Department of Accounting and Department of Finance
Dr. Crystal Hudson, Department Chair
Wright-Young Hall, Room 212
Telephone: (404) 880-6413

Accounting Area

Overview

The area of Accounting originated when the School of Business Administration was established, and its history parallels that of the School. Central to the organizational management process, study of accounting assists managers make decisions and empowers them to meet their stewardship responsibilities. The mission of the Accounting program is to provide students with the necessary accounting skills to be successful managers and leaders and to prepare students for careers in accounting and related professions in a global environment. The vision of the Accounting program is to engage in innovative programs that provide students with technical and professional skills leading to successful careers in professional accounting and related careers.

Accounting Concentration

The Accounting program prepares graduate students with a practical and theoretical knowledge of accounting principles and practices for professional certifications and successful careers in independent and internal auditing, tax accounting, government accounting, management consulting and accounting information systems for both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses as well as pursuit of advanced studies in the fields of accounting and finance. The program faculty not only serves those students in the major but also those in other concentrations in business as well as those students majoring in disciplines outside of the School of Business Administration.

The Accounting concentration is unique in that it gives an increased emphasis on understanding the role of accounting information in assisting management in making decisions and controlling the organization in addition to producing the necessary information for external reporting. Students in accounting concentration typically begin their initial careers within an organization in such areas as the controller’s department, internal audit, treasury and finance, cost accounting, and planning and budgeting. The core courses in the concentration provide the skills required to assume these positions in industry, government, public accounting, and in not-for-profit organizations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students pursuing the Master of Business Administration degree program will:

1. Identify and assess business alternatives and determine appropriate course of action based on business principles and best practices.
2. Utilize appropriate and effective oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in diverse business settings.
3. Identify major influences in consumer and organizational decision-making to maximize business opportunities.
4. Evaluate the interdependent roles and impact of internal and external business and environmental factors on today’s global economy.
5. Make decisions that are consistent with the professional and ethical values of business practices.
6. Recommend effective approaches for motivating employees and managing relationships in a diverse workforce to achieve internal control objectives.
7. Demonstrate effective leadership skills and behaviors in professional environments.