Course Descriptions - NJCU :: Professional Studies :: Master of Science in Accounting - NJCU :: Professional Studies

BUSI 601 Financial Accounting (3)
The course provides the student with an introduction to accounting concepts, the accounting cycle, identifying and journalizing transactions, adjustments and the preparation of financial statements. Accounting information systems and internal controls are introduced. The course then proceeds to each of the major elements of the balance sheet. The second half of the course focuses on special accounting applications: earnings per share computations, investments, income taxes, pensions, leases and revenue recognition. Foundation Accounting: Required for undergraduates with business degrees in a concentration other than accounting.

BUSI 602 Accounting for Business Entities (3)
This course takes the student beyond the intermediate accounting concepts and into the world of mergers and acquisitions and consolidation accounting. This is followed by foreign currency and bankruptcy accounting. After completing the study of corporate entities, the formation, changes, and liquidation of partnership entities are studied. The course concludes with the study of fund accounting in governmental and not-for-profit entities. Foundation Accounting: Required for undergraduates with business degrees in a concentration other than accounting. Prerequisite: BUSI 601 or equivalent.

BUSI 603 Quantitative Methods for Business Decisions (3)
This course is aimed at familiarizing the student with the basic statistical techniques necessary to perform the research project (see BUSI 755). Following a brief review of basic statistical techniques the course will concentrate on regression analysis, topics in exponential design and analysis of variance, transformation of data and introductory econometric analysis.

BUSI 604 Introduction to Taxation (3)
This course will explore Federal taxation as it applies to the taxation of individuals. Although it is not the purpose of this course to approach the presentation and discussion of taxation from the standpoint of preparation of tax forms, some orientation to forms is necessary. To that end, students will prepare tax forms and schedules for selected problems. Foundation Accounting: For undergraduates with business degrees in a concentration other than accounting. BUSI 674 can be substituted.

BUSI 607 Corporate Financial Management (3)
This course provides an advanced level overview of principles and practices used by the finance professional. In particular, it covers the financial environment, utilizing net present value (NPV), valuation of financial assets, project analysis, opportunity cost of capital, risk and return, capital budgeting, debt and dividend policies, mergers, and planning.

BUSI 608 Special Topics in Accounting (3)
This course provides the student with a continuation of Financial Accounting I with coverage on accounting concepts and special topics. In particular, the course focuses on special accounting applications: earnings per share computations, investments, income taxes, pensions, leases and revenue recognition. This graduate course is required for undergraduates with business degrees in a concentration other than accounting. Foundation Accounting: Required for undergraduates with business degrees in a concentration other than accounting. Prerequisite: BUSI 601 or equivalent.

BUSI 610 Business Ethics (3)
This course is designed to facilitate a learning environment for students to obtain a basic knowledge of business ethics and moral reasoning, and develop the critical thinking skills and competencies related to ethical issues that are needed in today’s business environment. The course is designed to provide the student with the economic and political foundations of ethical systems, to underscore unethical or questionable business practices and highlight the moral dilemmas facing management.

BUSI 612 Global Strategic Management (3)
This course makes an in-depth review of the changes in management, marketing, finance, and production management resulting from the globalization of world markets. The view is through the experiences, success, and failures of real managers involved in global strategic planning.

BUSI 625 Financial Modeling (3)
This course focuses on the development of microcomputer solutions to financial problems. There is an emphasis on the custom design and implementation of models, using spreadsheet and database applications software. Topics include financial statement modeling, forecasting of free cash flow, leasing and capital budgeting decisions, option pricing and portfolio optimization.

BUSI 651 Professional Auditing (3)
This course begins with a review of the important technical tools and techniques needed to become an auditor. These techniques include the identification of audit objectives, the many types of audit evidence required, the internal control evaluation and control risk assessment. The utilization of statistical sampling tools, and the application of specific audit procedures are reviewed. Audit programs are designed for several of the major audit cycles. The course will specifically address the issue of management fraud and other timely topics. Audit reports and standards, analytical procedures, auditing electronic information systems, other services performed by the auditor, as well as ethical and legal liability issues are explored. Prerequisite: BUSI 601 or equivalent.

BUSI 652 Accounting for Managers (3)
The course begins by focusing on the various goals of management and how the accounting system can best be directed to support primary management tasks of organizing, planning and controlling. Potential conflicts between owners and managers are examined. The course then proceeds to technical topics that include product line, relevant cost, and investment analysis, pricing of products and services, and tools to predict changes in income resulting from selected courses of action. Recent trends in management accounting, including activity-based management, total quality management, just-in-time practices, as well as various aspects of performance measurement, budgeting, and planning, will be explored. Prerequisite: BUSI 601 or equivalent.

BUSI 653 Taxation of Business Entities (3)
This advanced taxation course provides an in-depth study and discussion of current federal tax law with respect to corporations (profit and not for profit), partnerships, estates and trusts. A research project utilizing web-based resources will be required. The effects of international taxation will be considered. The impact of proposed changes in tax laws are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisite: BUSI 601 and 604 or equivalent.

BUSI 659 Analysis of Financial Statements (3)
This course brings together skills learned in accounting and finance courses. These skills are applied in a financial statement context where new analytical skills are developed. Important investment theories are reviewed. Operating, investing and financing activities of a firm are analyzed. The student will learn to identify liquidity problems of a firm. Financial forecasting techniques are introduced and skills are developed to assess company performance. Analytical models are presented for predicting financial distress. Methods are developed to measure the adequacy of profitability. The emphasis of the course is to develop evaluative, analytical, and critical thinking skills rather than computational skills. Prerequisite: BUSI 601 or equivalent.

BUSI 670 Working Capital Management (3)
This course is designed to give practitioners and advanced students of finance exposure to the problems and solutions associated with short-term financial management, particularly in the treasury function of a modern corporation. The emphasis of the course is on the liquidity, risk-management, and institutional issues that affect the corporation’s operating or cash cycle. Topics include valuation models for short-term financial decisions, payment mechanisms, cash management systems, short-term borrowing arrangements, and forecasting techniques. Prerequisite: BUSI 601, and 607 or equivalent.

BUSI 674 Income Tax Planning for Individuals and Businesses (3)
This course includes federal income taxation of individuals and businesses. Among topics are tax theory, individual and corporate tax calculations, investments, business entities, cost basis and recovery, property dispositions, passive activity losses, at-risk rules, deficiencies, refunds, penalties, accounting methods, accounting periods, professional tax planning techniques for most favorable tax treatment.

BUSI 703 Research Methods (3)
This course is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of research design and applications in the business field. The course starts by discussing the fundamentals of the scientific approach for problem solving and inquiry. Then it proceeds to the development of a hypothesis utilizing the appropriate test methods. Steps of the research design and test execution are analyzed. Prerequisite: BUSI 603.

BUSI 754 Contemporary Accounting Issues (3)
This advanced course provides comprehensive analysis of accounting theory and practice. Emphasis is devoted to analyzing the application of existing accounting standards and determining the adequacy of such standards as useful accounting information. The coverage is extended to examine how selected accounting treatments as used by management conform to the conceptual framework of accounting. Current accounting problems confronting the profession are studied and analyzed. Accordingly, a wide range of topics is covered, including off-balance sheet financing, the historical cost accounting model, present value accounting, pensions and post-retirement benefits, accounting for income taxes, and lease accounting. Prerequisites: BUSI 651, 652, 653, 659.

BUSI 755 Master’s Thesis (3)
BUSI 756 Master's Thesis II (3)
This course is the capstone of the Master of Science in accounting program. It involves a research paper on an accounting or related topic that is of interest to the student and has the approval of the advisor. Under the direction of the advisor, the student will conduct extensive library research, compile empirical data (where applicable), and write a comprehensive research paper in accordance with thesis guidelines. If the thesis cannot be completed in one semester the student must register for three credits for each additional semester required for completion. Requirements: To be done in the student's last semester.