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Accounting

The accounting major is designed to enable students to develop an understanding of, and proficiency in, accounting concepts and techniques. Building on the principles of accounting, students study financial reporting, auditing, taxation, income determination, account valuation, accounting systems, and the role of accounting in the allocation and use of resources. The program offers several career options leading to employment in business, government, and public accounting.

CPA Certificate Track

To sit for the CPA examination, Washington State requires candidates to obtain 150 semester credit hours of acceptable educational preparation. Gonzaga offers three degrees tailored for students who desire to fulfill the 150-hour requirement and earn a graduate degree at the same time: Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Science in Taxation (MSTax), and Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) with a concentration in accounting. A student pursuing this track will, during the junior, senior, and graduate years, acquire the technical competence in the 300-level and 400-level accounting courses, while more fully developing research, communication, and presentation skills offered in graduate classes. A student planning to obtain both undergraduate and graduate degrees should work closely with a faculty advisor for proper course sequencing.

Gonzaga’s accounting majors are eligible to apply for the Accelerated M.Acc or Accelerated MS.Tax program. If accepted into the program, nine credit hours of graduate-level courses may be taken during the senior year with the permission of the accounting program coordinator. The cost of the graduate credits is covered by the student’s undergraduate tuition so long as the student does not exceed the maximum credit load. Before applying for admission to the accelerated M.Acc, a student should have completed ACCT 360, Intermediate Financial Accounting I. Before applying for admission to the Accelerated MS.Tax, a student should have completed ACCT 365, Federal Taxation I.

Non-CPA Track

A student who does not wish to obtain CPA certification can earn the B.B.A. degree in accounting. With this degree, a student might find employment opportunities in governmental agencies, financial institutions, and industrial firms such as Boeing or Avista. The student pursuing this track is encouraged to obtain an accounting major accompanied by elective course work in information systems. Both the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) designations are available to students with this degree.

B.B.A. Major in Accounting: 21 credits

Upper Division
ACCT 311 Data Analysis for Accountants  3 credits
ACCT 360 Intermediate Financial Accounting I 3 credits
ACCT 361 Intermediate Financial Accounting II 3 credits
ACCT 363 Cost Accounting 3 credits
ACCT 365 Federal Taxation I 3 credits
ACCT 464 Auditing 3 credits
  One of the Following Electives: 3 credits
        ACCT 362 Accounting Information Systems
        ACCT 366 Federal Taxation   
        ACCT 460 Advanced Financial Accounting  
Lower Division
ACCT 260 Principles of Accounting I
3.00 credits
Introduction to financial accounting with emphasis on the preparation and analysis of basic financial statements of business organizations. Fall, Spring, Summer.
ACCT 261 Principles of Accounting II
3.00 credits
An introduction to managerial and cost accounting concepts and techniques. Topics include cost determination and the uses of cost data for managerial planning, control, and decision-making. Fall, Spring, Summer.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 260 Minimum Grade: D
ACCT 263 Accounting Analysis
3.00 credits
An accounting foundation course for non-business majors pursuing a general business minor or planning to apply for admission to graduate business programs. The course introduces the student to accounting and emphasizes preparation, analysis, and interpretation of general purpose financial reports and uses of accounting information for decision-making.
ACCT 290 Directed Study
1.00- 3.00 credits
Topic to be decided by faculty.
Upper Division
ACCT 311 Data Analysis for Accountants
3.00 credits
A study of the role of big data and data science and analytics in business. The course includes coverage of the theory and practice of data visualization, statistical methods, analytical models, and an introduction to software tools and programming languages to facilitate the analysis of data.
ACCT 360 Interm Financial Accounting I
3.00 credits
An intensive study of financial accounting theory and practice. Topics include recognition, measurement, and reporting of assets, liabilities, corporate equity, revenues and expenses; preparation and analysis of the principal financial statements.
ACCT 361 Interm Financial Accounting II
3.00 credits
Continuation of ACCT 360.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 360 Minimum Grade: C
ACCT 362 Accounting Information Systems
3.00 credits
A study of the role of accounting information systems in organizational decision making and control. The course includes coverage of the theory and practice of information processing, internal controls, and systems analysis and design related to major transaction cycles.
ACCT 363 Cost Accounting
3.00 credits
An examination of the mechanics and application of accounting principles and concepts for planning, control, and decision making. Topics include cost behavior, job, process, and standard cost systems; budgeting and control; and activity-based costing.
ACCT 365 Federal Taxation I
3.00 credits
Fundamentals of federal taxation with emphasis on individual taxation and tax planning. Topics include income, deductions, losses, and credits in addition to capital asset and other property transactions.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 260 Minimum Grade: D
ACCT 366 Federal Taxation II
3.00 credits
A study of corporate, partnership, estate and gift, and international taxation is conducted in this course. Current issues in taxation relating to both business and individual taxation will be discussed, along with an examination of tax procedure and tax practice.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 365 Minimum Grade: C
ACCT 367 Financial Reporting & Analysis
3.00 credits
Corporate financial accounting theory, practice, and analysis for students pursuing a concentration in finance. Topics include generally accepted accounting principles; concepts of revenue and expense recognition; measurement of assets, liabilities, and equities; and analysis of corporate financial statements. Course credits may not be applied to the accounting major.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 260 Minimum Grade: D and BFIN 320 Minimum Grade: D
ACCT 460 Advanced Financial Accounting
3.00 credits
Advanced topics in financial accounting, theory and practice. Subjects include inter-corporate investments, consolidated financial statements, international accounting, partnerships, and accounting for governmental and NFP entities.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 361 Minimum Grade: D
ACCT 464 Auditing
3.00 credits
A study of auditing concepts and practices. Includes audit planning and procedures, EDP auditing, statistical sampling, ethical considerations, and report writing.
Prerequisite:
ACCT 360 Minimum Grade: D
ACCT 471 Forensic Accounting Lab
3.00 credits
Called the "Justice for Fraud Victims Project", this class is a joint program with members of the community (law enforcement, prosecutors, and local certified fraud examiners), that provides a select group of students with an opportunity to investigate real cases of suspected fraud that are referred by local law enforcement. Students are assigned to teams and are supervised by faculty and by mentors from the Spokane Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. The cases are selected based on financial need of the victim (primarily local small businesses and non-profit organizations). Student teams must complete a written forensic accounting report on their case, an internal control recommendation report for the client, and a formal presentation to law enforcement outlining their results. Enrollment is by application only. May not be counted toward the required accounting elective.
ACCT 489 Special Topic Seminar
1.00- 3.00 credits
On sufficient demand.
ACCT 491 Directed Study
1.00- 3.00 credits
Directed Study requires completion of a form, and department permission. Zagweb registration is not available. Available Summer only
ACCT 497 Internship
.00- 3.00 credits
Accounting internships may not be counted towards the required accounting elective. Internships require departmental approval and 3.00 GPA. Zagweb registration is not available.