Bachelor of Science in Accounting

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting (B.S.) degree combines a general background in business with nine upper level accounting courses to provide for successful entry into the accounting profession. There are two tracks available: the professional accounting track or the accounting information systems track. The professional accounting track is geared toward accounting or auditing in industry, government or professional service firms. The accounting information systems track is focused on the design, implementation and utilization of accounting information systems. The B.S. degree in accounting also prepares students for entry into the professional program leading to a Master of Accounting degree.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a 131-unit program. The curricular requirements fall into two parts: lower division (first and second years) and upper division (third and fourth years).

In the first two years, accounting students share with all business students a curriculum designed primarily to provide a sound general education in basic liberal arts subjects. In the last two years, the students devote their study to business and accounting subjects (choosing either professional accounting or an emphasis in accounting information systems).

Admission

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is granted through the Marshall School of Business. In order for students to develop a sound liberal arts foundation and to encourage an exploration of a wide range of majors, freshmen, except as noted below, are not generally admitted directly to the Marshall School of Business or the Leventhal School of Accounting. Usually, students are admitted to the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as “pre-business” majors, although this is not a prerequisite for admission to the business school in the junior year.

All pre-business majors are expected to complete at least one prerequisite requirement each semester until admitted to the Marshall School of Business. Students who fail to do so may be prevented from registering for future semesters until they meet with an academic advisor. Pre-business students are also expected to begin their math requirements during their freshman year and, at the very least, complete MATH 117 by the end of the first year with a grade of C or better. Students who successfully complete the prerequisites (WRIT 140; MATH 117, 118, 218; ECON 203 and 205; and ITP 101x) with a minimum GPA of 3.25 (A = 4.0) and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 can apply for the business major and will be accepted to the program. Students who do not meet the criteria will not necessarily be denied admission. Other factors, such as leadership, community service, work experience and involvement in extracurricular activities, are taken into consideration.

A student applying directly to the Marshall School of Business as a transfer from another institution will be more competitive with a 3.0 GPA. Transfer students will be admissible without having completed the equivalent of MATH 218 since most colleges do not offer this course. These students will be expected to complete this course during their first semester of enrollment.

All questions regarding eligibility, admissions criteria or the admissions process should be directed to the Marshall School of Business Admissions Office, Bridge Hall 105, (213) 740-8885.

Students who have not been admitted to the Marshall School of Business may complete a maximum of 20 business units at USC. No further business courses may be taken until admitted. Students who complete the maximum number of units without gaining admission to the school will be advised to select another major.

Students are encouraged to consult the school’s Undergraduate Student Services Office, Accounting 101, for advisement and assistance in planning a program that will satisfy both sets of general education requirements and prerequisites required for admission.

Accounting and Business Scholars Programs

The Accounting and Business Scholars Program allows certain students to be admitted directly into the school as freshmen. Admission to this program is based on scholastic merit reflected in combined SAT scores and high school GPA. Students qualifying for admission to this program are notified by letter following submission of their normal USC application, where business or accounting was indicated as their intended major. Students admitted through this program are permitted to take certain business courses in their freshman and sophomore years.

Honors Program

The honors program is available to majors in business or accounting with senior status and results in a special designation of departmental honors on a student’s transcript. Admission to the program requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.3 and completion of at least 32 units of BUAD courses with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Successful completion of the program requires four units of BUAD 491 Honors Seminar (2 units each semester emphasizing a special topic in business) and maintenance of a minimum GPA of 3.5 in Marshall School of Business or Leventhal School of Accounting courses. For additional information, contact an academic advisor in the Marshall School of Business Student Affairs Office, Bridge Hall 104, (213) 740-0690.

Advisement

Academic advisement is provided through the Leventhal School of Accounting Student Services Office in Accounting 101, (213) 740-4838. Pre-business and business students will be required to meet with an academic advisor before registering and this requirement will be in effect until 24 USC units are completed. However, all students are encouraged to see an academic advisor on a regular basis. A record of each student is kept on file. Appointments for advisement may be scheduled at most times during the academic year. However, during busy times such as the preregistration, registration and drop/add periods, advisors may be available on a walk-in basis only.

Business Link Programs

The Marshall School of Business recognizes the importance of integrating education with experience. The Business Link Program provides accounting and business undergraduates with assistance in finding internships, focusing on career issues and obtaining guidance from successful alumni. Students who actively participate in business link programs maximize their opportunities for professional development and employment after graduation.

Internships have become an important part of successful career paths in the 1990s. Interns meet potential employers, develop a knowledge of exciting career fields, acquire a maturity of outlook and the experience that is sought by America’s most prestigious firms. Interns must be enrolled in the business school and must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or better to participate.

Students who take an active part in the Career Advantage Program, a mentoring program, are teamed with a small group of other students and an executive “coach” for career guidance and networking support. These students enter the job market after graduation with important networking skills and extended knowledge of the variety of career possibilities that business and industry have to offer.

In addition to these programs, Business Link offers students assistance in developing and enhancing resumes and cover letters, guidance in exploring career possibilities, support and direction in industry and company research, and interviewing techniques. For further information, contact Business Link, Bridge Hall 100-D, (213) 740-5705.

Registration

Students may register for business courses directly by using the Touch-Tone system, according to their scheduled appointment times. Appointment times are based on class standing, i.e., seniors have the first opportunity to register for a course. Therefore, it is important that admitted students register as soon as their appointment time allows or their priority standing will be lost.

There is a high demand for all required business classes as well as many electives. As a result, the Marshall School of Business maintains wait lists for all classes. Students may be put on this wait list in Bridge Hall 104. However, students may not be on a wait list for one section of a course and enroll in another section of the same course. It should be noted that being on a wait list does not guarantee a seat in a class. Therefore, students are strongly advised to register in an open class whenever possible.

Many required core classes have mandatory Friday labs and students can expect that they may have a class schedule that meets up to five days a week. Outside work commitments should be planned accordingly.

Transferring College Credit

College Courses

USC has established articulation agreements with all community colleges throughout California. Most academic courses are acceptable for transfer credit from a two-year school, but students may not receive credit for specialized, technical or remedial courses. Courses that do not appear on the articulation agreement are not transferable. A maximum of 64 semester units may be transferred from community colleges. Check with the Degree Progress Department (SAS 010) for questions about transferable courses or see a counselor in Accounting 101.

Official transcripts of college work taken elsewhere must be submitted, at the time of application, to the USC Office of Admission. A credit evaluation will be completed which will list transfer courses accepted for credit. All business courses completed at a two-year college, if transferable, will be considered elective credit.

There are two exceptions to this policy. (1) Students may transfer two semesters of introductory accounting and receive credit equivalent to one semester of introductory accounting at USC. Then students can register for BUAD 305x Abridged Core Concepts of Accounting Information and complete their accounting course requirement in one semester at USC. In this case, students would not be required to take BUAD 250ab. (2) BUAD 403T may be substituted by transferring two semesters of equivalent work from a community college and passing a challenge examination.

Four Year Colleges

Most courses are acceptable for unit credit from all fully accredited four-year institutions. If they do not satisfy specific subject requirements at USC, the courses will be accepted for elective course credit.

Students are urged to complete all their required business administration courses at USC. All business courses from four-year institutions, if transferable, will be considered elective credit unless a challenge examination is passed. Only core classes, with the exception of BUAD 497, may be challenged. Students should consult with an academic advisor in Bridge Hall 104 to initiate the challenge examination process.

Grade Point Average Prerequisites for Transfer Students

Transfer students are required to meet the following grade requirements to be admitted to the Leventhal School of Accounting. An average grade of B in the two transferred accounting courses and BUAD 305x (with no grade lower than B-). Grades in accounting courses taken at other institutions will only be considered in meeting the admission requirement for the Leventhal School of Accounting.

Once a transfer student completes a minimum of two accounting courses at USC, the student’s accounting grades at the prior institution will no longer be considered in determining whether the student meets the 2.5 grade point average standard (see Grade Point Average Prerequisites following).

In the computation of grade point averages for accounting courses taken at other colleges or universities, the courses will be weighted in terms of the number of units provided for the equivalent USC accounting courses.

Grade Point Average Prerequisites

The following are grade point average prerequisites for any undergraduate student enrolled in any accounting course. Individual instructors may not waive these standards: (1) an average grade of B or better in BUAD 250a and 250b with no grade lower than a B- (transfer students see previous section); and (2) a minimum 2.5 grade point average (A = 4.0) for all accounting courses taken previously.

In meeting the B average required in BUAD 250a and BUAD 250b, only one of the courses may be repeated. If the repeated course grade is higher, that grade will be considered in determining whether the student meets the B average, and the original course grade will be disregarded by the Leventhal School of Accounting in the administration of its grade point average requirements. See Repeated Course Work at USC for further restrictions on including grades in repeated courses in the overall university grade point average computation.

In computing grade point average prerequisites, BUAD 250ab or 305x, 302T and 403T will be considered accounting courses.

When a student’s cumulative accounting grade point average falls below 2.5, the student is placed on probation. If a student on probation does not regain a minimum accounting cumulative GPA of 2.5 after completing the next 12 semester hours in all courses (including accounting units) attempted within the university, that student will not be permitted to continue as an accounting major in the Leventhal School of Accounting. Exceptions to this policy may be granted only in unusual circumstances by the Academic Standards Committee of the Leventhal School of Accounting. Decisions of the Academic Standards Committee are final.

To be removed from probationary status, a student may elect to take another accounting course or courses for which prerequisites are met or to repeat an accounting course or courses in an attempt to earn a higher grade. Regardless of the course of action taken, all courses completed will be counted in computing the cumulative accounting grade point average.

A grade of “W” in an accounting course taken while on probation will not extend probation. The probation period ends at the end of that semester during which the student completes a cumulative total of 12 semester hours of courses in any subject(s) at the university. Under no conditions will the student be permitted more than two successive semesters, including the summer semester, to complete the 12 semester hours of courses.

Graduation Standard

Students must attain a minimum 2.5 cumulative accounting grade point average (A = 4.0) to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.

Lower Division Requirements

A total of 60 units of non-business course work is required for the B.S. degree in Accounting. Students are expected to complete their prerequisites, general education requirements and BUAD 250ab before enrolling in upper division business classes. See the sample programs that follow for scheduling suggestions. Transfer students may meet individual subject requirements with three semester units or four quarter units.

Successful completion of upper division courses where lower division courses are prerequisites does not constitute a basis for waiving the lower division courses. For example, a student who passes BUAD 306 prior to taking BUAD 250b, will not be waived from the BUAD 250b requirement.

In addition, international students working toward the business or accounting degree must take and successfully complete ALI 262 Argumentation. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the chairman of the Business Communications Department (ACC 400).

General Education Requirements

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail on pages 396 through 401.

All students who (1) enter the Leventhal School of Accounting as freshmen in the summer of 1997 or later; or (2) begin college elsewhere in the summer of 1997 or later; or (3) began college earlier but transfer to USC in the summer of 2000 or later, must satisfy the requirements of the new general education program. Other students whose schedules permit are encouraged to follow the new program as well. However, continuing and transfer students who began college full-time before summer 1997 and enter USC before summer 2000 may elect to satisfy a transitional plan instead.

Accounting/Business Requirements

ECON 203	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 205	Principles of Macroeconomics
ITP 101x	Introduction to Computers and Data Processing
MATH 117x	Introduction to Mathematics for Business and Economics (may be waived by placement examination)
MATH 118x	Fundamental Principles of the Calculus (MATH 125 Calculus I may be substituted)
MATH 218	Probability for Business
WRIT 140	Writing and Critical Reasoning

It is recommended that the required accounting course BUAD 250ab or 305x be completed before enrolling in upper division courses; however, it does not need to be completed for admission to the Marshall School of Business.

All prerequisites for business and all accounting and business courses must be taken for a letter grade.

A maximum of 24 units of undergraduate course work taken on a pass/no pass basis may be used toward the B.S. degree in Accounting. As of fall 1997, no more than four units of credit (or one course) counting toward the general education categories may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. The writing course cannot be taken on a pass/no pass basis.

Sample Lower Division Program

First Year, First Semester		Units
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
General Education*	Category VI	4
General Education	(Choose from Category I, II, III or IV)	4
MATH 117	Introduction to Mathematics fro Business and Economics	4
		____
		16

*Taken concurrently

First Year, Second Semester		Units
General Education	Choose from Category I,II,III or IV	4
General Education	Category V	4
MATH 118	Fundamental Principles of the Calculus	4
ITP 101x	Introduction to Computers and Data Processing)	4
		____
		16

Second Year, First Semester		Units
ECON 203	Principles of Microeconomics	4
MATH 218	Probability for Business Core Concepts of Accounting Information	4
General Education	Choose from Category I, II, III or IV	4
		____
		16

Second Year, Second Semester		Units
ECON 205	Principles of Macroeconomics	4
BAUD 250b	Core Concepts of Accounting Information	4
BUAD 306	Business Finance	4
General Education	Choose from Category I,II,III or IV	4
		____
		16

Upper Division Requirements

In general, students will not be expected to enroll in any business subjects beyond the introductory accounting courses until the junior year. The program of required core courses is designed to provide the student with a solid foundation in the analytical tools and the organizational aspects of business in private enterprise economy.

Junior Year and Senior Year Program

Accounting majors are required to complete the following core program during their junior and senior years. Students are required to take nine of the 10 core courses offered.

Core Program		Units
BUAD 302T*	Business Communication (for accounting majors)	4
BUAD 304	Organizational Behavior	4
BUAD 306	Business Finance	4
BUAD 307	Marketing Management	4
BUAD 310	Applied Business Statistics	4
BUAD 311	Applied Management Science	4
BUAD 350	Macroeconomic Analysis, or
BUAD 351	Economic Analysis for Business Decisions	4
BUAD 403T*	Legal Environment of Business (for accounting majors)	4
BUAD 497	Managerial Decision-Making and Planning (for seniors only)	4

*If an accounting student has already completed the courses in a section not designated for accounting majors or has received transfer credit for BUAD 403, he or she must check with an academic advisor in the Leventhal School of Accounting for advisement.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree includes nine accounting courses in addition to the business core courses listed above.

Required Accounting Courses		Units
Courses required for both the Professional Accountinga Track and. Accounting Information Systems Track
BUAD 250ab	Core Concepts of Accounting Information or
BUAD 305x	Abridged Core Concepts of Accounting Information	4
ACCT 360	Accounting Issues and Decision Making I	3
ACCT 361	Accounting Issues and Decision Making II	3
ACCT 362	Accounting Issues and Decision Making III	3
Courses required for the Professional Accounting Track
ACCT 450ab	External Financial Reporting Issues	3-3
ACCT 451	Tax Issues for Business	3
ACCT 452	Accounting Information Systems	3
ACCT 455	Internal Reporting Issues	3
ACCT 456	Auditing and Assurance Issues	3
Courses required for the Accounting Information Systems Track
ACCT 452	Accounting Information Systems	3
ACCT 453	Accounting Systems Design	3
ACCT 454	Accounting Systems Development	3
ACCT 456	Auditing and Assurance Issues	3
Choice of two of the following courses:
ACCT 450ab	External Financial Reporting Issues	3-3
ACCT 451	Tax Issues for Business	3
ACCT 455	Internal Reporting Issues	3

Sample Upper Division Program

Professional Accounting Track

First Semester, Junior Year		Units
ACCT 360	Accounting Issues and Decision Making I	3
ACCT 361	Accounting Issues and Decision Making II	3
ACCT 362	Accounting Issues and Decision Making III	3
BUAD 302T*	Business Communication (for accounting majors)	4
Elective		4
		____
		17

Second Semester, Junior Year		Units
ACCT 450a	External Financial Reporting Issues	3
ACCT 451	Tax Issues for Business	3
ACCT 452	Accounting Information Systems	3
BUAD 304	Organizational Behavior	4
BUAD 310	AppliedBusiness Science	4
		____
		17

First Semester, Senior Year		Units
ACCT 450b	External Financial Reporting Issues	3
ACCT 455	Internal Reporting Issues	3
ACCT 456	Auditing and Assurance Issues	3
BUAD 307	Marketing Management	4
Elective		4
		____
		17

Second Semester, Senior Year		Units
BUAD 311	Operations Management	4
BUAD 350	Business Growth and Stabilization, or
BUAD 351	Economic Analysis for Business Decisions	4
BUAD 403T*	Legal Environment of Business (for accounting majors)	4
BUAD 497	Managerial Decision-Making and Planning (for seniors only)	4
		____
		16
Accounting Information Systems Track
First Semester, Junior Year
ACCT 360	Accounting Issues and Decision Making I	3
ACCT 361	Accounting Issues and Decision Making II	3
ACCT 362	Accounting Issues and Decision Making III	3
BUAD 302T*	Business Communication(for accounting majors)	4
Elective		4
		____
		17

 

Second Semester, Junior Year		Units
ACCT 452	Accounting Information Systems	3
ACCT 453	Accounting Systems Design	3
ACCT 450a	External Financial Reporting Issues, or
ACCT 451	Tax Issues for Business, or
ACCT 455	Internal Reporting Issues	3
BUAD 304	Organizaional Behavior	4
BUAD 310	Applied Business Statistics	4
		____
		17

First Semester, Senior Year		Units
ACCT 454	Accounting Systems Development	3
ACCT 456	Auditing and Assurance Issues	3
ACCT 450b	External Financial Reporting Issues, or
ACCT 451	Tax Issues for Business, or
ACCT 455	Internal Reporting Issues	3
BUAD 307	Marketing Management	4
Elective		4
		____
		17

Second Semester, Senior Year		Units
BUAD 311	Operations Management	4
BUAD 350	Business Growth and Stabilization, or
BUAD 351	Economic Analysis for Business Decisions	4
BUAD 403T*	Legal Environment of Business(for accounting majors)	4
BUAD 497	Managerial Decision-Making and Planning (for seniors only)	4
		____
		16

* If an accounting student has already completed the courses in a section not designated for accounting majors or has received transfer credit for BUAD 302T and/or BUAD 403T, check with an academic advisor in the Leventhal School of Accounting for advisement.