Santa Clara University

Course Descriptions

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

•    Accounting (ACTG)
•    Economics (ECON)
•    Finance (FNCE)
•    Management (MGMT)
•    Marketing (MKTG)
•    Operations and Management Information Systems (OMIS)
•    Management Information Systems (MSIS)
•    Interdisciplinary Courses (IDIS)
•    One-unit Courses

ACCOUNTING (ACTG)

Professor:  Paul L. Locatelli, S.J.
Associate Professors:  Michael J. Calegari (Chair), Michael J. Eames, Suzanne M. Luttman, Susan Parker, Jane A. Ou, James F. Sepe, Neal L. Ushman
Assistant Professor:  Yongtae Kim

Santa Clara University declares its purpose to be the education of the human person within the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. Within the framework of this overall mission, the Department of Accounting aspires to develop the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that graduates will need to succeed as competent, ethical professionals in the practice of accounting and as decision makers in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations.

Note: The following courses are required of all MBA students. Please see Waiver Rules (page 32).

ACTG 300. Financial Accounting
Introduces the roles, concepts, principles, legal requirements , and impacts of external financial reporting.  The course covers the basic financial statements and the analysis and recording of transactions, with a focus towards interpretation of reported results. The course covers the more common and significant transactions impacting firms. Prerequisite: None (3 units)

ACTG 302. Managerial Accounting
Focused study of issues relating to the measurement, analysis and dissemination of financial and non-financial information to enhance the fulfillment of organizational objectives.  This course considers accounting systems for planning, control, and decision making, and includes topics in relevant costing, cost behavior analyses, inventory costing systems, budgeting, activity based costing, and performance evaluation. Prerequisite: ACTG 300. (3 units) 

Note: The following courses are offered as electives and/or as part of a concentration.

ACTG 303. Corporate Financial Reporting
An in-depth study of the concepts underlying external financial reporting, along with expanded coverage of the basic financial statements. Detailed analysis of the measurement and reporting of assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, and related revenues and expenses. The course takes a decision-making perspective by framing the financial reporting function of accounting in the context of the decision-support role it services. Prerequisite: ACTG 300.  (3 units)

ACTG 309. Seminar in International Accounting
Financial reporting issues facing entities conducting business or raising capital in foreign countries. Comparative financial accounting and reporting systems; multinational financial disclosure; selected technical issues including foreign exchange accounting, international transfer pricing, and accounting for inflation; international aspects of managerial accounting and auditing; international accounting organizations; and efforts toward harmonizing accounting standards.  Prerequisite: FNCE 451.  (3 units)

ACTG 311. Management Accounting: Incentives and Performance Measurement
Analysis of accounting systems for planning, control, and decision making. Firm behavior is viewed as the aggregation of individual behavior. The course emphasizes the interaction of organizational structure, performance measurement, and compensation contracts. Selected topics include budgeting, variance analysis, transfer pricing, and performance metrics such as Economic Value Added. Prerequisite: ACTG 300.  (3 units)

ACTG 313. Management Accounting: Strategic Cost Management
Intensive analysis of cost accounting with an emphasis on cost identification for strategic decision making and cost management. Selected topics include activity-based costing, allocation of joint costs, target costing, value chain analysis, and the Theory of Constraints.  Prerequisite: ACTG 300.  (3 units)

ACTG 317. Taxation and Personal Business Strategy
Builds a strong foundation of basic principles, transactions, and concepts for the taxation of individuals.  Includes analysis of various tax policies and procedures and their economic impact.  Does not include coverage of the taxation of business entities (e.g., corporations).  Assists in providing the competitive advantage that comes from understanding the importance of tax provisions applicable to successful personal tax planning and minimization. Prerequisite: ACTG 300. (3 units)

ACTG 319. Financial Statement Analysis
Analysis of financial statements and footnotes. Focus on (1) developing a framework that interprets financial statements as a reflection of a company’s industry, business strategy, and competitive environment; and (2) showing how decision makers can use financial data to evaluate a company’s performance, liquidity, solvency, and valuation. Prerequisite: FNCE 451.  (3 units)

ACTG 321. Fundamental Value Analysis
This course provides a framework for forecasting financial statements and using these forecasts to determine the fundamental value of the company. Emphasis on relating a firm’s business strategy, growth prospects, and the sustainability of its competitive advantage into its financial ratios and intrinsic value. Prerequisite: FNCE 451.  (3 units)

ACTG 696. Experimental Course
Covers special topics; offered on an occasional basis.  (3 units)

ACTG 851. Accounting Practices for Effective Decisions
Introduces the roles, concepts, principles, legal requirements, and impacts of external financial reporting.  Covers the basic financial statements and the analysis and recording of transactions, with a focus towards interpretation of reported results.  Also covers the more common and significant transactions impacting firms. Continues with a focused study of issues relating to the measurement, analysis and dissemination of financial and non-financial information to enhance the fulfillment of organizational objectives.  Considers accounting systems for planning, control, and decision making, and includes topics in relevant costing, cost behavior analyses, inventory costing systems, budgeting, activity based costing, and performance evaluation. (6 units) Open only to WAMBA program students.