2023-2024 Course Catalog

Accounting (BA)

The Accounting major prepares students with not only technical accounting skills but also the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century workplace. Chatham Accounting graduates are fully prepared to take advantage of diverse career opportunities including public accounting, industry or government.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of bachelor’s–level programs in business will be able to demonstrate that they possess academic skills, professional attributes and broad-based and in-depth knowledge of business concepts and functions.

Graduates of bachelor’s–level programs in business will be able to:

  1. Apply concepts within the core areas of business
  2. Apply knowledge of ethical, legal, economic, and global environment to practical business situations and ascertain their impact
  3. Apply decision-support tools & technology to make and defend business decisions
  4. Demonstrate communication skills appropriate for business settings
  5. Contribute to a team environment to achieve a planned goal
  6. Analyze the role of motivation and influence in achieving a coordinated goal

In-depth Knowledge for specific majors

Accounting graduates of bachelor’s level programs will be able to:

  • Develop an audit engagement work plan in a specified area (i.e., Revenue and Collection Cycle, Acquisition and Expenditure Cycle)
  • Conduct an Internal Control Evaluation for Risk Assessment
  • Demonstrate oral communication of findings to senior management/Board of Directors

Curriculum

+Core Requirements

Core Major Requirements for Accounting, Economics, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing:

ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I

This course represents an introduction to accounting principles including the accounting process, double-entry bookkeeping, adjusting entries, and the preparation of financial statements. The objectives of this course are to make students aware of the importance of accounting information in every type of organization (private business, not-for-profit, and governmental).

3
ACT223 Managerial Accounting Principles

This course represents an introduction to managerial accounting concepts, including cost allocation and measurement, cost/volume profit analysis, budgeting, variance analysis, job and process costing, and capital budgeting.

Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    BUS105 Foundations of Business

    This course introduces the theory and practice of business and fosters analytical thinking. Students build a foundation for learning by gaining an understanding of business organizations, their structure and functions, the increasingly dynamic and complex global setting in which they compete, and the fundamentals of sustainable business practices.

    3
    BUS110 Business Analytics I

    This course introduces analytical tools that are essential for deriving actionable data-driven solutions to real world business problems. Modules address descriptive statistics, inferential analysis, hypotheses testing, results interpretation, and presentation of key findings. Students utilize diverse sources of data from business cases, research studies, open access datasets, and secondary reports.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • BUS105 Foundations of Business
  • 3
    BUS171 Information Systems and Operations

    This course explores basic concepts of communication networks (e.g., the Internet), hardware, software, databases, and systems. Students apply information systems to decision making, communication, collaboration and coordination in the operations of contemporary organizations. Students gain skills in word processing, presentation software, data visualization, spreadsheets, and relational databases.

    3
    BUS230W Organizational Behavior

    Organizational behavior is a field of study that seeks to understand, explain, and improve human behavior in organizations. Most organizations focus their efforts on improving job performance and organizational commitment. The purpose of this course is to provide a theoretical foundation and realistic understanding of how human behavior influences the effectiveness of the modern corporation.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • BUS105 Foundations of Business
  • 3
    BUS243 Principles of Marketing

    This course introduces students to the basic concepts of marketing strategy and management. Basic marketing concepts such as strategic segmentation, targeting, positioning, product design, pricing, promotions and distribution are covered. Environmental sustainability is analyzed from the consumer perspective.

    3
    BUS257 Business Law and Business Ethics

    This course introduces students to the introductory concepts of business law including employment law, social and environmental responsibility of corporations, and international business law. It also emphasizes frameworks for conducting ethical analysis and the analysis of ethical dilemmas.

    3
    BUS272 Principles of Finance

    This course enables students to apply fundamental ideas of financial economics to problems in corporate finance. Participants will gain an overview of valuation principles, learn basic principles of corporate finance from the perspective of a financial manager, and through case studies, analyze important financial decisions made within firms.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    BUS310W Business Analytics II

    This course builds upon the student’s foundational knowledge of business research and analytics. Students practice a disciplined approach to assessing real-world business problems and applying descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive techniques to solve them. Course activities include discussion forums, case studies, experiential projects, and constructive assessment.

    Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses:
  • BUS110 Business Statistics
  • BUS110 Business Analytics I
  • MTH110 Elementary Statistics
  • PSY213 Statistics and Research Design
  • 3
    BUS357 Strategy and Entrepreneurial Ventures

    This course illustrates the strategic management framework by taking students through the entrepreneurial process from start-up growth while exploring the personal and professional challenges. The student examines key issues in opportunity recognition, financing models, strategic choices, and sources of competitive advantage at different stages of the firm's development.

    3
    ECN101 Principles of Macroeconomics

    The concepts of national income and output are analyzed, and emphasis is placed on factors that influence the levels of economic activity, unemployment, and inflation, including fiscal and monetary policy and the role of international economics.

    3
    ECN102 Principles of Microeconomics

    Microeconomics is the study of how households and firms make decisions and how they interact in specific markets. Students are introduced to the basic concepts and tools that economists use to understand how the economy works. This course is designed to increase economic literacy through acquiring core knowledge about economics.

    3
    INTBUS303 Internship - Business

    The Chatham University Internship program provides students with the opportunity to acquire hands-on work experience in a professional setting. The student gains metacognitive insights, deep learning, and practical skills by reflecting on the internship experience under the supervision of an academic advisor.

    3
    ACT490 Integrative Capstone

    The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student's major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs.

    Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses:
  • BUS310W Business Analytics: Research Methods
  • BUS312W Marketing Research
  • 3

    +Accounting Major

    5 courses

    4 required courses
    ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I

    This course engages the student in a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of assets and income. Students will examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of balance sheet items.

    3
    ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II

    This course is a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of various liability and equity accounts. Students examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of these accounts as well as important financial reporting concepts, proper financial statement presentation, and related disclosures.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I
  • 3
    ACT324 Individual Tax Accounting

    The primary emphasis of the course is on the income taxation of individuals, but the course also includes an overview of the federal taxation of other forms of business organization (e.g., corporations, partnerships). The focus of the course is on developing knowledge of tax law and its application.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    ACT412 Auditing

    The course engages the student in a study of auditing objectives, standards, and procedures employed in the examination of business enterprises and verification of their financial statements. Topics include an evaluation of internal control, preparation of work papers, report writing, professional ethics, and current auditing trends.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II
  • 3
    1 approved Elective from the following:
    ACT480 Accounting Information Systems

    This course examines critical business processes and IT audits through theories of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and using auditing tools and enterprise systems. Case analyses and project assignments nurture professional competence in communicating objectives and procedures through systems documentation techniques, systems analysis and design methodologies, and information processing.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    CMP283 Database Management Systems

    This course is a study of database management systems and their applications to a wide range of information processing needs. Students design and implement database management systems while being introduced to a conceptual model of a database environment comprised of five basic components: databases, database management systems, data dictionary/directory systems, database administration, and user-system interfaces.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • CMP120 Introduction to Programming
  • 3

    +Intradisciplinary Major in Two Business Disciplines

    Students who wish to do an Intradisciplinary major in two business concentrations must complete the Business Core Major Requirements, plus the following courses.

    ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I

    This course engages the student in a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of assets and income. Students will examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of balance sheet items.

    3
    ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II

    This course is a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of various liability and equity accounts. Students examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of these accounts as well as important financial reporting concepts, proper financial statement presentation, and related disclosures.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I
  • 3
    ACT324 Individual Tax Accounting

    The primary emphasis of the course is on the income taxation of individuals, but the course also includes an overview of the federal taxation of other forms of business organization (e.g., corporations, partnerships). The focus of the course is on developing knowledge of tax law and its application.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    ACT412 Auditing

    The course engages the student in a study of auditing objectives, standards, and procedures employed in the examination of business enterprises and verification of their financial statements. Topics include an evaluation of internal control, preparation of work papers, report writing, professional ethics, and current auditing trends.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II
  • 3

    +Interdisciplinary Major in Accounting

    Students who wish to do an interdisciplinary major in a business area (Accounting, Economics, International Business, Management, or Marketing) and a non-business discipline will complete the following courses: (10 courses, exclusive of Integrative Capstone)

    ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I

    This course represents an introduction to accounting principles including the accounting process, double-entry bookkeeping, adjusting entries, and the preparation of financial statements. The objectives of this course are to make students aware of the importance of accounting information in every type of organization (private business, not-for-profit, and governmental).

    3
    ACT223 Managerial Accounting Principles

    This course represents an introduction to managerial accounting concepts, including cost allocation and measurement, cost/volume profit analysis, budgeting, variance analysis, job and process costing, and capital budgeting.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I

    This course engages the student in a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of assets and income. Students will examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of balance sheet items.

    3
    ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II

    This course is a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of various liability and equity accounts. Students examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of these accounts as well as important financial reporting concepts, proper financial statement presentation, and related disclosures.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I
  • 3
    ACT324 Individual Tax Accounting

    The primary emphasis of the course is on the income taxation of individuals, but the course also includes an overview of the federal taxation of other forms of business organization (e.g., corporations, partnerships). The focus of the course is on developing knowledge of tax law and its application.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    ACT412 Auditing

    The course engages the student in a study of auditing objectives, standards, and procedures employed in the examination of business enterprises and verification of their financial statements. Topics include an evaluation of internal control, preparation of work papers, report writing, professional ethics, and current auditing trends.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II
  • 3
    BUS110 Business Analytics I

    This course introduces analytical tools that are essential for deriving actionable data-driven solutions to real world business problems. Modules address descriptive statistics, inferential analysis, hypotheses testing, results interpretation, and presentation of key findings. Students utilize diverse sources of data from business cases, research studies, open access datasets, and secondary reports.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • BUS105 Foundations of Business
  • 3
    BUS257 Business Law and Business Ethics

    This course introduces students to the introductory concepts of business law including employment law, social and environmental responsibility of corporations, and international business law. It also emphasizes frameworks for conducting ethical analysis and the analysis of ethical dilemmas.

    3
    --------------------
    BUS310W Business Analytics II

    This course builds upon the student’s foundational knowledge of business research and analytics. Students practice a disciplined approach to assessing real-world business problems and applying descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive techniques to solve them. Course activities include discussion forums, case studies, experiential projects, and constructive assessment.

    Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses:
  • BUS110 Business Statistics
  • BUS110 Business Analytics I
  • MTH110 Elementary Statistics
  • PSY213 Statistics and Research Design
  • 3
    OR
    Prerequisite course for Capstone (xxx490) in the other discipline
    --------------------
    1 Approved Accounting or Business elective
    ACT480 Accounting Information Systems

    This course examines critical business processes and IT audits through theories of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and using auditing tools and enterprise systems. Case analyses and project assignments nurture professional competence in communicating objectives and procedures through systems documentation techniques, systems analysis and design methodologies, and information processing.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    CMP283 Database Management Systems

    This course is a study of database management systems and their applications to a wide range of information processing needs. Students design and implement database management systems while being introduced to a conceptual model of a database environment comprised of five basic components: databases, database management systems, data dictionary/directory systems, database administration, and user-system interfaces.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • CMP120 Introduction to Programming
  • 3

    +Minor Requirements

    6 courses, including:

    ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I

    This course represents an introduction to accounting principles including the accounting process, double-entry bookkeeping, adjusting entries, and the preparation of financial statements. The objectives of this course are to make students aware of the importance of accounting information in every type of organization (private business, not-for-profit, and governmental).

    3
    ACT223 Managerial Accounting Principles

    This course represents an introduction to managerial accounting concepts, including cost allocation and measurement, cost/volume profit analysis, budgeting, variance analysis, job and process costing, and capital budgeting.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I

    This course engages the student in a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of assets and income. Students will examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of balance sheet items.

    3
    ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II

    This course is a comprehensive study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to the measurement and reporting of various liability and equity accounts. Students examine the nature, composition, valuation, and classification of these accounts as well as important financial reporting concepts, proper financial statement presentation, and related disclosures.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT322 Intermediate Accounting I
  • 3
    ACT324 Individual Tax Accounting

    The primary emphasis of the course is on the income taxation of individuals, but the course also includes an overview of the federal taxation of other forms of business organization (e.g., corporations, partnerships). The focus of the course is on developing knowledge of tax law and its application.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3
    ACT412 Auditing

    The course engages the student in a study of auditing objectives, standards, and procedures employed in the examination of business enterprises and verification of their financial statements. Topics include an evaluation of internal control, preparation of work papers, report writing, professional ethics, and current auditing trends.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT323 Intermediate Accounting II
  • 3
    OR
    ACT480 Accounting Information Systems

    This course examines critical business processes and IT audits through theories of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and using auditing tools and enterprise systems. Case analyses and project assignments nurture professional competence in communicating objectives and procedures through systems documentation techniques, systems analysis and design methodologies, and information processing.

    Pre-requisites Complete the following course:
  • ACT222 Financial Accounting Principles I
  • 3