Accountancy (ACCY)

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The Department of Accountancy offers a B.S. degree which prepares its graduates for professional accounting positions in industry, public accounting, government and not-for-profit organizations, or for graduate study. The program provides students with a foundation in all primary areas of the accounting discipline including cost management, financial accounting, accounting information systems, assurance services, and federal income taxes. Students are also provided with the opportunity to develop their communication, technology, and team-building skills; apply their knowledge to structured problems; and develop an understanding of ethical issues and professional conduct in business.

Accountancy Learning Goals and Objectives

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program are expected to achieve these learning goals and objectives in addition to the College of Business Undergraduate Learning Goals and Objectives.

The NIU Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program provides essential study in accounting to prepare students at a level appropriate for entrance into the profession or graduate study.

1. Our graduates will be technically competent accounting professionals.
Our students will demonstrate an understanding of financial accounting, accounting information systems, cost management, assurance services, and taxation concepts appropriate for entrance into the profession or graduate study.

2. Our graduates will be effective problem-solvers.
Our students will:

• utilize analytic skills to identify accounting problems, generate appropriate solutions, and make informed decisions.
• apply technology tools to assist with problem solving.

3. Our graduates will be effective communicators.
Our students will:

• communicate in a professional manner.
• demonstrate effective teamwork skills.
• exhibit professional business conduct.

4. Our graduates will be ethical accounting professionals.
Our students will demonstrate an understanding of relevant professional standards and codes of conduct.

Department Requirements

Retention in the accountancy program is competitive based on a student’s overall GPA for 60 semester hours and grades earned in ACCY 206 and ACCY 207 or equivalent courses. Transcript review must be formally requested by a qualified student by submitting a completed request form. This review must be complete before permission is granted for a student to enroll in any 300- or 400-level ACCY courses. This form can be obtained from the Undergraduate Studies in Business Office or from the Department of Accountancy.

Satisfactory completion of UBUS 310 as evidenced by a grade of C or better is required before an accountancy major is allowed to enroll in any 400-level accountancy course.

Accountancy prerequisites are deemed to be met only by obtaining a grade of C or better. (It is necessary to repeat an ACCY prerequisite in which a grade below C was earned before taking the next course in the sequence.)

Accountancy majors may repeat a maximum of two upper-level ACCY courses (one-credit upper-level ACCY courses are exempted from this policy). Students who want to repeat any ACCY courses will be allowed to enroll in that course only during add/drop if sufficient resources are available.

Upper-level (300-400) ACCY courses will not be accepted from other institutions except with permission of the Department of Accountancy.

To graduate as an accountancy major, a transfer student will be required to take at least 12 semester hours of 300-400 level ACCY courses at NIU.

To graduate as an accountancy major, a student must earn a grade of at least C in each course required in the major, which includes courses in the business core, required ACCY courses, and all electives required for the major.

Internships in Accountancy

The internship (ACCY 473) consists of full-time work experience in an accounting function for ten to thirteen weeks and completion of written and oral reports. Applications are reviewed by the internship coordinator and approved on the basis of professional promise, instructor recommendation, and credit in specified courses. The Department of Accountancy coordinates all academic internships. Students submit resumes and participate in interviews approximately six to twelve months prior to the internship. Spring semester interns have the opportunity to enroll in additional accountancy courses from April to May. More detailed information is available in the departmental office.

Professional Examination Preparation

The accountancy program provides students with the skills necessary to pass the major certification examinations in the accountancy profession, including the Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) Examination, the Certified Internal Auditor (C.I.A.) Examination, and the Certified Management Accountant (C.M.A.) Examination. Information about requirements and review courses for all these examinations is available in the department office.

C.P.A. Examination candidates in Illinois are required to complete 150 semester hours of course work and must have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher degree before sitting for the examination. The B.S. program, when combined with the M.A.S. degree, provides students with an excellent background for the C.P.A. Examination.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has approved NIU as a participant in IIA’s Endorsed Internal Auditing Program. To receive an IIA certificate of completion, a student must have either a B.S. in accountancy from NIU or an M.A.S. degree from NIU. As part of the certificate requirements students must complete ACCY 462, an approved business elective, and an academic internship (ACCY 473) in an internal audit position. A student completing the internal audit course work will have “Completion of internal audit course work as endorsed by the Institute of Internal Auditors” on the official NIU transcript.

Accountancy Faculty

James C. Young, C.P.A., Ph.D., Michigan State University, Distinguished Teaching Professor, chair, Crowe Horwath Professor of Accountancy
Meghann A. Cefaratti, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, assistant professor
Natalie T. Churyk, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of South Carolina, professor, Caterpillar Professor of Accountancy
B. Douglas Clinton, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington, professor, Alta Via Consulting Professor of Management Accountancy 
Bradrick M. Cripe, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln, associate professor
Ann C. Dzuranin, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Florida, assistant professor
Chih-Chen Lee, C.P.A., Ph.D., Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, professor, HSBC Professor of Accountancy 
Katrina L. Mantzke, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, associate professor, Kieso Professor of Accountancy
Linda Matuszewski, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, associate professor
Mark E. Riley, C.P.A., Ph.D., Texas Tech University, associate professor
Rebecca T. Shortridge, C.P.A., Ph.D., Michigan State University, professor, Gaylen and Joanne Larson Professor of Accountancy
David H. Sinason, C.F.E., C.F.S.A., C.I.A., C.P.A., Ph.D., Florida State University, professor, PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor of Accountancy
Pamela A. Smith, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of North Texas, Presidential Teaching Professor, Board of Trustees Professor, KPMG Professor of Accountancy
Donald Tidrick, C.I.A., C.M.A., C.P.A., Ph.D., Ohio State University, professor, Deloitte Professor of Accountancy 
Tammy Waymire, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Arkansas, associate professor
Tim West, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Tennessee, associate professor, Grant Thornton Professor of Accountancy
S. Carol Yu, C.P.A., Ph.D., University of Houston, associate professor

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