Accounting

Why study Accounting at Southwestern College?

Accounting is the process of establishing, maintaining and analyzing the financial records of an organization. Accountants and accounting managers must have the ability to accurately reflect financial transactions in official records and good judgment to recommend corrective action when something goes awry. Accounting graduates of Southwestern College are prepared to enter private business, public accounting and the not-for-profit sectors and are prepared to conduct themselves in an effective and professional manner. When you choose to become an Accounting major at Southwestern College, you will receive thorough exposure to business principles, current trends in accounting, and practical tools to apply to accounting and financial situations in the business world both nationally and internationally. You will also be well-prepared to continue graduate studies in accounting, business or prepare for the CPA exam.

Southwestern College offers you:

  • A faculty that has exceptional academic credentials and significant professional experience in business, industry and the international corporate world,
  • A close relationship with faculty with an assigned mentor and low student-faculty ratios,
  • A state-of-the-art Management Education Center and campus-wide wireless internet capability for classroom and research needs,
  • Opportunities to gain practical experience while earning college credit, and potentially a salary, through our on-the-job internship program,
  • Participation in a professional Business Honors Society and SIFE – Students In Free Enterprise, an international organization dedicated to student-development of community educational outreach programs. Through these organizations, you will participate in field trips, competitions, guest lectures and social activities,
  • A campus located in a vibrant community with many diverse businesses, industries and organizations nearby.

What careers are available with an Accounting degree?

Our program has been designed to provide you with the necessary current theoretical and practical background for careers in many fields such as:

  • Corporate Accounting                   
  • Public Accounting                   
  • Not-for-Profit Accounting
  • Internal Revenue Service                            
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Budget Manager                        
  • Financial Planner            
  • Small Business Owner

How does the program work?

As an Accounting major at Southwestern College, you will receive a broad base of knowledge through our Integrative Studies program, taken by all students. This will prove valuable in your future career development and will help you to mature into an involved and productive citizen in your community. You will complete the Business Core curriculum with other majors from within the Division of Business Administration, thereby gaining a basic understanding and appreciation for all areas of the business world. Finally, you will complete at least seven additional courses specifically in Accounting which will include an internship and elective courses of your choosing.

Accounting Courses

Department Code: ACCT
281 Financial Accounting. This course emphasizes basic concepts and their application in transaction analysis and financial statement preparation, and analysis of financial statements. Course procedures will include group interaction, written assignments, and written examinations. Credit 3 hours.

283 Managerial Accounting. The course refers to the study of management's information requirements in accounting. The course emphasizes the use of accounting information to assist management in planning, analyzing and implementing business decisions and activities. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of cases and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT281. Credit 3 hours.

Majors and Course Offerings

330 Accounting/Financial Information Systems. This coruse deals with the study of the concepts of information systems, their design and operation. The relationship of these concepts is then implemented in the economic information requirements, information flows, decision criteria and control mechanisms in the business organization. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of cases and papers and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT283. Credit 3 hours.

331 Not-for-Profit Accounting. This expansion of accounting concepts and practices relates specifically to not-for-profit and governmental entities. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of papers and cases and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT283. Credit 1 hour.

385 Tax Accounting 1. Emphasis will be on discussing and recognizing the major tax issues inherent in business and financial transactions. Focus will be on the fundamental concepts, the mastery of which provides a permanent frame of reference for future study of advanced tax topics. The course will stress that an understanding of taxation is not only relevant but critical to the student’s success in the business world. Prerequisite: ACCT283. Credit 3 hours.

386 Cost Accounting. The use of accounting information that is used to assist management in planning, analyzing and operational control in contemporary business contexts. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of papers and cases and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT283. Credit 3 hours.

391 Intermediate Accounting 1. The course refers to the study of conceptual and technical aspects of financial accounting and reporting. Emphasizes is placed on recognition and measurement problems of income determination and balance sheet presentations. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of papers and cases and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT283. Credit 3 hours.

392 Intermediate Accounting 2. A continuation of course 391's concepts and values. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of papers and cases and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT391. Credit 3 hours.

445 Auditing. A study of the auditor’s attest function, including auditing standards and procedures, independence, legal responsibilities, codes of ethical conduct and evaluation of accounting systems and internal control. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of cases and papers and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT392. Credit 3 hours.

446 Advanced Accounting. This course expands the use of accounting concepts and practices by relating them to the consolidation of statements and partnerships. Course procedures include group interaction, written assignments, completion of cases and papers and written examinations. Prerequisite: ACCT392. Credit 3 hours.

Business