Academic Programs Catalog

The Eli Broad College of Business and The Eli Broad Graduate School of Management

Graduate Study

The Department of Accounting and Information Systems offers a Master of Science degree program in Accounting, a Master of Science degree program in Accounting and Data Analytics, and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting Analytics, a Graduate Certificate in Accounting for Management Decision Making, a Graduate Certificate in Taxation, and a Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services.  Those programs are described below.

In addition, the department offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree program with a major in Accounting.  For information about that program, refer to the Doctor of Philosophy statement in the Broad College section.


Accounting - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Accounting is a STEM designated program designed for persons interested in advancing their knowledge of accounting and quantitative and data analysis skills. It provides an opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in at least one concentration area of accounting along with skills in data analysis, statistics, modeling and forecasting, and the design and testing of computer systems and applications. Students will also complete courses in several related fields such as communication, finance, management, marketing, or supply chain management. Each student’s program of study is developed according to chosen professional objectives, complementary to prior academic work.

This degree is relevant for persons interested in pursuing careers in the public accounting profession that typically require the Certified Public Accountant certification, or in similar positions in corporate accounting, advisory and consulting services, and government. It provides students with the skills a professional accountant is expected to possess such as quantitative and data analysis skills applied in an accounting setting, critical thinking and strategic problem-solving abilities, oral and written communication skills, and well-developed interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with groups and to provide leadership.  

There is increasing evidence that an undergraduate college degree may be insufficient to provide the breadth and depth of accounting knowledge and the skill development necessary for professional success. All states require at least 150 semester hours of college credits to obtain a Certified Public Accountant certification.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of The Eli Broad College of Business and Graduate School of Management, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students may start the program in any semester (fall or spring), or summer session, as space permits. Applications for admission to the program must be received by January 15 for fall semester or summer session, and March 1 for second-round admission consideration, as space permits. Students desiring to start in spring semester must apply by October 1.

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must:

  1. Submit to the Director of the Master of Science degree in Accounting program a completed application packet that is available on the program Web site.
  2. Take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have the scores submitted to the Master of Science degree in Accounting program. The GMAT test must be taken not more than five years or the GRE not more than two years prior to the submission of the application for admission to the program. Current Michigan State University students in the undergraduate accounting or finance major with both an overall grade-point average and junior-senior level accounting course grade-point average of 3.0 or higher are not required to take the GMAT.

The minimum standards for admission to the Master of Science degree in Accounting are:

  1. a bachelor's degree in accounting from a recognized educational institution with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0; or a bachelor’s degree in another major from a recognized educational institution with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and completion of the following prerequisite courses:  intermediate financial accounting, and probability and statistics.
  2. a strong GMAT/GRE score. Students with qualifying credentials may be able to waive the GMAT/GRE and applicants should consult with the program director to see if they are eligible for the waiver.
  3. a grade-point average of at least 3.0 for any junior-and-senior level courses taken as an undergraduate.

Admission to the program is competitive. Meeting the minimum standards listed above does not guarantee admission. The applicant’s overall record is considered including letters of recommendation, the students statement of objectives, work experience, extra curricular activities, and TOEFL and IELTS scores. Admission is also subject to space availability.
The program accepts qualified applicants whose undergraduate degree is not in accounting and only includes an intermediate-level financial accounting course. These students will be required to complete collateral course work and their program of study will typically require more than 30 credits for the degree. Students should contact the director of the program to determine course deficiencies. Credits earned in collateral course work does not count toward the Master of Science degree in Accounting.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Accounting

A minimum of 30 credits, with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0, is required for the degree under Plan B (without thesis). At least 24 credits must be at the 800-level. The student’s program of study must be approved by the Program Director of the Master of Science in Accounting.

               
1. Complete both of the following course (6 credits):
ACC 827 Accounting Analytics 3
COM 875 Communication Leadership Skills in Organizations 3
2. Complete one of the following concentrations. Alternative courses can be substituted with the approval of the Program Director.
Information Systems
Four of the following courses:
ACC 822 Information Systems Project Management 3
ACC 823 Advanced Enterprise Database Systems 3
ACC 824 Governance and Control of Enterprise Systems 3
ACC 825 Object Oriented Business Information Systems 3
ACC 826 Enterprise Information Systems 3
Students who did not complete their undergraduate degree in accounting from Michigan State University also need to complete:
ACC 821 Enterprise Database Systems 3
Public and Corporate Accounting
The following course:
FI 801 Managerial Finance 3
Four of the following courses:
ACC 807 Using Financial Statement Data for Decision-Making - An Analytics Approach 3
ACC 808 Analyzing Financial Reporting Decisions 3
ACC 814 Advanced Auditing 3
ACC 833 Federal Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders 3
ACC 841 The Role of Accounting in Strategy Implementation 3
ACC 843 Value Chain Accounting and Analytics 3
ACC 850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions 3
Taxation
ACC 830 Tax Research 3
ACC 833 Federal Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders 3
ACC 836 U.S. Taxation of Multinational Transactions 3
ACC 850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions 3
FI 801 Managerial Finance 3
Transaction Services
ACC 807 Using Financial Statement Data for Decision-Making - An Analytics Approach 3
ACC 850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions 3
ACC 891 Special Topics in Accounting and Information Systems 3
FI 845 Financial Modeling and Simulation I 1.5
FI 846 Financial Modeling and Simulation II 1.5
3. Electives.
Students must select at least 9 to 12 credits, of which 9 must be outside the accounting major. For students in the public and corporate accounting, and taxation concentrations, information systems courses are considered outside of the accounting major. For students in the information systems concentration, all other accounting courses are considered outside of the accounting major.

Academic Standards

Students who are enrolled in the Master of Science degree in Accounting degree program are expected to maintain:  (1) a minimum grade–point average of 3.0 each semester, and (2) a minimum cumulative grade–point average of 3.0.

The Program Director monitors the progress of students who are enrolled in the Master of Science in Accounting degree program. A policy statement containing additional information relative to academic standards is available from the director.

A student who does not maintain a 3.0 grade–point average will be placed on final probation. Such a student will be given the next semester of enrollment to achieve a 3.0 grade–point average; otherwise, dismissal from the program will result.


Accounting and Data Analytics - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Accounting and Data Analytics program is designed for students wishing to pursue an advanced degree in accounting. Prior background in accounting is not a prerequisite for admission. The program includes a set of foundational accounting courses to prepare students who possess no accounting background. The program will equip students with the technical accounting knowledge and data analysis skills that are in high demand in organizations in all sectors of the economy. The degree will prepare students for accounting careers within public accounting, corporations, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Courses taken in the program will count towards the education requirements of professional certifications such as the Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. Students entering the program without a background in accounting or business may need additional course work to meet certification requirements. The program is available only online.

Admission

Students may start the program in any semester. Admission decisions are competitive and will be made on a rolling basis. The minimum requirement for consideration is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with a recommended minimum grade-point-average of a 3.0. However, admission decisions are made holistically considering the applicant's full application including letters of recommendation, the applicant’s statement of objectives, work experience, and TOEFL and IELTS scores if relevant.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Accounting and Data Analytics
                                        
Students must complete an approved program of study with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A minimum of 30 credits under Plan B (without a thesis) is required. Students without a background in accounting must complete the foundational accounting courses which will count towards the credits required for the degree. The requirement to complete individual foundational courses may be waived at the discretion of the program director.

1. All of the following courses (18 credits) unless waived by the program director.
Foundations of Accounting, Information Systems, and Data Analysis
ACC  870 Principles of Financial and Managerial Accounting  3
ACC  871 Accounting Database Systems 3
ACC  872 Financial Reporting and Data Analysis  3
ACC  873 Principles of Federal Income Tax Accounting  3
ACC  874 Performance Measurement and Control Systems  3
ACC  875 Auditing – Assurance and Data Analysis  3
2. Complete at least one of the following concentrations:
Accounting Analytics (9 credits)
ACC  827 Accounting Analytics 3
Two of the following courses (6 credits):
ACC  814 Advanced Auditing  3
ACC  822 Information Systems Project Management 3
ACC  843 Value Chain Accounting and Analytics  3
Managerial Analysis for Decision Making (9 credits)
ACC  807 Using Financial Statement Data for Decision Making- An Analytics Approach  3
ACC  841 The Role of Accounting in Strategy Implementation  3
ACC  843 Value Chain Accounting and Analytics  3
Taxation (12 credits)
ACC  830 Tax Research  3
ACC  833 Federal Income Tax of Corporations and Shareholders  3
ACC  836 U.S. Taxation of Multinational Transactions  3
ACC  850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions  3
Transaction Services (12 credits)
ACC  807 Using Financial Statement Data for Decision Making- An Analytics Approach  3
ACC  850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions  3
ACC  891 Special Topics in Accounting and Information Systems (Transaction Service Capstone)  3
FI  845 Financial Modeling and Simulations I  1.5
FI  846 Financial Modeling and Simulations II  1.5
3. Choose electives from courses within the concentrations to meet the 30 credit minimum.

 

Corporate Accounting - Master of Business Administration

For information about the Master of Business Administration degree program with a major in Corporate Accounting, refer to the Master of Business Administration statement in the Broad College section.


Information Technology Management - Master of Business Administration

For information about the Master of Business Administration degree program with a major in Information Technology Management, refer to the Master of Business Administration statement in the Broad College section.


Accounting Analytics - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting Analytics is designed to meet the needs of accounting professionals by providing a foundation of understanding accounting implications of emerging data analytical technologies, technical skill development, and the management of projects. The certificate is available only online and is not open to students in the Master of Science Degree in Accounting.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Accounting Analytics

Students must complete 9 credits from the following:
1. The following course (3 credits):
ACC 827 Accounting Analytics 3
2. Two of the following courses (6 credits):
ACC 814 Advanced Auditing 3
ACC 822 Information Systems Project Management 3
ACC 843 Value Chain Accounting and Analytics 3


 

Accounting for Management Decision Making - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting for Management Decision Making is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers. The objective of this certificate is to provide essential tools and skills to make business decisions using accounting information. It focuses on the preparation, analysis and use of accounting information for planning and control purposes and aids in the understanding of how accounting is useful to facilitate decision making of managers and employees within the firm, as opposed to parties external to the firm such as investors. The certificate is available online only and is not open to students enrolled in the Master of Science Degree in Accounting.

Admission

To be considered for admission, students:

  1. must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  2. must have education and/or experience in accounting or finance or related field.
  3. have recommended minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0.
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Management Decision Making

Students must complete all of the following courses (9 credits):
ACC 807 Using Financial Statement Data for Decision Making-An Analytics Approach 3
ACC 841 The Role of Accounting in Strategy Implementation 3
ACC 843 Value Chain Accounting and Analytics 3
Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all courses in the certificate and a minimum 2.0 grade in each course for the course to count towards the certificate program.

Taxation - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Taxation is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers by providing an understanding of principles of tax and tax planning and builds the skills students need to deepen that knowledge and adapt to continual changes in the tax law and profession. The program also introduces the student to the roles of data analysis and automation in tax planning and compliance. The certificate is available online only and is not open to students enrolled in the Master of Science Degree in Accounting.

Admission

To be considered for admission, students:

  1. must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  2. must have education and/or experience in accounting or finance or related field.
  3. have recommended minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0.
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Taxation

Students must complete all of the following courses (12 credits):
ACC 830 Tax Research 3
ACC 833 Federal Income Tax of Corporations and Shareholders 3
ACC 836 U.S. Taxation of Multinational Transactions 3
ACC 850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions 3
Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all courses in the certificate and a minimum 2.0 grade in each course for the course to count towards the certificate program.

 

Transaction Services - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers. The program focuses on the technical accounting knowledge and professional communication skillset necessary for individuals interested in transaction services such as mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, bankruptcies, and other deal transactions. It supports roles, including accounting and tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, the role of accounting in the various stages of transactions, and advanced accounting data analysis. The certificate is available online only and is not open to students enrolled in the Master of Science Degree in Accounting.

Admission

To be considered for admission, students:

  1. must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  2. must have education and/or experience in accounting or finance or related field.
  3. have recommended minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0.
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services

Students must complete all of the following courses (12 credits):
ACC 807 Using Financial Statement Data for Decision Making-An Analytics Approach 3
ACC 850 Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions 3
ACC 891 Special Topics in Accounting and Information Services (Transaction Services Capstone) 3
FI 845 Financial Modeling and Simulations I 1.5
FI 846 Financial Modeling and Simulations II 1.5
Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all courses in the certificate and a minimum 2.0 grade in each course for the course to count towards the certificate program.