Accounting

Accounting isn't just about business transactions; it also involves data analysis, strategic thinking and forecasting. Ethical practices are also integral to a company's reputation management, and central to our accounting major. Whether for large businesses, non-profit or government organizations, accounting is a core operation, and well-trained students are sought-after.

Students who choose accounting at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business aren't looking for just any accounting program; they want the best. You will learn more than just the technical aspects of accounting; you will become a better critical thinker, communicator, and problem solver.

You will have access to the latest versions of accounting software.  Proficiency in these tools will enhance your success - both as a student and as a professional - and increase your marketability.

BSBA to MAcc

Earn two degrees in 5 years! You will earn two degrees, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and a Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc), in five years. Plus, you will have a paid co-op experience and only pay tuition for 4 ½ years.

Awards and Scholarships

2023 Summary of all Scholarships 

2023 Accounting Scholarships and Award Instructions 

2023 Accounting Awards and Scholarships Summary 

Duquesne Letters of Recommendation for FERPA

 

Program Information

IIA-Certified Accounting program that prepares undergraduates for a successful career. The program helps students to become experts in data analysis, strategic thinking, and forecasting.

Program Type

Major, Minor

Degree

Bachelor's

School

Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

72

From Our Alumni

Tiffany Willis stands behind a desk with her hands resting on the top.

"I can still remember this peaceful campus, my stellar Duquesne education, my professors, my classmates and even my last memory of walking across the stage to receive my degree."

Tiffany Willis B'99, CPA, Vice President, Head of Investor Relations for Starbucks
Hear from Tiffany

Curriculum and Course Descriptions

Curriculum Guide
Introduces students to the discipline of accounting and the principles of financial reporting. Students will develop a basic understanding of how to use the financial statements to assess the profitability, liquidity and solvency of business entities. Students will gain an understanding of how financial statement information is communicated and be exposed to new technology tools to analyze and visualize financial data.
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to cost concepts, product costing systems, budgeting systems, and the development of accounting data for internal managerial decisions. Students will gain an understanding of how accounting information is communicated within an organization and continue to work with technology to analyze and visualize accounting data. Prerequisite: ACCT 214 Online, Lecture.
offered fall only 

In this course, students will explore the role of accountants as users, managers, designers, and evaluators of accounting information systems. Topics include the use and design of ERP systems and the design and implementation of internal controls. Prerequisites: ACCT 214 and ACCT 215 Lecture. 
This course is an investigation and analysis of the accounting problems and practices of the corporation, with detailed study of the component elements of the balance sheet and income statement. Basic topics include: generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements, income determination, and presentation. Prerequisite: ACCT 215 Online, Lecture.
This course is an investigation and analysis of the accounting problems and practices of the corporation, with detailed study of the component elements of the balance sheet and income statement. Basic topics include: generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements, income determination and presentation. Prerequisite: ACCT 311 Online, Lecture 
offered fall and spring 

The Advanced Accounting course exposes students to several of the more complex areas of accounting, including the preparation of consolidated financial statements, equity method investments, accounting for partnerships, accounting for governmental entities, and foreign currency transactions and translations. Current business transactions are utilized to illustrate course topics. Prerequisite: ACCT 312 Lecture.
Financial cost data assists accountants in planning and managing the activities of organizations. Planning is vital for managing the financial performance of business organizations' decisions. The financial planning topics in accounting are flexible budgets, balanced scorecards, responsibility accounting, transfer pricing and capital budgeting decisions. Cost management covers advanced topics in accounting information for external financial reporting. The cost topics include product and process costing, variable and absorption costing income statements, cost allocation for support service departments, use of standard costs for cost control, as well as variance analysis for variable and fixed product costs. The subjects covered are applicable for manufacturing, merchandising and service organizations. The course integrates statistical, analytical and quantitative methods from microeconomics and decision sciences to advance the problem-solving abilities of students. Prerequisite: ACCT 215 Lecture. Offered fall and spring.
offered spring only

Students study and evaluate standards and procedures employed by auditors in the examination of financial statements and internal controls for the purpose of rendering an opinion. The course includes an audit simulation to illustrate the concepts and develop students' communication skills. Students will use data analytics and audit automation tools, such as Excel, confirmation.com and AI Mindbridge. Prerequisite: ACCT 312 Lecture.

offered fall only 

This course covers the basic income tax concepts relevant to individual taxpayers, and "how to" apply those principles. The course deals with the basic income tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, with a particular focus on provisions that affect the tax liabilities of individual taxpayers as opposed to corporations. They should be able to explain how the current federal individual income taxation evolved and developed. Students will prepare tax returns that includes Schedules A, B, C, D, and E as well as other schedules and forms that are required to complete individual income tax returns both manually and using tax software. Issues that put tax practitioners at odds with clients will be discussed, guided by the ethical parameters established by the various standards, codes of conduct, and Treasury Department Circulars. Problem solving skills will be emphasized by examining real world applications and situations.

The materials presented in this course focus on preparers perspective so that students develop understanding of the mechanical operation as well as the intellectual aspects of individual income tax preparation. As a writing intensive course, this course will also prepare the students to properly create, revise, and document communications required in the business world. These communications will typically be prepared in a memo format, and will require proper documentation of all sources. The ability to communicate through an appropriate business memo will be taught through lecture as well as numerous opportunities to revise and correct graded work. Because of the documentation requirements, the students will also develop tax research skills. The research skills will extend to cover topical tax assignment, code-based research questions, and policy (legal precedence) research projects. The focus of the memo writing assignments is to develop the ability to communicate information to decision making personnel regardless of their accounting expertise. This course is required for accounting majors and particularly relevant for those interested to work in the public accounting sector. The course develops on materials covered in introductory financial and intermediate accounting courses. It provides the foundation for those who are planning to take upper level accounting courses including advanced accounting and corporate and partnership taxation courses. Prerequisites: ACCT 214 and ACCT 215 Lecture. 

offered spring only 

This course introduces students to the taxation of business, focusing on corporate and partnership income tax. Students will develop a basic understanding of the rules governing tax compliance in a variety of circumstances, e.g., incorporation, operations, liquidations and mergers, and develop the skills to evaluate tax law implications and recognize planning opportunities. This is an active, problem-solving course, in which students prepare a variety of tax returns and use data analytics to examine corporate taxation. Prerequisite: ACCT 412 Lecture. 
offered spring only 

This course is recommended for students enrolled in the accelerated BSBA to MAcc 4.5 program. They can enroll in a semester full time working coop experience with one of Duquesne University's approved partners or a comparable work experience to maintain their full-time student status. This experience will allow students to focus on their work commitments, learn from applying their classroom education, enhance their communication skills and overall accounting knowledge. No other classes can be registered for the semester when this Co-Op is conducted. Prerequisite: All ACCT classes must be completed prior to taking this course.

Accounting Minor

ACCT 311 - Intermediate Accounting 
ACCT 312 - Intermediate Accounting II
ACCT 314 - Advanced Accounting
ACCT 310 - Accounting Information Systems OR ACCT 315 - Cost Accounting

Students are encouraged to meet with their Student Success Coach for specific information.

IIA-Certified

We are recognized as a certified School of internal auditing by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IAA). Of the 30+ USA-based schools on the global certification list, the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business is currently the only IIA-certified graduate accounting program in the state of Pennsylvania. 

Accounting Awards and Scholarships

As an Accounting student at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, there are several awards and scholarships that may be available to you. The accounting faculty strongly encourages you to apply for as many of these awards and scholarships as you are qualified.

Awarded annually to a qualified accounting student who demonstrates a 2.75 overall GPA, financial need as determined by Office of Financial Aid, DU and community contribution, and employment history. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to a qualified accounting student who demonstrates a 3.5 overall GPA and professional or community service. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to accounting students who demonstrate a 2.75 to 3.25 overall GPA and financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to accounting and information systems management students who demonstrate a 2.5 overall GPA, financial need as determined by Office of Financial Aid, DU and community contribution and employment history. Sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to accounting students who have financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, and a GPA of a 3.0 or higher. This award shall be given to one male and one female student per academic year. The award is renewable if the students continue to meet the previously stated criteria. Freshman, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to qualified accounting students who demonstrate a 3.5 overall GPA, DU and community contribution and employment history. Juniors, seniors, and Master of Accountancy students are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to qualified accounting students who demonstrate a 3.0 overall GPA, financial need as determined by Office of Financial Aid, DU and community contribution, and employment history. Juniors, seniors, and Master of Accountancy students are eligible to apply.
Awarded annually to qualified accounting students who demonstrate a 3.5 overall GPA, professional or community service and leadership activities. Juniors, seniors, and Master of Accountancy students are eligible to apply.

Accounting Mentorships

The Accounting Mentoring Program has been in existence since 2007. The program is designed to enhance accounting students' understanding of the expectations of graduates of the School of Business as they prepare for employment and/or graduate studies. The students will have the opportunity to interact with experienced accounting professionals. The program is also designed to provide the graduate with the opportunity to remain active in the Accounting Mentoring Program after graduation.

Benefits to a Participating Student:

  • Expand student's network of accounting professionals
  • Expose student to professionals from other disciplines, marketing, operational, public relations, strategic planning, etc.
  • Opportunity to better understand the expectations and requirements of employers
  • Become acquainted with the realities of professional employment
  • Provide the student with a source of information, professional guidance and options as to career decisions
  • Expand student awareness of professional certification programs and life-long professional development programs

Additional benefits of the program are the ability to obtain internships or employment. The most recent survey indicated that 60% of the current students were able to obtain work experience due to the mentorship program. Of that 60%, 50% indicated that their mentor was helpful in the process. Of the goals initially established by the mentee and mentor, after one year of the formal program, 97% of the goals are accomplished. The program provides follow-up and adheres to specific plans of accomplishment. 100% of all students and professionals surveyed replied that they would recommend the program to others.

Responsibilities of a Participating Student:

  • Attend all scheduled mentoring sessions and meetings (typically is only one formal kickoff meeting and remaining interactions are scheduled between the mentor and the mentee)
  • Actively participate in meetings with mentor(s)
  • Give serious consideration to any advice given by the mentor(s)
  • Dress appropriately when meeting in a business environment
  • Provide feedback on the mentoring process and meetings

Contact Us

If you are interested in participating in the ACCT Mentorship program, contact us.

Valerie Williams, CPA, MBA, CHFP, CIA, CFE, CFF, PmP

Associate Professor of Practice, Accounting

Accounting Honors Institute

The Accounting Honors Institute is open to all high school students who have an interest in business and have been nominated by their teachers. Teachers and counselors will be asked to nominate two or three students for this program. An interested student should ask a teacher or counselor to serve as a sponsor. Seating is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.