KOGOD
MS ACCOUNTING
PUBLIC KOGOD
PRIVATE KOGOD GRADUATES KNOW the interconnectedness of business, government, and nonprofits, and possess a strong global awareness of the impact of business on individuals and cultures around the world.
THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
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 program is for students with an accounting background, and for those looking to switch career paths. 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. Students may select electives from 16 graduate accounting and tax courses, as well as finance, real estate, and other business courses. Graduates 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 is enriched by guest presentations and distinctive panels of 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.
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW »» American University’s Kogod School of Business is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; this represents the highest standard of achievement for a business school worldwide.
»» Kogod was ranked #15 in Accounting in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2013 Undergraduate Specialty rankings.
»» Students may pursue the MSA degree on a full- or parttime basis.
»» A Becker Fast Pass program is offered at Kogod during the summer term.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
30-37.5
GRADUATE CREDIT HOURS (DEPENDING ON PRIOR COURSEWORK)
BUSINESS FOUNDATION COURSES
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN FORENSIC ACCOUNTING This 12-credit-hour certificate (four courses) is designed for professionals looking to advance their career in forensic accounting, and those seeking to transition into this exciting field. The full certificate may be applied toward the MSA degree.
»» »» »» »»
Financial Accounting Management Accounting Applied Managerial Statistics Managerial Economics and Corporate Strategy »» Financial Management CORE ACCOUNTING CLASSES
»» Corporate Financial »» »» »» »» »» »»
Reporting: Financial Transactions Corporate Financial Reporting: Operations Cost Accounting for Strategic Management Contemporary Assurance and Audit Services Tax Planning for Individuals and Business Business Law Seminar in Accounting Theory
»» Advanced Financial Reporting
»» Ethics in Business and Accounting
»» Federal Accounting »» Financial Statement Analysis »» Forensic Accounting: »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »»
Fraud Examination & Litigation Support Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting International Accounting IT Audit and Risk Management Legislative and Judicial Foundations of Income Tax State and Local Tax Tax Research and Procedure Taxation of Corporations Taxation of Pass-Through Entities13 Tax Courses: corporate, partnerships, estate, SALT, research, etc.
ACCOUNTING ELECTIVES
»» Accounting Information
FREE BUSINESS ELECTIVES
Systems »» Advanced Forensic Accounting »» Advanced Auditing and Professional Practice
May be selected from finance, real estate, and other business graduate-level courses.
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW »» 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.
»» American University undergraduates admitted to the combined BS/MS Accounting program may apply up to nine approved credit hours toward fulfillment of the requirements for both degrees.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The Kogod Center for Career Development (KCCD) is committed to helping MSA students meet their career goals. Students benefit from KCCD’s one-on-one coaching, customized industry and networking events, including the Accounting & Finance Day, and on-campus recruiting.
TOP MSA EMPLOYERS 2013
ARONSON LLC; THE CARLYLE GROUP; DELOITTE; EY; FANNIE MAE; FARMERS INSURANCE; FTI CONSULTING; IMPAQ INTERNATIONAL; IMPERIUM; KPMG; MCGLADREY; PRIMATICS FINANCIAL; PWC; RAFFA; WATKINS MEEGAN
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY
CASEY EVANS, MSA Faculty Program Director, Executive-in-Residence Evans is an alumna of the MSA program (MSA ’01) and 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, and Advanced Forensic Accounting. In 2012 and 2014, she was recognized as Kogod’s Outstanding Undergraduate Professor of the Year. She also received American University’s award for Outstanding Teaching in a Term-Faculty Appointment in 2014. GOPAL KRISHNAN, Accounting Department Chair, Professor Krishnan is a Chartered Accountant, CPA, CMA, and a Certified Information Systems Auditor. He is an expert in the areas of auditor independence and audit quality, corporate governance and earnings management, taxes and financial reporting, international financial reporting, and business ethics. He has published more than 50 articles in prestigious accounting and finance journals. He teaches Corporate Financial Reporting, and the Seminar in Accounting Theory. EMILY LINDSAY, Executive-in-Residence
Lindsay has more than 20 years of professional accounting experience with Marriott International and the Government Accountability Office, and is an MSA alumna. She served on three national advisory committees to the IRS, is currently Vice President of the American Payroll Association, and serves on the Board of the Greater Washington Society of CPAs. She was recognized as Kogod’s Outstanding Undergraduate Professor of the Year in 2010 and 2011. She teaches Corporate Financial Reporting. 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 award-winning 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.
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW »» Kogod’s faculty are real-world practitioners and cuttingedge research scholars who 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.
»» The Kogod Tax Center provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in tax policy issues.
SUCCESSFUL ALUMNI
RICHA KUMRA, MSA ’14 Employer: Freddie Mac, McLean, VA Kogod Activities: Education Assistant, Business Analyst Intern at Office of Information Technology, Teaching Assistant, Accounting Club
On his Kogod Experience: “The faculty at Kogod is very approachable, has hands on experience of the business world and is inspiring. Being an International student, the networking opportunities I got at Kogod were very helpful to me in finding summer internship, as well as a full-time job.”
LORRAINE PASCUAL, BSBA ‘09, MSA ‘14
On her Kogod Experience:
Employer: KPMG, Boston, MA Kogod Activities: Kogod Accounting Club (grad and undergrad), Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity (undergrad)
“Returning to Kogod for my Master’s degree was one of the best decisions of my life. The MSA program and faculty helped me to discover skills and capabilities I never knew I possessed.”
ALEX MARSHALL, BSBA ’12, MSA ‘13 Employer: FTI Consulting, Washington D.C. Kogod Activities: Kogod Accounting Club, Teaching Assistant, Washington Initiative Community Tax Aid Program
MIA ROSEN, BSBA ‘13, MSA ‘14 Employer: CohnReznick, Bethesda, MD Kogod Activities: American University Varsity Women’s Lacrosse, Beta Gamma Sigma member, Accounting Club mentor
On his Kogod Experience: “I decided to obtain my graduate degree from Kogod because I was confident that the [KCCD] would provide me job opportunities that other business schools could not. The KCCD, as well as the experience and dedication that the faculty brings to this program, are what distinguish Kogod from other reputable business schools.”
On her Kogod Experience: “Learning was not confined to the classroom with the many opportunities Kogod gave students to interact with professional experts. Kogod not only prepared me to be an effective individual in the work place, but an effective team member as well.”
TO VIEW MORE ALUMNI PROFILES VISIT KOGOD.AMERICAN.EDU/MSA
KOGOD GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Submit your online application and view application requirements at kogod.american.edu/apply All applicants are required to submit a GMAT or GRE score. Individual degree programs may offer test optional admission or waiver of the examination per the requirements detailed on the individual program webpages. Visit kogod.american.edu/admissions for more information.
SPRING 2015 DEADLINES MS admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis
NOV 15 DEC 10 2014 INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT DEADLINE
2014 FINAL DOMESTIC APPLICANT DEADLINE
FALL 2015 DEADLINES MS admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis
FEB 20 MAY 1 2015 INTERNATIONAL & SCHOLARSHIP PRIORITY DEADLINE
2015 FINAL SCHOLARSHIP CONSIDERATION DEADLINE
APPLICATIONS FOR THE MSA PROGRAM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 15.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kogod Graduate Admissions American University’s Kogod School of Business 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Room 115 Washington, DC 20016-8044 Casey Evans, MSA Faculty Program Director, Executive-in-Residence PHONE 202 885 6675 E-MAIL cdevans@american.edu WEBSITE kogod.american.edu/MSA E-MAIL kogodgrad@american.edu OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS 202 885 1913 DIRECTIONS kogod.american.edu/visit
FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE ACCREDITATION AND STATE LICENSING OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, PLEASE VISIT WWW.AMERICAN.EDU/ACADEMICS
CONCEPT & DESIGN BY DESIGN ARMY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CADE MARTIN
COPY BY PAULA WHEELER
ALL INDIVIDUALS PHOTOGRAPHED ARE MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
NOTES
4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20016 WEBSITE: KOGOD.AMERICAN.EDU TELEPHONE: 202 885 1913