Masters of Accountancy Program at Davenport University is designed for the self-directed, career-minded student to “Get where the world is going” in his/her desired area of concentration in Accounting. Students may customize their curriculum according to their desired outcomes. The Master of Accountancy program offers multiple tracks that either culminates in taking CPA or CMA courses, or focuses more broadly on general financial management.
A hallmark of the DU Masters of Accountancy program is learning through practice whether it be through case studies, field projects, internships, presentations or simulations. Students will have many opportunities to exercise critical thinking skills while applying their accounting knowledge to correctly identify and understand real-world challenges. Students will develop their leadership ability as they work with others to develop ethical, effective business solutions.
Prerequisites: The following prerequisite course offers preparation to strengthen analytical and interpretive skills in accounting for business mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and global accounting and is required prior to entering the Master of Accountancy (MAcc).
• ACCT515 Advanced Accounting Topics (3 cr)
Students who currently have the CMA, or the CPA may be able to apply that credit to that specific Specialty.
The course is an advanced level study in accounting information systems and the role it plays in management. Students will analyze the structure of accounting information, modularized by business functions and the organization structure. Students will learn to assess the adequacy of the control environment of the accounting information system. Students will also be exposed to topics on system analysis, design and implementation. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
This course is designed to build upon prior research assignments, challenging students to identify accounting, auditing, and finance issues and understand the various types of research that are undertaken by accounting, auditing, and finance professionals. One area of research is financial analytics, which is the analysis of financial data to answer specific business questions, identify anomalies, and forecast future financial scenarios. This course is designed to develop a more efficient and effective approach by preparing and researching financial statements. This course is for students who possess a bachelor’s degree that is part of the core requirements for the Masters in Accountancy program. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
This course explores ethics and professional and legal responsibilities in the accounting profession. Students will obtain knowledge of various professional standards, and federal and state laws for the accounting profession. Various case studies allow students to investigate and analyze ethical situations and issues facing accountants on a daily basis. The course will incorporate AICPA, IMA and IIA codes of conduct. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Students in this course will examine auditing concepts and issues, such as audit evidence and how auditors make decisions. Additional topic areas will include fraud, the role of technology, ethics and analytical review. Financial reporting is performed to provide insights on every financially related activity of a company, from balance sheet to income statement, to asset valuation and cash flow projections. Financial statement presentations are analyzed from an accounting perspective with heavy emphasis on footnote analysis and the impact on the financial statements. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Students in this course will examine strategic issues in management accounting. Students learn how cost information supports corporate strategies through case studies. Specific topics covered include customer profitability analysis, value chain and activity based management, costs of quality, environmental cost management and evaluating performance via the balanced scorecard. Additional topics include budgeting, costing systems and variance analysis. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
This course provides the summative and integrative experience that serves as the capstone of the MAcc program. It provides a structure for students to synthesize and apply knowledge, critical thinking, and business communication skills in the accounting field. The course provides opportunities to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter and an understanding of the relation of a specialized topic (CPA, CMA and General Financial Management) to the broader discipline of accounting. A grade of B or better must be earned to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): This class must be taken as the last class in the MAcc program.
3
Specialization Areas
12 Credits
General Financial Management Specific Courses [GFMS]
This course will introduce students to the financial system to include financial markets, financial institutions, and central banking. Students garner an understanding of the unique role of banks in the financial system. Also deliberated within the course is the relevance of the United States central bank (a.k.a. the Federal Reserve System) and related central banking topics. Money, Banking, & Treasury Management includes the problems of money and prices, proper organization and functioning of commercial banking and Federal Reserve systems, problems of monetary standards, and credit control and recent monetary and banking trends. The overall relationships and dominance of the workings of the Federal Reserve System and monetary policy and the resulting impacts on the economy are examined. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-
This course is designed to provide the framework for success in the mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations field. Students will develop an understanding of the consequences, duties and ethical behavior in this environment. Formal business valuation methods will be presented and applied. Strategies to grow or restructure a firm domestically and internationally will be examined. A formal due diligence process will be understood that will demonstrate real options and the impact of those decisions. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
This course is designed to provide new ways of thinking about leadership philosophies and strategies to influence the behaviors of individuals and groups in organizations. Students begin with an exploration of the nature of effective leadership and leadership theories. Understanding power, creating change, developing teams, and guiding group decisions are examined in the context of the roles of a leader. Students learn how to recognize leadership traits and approaches so they can develop their own leadership style. Case studies involving real-world situations that confront leaders are used so that students can formulate strategies to improve the performance of followers through effective leadership. A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): BUSN520
This course studies sustainable business frameworks including the three-part bottom line; environmental, social and economic capital as drivers of business value creation and innovation. Sustainability best practices are explored at the national and global levels along with their implementation by businesses. The role of business and government sectors in fostering sustainability is examined. Disruptive innovation associated with clean technology and serving the poor at the base of the pyramid is also studied. Natural ecosystems processes and change are explored, along with human influences on climate change, land use, and resource extraction. Sustainability is examined from the perspective of one of the biggest business opportunities for present day companies. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fe
Most of the information required to plan and control business operations, and the data required to create and sustain a competitive advantage, come from the accounting system and the reports that are generated. This course analyzes the management structure and process in which this information is generated, the construction and application of managerial accounting data, cost behavior and cost assignment. Students will also examine product cost within activity based costing, job order costing, and process costing. Controlling cost through the use of standard cost system and budgeting are explored. In addition, this course covers business decision-making using relevant information from activity costing, variable/fixed analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis, quality costing, and productivity analysis. Students will analyze and evaluate managerial accounting functions and decision cases in light of managing a business, making financing decisions, and generating growth and income within the
Introduction to CMA Credential and CMA Learning System; Section A: Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting; Section B: Performance Measurement; Section C: Cost Management; Section D: Internal Controls; Section E: Professional Ethics
This course is primarily focused on preparing students to pass Part I of the CMA exam. This course is designed as a continuing study of cost management and cost control techniques. Included in the course is the study of management accounting planning and control techniques and decision-making and performance evaluation techniques. Such techniques include relevant costing, the budget process, capital budgeting, inventory and production management, and organizational performance evaluation. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): An undergraduate course in C
Introduction to CMA Credential and CMA Learning System; Section A: Financial Statement Analysis; Section B: Corporate Finance; Section C: Decision Analysis and Risk Management; Section D: Investment Decisions; Section E: Professional Ethics
This course is designed to enhance learning from earlier courses with a focus on financial statement analysis. Students are challenged to analyze financial statements with the ability to construct and communicate strategic decisions. Additionally they have to demonstrate an understanding of risk management throughout this process. Lastly, the students are taught to use this ability to ultimately make investment decisions. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): An undergraduate course in Cost Accounting, a completed bachelor’s degree in account
This course is designed to explore advanced methods and techniques used in the financial management of an organization: cash management, capitalization issues, and approaches to financial planning, mergers, acquisitions and multi-national financial management. Students learn to assess the financial operations and positions of an organization using various analysis methods. Special consideration is given to unusual trends and accounting issues. Case studies are utilized to analyze the various financial strategies used by organizations.
Grade Note(s): A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course.
Prerequisite(s): FINC 620
This course is designed to prepare the student for the Financial Accounting and Reporting section of the four part CPA exam. Topics include understanding of the financial reporting framework used by business enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, and governmental entities; comparisons between GAAP and IFRS; account classification; GL entries; reconciliation of GL to subsidiary ledgers; account reconciliation and analysis; consolidating and eliminating entries; financial statement preparation and analysis; financial calculations, ratios. The student will gain practice in while applying judgment in evaluating assumptions and methods underlying estimates, and produce required financial statement filings in order to meet regulatory or SEC reporting requirements. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-f
This course is designed to prepare the student for the Auditing and Attestation section of the four part CPA exam. Topics include understanding and differentiating between the professional auditing standards (ISAs and US) set for public, private, governmental, not-for-profit entities as well as understanding the standards related to attestation and assurance engagements, and applying those standards in performing audits, attestations, and assurance services, compilations and reviews. Students will also review professional responsibilities of certified public accountants, including ethics and independence, identifying unethical situations and client behaviors, violations of professional standards while maintaining independence and determining appropriate actions. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-f
Prepares the student for the Regulation section of the four part CPA Exam. Topics include ethical and legal knowledge of appropriate professional conduct and responsibilities, business law, and federal taxation. Student will expand their knowledge and understanding of CPA’s professional and legal responsibilities; matters of agency, creditor-debtor interactions, uniform commercial code and contract law in which the student will apply business law concepts in evaluating the economic substance of client transactions and in evaluating the legal structure of an entity to determine the implications of applicable laws and regulations on how a business is organized, governed, and operates. On the tax side students will build upon their understanding and skills in federal tax process, procedures, accounting, and planning, as well as federal taxation of property transactions, individuals, and entities (which include sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability entities, C corporations,
This course is designed to prepare the student for the Business Analysis and Reporting section of the four-part CPA Exam. Topics include knowledge of business analysis, technical accounting and reporting, and state and local governments. Other course content includes a data analytics focus and assesses topics such as financial risk management, financial planning techniques, and projections.
Grade Note(s): A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course.