The Accountancy MBA concentration provides you with coursework that is critical to decision-making in the accounting profession. The program includes theory and concepts, technical knowledge, practical skills and familiarization with the tools and methodologies used by an accountant or a manager making accounting decisions. You will develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and financial management. You will gain business acumen to understand financial transactions within a company. The curriculum covers all of the accounting course areas to prepare you to sit for the CPA exam.
Highlights
You will graduate with a set of varied competencies, all of which are highly sought after in the accounting field. The structure of the concentration will provide you with:
- A comprehensive curriculum covering all important sectors of the field identified by top-ranking members of the auditing and accounting profession, including big data analysis, internal audit, fraud and forensic accounting and information systems.
- Opportunities to work with audit systems used by accounting professionals.
- Experience learning from nationally and internationally recognized faculty.
- Access to a large and active alumni group called Ledger & Quill, which supports students with scholarship opportunities, mentorship and annual networking events.
- Several accounting-related student organizations, allowing for interaction with peers, alumni and working professionals.
Concentration Requirements
This concentration requires completion of any three graduate-level accounting courses. Students select an individualized set of courses using the content areas below as a guide. Students may focus on one area of courses or combine courses from multiple areas depending on what matches their career aspirations.
Accounting for Managers
Course List | Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
| COST AND MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING | |
| PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS | |
| INTERNAL AUDITING, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROL | |
Tax
Course List | Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
| TAX TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS | |
| TAX TREATMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS | |
| TAX RESEARCH | |
Accounting Data Analytics
Course List | Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
| PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS | |
| AUDIT ANALYTICS | |
| FORENSIC FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS AND VALUATION | |
Forensic Accounting
Course List | Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
| INTRODUCTION TO FRAUD EXAMINATION | |
| FORENSIC AND INVESTIGATIVE ACCOUNTING | |
| FORENSIC FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS AND VALUATION | |
CPA
In addition to ACC 502, a minimum of six graduate courses from below are required to meet the Illinois CPA educational requirements. Students are strongly advised to complete all courses below to become fully prepared to pass the exam.
Course List | Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
| FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY & PRACTICE I | |
| COST AND MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING | |
| FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY & PRACTICE II | |
| AUDITING I | |
| TAX TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS | |
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING THEORY II | |
The courses above meet the minimum requirements to qualify. CPA content also includes the following courses which are recommended to be fully prepared for the exam.
Course List | Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
| PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS | |
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING THEORY | |
| AUDITING II | |
| TAX TREATMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS | |
| BUSINESS LAW FOR ACCOUNTANTS | |