Department of Accounting & Finance
Chairperson: Dr. Hari Sharma
Location: Singleton Hall, Room 101
Contact Information: 804-524-5842 | hsharma@vsu.edu
Department Overview
The Department of Accounting and Finance offers a program of study to prepare students for professional accounting and finance careers in public, private and nonprofit organizations. The programs of study also prepare students for graduate study and for professional certifications.
The Department of Accounting and Finance offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting. The Department offers minors in Accounting and in Finance comprising of 18 semester hours for each minor.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Accounting and Finance is to cultivate knowledgeable, ethical, and career-ready professionals equipped to excel in a dynamic global economy. Through rigorous academic instruction, experiential learning, and co-curricular engagement, the department prepares students for successful careers in public, private, and nonprofit sectors, as well as for graduate study and professional certification.
Emphasizing analytical thinking, effective communication, research, and financial acumen, the department fosters a deep understanding of financial management, accounting standards, and regulatory frameworks. We are committed to developing leaders who contribute meaningfully to the financial integrity and economic advancement of their communities.
Degree Highlight Information
Our graduates earn positions in professional accounting and finance areas at public, private and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, many of our students go on to graduate school and/or pursue professional certifications.
Students' oral and written communication skills as well as research skills are refined while accruing a broad understanding of financial management of profit and not-for-profit organizations. Our graduates depart with an understanding of accounting guidelines and regulations.
Our students are encouraged to get involved in extracurricular activities to support their academic goals. We offer memberships in The Virginia State University Chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and the Financial Management Association (FMA). The department has Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) that provides students experiential learning opportunities for college of business students. Students have hands on experience as well as opportunities to receive financial support through internships and scholarships available for qualified students.
Accreditation Information
In December of 2006, all programs offered in the College of Business were accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), International. Since then, we have maintained AACSB accreditation and the most recent reaccreditation was in 2021. AACSB accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide.
Department Goals
In the Accounting Program, we prepare students with the following:
- Experiential Learning - Accounting majors will participate in job shadowing, internships, service learning projects, and international business-related activities during the junior and senior years.
- Employment - Accounting graduates will be prepared to seek employment in the area of accounting upon the completion of the degree.
- Scholarly Activities - Accounting faculty will be engaged in scholarly activities on an ongoing basis.
- Innovative Teaching - Accounting faculty will implement research-based teaching strategies in class.
Program Listings
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting
The Accounting Program equips students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate the complex, data-driven world of financial management and reporting within a global economy. Students develop a broad understanding of the financial operations of both profit and not-for-profit organizations, gaining fluency in accounting principles, financial regulations, and ethical standards. Emphasis is placed on strengthening oral and written communication, critical thinking, and research capabilities—skills essential to success in the professional accounting and finance landscape.
Course Requirements: Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or higher in all Accounting courses.
ACCT 200. Introd Finc & Managerial Acct. (3 Credits)
A nontechnical introduction to the principles of financial and managerial accounting with emphasis on the use and interpretation of financial reports, managerial planning and control. The course is for the individual who seeks a basic knowledge of accounting and its uses. It is designed for the user of accounting information rather than the preparer. This course cannot be substituted for COBU 201 or 202 for business majors. Prerequisite: None.
ACCT 201. Introductory Accounting I. (3 Credits)
This course is a study of fundamental principles of financial accounting as applied to the contemporary business environment. Problems of measuring and reporting income, assets, liabilities, and equity as shown on financial statements are discussed. Prerequisite: COBU 101 and MATH 120 or equivalent.
ACCT 202. Introductory Accounting II. (3 Credits)
This course is a study of introductory management accounting principles as applied to the competitive business environment. Emphasis is on using data from an organization’s management information system to formulate and implement business strategy. Prerequisite: ACCT 201 or COBU 201.
ACCT 301. Intermediate Accounting I. (3 Credits)
The course provides an in-depth study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to business entities. Emphasis is on data analytics and visualization tools for financial statement analysis and presentation. Prerequisite: COBU 201 and COBU 202.
ACCT 302. Intermediate Accounting II. (3 Credits)
Continuation of ACCT 301. This course provides an in-dept study of generally accepted accounting principles as they relate to special topics of business entities. Emphasis is on data analytics and visualization tools for financial statement analysis and presentation. Prerequisite: ACCT 301.
ACCT 306. Cost Accounting. (3 Credits)
This course studies cost accumulation of inventory, income determination, and special topics using cost accounting systems. The focus is on using data analytics and visualization tools to measure and present cost analysis. Prerequisite: COBU 201 and COBU 202.
ACCT 307. Federal Income Tax I. (3 Credits)
This course studies how federal income tax principles apply to and affect individual taxpayers and corporations. Prerequisite: COBU 201 and COBU 202.
ACCT 308. Federal Income Tax II. (3 Credits)
This course studies advanced topics in how federal income tax principles apply to and affect individuals, corporation, and other business entities. Prerequisite: COBU 201 and COBU 202.
ACCT 315. Accounting Information Sys. (3 Credits)
This course focuses on understanding, designing, and controlling accounting information systems. Emphasis is on equipping students with the latest data analytics systems for analyzing and reporting of financial data. Prerequisite: COBU 201 and COBU 202.
ACCT 375. Internship in Accounting. (3 Credits)
The internship course allows students to obtain practical work experience in accounting positions under supervised conditions. The internship provides real-world application of accounting education under the critical supervision of an on-site administrator and an accounting faculty member. Prerequisites: ACCT 302.
ACCT 403. Advanced Accounting. (3 Credits)
The financial accounting issues related to consolidations, partnerships, foreign currency translations, hedging and segment reporting are examined. Prerequisite: ACCT 302.
ACCT 406. Advanced Cost Accounting. (3 Credits)
This course covers selected topics in management accounting, such as responsibility accounting, transfer pricing, JIT manufacturing, activity-based costing, and relevant costs for special decisions. Ethical and international aspects of management accounting are also discussed. Prerequisite: ACCT 306.
ACCT 407. Auditing. (3 Credits)
The analysis and application of the theory and techniques of auditing principles and procedures, with emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of the auditor. Prerequisite: ACCT 302.
ACCT 408. Accounting Data Analytics. (3 Credits)
This course examines how business financial and non-financial data connect with and to business financial performance. The focus of this course will be to use data analytics and software packages to assess, gain insights, and predict trends in financial performance. In the application of data science, students who are successful in this course will understand and model how that data interact using computer databases, programming, statistics and visual analytics to enable a business enterprise to forecast performance, optimize operations and develop business strategy. Prerequisite: ACCT 315.
ACCT 410. Forensic Accounting. (3 Credits)
Fraud and abuse are costly, pervasive problems in business, nonprofit and government organizations. This course introduces a specialty field in accounting, the practice of which utilizes accounting, audition and investigative skills to provide support in legal matters. Prerequisites: ACCT 302.
ACCT 411. Seminar Acct Theory & Prac. (3 Credits)
This course is designed to investigate contemporary accounting theories and applications in the various areas of accounting to include financial, managerial, cost and auditing. Students will be exposed to pronouncements issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Security Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the International Accounting Standards Board, and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Prerequisite: ACCT 302.
ACCT 415. Govt'L & Not-For-Profit Acct. (3 Credits)
The course is a study of accounting principles and their application for governmental and not-for-profit agencies/organizations and their related financial reporting and disclosure requirements. The objectives of financial reporting for these entities and the theoretical structure underlying these principles will be examined. Prerequisite: ACCT 302.
ACCT 495. Special Topics In Accounting. (1-3 Credits)
The course offers selected special topics in accounting, which may include: ethics and professionalism, EDP auditing, accounting history, international accounting, and other appropriate subjects. Prerequisite: ACCT 302 or permission of the instructor.
FINC 301. Principles of Real Estate. (3 Credits)
Emphasis in this course is on the economic and social aspects of real estate-markets, property rights, contracts, deeds, property ownership, insurance, management and planning for the future.
FINC 305. Personal Finance Management. (3 Credits)
Principles and methods of managing personal income, wealth and credit are examined. Included are sources and uses of funds, budgeting, taxation, insurance, time value of money, estate planning and retirement planning.
FINC 309. Principles of Finance. (3 Credits)
Students are exposed to the field of finance including financial concepts, financial analysis, decision involving long-term assets, sources and forms of long-term financing, international financial markets and issues, as well as selected ethical and social issues related to finance. Prerequisites: ACCT 200 or permission of the instrctor.
FINC 380. Student Managed Invest Fund. (3 Credits)
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of portfolio management principles to manage he Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF). Emphasis is placed on the practical application of investment strategies through the management of an actual investment fund. Students will analyze financial markets, conduct research, and make investment decisions related to equity portfolio in a realworld setting. Topics include fundamental analysis financial modeling, risk assessment and the development of investment strategies. Prerequisites: COBU 300.
FINC 400. Corporate Finance. (3 Credits)
Students learn the concepts critical to the financial manager in a contemporary environment, including risk valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital, capital structure, long-term financing, derivative securities, as well as topics of special interest like mergers and acquisitions, lease financing, and working capital management. Prerequisite: COBU 300.
FINC 415. International Financial Manage. (3 Credits)
The course deals with an in-depth analysis of risks of financing foreign operations and the management of international assets as viewed by multinational financial managers. It concentrates on the development of risk management policies that are appropriate for the multinational firm. Prerequisite: COBU 300.
FINC 446. Entrepreneurial Finance. (3 Credits)
The course examines small business start-up management with emphasis on financial decision-making for entrepreneurs, and the functions of investment banking institutions as they relate to small business capital acquisition and management. Also included are legal concerns and strategies for minority start- up ventures. The case study method will be used. Prerequisite: COBU 300.
FINC 450. Investments. (3 Credits)
This course examines the various types of securities, valuation models for bonds, stocks, and options, security markets, and theories of portfolio management. Special emphasis is placed on common stock portfolios. Prerequisite: COBU 300 or FINC 309 or permission of the instructor.
FINC 460. Invet Analysis & Portfolio Mgm. (3 Credits)
The course provides an in-depth analysis of fixed-income securities and markets. Financial theories are applied to the construction of fixed-income security portfolios. Topics include duration, convexity, realized compound yield, mortgage-backed securities, interest-rate swaps, bond immunization, and interest-rate futures and options. Prerequisite: FINC 450.
FINC 465. Mgmt Financial Institutions. (3 Credits)
Students are exposed to the analysis of the management of financial institutions, including the management of asset and liability structures, control of financial operations, and the effect of regulations on financial management practices. Prerequisite: COBU 300.
FINC 472. Risk Management & Insurance. (3 Credits)
This is a study of the insurance industry, the different forms of insurance coverage, and an analysis of the concept of risk. The course examines risk management techniques to neutralize the effect of risk inherent in daily life. Prerequisite: COBU 300.