Accounting

Office: Daniels College of Business, Suite 355
Mail Code: 2101 S. University Blvd. Denver, CO 80208
Phone: 303-871-2032
Web Site: http://daniels.du.edu/accountancy/

The School of Accountancy’s mission is to foster Enlightened Practice, Professional Achievement, Knowledge Creation, and a Commitment to Community among its students, graduates, faculty, and others engaged in the accounting profession and related disciplines.

  • Enlightened Practice means ensuring that our graduates understand the theory and practice of accounting and its ramifications on society, the profession, and organizations.
  • Professional Achievement includes accomplishment at each level of one’s career and commitment to lifelong learning, competence, and integrity.
  • Knowledge Creation means scholarship which improves our understanding of accounting, the practice of accounting, and the process of educating future accountants.
  • Commitment to Community is the process of giving of oneself both to the community that supports one’s efforts and achievements and to the community at large.  Commitment to Community is a vital aspect of the accounting profession and is critical to the School’s ongoing success.

Our programs achieve this mission by emphasizing technical knowledge and analytical ability, interpersonal skills and intercultural understanding, and ethically based leadership and social responsibility. In the School of Accountancy, students learn to integrate accounting concepts and business applications in the context of communication, ethics, values, and technology. This integration is accomplished in the undergraduate business core and in the School of Accountancy core.

The School of Accountancy’s strengths include the following:

  • an established reputation as a provider of quality programs
  • highly qualified faculty who emphasize teaching and relevant research
  • student access to faculty—both individually and in relatively small classes
  • innovative curricula
  • emphasis on state-of-the-art technology throughout the curricula
  • emphasis on practical experience
  • a rigorous educational experience

The degree prepares students to work as strategic business advisors who can analyze and understand today’s complex business environment. Students gain expertise in the traditional accounting arenas of managerial accounting, financial reporting, systems, auditing and tax, as well as in the nontraditional areas of technology, marketing, strategic planning, and finance. The School of Accountancy offers a bachelor of science in accounting (BSAcc), a master of accountancy (MAcc), a STEM designated master of science in accounting, technology, and analytics (MSATA), and a dual degree option that allows completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.

Refer to the appropriate sections of this bulletin for the admission, retention, and graduation requirements for the School of Accountancy, which differ from the general requirements of the Daniels College of Business.

Program Objectives

Objectives of the BSAcc are to prepare students for entry-level positions in accounting. In this program, students will learn how to

  1. prepare and interpret financial statements for business enterprises;
  2. use accounting data to evaluate performance and enable decision-making;
  3. apply the principles related to the design, integrity, and effectiveness of accounting information systems;
  4. explain the role of auditing in society, including auditing procedures and reporting requirements;
  5. apply federal tax laws pertaining to individuals; and
  6. Analyze the legal, ethical and legislative constructs that govern the conduct of business.

Criteria for Admission to the BSAcc Program

Continuing Students

  • Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA (overall, in ACTG, and in the following courses: ACTG 2200, FIN 2800 and ACTG 2300).
  • If a student fails to meet the required GPA, he or she may still be able to qualify for the School of Accountancy. Please consult with the director of the School of Accountancy.
  • Other specific admission requirements apply. Please see the School of Accountancy for details.

Transfer Students

Undergraduate transfer students must meet the requirements listed for continuing students. Credits are considered for transfer only if they meet the following standards:

  • Accounting courses beyond principles must be taken at an AACSB-accredited institution or approved by the School of Accountancy.
  • Courses must be comparable to required courses offered in the School of Accountancy. Any required courses that do not meet the above criteria must either be validated by examination or retaken. In computing the GPA for purposes of admission to the School of Accountancy, work transferred from previous schools and work at the University of Denver are included.

Retention Requirement for Bachelor of Science in Accounting

To remain in the program, a student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher, both overall and in accounting courses.