MSA/MSF Dual Degree (Archive 2018-2019)

Suffolk’s MSA/MSF is a unique dual degree program that prepares you for leadership roles in accounting and financial management. The curriculum addresses concepts in a global context, while emphasizing the topic matters necessary to sit for the CPA exam, the FRM exam, and the level-one CFA exam in Massachusetts.

As a graduate, you’ll be well-prepared for a career in accounting areas such as public accounting, and corporate or not-for-profit controllership, as well as finance areas such as corporate finance, risk management, or investments.

STEM Classification

The MSA/MSF is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.

Master of Science in Accounting/Master of Science in Finance Archive 2018-2019

Curriculum

18-24 Courses
50-68 Credits

Program Length
Full-time: 16 to 28 months
Part-time: 33 to 46 months

Required Introductory Courses (2 credits)

Must be taken on campus in first semester of program.

Credits:

1.00

Description:

SBS 700 is the first required course in Suffolk's graduate programs. The course is based on the precepts of experiential learning. Based on the idea that people learn best by participating in meaningful activities, this course provides students with the opportunity to learn about and experience first-hand the many complexities of business and the role of top managers. To accomplish this, students will work in small groups as they take on the roles of top managers in a hands-on behavioral simulation.

Prerequisites:

MSF and MSFSB students only;

Credits:

1.00

Description:

This is a boot camp-style course which introduces students to the basic concepts of math, statistics, accounting, and finance. Given the technical nature of modern finance, this course is designed to prepare students for the challenges of taking advanced finance courses. The course is based on lectures, problem solving, and discussion of concepts.

Management Preparation (9 credits)

May be waived. Must be taken or waived prior to enrolling in Finance core courses.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This course is required for MSA and MSF students and it is also a recommended elective for MBA students with a finance concentration. This course develops an understanding of the concepts, tools, and applications of economics at both the micro and macro level. The focus is on how economic analysis influences decision-making in the public and private sectors and how economic tools can enhance managerial effectiveness and organizational efficiency. The economic role of government and its impact on the business environment in a market economy, the factors that influence firm performance and competitiveness, and the role of financial institutions in the current economic environment are discussed throughout the course.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This course introduces students to the concepts and applications of data analytics on large data sets for managerial decision making. Students will learn foundation skills needed to extract valuable information out of data, including various descriptive and predictive analytics techniques. Students develop knowledge of data visualization and interpretation coupled with conveying data, results and insights. Issues on data acquisition, storage and management will be discussed.

Prerequisites:

1 course from each of the following groups: MBA-615 or SBS-603; MBA-625 or SBS-604; MBA-640 or ACCT-800; These courses may be taken prior to or concurrently with MBA-650.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This course introduces the basic principles of corporate finance. The main focus is on fundamental principles such as time value of money, asset valuation, and risk and return tradeoff. Topics to be covered also include cost of capital, capital budgeting, and capital structure.

MSA Preparation Courses (9 credits)

May be waived.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This introductory-level accounting course provides students with a solid base in accounting fundamentals, including U.S. GAAP, the conceptual framework, nature of accounts, journal entries, and ultimately, financial statements. Provides in-depth coverage of the process by which accountants analyze, journalize, post, and summarize transactions. Reviews and analyzes multiple examples of current "real life" financial statements. The students would practice data analytics through the analysis of companies' financial ratios. The course includes a discussion of ethical issues facing accounting professionals and time value of money techniques. For MSA, GCA, & MST students, this is the first course in the financial accounting sequence. For MBA students, this potential elective course builds upon concepts learned in MBA 640.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Examines the concepts and practices of cost measurement: variable costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, goal setting and performance monitoring, standard costing, and variance analysis. Students learn how to prepare a financial plan for a business by constructing operating, working capital, and capital budgets. Students study and practice Excel skills and how those are used to build a financial plan, analyze the sensitivity of the financial plan to different changes, examine performance, and measure and control overhead costs. Students study data analytics techniques and perform analyses in support of decisions, such as pricing, setting product line and customer profitability policy, sourcing of products and services, and matching costing systems to strategy. For MSA, GCA, & MST students this is the first managerial accounting course you will take. For MBA students, this potential elective course builds upon concepts learned in MBA 640.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Examines the philosophy and practice of substantive law affecting the formation, operation and discharge of commercial transactions, contracts, and business associations. Topics include: agency, partnership, corporation and trust forms of association. Considers aspects of property law and international dimensions.

MSA Core Courses (18 credits)

If course is "must substitute," select an elective following the rules outlined in the Elective Curses section.

Prerequisites:

ACCT-800 or MSA Program Director permission

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This is the first of two intermediate-level accounting courses that build on students' learning in ACCT 800, going in-depth into measurement and reporting of asset, liability, and stockholders' equity accounts for external financial reporting purposes. Discusses pronouncements of authoritative sources such as the SEC, AICPA, and the FASB. Introduces students to IFRS and their similarities to and differences from U.S. GAAP. Develops strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Prerequisites:

ACCT-801 or MSA Program Director permission

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This is the second of two intermediate-level accounting courses. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed in ACCT 801 are broadened as this class tackles more complex accounting concepts, including: dilutive securities, earnings per share, investments, revenue recognition, income tax accounting, pensions and leases. Since accounting for many of these areas has been a source of substantial debate and major revisions in recent years, subject matter covered will be topical. Pertinent pronouncements of standard-setting bodies continue to be studied.

Prerequisites:

ACCT-800 or MBA-640

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Introduces the field of auditing, with a concentration in auditing historical financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and some exposure to auditing the internal control over financial reporting of large public companies. Covers the environment, standards, regulation, and law of auditing in the US, with some exposure to the international environment. Covers audit planning, risk, and materiality assessments, audit evidence, evaluation of internal control, documentation, and audit reports. Includes researching and resolving practice-oriented problems and practice in using computer-assisted audit techniques and electronic confirmations.

Prerequisites:

ACCT-800 or MBA-640

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Describes various transaction processing cycles and their use in the structured analysis and design of accounting information systems. Students gain an understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning softwares, Quickbooks, database design, XBRL, implementations of internal controls, and privacy and data security issues.

Prerequisites:

ACCT-800 or MBA-640

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Imparts an understanding of differences among nations in approaches to disclosure and choices of accounting measurement systems. Students learn about the influence of the IASB and IOSCO on multinational accounting harmonization, contrasting historical cost/purchasing power accounting with other accounting approaches, including current value accounting. Students will assess how differences in industrial and ownership structures affect accounting performance measurement. Students will also analyze risk management, accounting for derivative contracts, consolidation accounting, budgetary control, and transfer pricing in a multinational company.

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Focuses on the federal income taxation of individuals with some discussion of business taxation. Explores the basic structure of individual income taxation, including the individual tax formula, income, deductions, and credits, and provides an introduction to property transactions. Emphasizes how tax laws affect everyday personal and business decisions.

MSF Core Courses (15 credits)

ACCT 824 may be substituted for FIN 800 with MSF Program Director Approval. MSF core courses must be taken on campus unless permission to take online granted by Academic Program Director.

Prerequisites:

MBA 650

Credits:

3.00

Description:

An in-depth analysis of financial statements, this course is designed to help investors and managers in their assessment of business entity. This course also analyzes financial services industry: bank financial statement analysis with an emphasis on off- balance sheet lending and borrowing, capital structure issues, and innovations in mortgage-backed securities and asset-based financing techniques are covered. Additionally, the tax implications of various derivative securities is studied.

Prerequisites:

Take MBA 650

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This course extends the body of knowledge acquired in MBA 650. Students expand knowledge of dividend theory, capital structure theory, capital budgeting, long-term financing decisions, cash management and corporate restructuring, market efficiency, and risk and liability management.

Prerequisites:

MBA-650

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Students examine markets for investment procedures, valuation models, basic analytical techniques, and factors influencing risk/return tradeoffs. This course emphasizes the professional approach to managing investment assets. A variety of investment vehicles are discussed, including stocks, bonds, options, and futures.

Prerequisites:

MBA-650

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Students explore the pricing of options and futures contracts, the characteristics of the markets in which these contracts are traded, options and futures strategies, and the application of these contracts in the hedging of financial positions. In addition, students are exposed to swap markets and a variety of swaps.

Prerequisites:

MBA-650

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Students are introduced to mathematical statistics and basic econometrics. They study fundamental econometric tools as well as hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, linear regressions, simultaneous equations, and models of qualitative choice.

Elective Courses (9 credits)

If your program allows you only three (3) electives they must be approved MSF electives, taken on campus unless permission to take online granted by Academic Program Director. If you received any “must substitute” under the MSA Core Courses section of this document, your fourth elective must be an ACCT course, your fifth elective must be a TAX course, and your sixth elective can be any course from the Approved MSA Electives list.

Capstone Courses (6 credits)

Courses should be taken as late in the program as possible.

Prerequisites:

ACCT-802, ACCT-805, and ACCT-865 (previously or concurrently) or program director approval

Credits:

3.00

Description:

This student driven course develops professional and leadership skills that are needed to serve effectively as senior financial professionals in a challenging global economy. In this course students develop their independent learning and research proficiencies by investigating developing areas of accounting practice. Students broaden their appreciation of the accountant's role as a business advisor by examining current challenges for the accounting profession, considering the impact that professional activities have on various stakeholders, and how responsibilities of the profession are evolving in response. Students will develop their awareness of the activities of policy makers and standard setters such as the SEC, FASB, and AICPA. Finally, students develop their effectiveness as professional colleagues throughout the semester by actively working on their professional skill set including: data analytics, business writing, oral presentations, team building, and leadership.

Prerequisites:

Take FIN-808, FIN-810, and FIN-814. (FIN-814 can be taken concurrently)

Credits:

3.00

Description:

Students examine financial theories, techniques, and models applied to the study of corporate financial decisions, aspects of corporate strategy, industry structure, and the functioning of capital markets.

Advising

Upon enrollment, students are assigned an academic advisor from both the Accounting and Finance Departments. Students are encouraged to discuss their academic interests and goals with their assigned academic advisor, especially when choosing electives. The MSA and MSF Programs Offices are also available to help with any questions or concerns.

Waiver Policy

Management Preparation Courses may be waived with credit. MSA Preparation Courses may be waived with credit. MSA Core Courses may be waived with substitution of an elective. All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student’s acceptance into the MSA/MSF Program and are waived during the student’s first semester.

To waive a Management Preparation Course, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSA/MSF matriculation, with a grade of “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). To waive an MSA Preparation Course, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the five (5) years prior to MSA/MSF matriculation, with a grade of “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).

All MSA/MSF students must complete a minimum of 50 credits (16 courses, SBS 700, and FIN 601) in the Sawyer Business School.

Transfer Credit Policy

For any candidate seeking transfer credits, courses taken at the graduate level from an AACSB-accredited graduate program in business, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree.

Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and be taken within five (5) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSA/MSF program. However, at the discretion of the program director, MSA Core Courses or MSF Core Courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. A maximum of six (6) credits of Elective, MSA Core, or MSF Core Courses may be considered for transfer.