This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2023-2024 VCU Bulletin. This edition includes all programs
and courses approved by the publication deadline; however we may receive notification of additional program
approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available
in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The major in accounting is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in accounting. This program will qualify graduates to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination in Virginia. However, certification requires 150 hours of college credits. Most public accounting firms give hiring preference to applicants who have completed the full 150 hours prior to starting work.
This degree program can be completed either on campus or fully online. Students interested in the online format should contact a School of Business recruitment counselor at ugbrecruit@vcu.edu for more information.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program:
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Graduates will demonstrate a broad base of knowledge across accounting topics and apply that knowledge in a variety of contexts.
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Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the core business and strategic concepts involved in accounting.
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Graduates will demonstrate the ability to identify and communicate accounting ethical issues; evaluate information in a manner free of distortion, personal bias or conflicts of interest; recognize situations where professional ethical standards apply; respect confidentiality.
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Graduates will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate ideas and analysis of accounting problems. Graduates can demonstrate this ability either in writing or in oral presentations (e.g., writing memos, thought papers or other types of business correspondence; presenting case analyses; etc.).
The admission requirements for the School of Business detail the deadlines and other requirements for students to be admitted to one of these major programs of study. The following courses must be completed before the student may declare a specific business major: ACCT 203, ACCT 204, BUSN 201 or BUSN 205, BUSN 212 or MATH 200, BUSN 225, ECON 210, ECON 211, UNIV 111, UNIV 112 and UNIV 200.
The School of Business has special academic policies, including policies on transfer credits, that apply to all undergraduate degrees.
All baccalaureate degree programs in the School of Business require successful completion of the business knowledge exam as administered in BUSN 499.
Students may need to take additional mathematics courses as prerequisites to BUSN 212 or MATH 200. These credits will count as open electives in the degree program.
No more than six credits from the BUSN 16X Digital Literacy courses may be applied to the degree. No more than four credits in physical education courses may be applied to the degree.
INTL 493 may not be counted toward a business degree.
Credit for SPCH 121 or SPCH 321 will substitute for BUSN 225, and no more than three credits of these courses may be applied toward a business degree. Students who earned a minimum grade of B in either ECON 203 or ECON 205 at VCU may substitute that credit for ECON 210.
The pass/fail grading policy may not be used for many course requirements. Students should check with their academic adviser before taking the pass/fail grading option.
All upper-level accounting courses with a prerequisite course require a minimum grade of C in the prerequisite course and the following must be fulfilled:
- Students must have received a minimum grade of C in all required accounting courses.
- Required accounting courses in which students earn a grade of D or F must be repeated.
- Students must achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA in the accounting major requirements to graduate.
Degree requirements for Accounting, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Course | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General education | ||
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
Major requirements | ||
• Major core requirements | ||
ACCT 301 | Federal Income Taxation for Individuals | 3 |
ACCT 303 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
ACCT 304 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
ACCT 305 | Intermediate Accounting III | 3 |
ACCT 306 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
ACCT 307 | Accounting Systems | 3 |
ACCT 406 | Auditing | 3 |
ACCT 408 | Data Analytics for Accountants | 3 |
• Additonal major requirements | ||
INFO 320 | Business Intelligence and Data Mining | 3 |
or MKTG 350 | Customer and Marketing Analytics | |
or SCMA 302 | Business Statistics II | |
or SCMA 303 | Business Analytics | |
• Major electives | ||
Approved accounting/analytics electives (Select from list below.) | 6 | |
Ancillary requirements | ||
• Ancillary core requirements | ||
ACCT 203 & ACCT 204 | Introduction to Accounting I and Introduction to Accounting II | 6 |
BUSN 225 | Winning Presentations | 3 |
BUSN 301 | Career and Professional Development | 1 |
BUSN 323 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
BUSN 499 | Business Knowledge Exam | 0 |
ECON 210 | Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
ECON 211 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
FIRE 311 | Financial Management | 3 |
MGMT 303 | Creativity and Ideation | 3 |
MGMT 310 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 |
MGMT 434 | Strategic Management | 3 |
MKTG 301 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
SCMA 301 | Business Statistics I | 3 |
SCMA 320 | Production/Operations Management | 3 |
• Additional ancillary requirements | ||
BUSN 201 | Foundations of Business 1 | 3 |
or BUSN 205 | Introduction to the World of Business | |
BUSN 212 | Business Problem Solving and Analysis (either satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
or MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | |
Open electives | ||
Select any course. 2 | 16 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
BUSN 205 satisfies general education AOI for global perspectives.
Students may choose electives to reach the minimum total of 120 credits.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Approved accounting/analytics electives
Course | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Advanced Tax Accounting | ||
Topics in Accounting | ||
Topics in Accounting | ||
Business Intelligence and Data Mining | ||
Digital Marketing | ||
Business Analytics | ||
Quantitative Solutions for Supply Chain Management | ||
Data Management and Visualization | ||
Data Mining and Forecasting |
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Freshman year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall semester | Hours | |
UNIV 111 ![]() | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
General education course | 3 | |
General education course | 3 | |
General education course | 3 | |
Open elective (prerequisite to BUSN 212 suggested) | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Spring semester | ||
BUSN 212 | Business Problem Solving and Analysis (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
BUSN 225 | Winning Presentations | 3 |
UNIV 112 ![]() | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
General education course | 3 | |
General education course | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 16 | |
Sophomore year | ||
Fall semester | ||
ACCT 203 | Introduction to Accounting I | 3 |
BUSN 201 or BUSN 205 | Foundations of Business or Introduction to the World of Business | 3 |
ECON 210 | Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
SCMA 301 | Business Statistics I | 3 |
UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Spring semester | ||
ACCT 204 | Introduction to Accounting II | 3 |
BUSN 323 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
BUSN 301 | Career and Professional Development | 1 |
ECON 211 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
SCMA 302 | Business Statistics II | 3 |
Open elective | 1 | |
Term Hours: | 14 | |
Junior year | ||
Fall semester | ||
ACCT 301 | Federal Income Taxation for Individuals | 3 |
ACCT 303 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
MGMT 303 | Creativity and Ideation | 3 |
MKTG 301 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
SCMA 320 | Production/Operations Management | 3 |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Spring semester | ||
ACCT 304 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
ACCT 307 | Accounting Systems | 3 |
FIRE 311 | Financial Management | 3 |
MGMT 310 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 |
Open elective | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Senior year | ||
Fall semester | ||
ACCT 305 | Intermediate Accounting III | 3 |
ACCT 306 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
BUSN 499 | Business Knowledge Exam | 0 |
Accounting/analytics elective (see list) | 3 | |
Open electives | 6 | |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Spring semester | ||
ACCT 406 | Auditing | 3 |
ACCT 408 | Data Analytics for Accountants | 3 |
MGMT 434 | Strategic Management | 3 |
Accounting/analytics elective (see list) | 3 | |
Open elective | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Total Hours: | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
ACCT 202. Accounting for Non-business Majors. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The course is open only to non-business students. A nontechnical introduction to the principles of financial and managerial accounting with emphasis on the use and interpretation of financial reports, managerial planning and control. The course is for the individual who seeks a basic knowledge of accounting and its uses. It is designed for the user of accounting information rather than the preparer. This course cannot be substituted for ACCT 203, 204 or 205. Students graduating with a major in the School of Business cannot receive credit for this course.
ACCT 203. Introduction to Accounting I. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Theoretical and technical facets of financial and managerial accounting for business. Accumulation, analysis, interpretation and uses of accounting information. Course will focus on financial accounting.
ACCT 204. Introduction to Accounting II. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 203 with a minimum grade of C. Theoretical and technical facets of financial and managerial accounting for business. Accumulation, analysis, interpretation and uses of accounting information. Course will focus on managerial accounting.
ACCT 205. Introductory Accounting Survey. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to students in the post-baccalaureate undergraduate certificate programs in accounting and information systems, students seeking a B.S. in Financial Technology, students enrolled in the College of Engineering, or by permission of instructor. An accelerated course covering theoretical and technical facets of financial and managerial accounting for business. Accumulation, analysis, interpretation and uses of accounting information. May not be counted toward any of the B.S. programs offered by the School of Business other than the B.S. in Financial Technology.
ACCT 291. Topics in Accounting. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. An in-depth study of selected accounting topics. Graded as pass/fail.
ACCT 301. Federal Income Taxation for Individuals. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 204 or ACCT 205 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). Income tax legislation and the concept of taxable income; federal income tax law applicable to individuals.
ACCT 303. Intermediate Accounting I. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 203 or ACCT 205 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing) or 24 credits with minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Focuses on financial accounting and accounting standards, including the conceptual framework for financial accounting. Includes an in-depth study of the income statement, the balance sheet and an introduction to the statement of cash flows. Also covers valuation of inventories.
ACCT 304. Intermediate Accounting II. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 303 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). Continues the study of financial accounting, covering accounting for acquisition and disposition of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, contingencies, long-term liabilities, stockholders' equity, earnings-per-share, and investments.
ACCT 305. Intermediate Accounting III. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 304 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). Continues the study of financial accounting, covering accounting for income taxes, accounting for pensions and postretirement benefits, accounting for leases, accounting changes, error analysis, statement of cash flows, full disclosure in financial reporting and accounting for state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations.
ACCT 306. Cost Accounting. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 204 or ACCT 205 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing) or those in the post-baccalaureate certificate program. Cost accumulation for inventory pricing and income determination. Cost behavior concepts for planning and control. Job order and process cost systems, standard costs, budgets and special topics in relevant costs for managerial decisions.
ACCT 307. Accounting Systems. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 204 or ACCT 205 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). Examines design and evaluation of manual and computerized accounting information systems. Emphasis on the system of internal controls and the impact of computers on those controls.
ACCT 401. Governmental and Not-for-profit Accounting. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ACCT 304 with a minimum grade of C. This course is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). The role of accounting in the management of resources entrusted to government and nonprofit entities, including accounting and reporting standards. Accounting in municipalities and nonprofit entities such as hospitals, charitable and health organizations, and colleges and universities.
ACCT 402. Advanced Cost Accounting. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ACCT 303 and ACCT 306, each with a minimum grade of C. This course is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). An advanced conceptual cost/managerial course designed to familiarize students with the more complex aspects of cost/managerial accounting concepts including process costing, standard costing, activity-based costing, Just-in-Time inventory systems, enterprise resource planning and issues relating to the relative strengths and limitations of managerial accounting.
ACCT 403. Management Control Systems. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ACCT 303 and
ACCT 306, each with a minimum grade of C. This course is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). An advanced conceptual management control systems course designed to expose students to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of management control systems and to integrate accounting into the managerial decision/control process. Uses a predominantly case-oriented approach. While primary emphasis will be on integrating accounting into the management control process, significant attention also will be devoted to the behavioral issues involved in management control system design and implementation. Students also will receive hands-on experience in structuring and formulating control systems in an Enterprise Resource Planning system environment.
ACCT 404. Introduction to Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 304 with a minimum grade of C. Introduction to the area of forensic accounting. Topics include the detection of fraudulent financial reporting, employee fraud, money laundering, digital forensic analysis and electronic evidence, evidence management, computer forensics, and an introduction to business valuation.
ACCT 406. Auditing. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisites: ACCT 304 and 307 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). A study of the conceptual, theoretical and practical procedures applicable to auditing — both external and internal. Primary emphasis is placed upon the theory of audit evidence; the objectives, techniques and procedures for financial and operational audit reports.
ACCT 408. Data Analytics for Accountants. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisites: ACCT 307 with a minimum grade of C; and MGMT 301, SCMA 301, STAT 210 or STAT 212. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). The spreadsheet analysis and written communication of data relating to accounting-focused business problems.
ACCT 409. Research and Communication for Accountants. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 304 with a minimum grade of C. Restricted to students who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). Focuses on the research of accounting issues and preparation of technical reports relating to that research. Leadership and team dynamics are explored using group projects.
ACCT 410. Advanced Tax Accounting. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ACCT 301 with a minimum grade of C. Enrollment is restricted to students who have completed a minimum of 54 credit hours (junior standing). Complex tax problems of the trust, partnership and corporation. Particular emphasis is given to tax planning.
ACCT 491. Topics in Accounting. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours. 1-3 credits. Prerequisites vary by topic. Study of current topics. Topics may vary by semester. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered.
ACCT 492. Independent Study. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Restricted to accounting majors who have completed at least 54 credit hours (junior standing). The purpose of this course is to allow international students to take advantage of an internship work experience. Graded as pass/fail.
ACCT 493. Internship in Accounting. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 credits. Prerequisites: ACCT 304 with a minimum grade of B; senior standing in accounting and permission of the department chair. Intention to enroll must be indicated to the instructor prior to or during advance registration for semester of credit. Involves students in a meaningful experience in a setting appropriate to the major. A structured course in which the first three weeks are spent in the classroom, followed by 11 weeks at a workplace. The last week of the semester students return to the classroom for discussion and reflection on the work experience. An internship portfolio is required at the end of the course. Graded as pass/fail.
ACCT 497. Guided Study in Accounting. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. Maximum total of three credits. Prerequisites: junior standing in accounting and approval of adviser and department chair prior to course registration. Intensive study under supervision of a faculty member in an area not covered in-depth or contained in the regular curriculum.