Mihaylo College accounting coursework seeks to equip the next generation of industry professionals with the skills necessary for success at employers ranging from Big Four firms to independent practices.

From preparation for data analytics to income tax accounting best practices in light of the new federal regulations, the Mihaylo College accounting program is committed to providing students with a well-rounded introduction to the contemporary field with its new course offerings designed to prepare students for the skills that employers – from the Big Four to boutique financial firms– are seeking. Here is a look at three of the courses debuting in 2018.

ACCT 407 – Accounting Data Analytics

Analytics is the lifeblood of today’s data-driven world, including in the accounting field, where CPAs and other professionals are expected to analyze, report and make predictions using business intelligence data. In fall 2018, Associate Professor of Accounting Jie Zhou will teach ACCT 407 – Accounting Data Analytics, a new elective for both the undergraduate accounting and the graduate M.S. in accounting programs. The course examines the three major areas comprising accounting analytics: data reporting, data visualization and predictive analytics.

Within this course, students will gain applied experience through guided exercises with software programs that are transforming the field, including Excel, SQL, SAP Predictive Analytics (Cloud) and Tableau. These programs will be used to determine the highest revenue-producing products, advertising/sales strategies and forecasts, and identifying optimal product combinations. Through a partnership with an Orange County accounting firm, the data will be used to benefit local firms, who will provide professional feedback to students on the projects.

ACCT 503 – Seminar in Contemporary Accounting Problems

Launching in spring 2018, ACCT 503 – Seminar in Contemporary Accounting Problems is a graduate-level course examining techniques for big-data analysis and decision-making using actual data from a company. Taught by Accounting Lecturer April Morris and Information Systems and Decision Sciences Professor Rahul Bhaskar, this interdisciplinary course uses software such as Tableau.

“This is the only class I know of that has allowed students to use more than 150,000 lines of real data to solve a pressing issue faced by a local company,” says Morris.

The course will next be offered in spring 2019.

ACCT 599 – Accounting for Income Taxes

As offered in fall 2018, ACCT 599-02, the independent research course for accounting graduate students, provides an introductory understanding of Accounting for Income Taxes (ASC 740) and preparing income tax provisions in light of new federal regulations. Among the topics to be discussed are temporary and permanent tax differences, income tax disclosures, valuation allowance, uncertain tax positions, stock compensation, current and deferred tax, effective tax rate, deferred tax assets and liabilities, business combinations, and interim reporting. Taught by Ernst & Young Executive Director of Tax Services Roger Idnani, students taking this course have the option to receive three CPE credits for successful passage.

For More on Accounting

For more on Mihaylo College’s Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited accounting programs, visit the Department of Accounting online or at SGMH 4313.