U of Maryland University College - Accounting Certificate

Financial Management & Accounting Certificates

Bruce Lubich, PhD, CPA, program director for Accounting

Donald Gakenhiemer, MBA, academic coordinator

Accounting Certificate

The certificate in accounting is designed to broaden and deepen the accounting knowledge of practicing professionals. As accountants become cost consultants and systems design partners in an information technology and e-business based environment, participants will be prepared to respond to the changing role of accountants in modern organizations.

Students must have an undergraduate minor in accounting (or 15 credits in undergraduate accounting) with a minimum grade of "C" in each course to enroll in this certificate program.

Total Semester Hours: 12

Courses

Course Descriptions - ACCT

• ACCT 610 - Financial Accounting
• ACCT 611 - Management Accounting
• ACCT 612 - Auditing Process
• ACCT 614 - Accounting Information Systems

Note: ACCT 610 is prerequisite for all other accounting courses.

All courses taken within the Accounting Certificate can be applied to the following degrees: Master of Science in management with specialization in accounting, Master of Science in accounting and information technology, or Master of Science in accounting and financial management.

Course Descriptions - ACCT

ACCT 610 Financial Accounting (3)

Accounting theory in a strategic framework. An overview of relevant theory, building upon undergraduate accounting studies, provides a foundation for other track courses. Critical thinking and the application of accounting concepts and principles will be developed in the areas of: the preparation and interpretation of corporate financial statements in accordance with GAAP; accounting standards and the standard setting process; the use of electronic technology in financial accounting; effective communication; professional ethics; and current issues, debates and research in accounting. Current special interest topics include the impact of information technology on financial accounting and the valuation of and accounting for intellectual property.

ACCT 611 Management Accounting (3)

Prerequisite: ACCT 610. An examination of the control and decision-making methodologies used by management accountants in solving strategic problems for business. Among the methodologies used are break-even analysis, regression analysis, the balanced scorecard, activity-based Prerequisite costing/management, value chain analysis, total quality management, and performance evaluation/assessment. The topics covered range from ethical issues to product costing. All the quantitative methods explained are used to help model business problems in a manner intended to provide the required insights for managers to make successful choices.

ACCT 612 Auditing Process (3)

Prerequisite: ACCT 610. An in-depth examination of Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), as well as standards for attestation and other services. Alternative audit models are evaluated for both their practical relevance as well as their theoretical justification as informed by current research and emerging information technology. The use of Computer-Assisted Auditing Techniques (CAAT) and other computer-related technology for obtaining evidence is evaluated in terms of its effectiveness and suitability in diverse audit environments. Methods of evaluating internal control are considered in light of the risks encountered in new ways of conducting business, such as e-commerce. Professional ethical and legal responsibilities, as shaped by the contemporary professional, legal, and regulatory environments, are examined as they relate to audit risk, risk assessment, and audit program planning. The use of audit reports and other services as tools to support management control and decision making are considered. Only students enrolled in the Accounting track may take this course.

ACCT 614 Accounting Information Systems (3)

Prerequisite: ACCT 610. A study of the use of information systems in the accounting process, with an emphasis on computer systems and internal controls. Focus is on the analytical tools necessary to evaluate users’ accounting information needs and to design, implement, and maintain an accounting information system to support business processes and cycles. Among the topics covered are: the components of a contemporary accounting information systems (AIS); security and internal controls, particularly within Internet and e-commerce environments; traditional flowcharting and data-flow diagrams; computer networks; theory and application of relational databases; and relational database management systems (RDBMS). Assignments include designing an AIS using a commercial database software package.