CATALOG

The Accounting Department offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting as well as an Accounting Technician Certificate and supports accounting requirements for other degree and certificate programs offered at Heritage University.  Heritage also provides the additional curricula to satisfy the Washington State Board of Accountancy 150-hour rule for those students wishing to pursue careers as Certified Public Accountants.

The accounting program curriculum at Heritage is consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) educational framework, AICPA Core Competency Framework for Entry into the Accounting Profession.  This framework addresses personal competencies, functional competencies, and broad business perspective, which are considered vital for entry into the accounting profession.

Heritage University graduates will be qualified for successful entry into professional accountancy.  Those students who wish to pursue the Certified Public Accountant designation will have their program individually tailored to satisfy the 150-hour rule of Washington State as well as the student's need.  Additional coursework will be tailored to the needs of each individual student and will include a balance of communications and advanced accountancy, as well as leadership and effective team building skills.

DEGREES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED

The Accounting Department offers courses to complete the following degree and programs:

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Major:  Accounting

Certificate Program

1. Accounting Technician

DEGREES AND PROGRAM OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Science Degree. Major:  Accounting
This baccalaureate degree is designed to develop competencies as identified in the OBJECTIVES OF EDUCATION FOR ACCOUNTANTS.  The four components are: general education, general business education, general professional accounting education and specialized accounting education.  

Career opportunities are available in a number of areas including private business, public accounting, or governmental service.  Graduates are qualified for advanced study in accounting or business.

COURSE GUIDE FOR ACCOUNTING

Total: 129 credits
Note: courses in bold are part of the GENERALCOLLEGE REQUIREMENTS.

Accounting Technician Certificate
This accounting certificate is designed to develop the accounting competencies relevant to processing data in a computerized system.  Successful completion will qualify the graduates for entry level positions as accounting technicians.  The credits can be incorporated into a degree in accounting.

Program of Study                                                                                   Credits

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Students should consult with the Program Chair if they are not sure of their preparation for a specific course.  Course prerequisites specified are the minimum preparation required.  In their first two college years, students need to work closely with their advisors to schedule the necessary general university requirements and lower division core courses to properly prepare for upper division studies.

ACCT   230         Fundamentals of Accounting I (3)                                                    3 credits
Introduction to financial accounting concepts and principles: the accounting cycle, journal entries, and preparation of financial statements; introduces the study of accounting for major asset and liability classifications; prerequisite:  MATH 099 or permission of Program Chair; offered fall semester

ACCT   231         Fundamentals of Accounting II (3)                                                   3 credits
A continuation of Fundamentals of Accounting I, additional focus is placed on analysis and interpretation of financial data for management decision-making and control. Prerequisite:  ACCT 230; offered spring semester

ACCT   234         Computer Applications in Accounting (3)                                       3 credits
Introduces the students to computer applications in accounting; the function is to assist students in the transition from a manual to a computerized business environment.  Electronic spreadsheet applications are included in the course curriculum, which encourages the students to develop formats in the presentation of financial information.  Prerequisite:  ACCT 231; offered spring semester

ACCT   235         Survey of Accounting (4)                                                                  4 credits
Primarily for non-business majors; Accounting information, its meaning, functions and use by managers, analysts, investors and others; reading and understanding financial statements, budgets and other information; ethical issues, decision making and problem solving; prerequisites: ENG 101, MATH 101; offered TBA

ACCT   320         Cost Accounting (3)                                                                           3 credits
A study of accounting concepts and procedures applicable to manufacturing organizations; emphasis is placed on job order, process costing, factory overhead analysis, joint and by-product, standard costing, and variance analysis.  Prerequisite: ACCT 231; offered fall semester

ACCT   331         Intermediate Accounting I (3)                                                           3 credits
Study of major accounting principles underlying the presentation of current and fixed assets, liabilities, and net worth; revenue recognition, deferred taxes, and leases; prerequisite: ACCT 231; offered fall semester

ACCT   332         Intermediate Accounting II (3)                                                          3 credits
A continuation of the theory underlying the presentation of assets, liabilities, and net worth;  pension plans, correction of errors, comparative statements, accounting changes, and the statement of cash flows; prerequisite:  ACCT 331; offered spring semester

ACCT   333         Federal Income Tax I (3)                                                                   3 credits
Emphasizes the federal income taxation of individuals, which includes the determination of income, deductions, gains, losses, and tax computation; history of taxation and an analysis of how tax law originates; an introduction to tax research is also incorporated.  Prerequisite:  ACCT 231; offered fall semester

ACCT   334         Federal income Tax II (3)                                                                  3 credits
A continuation of the study of federal income tax with emphasis on corporate, partnership, estate and trust taxation; other significant areas of study are tax research, taxpayers' responsibilities, administration of the code, alternatives in the examination or litigation of tax disputes; prerequisite:  ACCT 231; offered spring semester

ACCT   335         Volunteer Return Preparation Program (3)                                    3 credits
Tax preparation for low to moderate-income taxpayers who cannot prepare their own tax returns, including tax return preparation training; prerequisite:  ACCT 333 or permission of the Program Chair; offered spring semester

ACCT   360         Financial Statement Analysis (3)                                                      3 credits
Study of financial statements and how managers can utilize the information contained therein; financial statement analysis will be emphasized.  Prerequisite:  ACCT 231, MATH 245; offered TBA
 
ACCT   380         Accounting Information Systems                                                     4 credits
Concepts of accounting information systems in an organization; an introduction to general systems and information theory, databases and systems analysis; internal control and auditing considerations; prerequisites: ACCT 231, CPSC 101; offered spring semester

ACCT   390         Advanced Topic                                                                              1-3 credits
Systematic study of specialized subject matter in accounting; topics vary depending upon current interests and needs.  May be repeated once for credit with a new topic; prerequisite:  permission of the Program Chair; offered each semester

ACCT   404W      Advanced Accounting I (3)                                                                3 credits
Study of accounting theory and contemporary issues, including multinational accounting, special reporting concerns and partnerships; prerequisite:  ACCT 332; Offered fall semester
 
ACCT   405W      Advanced Accounting II (3)                                                               3 credits
A continuation of advanced accounting with emphasis on consolidations and corporate reporting; prerequisite:  ACCT 332; Offered spring semester

ACCT 411           Financial Planning (3)                                                                        3 credits
Introduction to full range of financial planning decisions, including: personal financial planning, personal income tax planning, risk management planning, investment planning, retirement planning, and estate planning.  Prerequisites:  ACCT 333, BADM 360

ACCT 412           Industry Accounting Practices (3)                                                   3 credits
Application of accounting practices related to specific industries located in Central Washington not including governmental and not for profit accounting.  Prerequisite:  ACCT  332, ACCT 432

ACCT   421         Certified Public Accountant Review (3)                                         3 credits
To prepare the student for problems encountered on the CPA exam; prerequisite:  ACCT 334 or permission of the Program Chair

ACCT   432         Auditing (3)                                                                                         3 credits
Purpose, scope, concepts, and methods used in examining and attesting to financial statements; study and evaluation of internal controls; statistical sampling, audit work papers, planning an audit, professional standards and ethics, legal liability; rendering an opinion and the reporting function are included. Prerequisite: ACCT 332.  Offered fall semester

ACCT   441         Accounting for Non-Profit Organizations (3)                                 3 credits
Accounting and budgetary controls for governmental units and non-profit service organizations including schools and hospitals; special features of fund accounting; prerequisite:  ACCT 231; Offered spring semester

ACCT   442         Agricultural and Natural Resources Accounting (3)                     3 credits
Application of accounting practices to management and planning of natural resource and farming enterprises; emphasis is on risk, rate of return, and financial analysis; prerequisite:  ACCT 231; Offered TBA

ACCT   443         Small Business Financial Management (3)                                    3 credits
Accounting in the context of service and manufacturing business of a non-agricultural character; emphasis is on planning, inventory control, risks, rates of return and financial analysis; prerequisite:  ACCT 231; Offered TBA

ACCT   450         Tax Research Techniques (3)                                                         3 credits
Oriented toward the process of conducting tax research in real world situations, this course presents the subject of tax research within a uniquely integrated format, including the presentation of how to perform research with a discussion of the research resources that exist. Prerequisite: ACCT 333, Offered TBA

ACCT   460         Accounting Theory (3)                                                                       3 credits
A study of financial accounting theory, including information drawn from recent research in financial accounting is presented.  Accounting theory's relevance in understanding the modern practice of accounting is stressed.  Prerequisite:  ACCT 331, Offered TBA                                                                              

ACCT   470         Modern Management Accounting (3)                                              3 credits
Managing the accounting function within an organization and define the role of the top financial officers; topics will demonstrate the accountant's role in the decision making, implementation and evaluation process of a firm.  Prerequisite: ACCT 320 and BADM 360, Offered fall semester

ACCT   480W      Contemporary Issues in Accounting & Taxation (3)                     3 credits
Current accounting issues are researched in terms of presentation and disclosure.  Financial accounting concepts and statements of the financial accounting standards provide the framework for academic exploration.  Prerequisites:  ACCT 332, ACCT 334; Offered spring semester

ACCT   490         Internship                                                                                      1-12 credits
Through individually appropriate field experiences, students are given opportunities to apply knowledge gained from coursework, and to integrate theory and practice in professional situations.  Only three semester credit hours may be used to satisfy the upper division concentration requirements.  Prerequisite:  senior standing or permission of the Program Chair, offered each semester

ACCT   495         Special Project                                                                               1-6 credits
An advanced course designed to permit qualified students to pursue an approved topic through independent study under the direction of a faculty member, and to produce a specific outcome.  Only three semester credit hours of either 495 or 497 may be used to satisfy the upper division concentration requirements.  Prerequisite:  senior standing or permission of the Program Chair, Offered each semester

ACCT   497         Senior Thesis                                                                                 1-3 credits
An advanced course allowing a student to complete an independent research project or scholarly investigation which demonstrates mastery of methodology appropriate to the student's field of study.  Only three semester credit hours of either 495 or 497 may be used to satisfy the upper division concentration requirements.  Prerequisite:  senior standing or permission of the Program Chair, Offered each semester