School of Accounting

Golden Gate University has been preparing accounting professionals

for 99 years, and has earned a reputation for educational innova-

tion. It was the first university on the West Coast to offer a four-year

degree in accounting. Continuing in that spirit, in fall 2006, GGU

established a separate School of Accounting to facilitate the

intense focus of its curricula and activities on the accounting pro-

fession. As an independent school, it is even better able to tailor

its educational and job placement efforts to the specialized needs

of the profession as it strives to be the supplier of choice for

accounting graduates in the area.

Accounting is fundamental to the success of any organization. It allows leaders to measure the economic outcomes of their decisions, exercise control over the organization’s parts, and consider the impact of alternatives. Accounting provides the data that allows the capital markets to function efficiently and confidently. Warren Buffett does not exaggerate when he says that “accounting is the language of business.” ¹

Accountants are employed in almost every organization across the private, nonprofit and government sectors. The public accounting industry now annually generates more than $100 billion worldwide in revenues. Demand for those with accounting skills is far outstripping supply at both the entry level and among experienced hires. Little relief is in sight. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants recently said, “the battle for scarce accounting … talent is reaching unheard of proportions”. ² CFO Magazine noted: “There’s a new raw-material shortage plaguing global business … a shortage of accountants throughout the industrialized world.” ³

The School of Accounting was created to help relieve this shortfall by providing outstanding new talent to the profession and to help those already working as accountants increase their competencies and enhance their potential for success.

 

Relevant Education

The hallmark of the School of Accounting’s programs is relevancy. Heeding the calls for accounting education reform coming from regulatory and standard-setting bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, legislators, major public accounting firms, and distinguished academics, the School of Accounting has curricular and programmatic relevancy as its core value. Its programs not only provide solid technical skills, they also ensure that graduates understand the context in which accountants operate, from economics and finance, to law and public policy, to the implications of globalization, to the systems by which goods and services are created and distributed.

In addition, essential skills in oral and written communication, quantitative methods, critical thinking, and teamwork and leadership are developed. Ethics and professional responsibility underlie all of our coursework and other activities. Professionalism is stressed and expected. Students learn how to engage in financial accounting, audit-

 

12 School of Accounting

ing, tax and other research. They become proficient with the books of account.

Our purpose is to develop the full potential of each student as an accounting professional and future leader in the discipline.

 

Program Structure

The master of accountancy is available in three formats: at our San Francisco campus through the full-time day cohort and evening programs, and online through CyberCampus. The bachelor of science in accounting can be pursued both in the evening in San Francisco and through CyberCampus.

The full-time day master of accountancy program allows students to graduate in as few as nine months, although some students will require up to 15 months depending on their accounting qualifications. The cohort begins late in July and proceeds on a lock-step basis. Students may be able to satisfy key foundation deficiencies during the preceding May through July.

Many students will be able to participate in well-paid, full-time internships during the spring or summer trimesters, receiving up to six elective credits. These outstanding opportunities provide high-level exposure to the professional accounting environment, allow students to integrate in-class knowledge with the realities of practice, and begin the process of networking that adds value throughout a career.

 

Library

The University Library houses a comprehensive collection of accounting and tax materials and offers access to Web-based research tools. For more information, please refer to "University Libraries," on p. 11.

 

Benefits

• Focus on relevancy, professionalism and employment opportunities

• Flexible programs: day, evening, CyberCampus

• Opportunity for well-paid, full-time internships

For further information about the School of Accounting, please contact: School of Accounting

Golden Gate University

536 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-2968

Phone: 415-442-6559

Fax: 415-543-2607

E-mail: accounting@ggu.edu

Website: www.ggu.edu/school_of_accounting

¹¹ Unknown(Vol. 3, Issue 1) Warren Buffett. Nebraska Business. Retrieved March 19, 2007 from http://www.cba.unl.edu/about/publications/emag/Volume3/Issue1/warren.asp ² Ross, L. (2006, Sept.) The Pending F&A Labor Shortage Drives Outsourcing. FAO Today. Retrieved March 19, 2007 from http://www.faotoday.com/Magazine.asp?artID=1455 ³ O'Sullivan, K. (2006, Aug.) Have CPA, Will Travel. CFO Magazine.