American University's Kogod School of Business Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program prepares graduates for rewarding and successful careers in accounting through its innovative curriculum, award-winning faculty, and outstanding career development services. The MSA is designed for both students with an accounting background and those looking to switch career paths. Students may pursue the MSA degree on a full- or part-time basis. The curriculum focuses on developing professional accounting skills needed for a successful career. Students choose from a broad range of courses, with the option to pursue an expertise in areas such as financial reporting and assurance, forensic accounting, or taxation. Graduates also meet the educational requirements for public accounting licensure in most states and are well prepared for the CPA exam. Students benefit from Kogod’s prime location in the nation’s capital, providing access to a wide range of internship and employment opportunities. The program of study is also enriched by guest presentations and distinctive panels by accounting experts and professional leaders from organizations such as the SEC, GAO, IRS, PCAOB, and the World Bank. Graduates go on to work for public accounting firms, major corporations, nonprofits, and the government in fields such as auditing, taxation, consulting, financial reporting, and forensic accounting.
Distinguished
Faculty Susan Krische Associate Professor: Krische previously served as an academic fellow with the Office of the Chief Accountant of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her awardwinning research on judgment and decision-making in the accounting field has been published in The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, the Journal of Finance, and the Journal of Accounting Research. She teaches financial statement analysis. Ajay Adhikari Accounting & Taxation Department Chair: Adhikari is past president of the American Accounting Association’s International Section and a recognized expert on international accounting. Specifically, his research focuses on determinants of diversity, harmonization, and accounting infrastructure in emerging markets. He teaches courses on financial accounting and international accounting for MBA and MSA students, and has been recognized by students as Kogod’s Outstanding Graduate Professor of the Year. Casey Evans Executive-in-Residence: An alumna of the MSA program, Evans is a forensic accountant who investigates financial crimes. Most recently she worked at FTI Consulting as a senior director investigating the Bernie Madoff case. She teaches Forensic Accounting, Accounting Ethics, and Advanced Financial Reporting. Emily Lindsay Program Director MSA, Executive-in-Residence: Professor Lindsay has over 20 years of professional accounting experience with Marriott International and the Government Accountability Office and is alumna of the MSA program. She is a member of the IRS’ Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee and is currently serving a three year term as Vice President of the American Payroll Association.
Kogod’s faculty are real-world practitioners and cutting edge research scholars, who each bring their diverse accounting experiences to the classroom. MSA students benefit from small class sizes, which encourage effective and personal interaction among students and faculty. Kogod’s Tax Center provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in tax policy issues.
Degree Requirements Curriculum: BUSINESS FOUNDATION COURSES
30-37.5 credits (depending on prior coursework) Financial Accounting Management Accounting Applied Managerial Statistics Managerial Economics Financial Management
CORE ACCOUNTING CLASSES
Corporate Financial Reporting Cost Accounting Contemporary Assurance and Audit Services Tax Planning for Individuals & Business Business Law Seminar in Accounting Theory
ACCOUNTING ELECTIVES
Advanced Financial Accounting Accounting Information Systems Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting Forensic Accounting Advanced Forensic Accounting Federal Government Accounting International Accounting Financial Statement Analysis Advanced Audit and Professional Practice Modern Management Control Systems Ethics in Business and Accounting Wide selection of Tax Courses
FREE ELECTIVES
May be selected from graduate-level courses from other disciplines at American University
• Students with undergraduate accounting degrees can complete the program in one calendar year, by completing 15 graduate accounting hours and 15 hours of graduate electives. • Specializations may be added in Financial Reporting & Assurance, Taxation, or Forensic Accounting (planned).
Career Placement KOGOD CENTER Kogod’s Center for Career Development FOR CAREER (KCCD) is committed to helping MSA DEVELOPMENT students meet their career goals. Students benefit from KCCD’s one-on-one coaching, customized accounting and finance fairs, industry networking events, and on-campus recruiting by accounting firms. MSA’s are also encouraged to seek internships. PLACEMENT Accenture | CCH | Community Health Charities | Cotton & Co | Deloitte | Ernst & Young | FBI | Grant Thornton | IRS KPMG | PricewaterhouseCoopers | Raffa Raytheon | Reznick Group | SC&H United Rentals | U.S. Department of Treasury | U.S. Department of the Navy Watkins Meegan | World Bank
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20016-8044 202.885.1913 | kogodgrad@american.edu kogod.american.edu/accounting
FOR DEGREE SPECIFIC Emily Lindsay Executive-in-Residence INFORMATION Director, MSA | lindsay@american.edu
Engaged
Alumni & Students Andrew Clark, BSBA ‘10, MSA ‘11 Employer: PricewaterhouseCoopers, New York Kogod Activities: Accounting Club Vice President of Marketing, Education Assistant, Kogod Accounting Challenge Winner, Goodman Accounting Challenge Participant On his Kogod Experience: “My capacity to work as a member of a team has improved, which is an important skill as a professional in accounting and finance.” Sheran Deng, MSA ‘09 Employer: The World Bank, Washington, DC Kogod Activities: Case Competition Winner, Research Asst. On his Kogod Experience: “Accounting is more than just number crunching. Engaging in events and activities helps you to apply what you learn.” Amy Lessans, MSA December ‘11 Employer: Deloitte, Atlanta Kogod Activities: Research Asst., MSA Ambassador On her Kogod Experience: “I earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Communications from University of Michigan. I started to look into different programs, and AU was very conducive to students with liberal arts backgrounds. I felt that this was the best program for me. I only applied to Shalay Ward, MSA ‘11 Employer: KPMG, Washington, DC Kogod Activities: Accounting Club Member, Global Learning Trip to Brazil On her Kogod Experience: “The program gave me an opportunity to take specialized and technical accounting courses that I had not previously had the opportunity to take in my undergraduate studies.”
Students engage both in and out of the classroom. Kogod’s clubs and organizations allow students in the program to develop additional knowledge and skills while networking with other Kogod graduate students, business professionals, and potential employers.
KOGOD.AMERICAN.EDU/ACCOUNTING 4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW, WASHINGTON DC 20016 WEB SITE: KOGOD.AMERICAN.EDU | PHONE: 202.885.1913