& Student Handbook - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

52 Undergraduate Certificate Programs
Undergraduate Certificate
in Accounting
Saint Mary’s University developed the Accounting Certificate program to
provide those who already have an undergraduate degree with a
foundation for the CMA and CPA exams. The certificate program consists
of 24 upper-division accounting courses, a course in Managerial Ethics
and Business Law. Certificate students who transfer in AC200 and
AC205 can complete the certificate program with 30 credits.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Accounting Certificate program are expected to be able
to do the following:
1. Record, analyze, interpret, and report financial information using
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
2. Analyze and interpret financial and non-financial information to aid
decision-makers within an organization.
3. Understand and follow the laws and regulations applicable to
accounting practice.
4. Apply internal control procedures based on auditing principles and
risk analysis.
5. Prepare tax returns based on accurate understanding of tax laws.
6. Understand the global and economic business environment in which
an organization operates.
7. Incorporate an ethical perspective into the accounting environment.
8. Use appropriate technology to maintain systems, analyze data, and
communicate results.
Certificate Requirements
Required Accounting Courses or Transfer Courses ............................6 cr.
Required Accounting Courses...........................................................24 cr.
Required Management Courses .........................................................6 cr.
Total ................................................................................................*30 cr.
(*students who transfer in AC200 and AC205 can complete
the program with 36 program credits)
Faculty
The faculty members for the Accounting certificate program have earned
doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination
of educational and professional experience and expertise.
Required Course Descriptions
AC200
Financial Accounting Principles (3 cr.)
Students may transfer equivalent coursework
This course is an introduction to the accounting principles and
procedures used to maintain an organization’s financial records and to
prepare its financial statements for use by its stakeholders. Topics
include an introduction to the accounting profession, the accounting
cycle and process of analyzing and recording transactions, and the
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) used in the
preparation and analysis of financial statements.
AC205
Managerial Accounting Principles (3 cr.)
Students may transfer equivalent coursework
Prerequisite: AC200
This course is an introduction to the managerial accounting and reporting
systems used for decision-making purposes. Topics include cost
accounting and variances, cost-volume profit relationships, job order and
process cost systems, budgeting and measuring performance, and an
introduction to the time value of money and the capital budgeting process.
AC300
Intermediate Accounting I (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: AC200
This course is a comprehensive study of financial accounting theory.
Topics include the formation of Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP), financial statement presentation and valuation,
revenue recognition concepts, time value of money, cash and marketable
securities, accounts receivable, and inventories.
AC305
Intermediate Accounting II (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: AC300
This course is a continuation of the comprehensive study of financial
accounting theory. Topics include fixed assets and depreciation, longterm
investments, current and contingent liabilities, long-term liabilities,
contributed capital, leases, accounting for income taxes, earnings per
share, and post-retirement benefits.
AC310
Business Taxation (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: AC200
This course provides an introduction to corporate federal income tax law.
Tax provisions and administrative rules pertaining to corporations and
alternative organizational structures are examined.