Accounting is one of the faster growing professions. Individuals in the profession are primarily employed by public accounting firms, corporations, governmental agencies and not-for-profit organizations, although a significant number are self-employed. Many accountants further specialize in auditing (either external or internal), tax accounting, management accounting and/or business consulting. People with strong analytical abilities who are ambitious and desire an interesting, challenging and rewarding career would do well to consider accounting. 

High school students who are considering Accounting at Missouri State should have a strong background in English and mathematics. A college-bound curriculum offers the best preparation available to potential Accounting majors. Accounting majors at Missouri State receive a diverse educational background during their years at the university. The first two years of undergraduate study are concentrated in general education courses and introductory business courses that are intended to provide students with the basic skills necessary to successfully complete a degree in Accounting. The final two years of undergraduate study consist of courses in finance, management, marketing and statistics, along with a high concentration in accounting. These courses are designed to provide students with breadth across all areas of business and both breadth and depth in the technical areas of accounting.

Students who complete degree programs in Accounting at Missouri State meet the education requirements to take the Certified Management Accountant’s (CMA) exam, the Certified Internal Auditing (CIA) exam and all but the credit hour requirement to take the Certified Public Accountant’s (CPA) exam. Students planning to take the CPA exam must complete 150 credit hours of college education. The Master of Accountancy program at Missouri State is an excellent means of meeting this additional education requirement while also providing coursework relevant to the CPA exam.

Below is a list of accounting courses required for the undergraduate degree. Please consult the Missouri State Catalog online at www.missouristate.edu/catalog for course descriptions and other specific degree requirements.

• ACC 201: Introduction to Financial Accounting
• ACC 211: Introduction to Management Accounting
• ACC 301: Intermediate Accounting I
• ACC 302: Intermediate Accounting II
• ACC 311: Managerial Cost Accounting
• ACC 321: Tax Accounting I
• ACC 341: Accounting Information Systems
• ACC 470: Professionalism in Accountancy
• ACC 553: Auditing

Three additional Accounting courses selected from
the following:

• ACC 504: Advanced Accounting
• ACC 506: International Accounting
• ACC 513: Managerial Cost Accounting II
• ACC 524: Tax Accounting II
• ACC 525: Individual Income Tax Assistance
• ACC 532: Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
• ACC 555: Internal Auditing
• ACC 556: Operational Auditing

Students planning to complete the Master of Accountancy program at Missouri State will be expected to complete additional advanced level Accounting courses. Please consult the Missouri State Graduate Catalog for specific details of the Master of Accountancy program.

The School of Accountancy (SOA) faculty has a wealth of experience in public accounting, corporate accounting and governmental accounting, as well as academic experience. The SOA has 21 full-time faculty members: 17 hold doctorates, 2 have degrees in Law, and 19 are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), Certified Management Accountants (CMAs), Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs) and/or Certified Governmental Financial Managers (CGFMs). The accounting faculty members are known as excellent teachers and several have won university-wide teaching awards. In addition, most are active in professional organizations, appearing on programs and serving as officers at the local, state and national level.  Many are also accomplished authors having their manuscripts published in national and international journals. 

Nearly all accounting classes are taught by full-time faculty members. Classes are held in modern classrooms and upper-division enrollment is typically limited to 35-40 students per section.  Graduate classes normally have 25 or less students.  Faculty members are available in their offices for several hours per week to assist students with problems and provide career counseling. 

Classrooms have up to date technology including document cameras, online access, and presentation software.  Students have access to computer labs in Glass Hall and as well as across campus.  The Missouri State Career Center has a branch office available in Glass Hall for business majors.  Glass Hall is also home to the Business Advisement Center where all business majors receive academic advising.

The School of Accountancy has two very active student organizations: The Accounting Club and Beta Alpha Psi. Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for Financial Information students and professionals. In addition, the Accounting Club supports a student chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants.

The student organizations are active in bringing prospective employers and guest speakers to campus. They also sponsor activities such as Accounting Career Day, Meet Our Majors, picnics and field trips to businesses. Students are also able to integrate what they have learned in the classroom with practical experience through cooperative education and internships. A large percentage of Accounting majors participate in these programs at some time during their years at Missouri State.

Both the undergraduate and the graduate Accounting programs have achieved national recognition as quality programs by being awarded accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In addition, the School of Accountancy is an active member of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy (FSA). The FSA membership is restricted to those graduate programs in Accounting that are accredited by the AACSB. The goal of the FSA is to enhance the quality of accounting education provided by colleges and universities.