Program Overview

Today, the accounting profession is evolving in dramatic ways. Women are becoming accountants in record numbers. The profile of the profession has risen dramatically.

Accountants are running corporations, starting exciting entrepreneurial endeavors, and developing private practices that handle much more than tax returns. They are helping people create the financial plans that will lead to secure futures. Some are entering the field of education, while others are pursing new areas of accounting that did not exist a decade ago, such as assurance services. All of these fields have a powerful impact on tomorrow's business environment.

The accounting concentration at Bowie State University includes courses in basic, intermediate, and advanced accounting, as well as specialized fields such as cost accounting, auditing, and taxation. We also provide our students with various internship opportunities. The program provides education for those who intend to become CPAs as well as internal auditors, industrial accountants, and corporate and government managers. Furthermore, the field provides an excellent background for graduate study in business, tax law, information systems, and finance.

Program Objective

The accountant's job is to portray economic reality in a useful, timely fashion. This goes far beyond the provision of information about the results of an organization's operation and its financial position. It includes other important tasks such as accounting for planning and control, information systems design and analysis, the audit function, tax planning, and administration. The specialized education of accountants enables them to assist, evaluate, and eventually manage other specialized business functions.

Certification programs have been developed to assure users of accounting information that their reports have been prepared in a competent, reliable manner that conforms to professionally established standards. Certifications are presently available in the fields of internal auditing (CIA), management accounting (CMA), and public accounting (CPA).

Upon completion of the accounting program, students will be marketable for the following positions:

• Auditors
• Tax Accountants/Planners
• Cost Accountants
• Controllers
• Consultants
• Financial Planners
• Program Analysts
• Contract Specialists

Students who do well in our accounting program are offered excellent jobs from business and government agencies.

Program Learning Goals

1.1 Students will demonstrate the ability to review, analyze and write a report on a large public company's annual financial report.

1.2 Students will demonstrate written communication skills in accounting and tax by preparing quality business reports in these areas

2.1 Students will demonstrate oral communi9cation skills during individual and/or group presentation

3.1 Students will demonstrate the ability to identify key issues and be able to find, read and evaluate information sources.

3.2 Students will demonstrate their ability to use technology to gather and analyze accounting information and data. Students will also demonstrate the ability to solve problems using their accounting knowledge, quantitative and qualitative skills

4.1 To ensure that all senior level accounting majors are aware of International Financial Reporting Standards - IFRS

4.2 To teach students from different countries cultural and legal practices, influence the establishment of their accounting standards
and practices.

5.1 Students must demonstrate knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices in the U.S

5.2 Students must be able to prepare Individual and Corporate Tax Returns

Departmental Requirements

Accounting Concentration

(33 semester hours)

Note: Pre-calculus, calculus, or six (6) hours of 300 level or above computer science courses may be used as School of Business electives.

We are more than happy to assist transfer students from community colleges and other four-year institutions.