Admission to the Master of Accountancy has been suspended.
Applications to the program are not being accepted at this time.
Program Director
Dr. Raymond J. Shaffer
rjshaffer@ysu.edu
Program Description
The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree is designed to promote advanced professional competencies and to enhance opportunities for career success. Heavy emphasis is placed on the application of theory to actual practice so that graduates will immediately be able to add value to business organizations. Graduates will meet Ohio State Board of Accountancy requirements to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination and Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy to be licensed as a CPA.The 30-hour MAcc program can be completed in two semesters of full-time study if started fall semester, or may be completed on a part-time basis.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Accountancy has been suspended.
Applications to the program are not being accepted at this time.
Students with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum accounting GPA of 3.0 will be granted direct admission into the MAcc Program. Students with an overall GPA or accounting GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 may be granted provisional admission as provided by YSU Graduate College admission policies. Students with a GPA below 2.7, either overall or in accounting, will be required to pass foundational coursework to be considered for admission to the MAcc Program and as a requirement for provisional admission. Students with an overall GPA below 2.7 will be required to take the GMAT (preferred) or GRE to be considered for admission. Students who are required to take the GMAT must score at least 1000 points based upon the following formula: (GPA x 200) + GMAT (or GRE converted to GMAT equivalent) score to be considered for admission.
As part of the online Graduate Admission application and College of Graduate Studies requirements, applicants to the MAcc Program should submit a letter of application and a current resume/vita.
Students without an undergraduate major in accounting must have completed the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better: Intermediate Accounting I & II, Federal Income Taxation, Cost Accounting, Accounting Information Systems (AIS), and Auditing. The Program Director will oversee the admission process to ensure student success and overall high quality of the MAcc program.
Students with a major in accounting where the relevant undergraduate accounting coursework (major accounting courses) was taken more than five years ago and/or do not have recent, substantial, relevant accounting experience (as judged by the Program Director) will be required to take foundational coursework* to be successful in the MAcc Program.
Due to differences in accounting regulations and practices globally, students from an international university where the nature of the accounting coursework is not substantially similar to YSU courses and/or where the international university is not accredited by a recognized United States accrediting organization will be required to take foundational coursework* to be successful in the MAcc Program.
*The minimum foundational coursework required will be Intermediate Accounting 1 (Acct 3701) and Federal Tax 1 (Acct 4813), and is required to be taken at YSU or another approved university (as determined by the Program Director).
Huaiyu (Peter) Chen, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Equity market; abnormal return
Karin A. Petruska, Ph.D., Professor
Financial accounting and reporting; international accounting; earnings quality and disclosure; analyst following; forensic accounting
Jeremy T. Schwartz, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director
Practice-based case studies; public pensions
Degree Requirements
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 21 | |
| ACCT 5814 | Federal Taxation 2 | 3 |
| ACCT 5820 | Government and Funds Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 6930 | 3 | |
| ACCT 6908 | 3 | |
| ACCT 6945 | 2 | |
| MGT 6945 | Business Process Integration | 3 |
| BUS 6940 | Data Analytics and Data Management | 3 |
| ACCT 6970 | Capstone Experience | 1 |
| Total Required Hours | 21 | |
| Elective Hours | 9 | |
| Recommended CPA Track - Take All or Mix with Other Elective Options | ||
| ACCT 6972 | Audit Theory Review and Practice | 2 |
| ACCT 6971 | Regulation Theory Review and Practice | 2 |
| ACCT 6973 | Business Environment & Concepts Theory Review and Practice | 2 |
| ACCT 6974 | Financial Accounting Theory Review and Practice | 2 |
| Other Electives | 1 | |
| Total Program Hours | 30 | |
| Graduate Elective Course Options | ||
| ACCT 6910 | Business Internship | 1-3 |
| ACCT 6917 | MAcc Income Tax Preparation | 3 |
| ACCT 6915 | Estate Planning | 3 |
| ACCT 6950 | Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination | 3 |
| ACCT 6968 | Special Topics in Accounting | 1-3 |
| FIN 6945 | Business Valuation | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- Acquire advanced knowledge of accounting.
- Recognize ethical issues considered in a business context.
- Be able to communicate in a business appropriate manner.
- Utilize relevant information resources to support decision making.
ACCT 5814 Federal Taxation 2 3 s.h.
This course studies the fundamental tax laws as they apply to corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. Federal payroll taxes, tax research techniques and the calculation of tax provisions for corporations is included. Concepts are supported through various projects and preparation of actual tax returns.
Prereq.: ACCT 4813 (C or better), 2.5 GPA.
ACCT 5820 Government and Funds Accounting 3 s.h.
Generally accepted accounting principles for not-for-profit and governmental organizations as established by the appropriately recognized, standard-setting bodies. Includes state and local governments, school districts, colleges and universities, hospitals, voluntary health and welfare organizations, and others.
Prereq.: "C" or better in ACCT 3701 and 2.5 overall GPA.
ACCT 6915 Estate Planning 3 s.h.
A study of estate and gift tax law including tax return preparation. Emphasis on the importance of estate planning and the devices available for use in such planning, and effective uses of lifetime gifts, trusts, life insurance, pension plans, profit sharing, and other fringe benefit plans. The effects of state inheritance tax and property laws upon estate planning will be included.
Prereq.: "C" or better in ACCT 4813 or equivalent.
ACCT 6917 MAcc Income Tax Preparation 3 s.h.
Students prepare basic and complex tax returns (including small business and rental returns) for taxpayers from the university and community, provide guidance to undergraduate students, and assist in training and administration of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Preparation) program, including efiling returns.
Prereq.: graduate standing.
ACCT 6922 Cost Based Decision Making 3 s.h.
Insights into a company’s product costs (including those considered direct and indirect), its fixed and variable costs (and ways to identify these) and an understanding of its controllable and non-controllable costs all are necessary to effectively manage an organization. This course focuses on these concepts and how they can be used when making business decisions.
ACCT 6940 Data Analytics for Accounting 3 s.h.
Course emphasis is on knowledge and skills required by accountants and managers to collect, manage, query, analyze extremely large volumes of data in various formats from numerous sources. Focus will be given to results that management of data brings to an organization. It will cover a broad spectrum of topics chosen from the following: database management, descriptive statistics, predictive analytics, through data discovery, data merging & cleaning, data visualization, ethics data quality, and advanced data modeling. It will include hands-on use of available software found in industry practices such as SAS and Tableau, with an emphasis on spreadsheets and coding skills.
Prereq.: Graduate standing.
ACCT 6950 Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination 3 s.h.
This course involves the study of forensic accounting with an emphasis on fraud prevention, deterrence and detection techniques. Topics include identifying occupational fraud, abuse, and the misappropriation of assets and revenue. Also introduced is the role of the COSO internal control framework, risk assessments, corporate governance and the internal audit profession.
Prereq.: Graduate standing.
Cross-Listed: ACCT 3750.
ACCT 6996 Research Problems 1-4 s.h.
Special research project under the supervision of a graduate faculty member. Credit will be determined in each case in light of the nature and extent of the project.
Prereq.: Fifteen hours of level II MBA coursework or permission of MBA director.