Saturday, April 21, 2012

Master of Business Administration in Accounting

Why an MBA in Accounting?

Opportunities for accountants and auditors are growing more quickly than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ׀ at a rate of 22% over the next decade. New jobs are being created due to changing financial laws, new government regulations, international trade and mergers, and increased accountability for protecting businesses and shareholders.
While a bachelorҀs degree is the minimum requirement for most accountant and auditor positions, employers prefer applicants with a master's degree in accounting, or with a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Your MBA in Accounting can also help you reach the education requirement for the CPA exam (check with your state for specific requirements).

Careers

An MBA in Accounting is valuable in opening the door to top-paid positions in such highly competitive fields as financial management and financial analysis. It also provides the credentials needed to teach business classes at community colleges or career education schools. Upon completion of the MBA in Accounting, graduates will be prepared to handle effectively high-level positions such as:
  • Public Accountant
  • Management Accountant
  • Government Accountant and Auditor
  • Internal Auditor
  • Budget Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Controller
  • Treasurer
  • Finance Officer
  • Credit Manager
  • Risk and Insurance Manager
  • International Banking Manager
  • Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
According to a May 2009 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual earnings for accounting professionals are as follows:
  1. Accountants and Auditors
    • Lowest 25% ր $46,740
    • Median ր $60,340
    • Highest 25% ր $79,470
    • Highest 10% ր $104,450
  2. Budget Analysts
    • Lowest 25% ր $53,460
    • Median ր $66,660
    • Highest 25% ր $83,110
    • Highest 10% ր $100,880
  3. Financial Analysts
    • Lowest 25% ր $55,640
    • Median ր $73,670
    • Highest 25% ր $98,920
    • Highest 10% ր $139,350
  4. Financial Managers
    • Lowest 25% ր $73,530
    • Median ր $101,190
    • Highest 25% ր $138,010
  5. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
    • Lowest 25% ր $39,310
    • Median ր $66,930
    • Highest 25% ր $118,640

Certification

Any accountant filing a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is required by law to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). CPAs are licensed by their State Board of Accountancy. Any accountant who passes a national exam and meets the other requirements (such as education and work experience minimums) of the state where he or she practices can become a CPA.
Professionals can also seek additional credentials from a wide variety of professional societies.
  • The Institute of Management Accountants confers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.
  • The Institute of Internal Auditors offers the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation to graduates from accredited colleges and universities who have worked for two years as internal auditors and have passed a four-part examination. The IIA also offers the designations of Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) to those who pass the exams and meet educational and experience requirements.
  • ISACA confers the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation upon candidates who pass an examination and have five years of experience auditing information systems.
  • For those accountants with their CPA, the AICPA offers the option to receive any or all of the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), or Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designations.

Curriculum

A minimum of 42 or 45 semester credit hours is required for graduation, depending on whether the student is exempt from taking MBA 500 Business Fundamentals.
MBA Courses and Descriptions
REQUIRED MBA COURSES
All courses, 30 semester credit hours, are required. (If the student is not exempt from the prerequisite course, MBA 500, it must be completed before any 600 level courses are taken.)
 
Course Number Course Name Prerequisite Credit Hours
MBA 500 Business Fundamentals* None 3.0
MBA 600 Leadership and Organizational Behavior MBA 500 3.0
MBA 606 Research and Decision Making MBA 500 3.0
MBA 615 Marketing MBA 500 3.0
MBA 620 Accounting for Managers MBA 500 3.0
MBA 626 Information Systems and Technology MBA 500 3.0
MBA 631 Operations and Project Management MBA 500 3.0
MBA 641 Business and Labor Law MBA 500 3.0
MBA 345 Finance MBA 500 3.0
MBA 690 Strategic Planning MBA 500 3.0
MBA 691 Graduate Capstone Project ** Final course 3.0
REQUIRED COURSES IN ACCOUNTING
The following courses, 12 semester credit hours, are required.
 
Course Number Course Name Prerequisite Credit Hours
MBA 655 Advanced Auditing MBA 500 3.0
MBA 656 Accounting Information Systems MBA 500 3.0
MBA 657 Advanced Taxation MBA 500 3.0
MBA 658 Advanced Managerial Accounting MBA 500 3.0
Notes:
* MBA 500 is an overview course that covers business practices across a number of disciplines. Students who have earned an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in business may petition for exemption from this course.
**MBA 691 is taken in the last term and may be continued for a second term for 3.0 additional credits if the studentҀs final project warrants.
     

No comments:

Post a Comment