Accounting and Information Systems
Head: John J. Maher
KPMG Professor: R. Barkhi
R. B. Pamplin Professor of Accounting and Information Systems: F. Belanger and W. Fan
John E. Peterson, Jr. Professor of Accounting and Information Systems: J. G. Jenkins
John F. Carroll, Jr. Professor of Accounting and Information Systems: J. J. Maher
Curling Professor of Accounting and Information Systems: W. E. Seago
Professors: S.D. Sheetz
Associate Professors: S. Bhattacharjee, L.L. Lisic, D.A. Salbador, D.P. Tegarden, and L.G. Wallace
Assistant Professors: M. Cobabe, R.H. Davidson, M.J. Erickson, T.B. Hansen, M.K. Harding, S.M. Hillison, J. Huang, E.S. Johnson, K.W. Smith, S.E. Stein, and M.C. Wolfe
Assistant Professor of Practice: L.A. Almond
Associate Professor of Practice: N.A. Rogers
Instructors: C.M. Easterwood, D.P.Garner, J.M. Lacoste, E.A. Martin, J.P. Sharp, and J.L. Shortt
Career Advisor: J. Maher (231-6591)
Our Mission
The Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Pamplin College of Business strives for excellence in fulfilling the three missions of a comprehensive land grant university by:
- Improving the accounting and information systems professions by conducting quality research and disseminating the results;
- Providing a world class accounting and information systems education to our students; and
- Delivering outreach services to accounting and information systems professionals and educators.
The department seeks to fulfill the teaching mission through programs which include:
Undergraduate Programs, where we seek to- Prepare students to enter the accounting and information systems professions with the skills and knowledge of business, information systems, and accounting concepts and practices.
- Prepare students for professional careers with specializations in taxation, information systems, audit, and financial services.
- Prepare students for academic careers in research and teaching.
The Department of Accounting and Information Systems prepares students to become professionals in their chosen area of accounting and information systems. Faculty members in the department have chosen to specialize in selected areas of accounting or information systems and they teach and conduct research in these areas. All faculty members at the professorial ranks have Ph.D.s in accounting or information systems appropriate to the courses they teach, and many have professional certification in their areas of specialization. This faculty is committed to the education of accounting and information systems professionals who will be active participants in this information age, with increasing demand for data analytics skills.
The department's undergraduate program offers three options: Accounting (ACCT), Information Systems Audit (ISA), and Information Systems (ISO). These options are designed to allow students to specialize in their area of interest. Completion of the selected option prepares the student for entry level positions as professional accountants or information systems professionals who work in professional service firms, industrial companies, governmental entitites, or to continue their education in graduate school. The job titles vary greatly and include auditor, information systems auditor, management accountant, tax preparer, systems consultant, systems analyst, controller, financial data analytics specialist, and cost analyst. The demand for our graduates has been strong throughout the department's history, and that demand is continuing.
Many graduates of our department desire to gain certification in their selected area of specialization. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the best known of these certifications. Students taking the CPA exam in Virginia have to meet a 120-hour baccalaureate or higher degree requirement in order to sit for the CPA exam, but must have 150 credit hours to be certified. The requirements for other states vary; however, most now or soon will require students to meet the 150-hour educational requirement to be licensed. Students should discuss with their advisor the several options Virginia Tech provides for meeting this requirement at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to the CPA exam, graduates of our programs sit for the Certificate in Management Accounting (CMA) exam, the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam, the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam, and others. Students planning to take one of these exams are advised to talk to their department's faculty during their junior year so that they may select the electives appropriate for the selected exam.
The department encourages its students to gain "real world" experience prior to graduation through an internship or by participating in the Cooperative Education Program. More information about these programs is available either from the department's faculty or Career Services. The department supports winter internships for seniors who enroll in the 152-hour program.
The department also encourages interaction with accounting and information systems professionals by sponsoring three student organizations: Accounting Society; National Association of Black Accountants; and Beta Alpha Psi, the national honorary and professional society dedicated to the advancement of the accounting profession. These organizations and other campus groups provide multiple opportunities for developing leadership skills and interacting with accounting and information systems professionals.
The department encourages students to gain a global perspective of business through modules on international issues in our courses, by participation in the college's International Business Minor and/or by participating in one or more of the college's study abroad programs. Our goal is to encourage our students to become well-rounded professionals who will become leaders in their chosen careers.
Lastly, the department's over 6,500 alumni have generously contributed to a variety of scholarships for accounting and information systems majors. Each year the department awards over $200,000 in scholarships to our students.
Course Requirements
Students graduating from the Department of Accounting and Information Systems must have a minimum quality credit average (GPA) of 2.00 in upper-division (3000 and 4000 level) accounting and information systems courses (the in-major GPA) as well as an overall GPA of 2.00 for all courses taken at Virginia Tech.
During their sophomore year, students must select one of the two options in the department: Accounting (ACCT) and Information Systems Audit (ISA). These options are more fully described below.
Degree Requirements
The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.
The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.
Please visit the University Registrar website at http://registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/index1.html for degree requirements.
Accounting Option (ACCT)
The Accounting option provides basic education for careers in public accounting, internal auditing, large and small corporations (controller's staff), governments (federal, state, and local) and their agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Graduates from this option are prepared to become CMAs, CIA, CPAs, and all of the other common professional accounting designations. Many of the students who select this option will continue into the Master of Accounting and Information Systems program.
Information Systems Audit Option (ISA)
The IS Audit option is designed to prepare students for careers as information systems auditors and information systems professionals in the areas of enterprise risk assurance services, computer risk management services, and other systems assurance services. These positions are available in organizations from all sectors of business: industry, professional service firms, consulting firms, government, and nonprofit organizations. This track prepares graduates to sit for the CIA, CPA, CISA, or other professional designations.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ACIS)
1004: ACCOUNTING FOUNDATIONS
Fundamentals of accounting, the language of business,
including what accounting information is, how it is
developed, how it is used and what it means. Financial
Accounting including the application of accounting
principles for real world, complex business transactions to
classify these transactions, reflect their economic value,
produce basic financial statements, evaluate financial
position and make fundamental interpretations. Managerial
Accounting including cost behaviors, budgeting and other
management reporting to assist in internal decision making
and performance analysis. Attention to accountants' codes
of ethics applied throughout. Emphasis placed on
non-Business majors becoming informed users of accounting
information. No credit will be given for ACIS 1004 if taken
with or after ACIS 2115 or ACIS 2116.
(3H,3C)
1504: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS ANALYTICS & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Introduction to Business Information Systems with emphasis
on the role of software applications as a tool to develop
Business Intelligence to improve decision making. Design
and development of spreadsheet and database solutions
employing analytical techniques on large data sets to
produce quality information. Ethical considerations of
information management.
(3H,3C)
2115-2116: PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
Comprehensive presentation of basic principles of financial
and managerial accounting including origin, purpose, and
effect with emphasis on application. Sophomore standing
required.
(3H,3C)
2504: PERSONAL COMPUTERS IN BUSINESS
Focuses on the design and implementation of spreadsheet
projects that support advanced decision-making and
problem-solving techniques for professionals and
individual business users. An introduction to
programming logic is included to allow students to
augment and automate spreadsheets. Students enrolling in
this course are expected to be familiar with basic
spreadsheet skills including spreadsheet navigation,
managing multiple worksheets, formatting, formulas,
and cell references.
Pre: 1504, 2115.
(3H,3C)
2954: BUSINESS STUDY ABROAD
This course provides students with an international business
experience. The course examines the accounting and
information systems issues that impact the multinational
business. It is only offered as part of a program outside of
the United States. Students will learn from the structured
educational experience developed by the faculty leader.
Content will vary between semesters.
Pre: Instructor's consent and the completion of 24
semester hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or
departmental consent.
May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.
Variable credit course.
3115-3116: INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
In-depth analysis of basic concepts of external financial
reporting. Includes transaction analysis and preparation
of financial statements.
Pre: 2115, ECON 2005 for 3115; 3115 for 3116.
Co: 2504 for 3115.
(3H,3C)
3314: TAX IMPACT ON DECISIONS
An analysis of the impact of taxation on business and
investment decisions, and the importance of effective
tax planning. The course develops a conceptual
framework that integrates tax and non-tax factors
into decision models. Topics to be covered include
basic tax planning strategies, tax policy, an overview of
basic tax concepts and terminology, implicit taxes and
tax clientele theory, choosing the optimal
organizational form, multilateral tax planning in contexts
such as executive compensation, and multi-jurisdictional
tax issues.
Pre: 2116.
(3H,3C)
3414: AUDITING, GOVERNANCE, AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
The purpose of this course is to introduce the accounting
student to the interrelationships between auditing and
corporate governance with an emphasis on the
societal role of auditing, internal control and
professional ethics. Enrollment limited to ACIS
majors or with permission of instructor.
Co: 3504.
(3H,3C)
3504: ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS
Examines system design concepts and methods including an
understanding of basic control structures. Covers specific
accounting cycles and computerized transaction processing
systems. Analyzes controls for manual and computerized
systems including database systems.
Pre: 2115.
Co: 2504, 2116.
(3H,3C)
3564: MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
An overview of management information systems. Topics
include the organizational foundations of information
systems; the technical foundations of information
systems; the approaches to building information systems; and
the management of contemporary information systems.
Pre: 1504, 2115, 2116.
(3H,3C)
3954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.
4024: INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDIT AND CONTROL
An introduction to the fundamentals of information
systems auditing. Emphasis on information systems controls,
types of information systems audits, and concepts and
techniques used in information systems audits. Exposure
to risk assessment and professional standards in the field
of information systems auditing.
Pre: 3504.
(3H,3C)
4114: ADVANCED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
A continuation of a detailed analysis of the concepts of
external financial reporting begun in 3115 and 3116.
Includes transaction analysis and preparation of
financial statements.
Pre: 3116, ECON 2006.
(3H,3C)
4124: GOVERNMENTAL AND NONPROFIT ACCOUNTING
An analysis of the environment and characteristics of
government and nonprofit organizations, and an in-depth
study of basic concepts and standards of financial reporting
for such entities.
Pre: 3115.
(3H,3C)
4194: ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Provide theoretical background and tools necessary to
analyze financial statements from the perspective of making
valuation and investment decisions. The focus of the course
is on the use of accounting information in making these
decisions.
Pre: 3116 or FIN 3134.
(3H,3C)
4214: COST PLANNING AND CONTROL
The purpose of this course is to help the student develop an
understanding of the role of accounting in the management
process, an understanding of cost accounting systems, an
understanding of cost behavior, an understanding of
alternative accounting systems, and the usefulness of costs
involved in non-routine decision-making.
Pre: 2116, 2504, BIT 2406.
(3H,3C)
4314: PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION
Survey of basic concepts of federal income taxation that are
common to all types of taxpayers (i.e. individuals,
corporations, and flow-through entities). Topics to be
covered include tax policy objectives, tax accounting
methods that affect the timing of income and expense
recognition, concepts of gross income and trade or
business expenses, income character, and tax issues
associated with various property transactions.
Pre: 3314.
(3H,3C)
4344: TAX FOR FINANCIAL PLANNERS
Overviews income tax concepts relevant to financial planning
for individuals who are investors, employees, and business
owners. Topics include income tax fundamentals for
individuals, taxation of the sale of property, taxation of
business entities, taxation of trusts, and overview of the
federal transfer tax on estates and gifts. Duplicates some
material in ACIS 4314. Course credit will not be awarded
for both ACIS 4314 and ACIS 4344.
Pre: FIN 3104.
(3H,3C)
4414: FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDITING
Study of external financial statement auditing, professional
code of conduct, audit evidence considerations,
internal control, fraud, and transaction cycles, and audit
reporting. II, IV
Pre: 3414, 3115.
(3H,3C)
4444: FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
This course provides students experience in forensic
accounting, commonly used computer forensic
software, forensic techniques, litigation support, fraud
risk management, fraud investigation, and the related
audit tools.
Pre: 3414.
(3H,3C)
4504: ACCOUNTING APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
Utilizes current software tools to design and develop
segments of accounting systems using database management
techniques. Provides an understanding of relational
databases, query languages, and web-based business
processing. Includes exposure to latest relevant technology
and software. Provides development knowledge of controls
in accounting information systems.
Pre: 3504.
(3H,3C)
4514: DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Introduction to database management systems and their
use in business. Topics covered include data modeling,
normalization, SQL, transaction management and
concurrency control, security issues, physical data
organization, query optimization, hierarchical
queries, distributed database management systems,
object-oriented databases, client/server databases,
multidimensional databases, data mining, data
warehousing, and database administration.
Pre: 3515.
(3H,3C)
4524: APPLIED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Application of computer programming and system development
concepts, principles, and practices to a comprehensive
system development project. A team approach is used to
analyze, design, and document realistic methods, project
complexity. Use of project management methods, project
scheduling and control techniques, formal presentations,
walk throughs, and group dynamics in the solution of
information systems problems.
Pre: 3515 or 4514 or 4515.
(3H,3C)
4534: ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE
Provides accounting and information systems audit students
with basic computer hardware, operating systems software,
and networking knowledge. Topics covered include data
representation, processor, data storage, and input/output
technology, computer networks, operating systems, storage
management, and distributed applications.
Pre: 3504 or 3515 or BIT 3424.
(3H,3C)
4554 (BIT 4554): NETWORKS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN BUSINESS
This course provides an in-depth introduction to computer
networks and data communications in business. Topics
include mechanisms for reliable data transfer, local and
wide area network topologies and technologies, and a
comprehensive treatment of internetworking. The benefits,
costs, and security issues related to using computer
networks are discussed, along with network design issues,
and methodologies for network applications. One semester of
college-level programming experience required.
Pre: 3504 or BIT 3424.
(3H,3C)
4564 (BIT 4564): OBJECT-ORIENTED SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT FOR BUSINESS
The course first develops the foundations and principles of
object-oriented programming, including encapsulation,
inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. These concepts
are acquired via comprehensive hands-on experience with a
current OOP language (such as Java). The second portion of
the course applies concepts learned to a business-oriented
application, such as a web-based, e-commerce scenario.
Pre: CS 1054, (ACIS 3515 or BIT 3444).
(3H,3C)
4684: INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY AND ASSURANCE
An examination of the concepts, technologies, and
applications of security and assurance in information
systems. Topics include the security threats against
information systems; tools used by intruders; computing
platforms and security; encryption; securing the transaction
and the server; audit tools to detect intrusions; responses
to attacks; legal, ethical and international issues; and the
future of information systems security and assurance.
Pre: 4554 or BIT 4554.
(3H,3C)
4954: STUDY ABROAD
Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.