The path to professional ACCOUNTING MAJOR ADVISING BOOKLET

Transcription

1 The path to professional ACCOUNTING MAJOR ADVISING BOOKLET October 2015

2 School of Business Administration Mission Statement The University of Montana's School of Business Administration enhances lives and benefits society by providing world-class business education in a supportive, collegial environment. We accomplish this mission by acting on our shared core values of creating significant experiences, building relationships, teaching and researching relevant topics, behaving ethically, and inspiring individuals to thrive. University of Montana, School of Business Administration Accounting Faculty Dr. Teresa Beed, CPA Professor of Accounting Dr. Josh Herbold, CPA Associate Professor of Accounting Director of Masters of Accountancy program teresa.beed@umontana.edu , GBB 315 Pat and Judy McDonald Faculty Fellow joshua.herbold@umontana.edu , GBB 320 Teresa Beed is a CPA and received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She is a professor of accounting and the Director of the Masters of Accountancy Program. Her teaching interests are intermediate financial accounting and the masters-level accounting theory class. She has served on the MSCPA board of directors and is a member of AICPA and the IMA. Josh Herbold is an associate professor and the Pat & Judy McDonald Faculty Fellow at the University of Montana s School of Business Administration. Currently, he teaches a variety of financial accounting topics, though he has also taught accounting for MBA students, auditing, and a range of accounting-related executive education courses. Josh received both his undergraduate and graduate accounting degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is a CPA in the state of Montana, is a member of the board of directors of the Montana Society of CPAs, and serves as a volunteer and board member for the Missoula County Search and Rescue team. Dr. Terri Herron, CPA, CISA Professor of Accounting Associate Dean terri.herron@umontana.edu , GBB 316 Terri Herron is a CPA in Montana and Texas and is also a CISA. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington and undergraduate degree from Baylor University. She is the Associate Dean of the School of Business Administration, where she primarily teaches Auditing. She has practical experience with KPMG, LLP as an audit manager. She has served on the MSCPA board of directors and is also a member of the AICPA and the American Accounting Association. 2

3 Dr. Casey McNellis, CPA Assistant Professor of Accounting , GBB 309 Casey McNellis earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration (Accounting) at Washington State University. Casey primarily teaches upper-division financial accounting courses and the graduate-level auditing courses, but also has teaching experience in a variety of other areas including management accounting. In 2005, he became a member of the Board of Directors for Peaks and Plains Inc., a medical supplier in Washington, and continues to serve in this capacity. Casey is a CPA in the State of Washington and is a member of the American Accounting Association. Dr. Barbara Reider, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFM, CGFM Professor Emerita of Accounting barbara.reider@umontana.edu , GBB 341 Barbara Reider has been a faculty member at the University of Montana since Her primary teaching interests are intermediate accounting, government and not-for-profit accounting, and auditing. Barbara has received several professional certifications including Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Internal Auditing. Barbara received her PhD from Kent State University in Ohio. Dr. Kent Swift, CPA Associate Professor of Accounting kenton.swift@umontana.edu , GBB 319 kristen.sohlberg@umontana.edu , GBB 340 Kent Swift received his PhD in Accounting and his Masters in Accountancy degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also has a Master s of Business Administration degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Kent teaches the undergraduate and graduate level tax courses at U of M. His teaching interests also include financial reporting, managerial accounting, and sustainability reporting. Kent is a licensed CPA and has more than 25 years of experience as an accounting professional. Ms. Sohlberg completed her Masters of Accountancy in May 2002 at The University of Montana and passed the CPA exam. She has a BA in Elementary Education from The University of Montana. She is the accountant at a private school in Missoula. She currently teaches financial and managerial accounting and the accounting lab. Kristen Sohlberg, CPA Adjunct Instructor 3

4 Brent Russ, CPA Adjunct Instructor Ed Guay, CPA Adjunct Instructor , GBB , GBB Brent graduated with high honors from The University of Montana with a BS in Business in 1995 and received his Master of Accountancy in After graduation he served on active duty in the US Army until the spring of 1997 when he sat for the CPA exam and started work in public accounting. He worked for a regional public accounting firm until 2002 when he started his own accounting firm, Russ Enterprises, LLC. Also in 2002, he began working for Montana Preferred Properties, LLC as a Realtor. Brent continues to work in his own accounting firm, as a real estate broker for his company Russ Real Estate, and teach here at the School of Business Administration at The University of Montana. Mr. Ed Guay is entering his tenth year teaching as an adjunct instructor for the accounting department. Mr. Guay holds undergraduate degrees in both Political Science- Pre Law from Montana State University and Business Administration with an Accounting Emphasis from the University of Montana. He obtained his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Montana. He obtained his Certified Public Accountant status in Mr. Guay brings a strong practical experience aspect into the classroom. Over the past 18 years he has worked in the capacity of Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for several notable companies in Montana. In addition he is or has sat on various profit and non-profit boards in the Missoula area. The Department of Accounting and Finance seeks to instill high ethical standards in all students. Students are expected to be familiar with and to uphold the University of Montana Student Conduct Code. Academic misconduct is not tolerated. 4

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6 Table of Contents About the Accounting Program... 6 Career Advising... 6 Course Advising Freshman and Sophomore Years... 7 Course Advising Junior and Senior Years... 8 Advising Tips The Rules Department of Accounting and Finance Policies Certificate in Accounting Information Systems Masters of Accountancy Professional Organizations Suggested wording for resumes Beta Alpha Psi Major and General Education Requirements.. 17 List of Other Designations

7 About the Accounting Program Undergraduate accounting majors may select from a variety of career and higher education pathways. The undergraduate accounting program is designed to provide a broad base of analytical and qualitative business knowledge that would apply to any accounting field. The Accounting programs at The University of Montana are accredited by AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International). Only 178 institutions worldwide hold this gold standard accreditation, and no other accounting program in the State of Montana holds this distinction. In fact, only 10 schools in all of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana hold separate AACSB accounting accreditation. We are very proud of earning this distinction and strive to continually improve our programs in the spirit of AACSB accreditation. The Department of Accounting & Finance values high quality teaching. Our full-time faculty teach across the curriculum providing students the opportunity to gain exposure to a diverse collection of teaching styles, while forming professional relationships with a number of faculty members. Mission Statement - Undergraduate Accounting Studies The Department of Accounting and Finance prepares ethically aware decision makers with effective analytical and qualitative business knowledge and skills to become professionals in their respective fields. We commit to high quality teaching and applying scholarship to professional practice and theory. The undergraduate accounting program is committed to preparing students to apply accounting and business knowledge in organizations. The accounting faculty have adopted the following learning goals for our undergraduate accounting students: Learning Goal 1: Accounting majors will possess fundamental accounting knowledge Learning Goal 2: Accounting majors will be effective writers Learning Goal 3: Accounting majors will critically analyze and solve problems, using technology where appropriate Learning Goal 4: Accounting majors will understand the importance of ethics to the accounting profession and demonstrate ethical decision making Career Advising Accounting majors are fortunate to have many, many options available as careers. All organizations need accountants!! Some need accountants with only bookkeeping knowledge, which you can acquire without getting an accounting degree. Most need accountants with detailed knowledge of GAAP, financial statements, and management skills, which requires at least an undergraduate degree. Because we realize students may not have a clear idea of what field of accounting they would like to enter, we bring in guest speakers and panels that represent a wide variety of careers. These include: External Auditing Tax Planning/Research Corporate Accounting Nonprofit Accounting Tax Compliance Government Accountant Internal Auditing Forensic Accountant Fraud Auditor Financial Consultant IS Auditor/Consultant Entrepreneur Most professional accounting positions either require or prefer the CPA certification. Some positions also seek specialty certifications such as the CMA, CIA, CFE, or CISA (see last page of 7

8 booklet for a list of certifications). To earn a CPA in most states in the U.S., you must have 150 semester credits, though the specific requirements for licensure vary from state to state. Many accounting programs accommodate this requirement by offering a one-year (30 credit) masters degree in accounting. UM s Master of Accountancy (MAcct) degree is structured to be completed in one year. The MAcct has a reputation for high quality, advanced study in accounting, development of interpersonal skills, and an extremely high job placement rate. UM s MAcct students succeed in much higher rates than the national average on the CPA exam. Because the undergraduate program is not designed to be complete preparation for the CPA exam, those wanting to be a CPA without obtaining our MAcct degree will be looking at significant self-study to be successful on the exam. Recruiters tell us that they assume all accounting majors will have the appropriate technical basis for the job. What differentiates applicants is their ability to communicate, think on their feet, present themselves professionally, and analyze complex problems without apparent black and white answers. The more education you get, the more these skills will develop. Course Advising Freshman and Sophomore Years To do list: Complete the 11 lower-core courses required for any business major (see below) Earn grades of C or better in these 11 lower-core courses Take some general education classes Take some elective classes Apply for the accounting major the semester before beginning 300-level business courses Begin attending Career Development activities in the SoBA Keep your cumulative GPA above 2.0 It is advisable to balance your schedule so that you do not find yourself with some of the more challenging courses all in the same semester. If you expect to have difficulties with any subject, take that subject early. This will allow you the most degrees of freedom. Because of the requirement to earn a C or better in all 11 of these lower core courses, some students find the need to repeat a course to achieve the C grade (note: C- does NOT count as a C). Prerequisites are strictly enforced. 11 Lower Core Courses Required for any business major WRIT 101 College Writing I M115 or M162 Probability & Linear Math or Applied Calculus STAT 216 Introduction to Statistics (Prereq = M 115) ECNS 201S Principles of Microeconomics ECNS 202S Principles of Macroeconomics (Prereq = ECNS 201S) CSCI 172 Intro to Computer Modeling COMX 111A Introduction to Public Speaking ACTG 201 Princ. of Financial Accounting (Prereq or Coreq = M 115 or M 162) ACTG 202 Princ. of Managerial Accounting (Prereq = ACTG 201 and M 115 [or M 162], each with a C or better) BGEN 235 Business Law BMIS 270 MIS Foundations for Business Prereq = you must complete the prereq BEFORE taking the course (not with or after) 8

9 Prereq or Coreq = you must complete the coreq BEFORE or WHILE taking the course (not after) A suggested course progression is below: SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 WRIT 101 College Writing 3 COMX 111 Public Speaking 3 M 115 Probability and Linear Math 3 CSCI 172 Intro to Computer Modeling 3 ECNS 201 Prin of Microeconomics 3 ECNS 202 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Elective (consider BGEN 105S Intro to Business) 3 Elective - Non - business 3 General Education Course 3 General Education Writing Course 3 Total 15 Total 15 SEMESTER 3 SEMESTER 4 ACTG 201 Principles of Financial Accounting 3 ACTG 202 Princ of Managerial Accounting 3 STAT 216 Introduction to Statistics 4 BGEN 200 Business Ethics & Social 3 Responsibility Elective - Non - business 3 BMIS 270 MIS Foundations for Business 3 Elective - Non - business 3 General Education Course 3 General Education Course 3 General Education Course 3 ACTG 203 Accounting Lab (or semester 5) 1 Apply for accounting major Total 16 Total Course Advising Junior and Senior Years Most of your accounting courses will be taken in your junior and senior years. Important notes about these courses: Many 300- and 400-level accounting courses are only offered one term per year you must plan ahead and do well in these courses to stay on track for graduation All required 400-level ACTG courses and the business capstone courses must be taken at The University of Montana-Missoula. All course prerequisites and corequisites are strictly enforced for undergraduates You must first earn a C or better in ACTG 305 and ACTG 203 before you can take ACTG 306 or ACTG 307 We strongly recommend that you take ACTG 203 (Accounting Lab) right after you take ACTG 201; but you must take it no later than the semester you are taking ACTG 305 or ACTG 321 (whichever you take first) It is highly recommended to take no more than two 3-credit accounting courses per semester once you start the 300-level coursework BFIN 322 should be completed as early as possible (preferably fall semester of your junior year) to increase synergy with accounting courses You must earn a C- or better in the four upper core classes BEFORE you take a capstone course (BMGT 486 and BGEN 499 are capstone courses) 9

10 You should meet with your faculty advisor in your junior year to discuss career options and how those might impact your future coursework and plans We strongly recommend that you take ACTG 410 (Cost/Mangement Accounting) in Semester 5 and ACTG 321 in Semester 7, as shown in the suggested course plan below. 10

11 When you have completed the 11 lower core classes, achieved at least 60 credits, and applied for and been accepted in your accounting major, then you can begin taking upper division business classes. These are in three groups: (1) those required for your accounting major, (2) upper core classes, and (3) capstone courses. Unless otherwise noted in a prerequisite, you must complete these courses with a grade of C- or better. Courses and prereqs/coreqs are listed below: ACCOUNTING COURSES PREREQ / COREQ Required: ACTG 203 Accounting Lab (1 cr) Prereq=ACTG 201, C or better ACTG 305 Corporate Reporting I Coreq=ACTG 203 ACTG 306 Corporate Reporting II Prereq=ACTG 203 and 305, Cs or better ACTG 321 Accounting Info Systems Coreq-ACTG 203 ACTG 401 Prin. Fed Income Tax Individual Coreq=ACTG 306 ACTG 410 Cost/Management Acct I ACTG 411 Auditing Prereq=ACTG 321 and ACTG 306 ACTG 425 State & Local Government ACCT Coreq=ACTG 306 Electives: ACTG 307 Corporate Reporting III Coreq=ACTG 306 ACTG 420 Cost/Management Acct II Prereq=ACTG 410 ACTG 426 Actg. for Nonprofit Organizations Coreq=ACTG 306 ACTG 432 Tax practicum (VITA) ACTG 498 Internship UPPER CORE COURSES BFIN 322 Business Finance BGEN 361 Business Law BMGT 322 Operations Management BMKT 325 Principles of Marketing BMGT 340 Mgmt & Org Behavior PREREQ / COREQ lower core done, Cs or better lower core done, Cs or better lower core done, Cs or better lower core done, Cs or better lower core done, Cs or better CAPSTONE COURSES BMGT 486 Strategic Venture Management BGEN 499 Integrative Business Simulation 11

12 Catalog and Later The following is a suggested course plan for 300- and 400-level coursework. SEMESTER 5 SEMESTER 6 ACTG 305 Corporate Reporting I 3 ACTG 306 Corporate Reporting II 3 ACTG 203 Accounting Lab (if not already taken) 1 Accounting Elective ^ 2-3 ACTG 410 Cost Management Act I** 3 BMGT 322 Operations Management 3 BFIN 322 Business Finance 3 BMKT 325 Principles of Marketing 3 Elective Non-business 3 BGEN 361 Business Law 3 General Education Course 3 Total Total 15 SEMESTER 7 SEMESTER 8 ACTG 321 Accounting Information Systems 3 ACTG 411 Auditing I** 3 ACTG 401 Prin Fed. Income Tax Individual** 3 ACTG 425 State & Local Govt Acct** 2 BMGT 486 and BGEN 499 Strategic Venture Management and Integrative Business Simulation 3 BMGT 340S Mgmt & Organizational Behavior 3 Elective - Non business 3 Accounting elective^ 1 General Education Course 3 Elective Non-business 3 Apply for spring graduation 3 Elective 3 Total 15 Total ^3 credits of accounting electives must be taken from ACTG 307 (2 cr.), ACTG 426 (1 cr.), ACTG 432 (1 cr.), or ACTG 498 (1-3 cr.). Those only offered for the one term listed are marked with **. A maximum of 30 credits of ACTG courses can count towards the 120 credits in the degree. All required 400-level ACTG courses and capstone courses must be taken at University of Montana-Missoula. Advising Tips: The following offerings are planned in the next year. Note that some courses are only offered once per year. Variations to this plan are announced in classes, at group advising sessions, and at 4Bear advising appointments. ACTG 203 fall, spring ACTG 410 fall only ACTG 305 fall, spring ACTG 411 spring only ACTG 306 fall, spring ACTG 425 tentatively spring only* ACTG 307 spring only ACTG 426 tentatively spring only* ACTG 321 fall, spring ACTG 420 not offered ACTG 401 fall only ACTG 432 spring only *ACTG 425 and ACTG 426 will be offered during the school year, but the specific semester has not yet been determined. Accounting majors should never depend upon a particular course being offered during the summer. Summer offerings are determined early in the spring prior to summer session but before registration for fall semester. It is at this point that students can determine if a particular accounting class will be offered during summer session. 12

13 Each student should meet in person with his or her assigned faculty advisor starting in the junior year. You can either see your advisor during regular office hours or make an appointment. You will still get your advising number at the group advising sessions. For those students interested in pursuing a CPA or entering the MAcct, ACTG 307 (and ACTG 426) should be taken. It is recommended to take ACTG 307 in the same semester as ACTG 306. Students are encouraged to take ACTG 432 (VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) in the spring semester of their senior year. This is a 1-credit, C/NCR course where students provide income tax preparation for lower-income taxpayers. Students also conduct outreach by going to agency locations to prepare returns for underserved populations such as teen mothers, homeless families, and disabled community members. Accounting internships may or may not count towards graduation, depending on the catalog being followed and the number of ACTG credits. All ACTG 498 Internships require departmental approval (see Dr. Teresa Beed for approval) and must involve work beyond bookkeeping that applies to upper division coursework. Faculty are required to hold office hours to meet students one-on-one. If you have any difficulties in a class, you should see your instructor as soon as possible. Do not try to solve the problem on your own. If you are proactive, then you will likely succeed. The Rules Applicable to the and later catalogs: The catalog dictates a number of rules that you must follow in order to graduate. These rules cannot be waived, so it is important that you pay attention to them as you go along. We see students every year who must delay their graduation because they fail to meet these. 1. All lower core courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (not C-). 2. All upper core courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better. 3. You must earn a C- or better in any course counted as a Gen Ed course. 4. Business Ethics & Social Responsibility (BGEN 220) is now a required course for all business majors. This course also satisfies your general education E (ethics) requirement. 5. Some courses in the accounting major require a grade of C or better (ACTG 203, 305). 6. You must earn at least 120 credits. Of the 120 credits, 60 must be non-business (ECNS may be counted as non-business). ACT activity courses cannot count in the 60 non-business courses. If you earn two business majors or the AIS Certificate, you will exceed 120 credits. 7. All courses counted towards the major or Gen Ed requirements must be taken for a letter grade, except for courses offered only as CR/NCR. 8. A maximum of 30 credits of ACTG courses can count towards the 120 credits in the degree. 9. A maximum of 3 internship credits can count towards the degree. 13

14 10. Your GPA must meet three tests: a. Overall GPA at least 2.0 b. GPA in business courses at least 2.0 c. GPA in major courses at least All business majors are required to take experiential courses. Because ACTG 321, ACTG 401, and the capstone course are designated as experiential, accounting majors will automatically meet the experiential requirement. 12. You must pass the Major Field Test in Business to earn a business degree from UM. You will be required to take this test as part of the capstone. 13. You must earn 39 upper division credits (upper division requirement). 14. All required 400-level ACTG courses and the capstone course must be taken at The University of Montana-Missoula, in addition to other residency requirements. Transfers in of these courses will not be approved. 15. You must earn 30 of your last 45 credits at UM (end of degree residency requirement). See below for catalog rules. 16. In the absence of a residency requirement, departments reserve the right to accept or deny any transfer credits that apply in the major, so you must get these approved ahead of time. 17. In general, once you start your accounting major at UM, you are expected to take UM accounting courses to complete the major (exceptions for exchanges apply). Department of Accounting and Finance Policies 1. Department faculty members may sign drop slips until the University s official mid-term drop date. After that date, a petition is required. A petition will not be approved unless the student can produce documentation of meeting one of the approved circumstances per the UM catalog. The instructor reserves the right to deny petitions to drop. 2. The Department strictly enforces Accounting & Finance and School of Business Administration prerequisites. Prerequisites are checked in all classes. If a student does not meet course prerequisites, he cannot enroll in the course. 3. It is the student s responsibility to plan his schedule, including the constraint that not all classes are available every semester. To avoid the possibility of a delay in graduation, students should regularly consult with their faculty advisor about the departmental plans for course offerings. 4. A career in accounting is a professional career. Students are expected to act professionally in all of their courses and in their contact with faculty members. Faculty members of the department are dedicated to helping all students achieve their professional career goals. To accomplish this, it is essential that students respect each other s right to pursue their education in the most beneficial atmosphere possible. 14

15 5. Students must use the approved calculator on examinations: Texas Instruments BAII+. The instructor must approve the use of any other calculator. 6. Department faculty members maintain an open-door policy. Students are encouraged to visit faculty during their office hours or to seek appointments to discuss any academic or career questions. 15

16 Certificate in Accounting Information Systems The Accounting Information Systems (AIS) certificate prepares students for careers that bridge accounting and management information systems, such as consulting, internal audit, external audit, or other positions where more than a basic knowledge of either accounting or MIS is necessary. See Dr. Teresa Beed or Dr. David Firth for more information. To obtain an AIS certificate, a student majoring in accounting must: Complete the requirements for accounting major, Meet with an AIS certificate advisor (Dr. Beed), Complete the certificate application with the graduation application, pay the fee, and Complete the following courses with an average GPA of 3.0 or better in these 25 credits: ACTG 203, ACTG 321, ACTG 305, ACTG 306, ACTG 411, BMIS 365, BMIS 370, BMIS 373 and BMIS 479. Accounting majors wanting to add the AIS certificate would typically incorporate the necessary coursework as indicated below. Courses counting toward the AIS certificate are in bold italics: Semester 5 (fall of junior year) ACTG 203, ACTG 305, ACTG 410, BMIS 365 Semester 6 (spring of junior year) ACTG 306, BMIS 370, BMIS 373, ACTG 307 or ACTG elective Semester 7 (fall of senior year) ACTG 321, BMIS 479, ACTG 401, Semester 8 (spring of senior year) ACTG 411, ACTG 425, ACTG elective Masters of Accountancy The baccalaureate program does not offer full preparation for professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Students wanting to become CPAs are strongly advised to complete the Master of Accountancy (MAcct) degree. Masters of Accountancy Mission Statement The Masters of Accountancy program provides breadth and depth in accounting, taxation, and business to develop a high level of understanding, skill and leadership capability for advancement in the accounting profession and other related business careers. The MAcct Curriculum and Assessment committee has adopted the following learning goals for MAcct students Learning Goal 1: MAcct students will obtain a deeper mastery of technical accounting competencies. Learning Goal 2: MAcct students will understand the role of the accounting profession in business and the economy, along with the importance of professionalism and ethics in carrying out this role. Learning Goal 3: MAcct students will be effective communicators. Learning Goal 4: MAcct students will apply critical thinking skills. Learning Goal 5: MAcct students will be prepared for certification as a CPA. Dr. Teresa Beed is the Director of the MAcct program. Any student considering the MAcct program should make an appointment with Dr. Beed to fully understand the program admission requirements and recommended application timing. We also provide MAcct information in a senior level accounting class each fall. CPA exam pass rates for MAcct students are significantly higher than non-macct students. 16

17 Students interested in the MAcct should be sure and choose ACTG 307 Corporate Reporting III and ACTG 426 Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations in their undergraduate accounting program. A $1,000 Junies Chase MAcct Scholarship will be awarded to every MAcct student during the final year of graduate school if the student attends the MAcct fulltime, is a student in good standing during the entire year and is receiving no other merit-based scholarships from the School of Business Administration for that year. The scholarship is not awarded for more than one year and is not awarded to students who are in their prerequisite coursework years. Professional Organizations We encourage all students to join at least one professional organization that serves working accounting professionals in a variety of careers. All offer some kind of deeply-discounted student membership rate, though students get full membership benefits. Not only does it look good on a resume, but it also introduces students to the world of professional organizations, networking, and resources. Most of these organizations have special sections of their websites dedicated to student needs. Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) The IMA is the leading professional organization devoted exclusively to management accounting and financial management. Its goals are to help members develop both personally and professionally through education, certification, and association with other business professionals. The IMA also runs the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification program. The CMA is recognized globally as a credential signaling a high level of technical and management skills necessary to be a corporate accountant. Student membership = $39 (full membership = $195). American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) The AICPA is the national, professional organization for all Certified Public Accountants. Its mission is to provide members with the resources, information, and leadership that enable them to provide valuable services in the highest professional manner. In fulfilling its mission, the AICPA works with state CPA organizations and gives priority to those areas where public reliance on CPA skills is most significant. Only students residing in the U.S. are eligible for student membership. Student membership is free at (full partner membership - $395). Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) ISACA is a global organization addressing the needs of IS auditors both internal to organizations and external (public accountants, regulators). ISACA runs the Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) certification program. ISACA has lots of materials on internal controls and auditing. Student membership = $25 (full membership = $130). Montana Society of CPAs The MSCPA is the statewide professional organization of certified public accountants. With over 1,500 members, the Society is divided geographically into eight chapters. Nearly 70 percent of the certified public accountants in the State of Montana belong to MSCPA. The MSCPA is an active supporter of accounting students across the state and sponsors a number of scholarships. The last few years, a group of Montana accounting firms have sponsored a program that offers free student membership in the MSCPA. To become a student member, go to and click on Student Section on the left-hand menu bar. (full professional membership = $275). Accounting Professions Other Designations On the next page is a list of other designations in the accounting profession which you could consider, including the designation, sponsoring organization, web-site and other particulars. 17

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19 Undergraduate accounting major: Sample Wording for Education Section of Resume UM Accounting Students Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Major: Accounting, cumulative GPA: 3.4 University of Montana, Missoula, expected graduation date: May 2017 Undergraduate accounting major who plans to get 150 semester credit hours without entering masters program: Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Major: Accounting, cumulative GPA: 3.4 University of Montana, Missoula, expected graduation date: May 2017 Plan to complete a total of 150 university semester credit hours by May 2018 (or Will have completed 150 university semester credit hours by graduation) Plan to sit for the CPA exam summer 2018 Undergraduate accounting major who plans to apply to the Masters of Accountancy program: Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Major: Accounting, cumulative GPA: 3.4 University of Montana, Missoula, expected graduation date: May 2017 Plan to apply for admission into the Masters of Accountancy Program at the University of Montana Plan to sit for the CPA exam summer 2018 Student enrolled in Masters of Accountancy program: Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Major: Accounting, cumulative GPA: 3.4 University of Montana, Missoula, May 2016 Masters of Accountancy, cumulative GPA: 3.4 University of Montana, Missoula, expected graduation date: Summer 2017 Plan to sit for the CPA exam summer 2017 Student without a degree in accounting who is taking undergraduate accounting courses and does not plan to enter the Masters of Accountancy program: Education: List degree(s) here Plan to complete a total of 150 university semester credit hours by May 2018 Plan to sit for the CPA exam summer

20 Beta Alpha Psi Beta Alpha Psi is an organization geared for the serious financial information student who wants to have a little fun and GET INVOLVED! Beta Alpha Psi has achieved national and professional recognition as the outstanding Accounting, Finance, and Information System student organization. Goals of Beta Alpha Psi: Instill a desire for self-improvement Foster high moral and ethical standards Encourage and recognize academic and professional excellence Cultivate responsibility and community spirit Promote collegiate study of professional accountancy Provide access to practicing professionals Beta Alpha Psi Offers YOU Contact with local and national accounting firms Social events sponsored by accounting firms Presentations of job opportunities in public and private accounting Faculty and student interaction Travel to regional and national meetings Community service opportunities Students intending to major in accounting, finance, or MIS can become a candidate after completing 30 credits with an overall GPA of 3.0. Candidates pay a one-time national initiation fee. Membership Requirements 3.0 GPA overall (must be an accounting, finance, or information systems major with a 3.0 GPA in at least one upper-division course in your major) Complete a semester in good standing as a candidate Completion of 30 undergraduate credit hours Attend all-member meetings, professional events, initiation celebration, community service events, and fund-raising events Pay semester dues Many recruiters recognize the achievement of Beta Alpha Psi membership and involvement. The UM chapter has been recognized as a Superior Chapter (the best category!) for fourteen years (every year since ). This is a great opportunity to get involved and know your peers. For more information, visit the national Beta Alpha Psi website ( or the SoBA Beta Alpha Psi website ( 20

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23 The Accounting Profession has many additional designations and opportunities beyond becoming a CPA for example: June 8, 2009 Designation Sponsoring Organization Web-site Low Salary * High Salary * CPA Required Student Memberships available Online Career Center & Job Searches Offered Employment possibilities CISA ISACA $46,750 $127,000 $25 IS Program Manager Certified Information Systems Auditor Security Consultant Information Systems and Control Association IT Security Specialist CISM ISACA $46,750 $127,000 $25 Information Security Director Certified Information Security Manager Information Security Analyst Information Systems and Control Association Information Assurance Officer CITP AICPA $46,750 $127,000 $35 Security Engineer Certified Information Technology Professional IT Auditor American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technology & Security Risk Services CFE ACFE $58,500 $92,750 $25 Fraud Investigator Certified Fraud Examiner Law Enforcement (IRS, FBI...) Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Forensic Accountant CFF AICPA $58,500 $92,750 $35 Forensic Auditor Certified in Financial Forensics Litigation Support Services American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Forensic Technology Manager CFFA NACVA $58,500 $104,250 $125 Risk Manager Certified Forensic Financial Analysts Incident Response Analyst National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts Security Engineer Cr.FA ACFEI $58,500 $92,750 Computer Forensic Manager Certified Forensic Accountant Evidence Technician American College of Forensic Examiners Compliance Director CIA IIA $41,500 $114,750 $35 Audit Specialist Certified Internal Auditor Senior Auditor Institute of Internal Auditors Financial Audit Manager ABV AICPA $41,000 $96,000 $35 Accountant/Financial Analyst Accredited in Business Valuation Appraiser American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Litigation Support Services CVA NACVA $41,000 $96,000 $125 Valuation Manager Certified Valuation Analysts Claims Specialist National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts Transaction Advisory Services CMA IMA $33,500 $96,750 $39 Corporate Officer (CEO, CFO ) Certified Management Accountant Accounting Manager Institute of Management Accountants Finance Director CGFM AGA $35,250 $103,000 $30 Internal Revenue Agent Cettified Governmental Financial Manager Financial & Tax Analysts Advancing Governmental Accounting Regulatory Reporting Manager * Robert Half, 2009 Salary Guide, Accounting & Finance, Corporate Accounting 23

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