Accounting

Provides an introduction to the basic concepts and standards underlying financial accounting systems. Focuses on recording and communicating financial information for use by investors, creditors, regulators and other external uses. Covers theoretical and practical issues related to the accounting and reporting of assets, liabilities, owners’ equity, revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Basic financial ratios are introduced and interpreted. Prerequisites: School of Business major or sophomore standing. 4 SH.

The legal environment as it relates to business. Considers essential elements of consumer protection law, employment law, environmental regulation, court procedures, torts, introduction to contracts, agency law and selected laws regarding corporations. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. 4 SH. CC: Ethics Intensive, Interdisciplinary.

This course covers fundamental knowledge of basic federal income tax principles and concepts. Topics include gross income inclusions and exclusions, adjusted gross income, deductions, filing status, sales and exchanges of property, tax credits, and capital gains and losses. Basic Pennsylvania tax principles and concepts are also addressed. Students learn strategies for basic tax planning and tax research, and the course is designed to qualify students as VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) volunteers. Prerequisite: ACCT-200. 2 SH

Provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and commonly used tools in managerial accounting. Focuses on how to identify, measure, analyze and interpret accounting information from the manager’s perspective. Topics include traditional and emerging costing systems, cost behaviors, cost-volume-profit analysis, variance analysis, performance evaluation and management decision making. Prerequisites: ACCT-200. 4 SH.

Provides an introduction to the conceptual framework of financial accounting and in-depth coverage of reporting issues related to operating activities of business enterprises. Covers the preparation, presentation, and interpretation of the financial statements, with emphasis on revenue recognition, cash, receivables, inventory, and long-term assets. Students also gain an understanding of the standard setting process and the codification system of the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB). Prerequisite: ACCT-200. 4SH.

Continuation of ACCT-301, emphasizing accounting and reporting issues for investing and financing activities of a business enterprise. Additional coverage of the latest developments in financial accounting. Prerequisite: ACCT-301. 4 SH.

This course is a continuation of ACCT-220. Technical tax topics are covered in greater detail, and students learn how to prepare tax returns using a computerized tax return preparation program. Students complete case studies that enable them to recognize and research tax issues, and they develop an ability to recognize, interpret and weigh the various and often conflicting sources of the tax law. Pre- or co-requisite: ACCT-220. 2 SH.

This course increases students’ understanding of the documentation, flow, and control of financial information from its initiation at the business document and transaction level to its summarization in the financial statements. Students also improve their understanding of the basic internal control concepts and their reading and interpretation of accounting system flowcharts. This course also covers small business accounting using QuickBooks software. Topics include: creating a chart of accounts, recording customer and vendor transactions, printing reports and preparing bank reconciliations.

Prerequisite: ACCT-200. 4 SH.

A study of contracts, employment law, anti-trust law and commercial transactions. Includes negotiable instruments, sales, creditors’ rights, personal property and bailments. Prerequisite: ACCT-210. 2 SH.

Introduction to the theory and practice of accounting for nonprofit organizations, such as government operations, hospitals, colleges and arts facilities. Includes budgeting as well as bookkeeping and reporting practices. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: ACCT-200. 2 SH.

This course introduces the student to entrepreneurial finance and accounting topics, which are essential for the financial management of early-stage companies. The course topics include preparing financial projections, analyzing financial performance, managing cash flow, accessing investment and cash for business growth and determining the potential financial feasibility of new and growing ventures. This course is designed for students interested in pursuing entrepreneurial activity or financing ventures. Prerequisites: ACCT-200. 4SH.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the legal principles that govern real estate transactions. The course will cover the legal framework for property ownership, land use, financing, and leasing. Students will learn about the different types of legal instruments used in real estate transactions, including contracts, deeds, and mortgages. The course will also cover the regulatory environment for real estate, including zoning, differences in laws across states environmental law, and fair housing regulations. Pre-requisites: ACCT-210. 4 SH.

This course is a continuation of ACCT-305. Topics include the taxation of corporations and partnerships, estate and gift taxation, tax practice and procedure, and other topics likely to appear on the CPA exam. Students also complete a tax research project. Prerequisite: ACCT-305. 2 SH.

This course provides accounting students with the theoretical, conceptual and technical foundation necessary to prepare and analyze consolidated financial statements and state and local governmental financial statements. Other topics will include foreign currency transactions and translation, derivatives and hedge accounting, and interim and segment reporting. This is an applied course focusing on the development of knowledge and skills through extensive practice. Prerequisite: ACCT-302. 4 SH.

Provides an introduction to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of financial statement auditing. Topics include risk assessments, evidence collection and evaluation, sampling techniques, and reporting. Covers professional standards, the regulatory environment as well as the duties and responsibilities of certified public accountants. Emphasizes the application and emerging technologies that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of assurance services. Prerequisites: ACCT-309 and ACCT-302. 4 SH.

Students build on the tax accounting principles learned in previous courses and prepare tax returns through the VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) Program. This course enables students to address community-identified needs while developing their academic skills and commitment to their community. Students will pass exams for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, research and analyze emerging tax issues, assist individuals with completing their federal, state, and local income tax returns, maintain the highest degree of professional ethics and confidentiality, and engage in critical reflection of their service learning experiences. Prerequisite: ACCT-220. 4 SH.

Extended study of traditional managerial accounting concepts involving cost systems, budgeting, performance and variance analysis, behavior accounting, break-even and capital budgeting models, and direct cash flow statements. Introduction to more recently developed cost management topics, including the theory of constraints, activity-based costing/management, target costing, backflushing, learning curves, stochastic models and extension of capitalbudgeting models. Prerequisites: ACCT-330 and junior standing. 4 SH.

Topics of current importance and interest in accounting. Emphasizes readings from the current literature. Prerequisites: ACCT-200. 2 SH.

Individualized academic work for qualified students under faculty direction. Usually studies special topics not covered in regularly offered courses. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and approval of instructor and department. 2-4 SH.

An extensive accounting-related research project under faculty supervision. Prerequisites: Senior standing, formal proposal statement before registration, acceptance by faculty supervisor and department head’s permission. 2-4 SH.

A learning experience that cultivates a student’s academic and professional development through valuable work experience and the integration of classroom-acquired knowledge by working at a public accounting firm, corporation, governmental agency, or nonprofit organization. Prerequisites: Approval by the SWSB Internship Coordinator and acceptance by the organization. Graded on an S/U basis. 2 or 4 SH.

Offered to students participating in the London Program of the Sigmund Weis School of Business, this course provides knowledge and exposure to the art of theatre performance by utilizing the rich offerings of the theatre and other fine arts resources in London and England. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression.

Offered to students participating in the London Program of the Sigmund Weis School of Business, this course introduces students to the theories and principles of diversity by examining Great Britain as a case study in diversity. The course explores key aspects diversity in relation to, but not limited to, class, race, gender and sexuality. A key focus will be location-specific study of social and cultural diversity through student exploration of the role played by culture, ethnicity, class, race and gender in Britain’s past and in its contemporary life. This will involve exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations in their engagement with issues of equality and social justice. Students will learn about contemporary British culture and they will be able to compare that culture with that of the United States. 4 SH. CC: Diversity.

OFFP-SWSB SWSB London Program Planning The goal of this course is to prepare study abroad students for a semester’s study in the Sigmund Weis School of Business London Program. Students begin work toward achieving the cross-cultural learning goals; examples include examining definitions and aspects of culture and learning to recognize ethnocentrism. They will be introduced to observational and reflective techniques to be used on site and will begin an investigation of the history and culture of their destination. Many differences come into play: finances, physical health and safety, cultural expectations, and world affairs differ in relevance to the SU student studying on campus versus studying in London. This course will respond to the question of how to research, plan and prepare for a study abroad experience, as well as how to prepare to return home. This course also includes some mandatory workshops provided by the GO Program office. Prerequisite: Approval by the GO Program office 1 SH

The Sigmund Weis School of Business offers a London program for junior Weis School majors. Courses are taught by Sigmund Weis School faculty and by adjunct faculty from the London academic community. Fall or Spring semester students earn a full semester of Susquehanna University credit designed for the normal junior-level schedule including a four-credit internship. A shorter version of the program, including internship experiences may be offered during summer and/or winter break. Pre-requisite: OFFP-SWSB. London Program Planning. 0 SH. CC: Cross-Cultural Experience.

This course completes the cross-cultural requirement for students in the Sigmund Weis School of Business London Program. This course is designed to allow students to reflect on a cross-cultural experience and to integrate that experience into their social, intellectual, and academic life. They will explore the complexities of culture-both their own and that in which they have been immersed-in order to understand the possibilities and responsibilities of being a global citizen. Through short assignments, student presentations, a final paper and an opinion survey, students reflect on their learning in London coursework, company visits, consulting projects and more. Prerequisites: Completion of the SWSB London semester. 1 SH CC: Cross-Cultural Reflection.