budgeting issues and cost reports
ACC 3023 Intermediate Accounting I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in ACC 2013 and ACC 2023). Three hours lecture. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of financial accounting and reporting related to the development of accounting standards, financial statements, income measurement, cash, receivables, inventory, property, plant, and equipment, intangibles, and other financial topics
ACC 3033 Intermediate Accounting II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in ACC 3023).Three hours lecture. Financial accounting and reporting related to liabilities, leases, pensions, income taxes, stockholder's equity, accounting changes, errors, cash flows, and earnings per share
ACC 3053 Accounting Information Systems II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ACC 3003). Three hours lecture. AIS II introduces the basic concepts needed to complete common data analytic tasks in accountancy. The focus is on basic concepts that will have direct, practical benefit to problems in accountancy
ACC 3203 Financial Statement Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ACC 2023) . Three hours lecture. For non-accounting majors. A study of financial statements from an external users perspective; an analysis of statements for purposes of determining loan and investment potential. (Same as FIN 3203 )
ACC 4000 Directed Individual Study in Accounting: 1-6 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 2023 and consent of Director of School of Accountancy). Hours and credits to be arranged
ACC 4013 Income Tax I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in ACC 2013). Three hours lecture. This course provides an introduction to the U.S. Federal Income Tax System by introducing the fundamental structure of the Federal Income Tax System and examining the tax impact on personal and business decisions
ACC 4023 Advanced Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in ACC 3033). Three hours lecture. Financial accounting and reporting related to consolidations and partnerships
ACC 4033 Auditing: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ACC 3003 and ACC 3023). Three hours lecture. Fundamentals of auditing, including evaluating controls, assessing risk, designing audit programs, statistical sampling, professional ethics, and collecting evidence for financial, internal, operational, and compliance audits
ACC 4043 Municipal and Governmental Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Undergraduate-Grade of C or better in ACC 3023; Graduate-ACC 3023 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. The course covers the classification and use of fund accounting, budgetary accounting, and financial statements for governmental entities and not-for-profits
ACC 4063 Income Tax II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Undergraduate-Grade of C or better in ACC 4013; Graduate-ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Students will be exposed to an overview of Corporate taxation, Partnership taxation, and Estate and Gift taxation
ACC 4200 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 4990 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 6023 Advanced Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in ACC 3033). Three hours lecture. Financial accounting and reporting related to consolidations and partnerships
ACC 6043 Municipal and Governmental Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Undergraduate-Grade of C or better in ACC 3023; Graduate-ACC 3023 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. The course covers the classification and use of fund accounting, budgetary accounting, and financial statements for governmental entities and not-for-profits
ACC 6063 Income Tax II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Undergraduate-Grade of C or better in ACC 4013; Graduate-ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Students will be exposed to an overview of Corporate taxation, Partnership taxation, and Estate and Gift taxation
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.
(Prerequisites: Graduate Standing; ACC 3033). Three hours lecture. 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.
(Prerequisites: ACC 3013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Course presents business concepts and significance of the professional duties of accountants and responsibilities within the larger context of the business environment. Emphasis is placed on developing an advanced understanding of fundamental and current issues facing the managerial accountant
ACC 8033 Assurance and Audit Data Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4033 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Students gain in-depth knowledge of professional auditing standards, financial statement auditing procedures, and audit reporting requirements. Students develop data analysis skills applicable to auditing. Students gain exposure to theoretical arguments surrounding professional rules of conduct and audit quality indicators
ACC 8043 Fraud Examination and Data Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 2013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. The course covers the nature of fraud, fraud examination, and the communication of the findings from a fraud examination. Emphasis will be placed on the use of advanced data analysis techniques and procedures to detect errors and frauds
ACC 8053 Financial Accounting Policy: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 3033 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. This is an integrative course examining recent trends and developments in public accounting. It includes various problems and cases in accounting and related business issues, ethics, and other topics
ACC 8063 Research in Tax Practice and Procedures: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the sources of tax authority. Emphasis will be placed on the using tax law to prepare tax strategy and identify planning opportunities
ACC 8073 Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of corporate taxation
ACC 8093 Taxation of Partnerships, S Corporations, Trusts, and Estates: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. The course introduces students to federal taxation of partnerships and S Corporations. The course uses both cases and problems to identify and provide solutions to tax problems and issues
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.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. This course is designed to provide an enhanced understanding of the U.S. Federal Income Tax System. Emphasis will be placed on complex tax issues encountered by individual taxpayers
ACC 8123 Tax Topics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4013 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. The course exposes students to tax topics that are not covered in the other MTX courses. Specialized topics include individual taxation, entity taxation, estate and gift taxation, state tax issues, and ethics
ACC 8143 Accounting Data Analytics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ACC 3003 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. This course will build a practical foundation for machine learning by teaching students basic tools and techniques that can scale to large computational systems and massive data sets. This course introduces machine learning with a focus on business applications
ACC 8153 Ethics in Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 3033 and Graduate Standing). Examination and discussion of moral and ethical issues within the accounting profession and the broader business environment. In addition to a broad study of ethical behavior and decision making, various professional codes of conduct within the accounting profession will be examined
ACC 8163 Multijurisdictional Tax: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 4013 and graduate standing). This course introduces taxation of business entities and individuals earning income in multiple jurisdictions. The course focuses on state taxation including nexus, allocation, and apportionment issues for income tax and sales and use tax as well as international tax issues
ACC 8173 IT Audit, Control, and Data Analysis: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: Graduate Standing; ACC 4033). This course covers accounting information systems, including processing integrity, availability, security, confidentiality, and privacy. Emphasis will be placed on data management, data collection, storage and usage throughout the data life cycle, and information technology risk audits
ACC 8183 International Accounting: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ACC 3033 and Graduate Standing). Three hours lecture. A study of the international dimension of accounting as it relates to multinational corporations and the international environment. Some specific topics include: international financial reporting; financial reporting outside the USA; foreign exchange; accounting harmonization; international financial disclosure issues
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 Research 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