School of Accounting

Accounting is fundamental to the success of any organization, allowing 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 key employees 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 seeks to provide 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 underlies all of our coursework and other activities. Professionalism is stressed and expected. Students learn how to engage in financial accounting, auditing, 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

Graduate

At the graduate level, the School of Accounting offers a masters of accountancy and two graduate certificates (graduate certificate in forensic accounting and graduate certificate in accounting). The Ageno School of Business offers an MBA with a concentration in accounting.

The master of accountancy is available in three formats. The degree can be completed on a full or part-time basis in the evening at our San Francisco campus or online through the Golden Gate CyberCampus. The third format is a cohort program which requires intensive full-time study leading to completion of the masters of accountancy in twelve months.

The newly created certificate in forensic accounting is a nationally unique course of study focused on helping accountants prepare to participate in the rapidly growing specialty area of forensic accounting.

These graduate offerings are decribed more completely below.

 

Undergraduate

At the undergraduate level, the School of Accounting offers a bachelor of science in accounting and an undergraduate certificate in accounting. The bachelor of science in accounting can be pursued both in the evening in San Francisco and through CyberCampus. This program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for future careers as professional accountants.

These undergraduate offerings are described more completely below.

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/accounting

For the most up-to-date program information and course listings, visit www.ggu.edu.

1

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.

 

Accounting Programs offered:

BS in Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Master of Accountancy (MAc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Undergraduate Certificates in Accounting . . . . . . . . 8 Graduate Certificates in

Accounting ...................... 8

Forensic Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

MBA with a concentration in Accounting . . . . . . . 22