From Seattle University's 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog.
All graduate courses are 3 credits, unless otherwise noted.
To develop a business understanding of financial accounting concepts, principles, and techniques and the ability to apply them to the proper recording of accounting transactions and to the preparation of financial statements pursuant to U.S. GAAP, all of which are addressed in the context of the basic accounting model. Special attention will focus on the accounting information cycle, including the books of original and final entry, the accrual basis of accounting, the proper matching of revenues and expenses, and the appropriate valuation of economic resources and obligations. Emphasis also will be placed on the meaning of certain accounting terms and expressions necessary for effective communication in the business environment. Identifying the financial status and operating performance of a firm from the components of its financial reports and synthesizing financial accounting data from such reports in a manner that informs the business decision-making process are key learning outcomes. Course is graded Credit/Fail. No prerequisites are necessary. (formerly ACCT 5000 Fundamentals of Accounting)
Concepts and principles underlying financial accounting, with emphasis on interpreting the content of published financial reports. Introduction and examination of the balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows, basic accounting model, accounting cycle, underlying assumptions, and conventions.
Accounting information for decision making, planning, and controlling the operations of business enterprises. Introduction and examination of product costing systems, capital budgeting methods, cost-volume-profit analysis, and the structure and use of management financial control systems, FINC 5000 recommended.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5030
This course presents basic principles of corporate finance and develops tools for financial decisions and valuation in the presence of uncertainty, imperfect information and conflicting incentives among stakeholders. A series of spreadsheet-based valuation exercises are used to develop firm values using basic financial data for local companies. Cross-listed with FINC 5050.
Prerequisite:MBA 5230 or (ECON 5000, Financial Accounting, FINC 5000)
ACCT 5100 continues the development of your quantitative, analytical, and statistical skills. Topics include computation of descriptive statistics, simple linear regression, multiple regression, and other topics involving predictive analytics in the field of accounting and auditing. Through the lectures, discussions, readings, practice problems, and case studies, you will have opportunities to develop your skills in several areas: applying statistical decision-making tools, using statistical software, and interpreting and communicating the findings. After completing this course, you should be able to identify appropriate applications of multiple regression and to apply their results in the management decision-making process.
Prerequisite: MBA 5000 or a comparable basic statistics course
These intermediate financial accounting courses are designed to prepare the student for a career in professional accounting. Upon conclusion of the sequence the student should: (1) understand the issues involved in accounting policy choice; (2) understand the process and the conceptual framework according to which accounting standards are set in the United States; (3) have in-depth knowledge of accounting for transaction, events, and adjustment affecting assets, liabilities, shareholders equity, revenues, expenses, gains, and losses.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5030
These intermediate financial accounting courses are designed to prepare the student for a career in professional accounting. Upon conclusion of the sequence the student should: (1) understand the issues involved in accounting policy choice; (2) understand the process and the conceptual framework according to which accounting standards are set in the United States; (3) have in-depth knowledge of accounting for transaction, events, and adjustment affecting assets, liabilities, shareholders equity, revenues, expenses, gains, and losses.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5110
The intermediate financial accounting courses are designed to prepare the student for a career in professional accounting. Upon conclusion of the sequence the student should: (1) understand the issues involved in accounting policy choice; (2) understand the process and the conceptual framework according to which accounting standards are set in the United States as well as internationally; (3) have in-depth knowledge of accounting for transaction, events and adjustment affecting assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, revenues, expenses, gains, and losses. .
Prerequisite: ACCT 5120
Discussion and analysis of costing techniques, use of accounting data in planning and evaluating managerial performance, and use of accounting data in short-run and long-run decisions. Special attention directed to issues in current developments in cost allocation, planning, and performance evaluation.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5000
Purpose, scope, concepts, and methods used in examining and attesting to financial statements. Current issues concerning professionalism and role of the public accountant.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5110
The primary objective of this course is to provide students with basic practical and technical skills to understand the technological evolution of the audit and risk assurance environment. Students will get a basic overview of the risk assurance process as it relates to emerging technologies along with some basic practical experience with some of the technologies like robotic process automation. The course will provide a perspective on topics like artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, blockchain and digital ledgers, digital financial reporting and XBRL. After taking this course, students will be more informed about their role as accountants and auditors from the lens of emerging technologies.
Prerequisite: RSKA 5310 or ACCT 5140 or ACCT 4350 or an equivalent Audit course
Introduction to the basic concepts of federal income taxation for the various forms of business organizations. Use of tax service and research in tax problems.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5030
Emphasizes the analysis of accounting information with explicit considerations of strategic issues and concerns, including financial analysis and management control as tools for formulating and implementing strategies for achieving competitive advantage. Topics include activity-based management, target costing, balanced scorecard, and financial measures of performance.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5130
This course provides an introduction to fraud examination from an accounting viewpoint and is designed to promote the development of analytical skills that can be utilized by professionals responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraud.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5110
This course integrates principles from accounting and finance in the joint processes of: (1) unraveling published financial statements in order to generate pro-forma financial statements; and (2) applying rigorous models to estimate the fair value of the anticipated future streams of cash and earnings. Emphasis throughout the course is on using data drawn from actual financial reports to make decisions that professional analysts make under time and competitive pressures. Participants work in teams and are required to communicate their recommendations to "investors" both verbally and in writing. Cross listed with FINC 5300.
Prerequisite: ACCT/FINC 5050
This course prepares students for communications challenges inherent in accounting practice. There are special challenges regarding communication between accountants and clients, whether written or oral. This course helps students develop techniques for delivering findings, positive or negative, without jeopardizing the relationship. It covers specialized writing for accountants including audit work paper and other accounting reports. Collaborative communication and effective accounting presentations are also addressed.
Concepts and practices underlying generally accepted accounting principles relating to equity method investments, business combinations, foreign currency transactions and translation. Analysis of how non-controlling interests are reflected in accounting reports. Emphasis on interpreting and applying professional accounting standards.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5120
This auditing course extends the coverage of auditing topics to legal liability of auditors, audit sampling, fraud/forensic accounting, internal audit, and other assurance services including review, compilations, reporting on internal controls, and financial forecasts.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5140 or equivalent
This course teaches the practical and technical skills necessary to analyze, visualize and effectively communicate information captured by accounting data in written and visual form.
Prerequisite: Basic Statistics and RSKA 5340
Study of advanced topics in federal taxation, including formation, operation, and dissolution of the business entity. Also includes the importance of ethical considerations, and special tax subjects.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5150
In this course accounting students will be teamed with representatives from the United Way of King County and will apply their tax training to assist clients of UWKC complete their tax returns. The practicum will run for 10 weeks in the winter. All students who enroll for this class must complete tax training provided by the UWKC. All graduate students are required to complete this service practicum. This course is highly encouraged for undergraduate students, but it is not a required undergraduate accounting elective. (credit/fail)
Prerequisite: ACCT 5150
This course covers specialized topics related to the valuation of closely-held companies and pass-through entities including issues related to estate and gift taxes. Other topics include ESOPs, transfer pricing and the valuation of health-care entities.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5110 & (FINC 5050 or FINC 5100)
This course develops an integrated knowledge of accounting and finance and provides a financial reporting perspective for fair value- related issues. Topics will relate to the accounting for business combinations and asset impairments including the recognition and valuation of intangibles and contingencies, stock compensation accounting, derivatives accounting including assessing hedge effectiveness and the accounting for hybrid financial instruments. Cross-listed with FINC 5340.
Prerequisites: ACCT/FINC 5050, ACCT 5110
This course develops an integrated knowledge of the accounting and the fair valuation of financial instruments from a financial reporting perspective. Topics will relate to the accounting for business combinations and contingent consideration, accounting and valuation of stock compensation, derivatives accounting including assessing hedge effectiveness and the accounting and valuation of embedded derivatives and complex financial instruments.
Prerequisite: FINC 5100; FINC 5050; FINC 5105; ACCT 5120
The tools and approaches in support of decision-making in a business setting, with special emphasis on accounting and finance applications. Extensive use of current software applications. During the term, students work on a variety of problems of practical relevance such as project selection under budgetary constraints and corporate valuation.
Prerequisite: ECON 5000 and FINC 5000
The objective of this course is to develop an integrated knowledge of the corporate governance mosaic, which aims to balance managerial autonomy and corporate accountability. This course introduces students to the responsibilities of and interactions among key governance actors, including shareholders, board of directors and its subcommittees, managers, external and internal auditors, the capital markets, and the broader regulatory environment. Topics will be addressed using current readings, team cases, and a final report, with emphasis given to the continued development of skills in critical thinking, decision making, and both oral and written communication
The study of the accounting principles and practices of governmental and not-for-profit organizations. Examines the reporting, tax, and auditing issues important to entities operating as not-for-profits, such as government entities, social agencies, churches, schools, etc.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5030
This course is designed to analyze the legal environment applicable to accounting and finance. Cases, text material, and class discussion emphasize contracts, agency, limited liability companies, business formations (partnerships & corporations), employment law, bankruptcy, secured transactions and accountant legal cases within a business context.
Prerequisite: ACCT 5000 or MBA 5220; FINC 5000
See administrative office for prerequisites and course descriptions.
The study of accounting issues and environment of a foreign country. Course will include travel to the country to observe activities and conditions and to meet with representatives of businesses and other institutions. Location of tour can vary. Check with the department for details.
For more about internships, visit the Albers Career Center
Independent study. Individualized reading and reporting on a specific topic approved by an instructor. The program of study and conference times must total 30 hours of study and contact hours for every one-credit taken. Grading option negotiated with instructor for CR/F or letter grade (student option). (1 - 3 credits)