Professor Goldsmith, Chair
The Accounting program has three primary objectives. First, the program seeks to provide students majoring in Business Administration with the necessary accounting background for making effective managerial decisions. Second, the program seeks to provide accounting majors with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the accounting profession. Third, as a component of a Christian liberal arts college, the accounting program emphasizes the importance of Christian values and ethics in the practice of accounting.
Accounting Major: 69 hours. The accounting major consists of 23 courses of 3 credit hours each, for a total of 69 hours. The 23 required courses are ACC 213-214, 217, 313-314, 337, 411, 412, 413, 418, 421, 424, 430, and 490; BUS 305, 320, 326, 363, 414, 415; ECO 205-206; and MAT 201.
Accounting majors desiring to take the CPA exam in the state of Mississippi should note that 150 semester hours of college credit are required as a prerequisite for taking the exam. Belhaven College students planning to take the CPA exam must consult with their advisors to develop a strategy to earn the required hours and prepare to pass the exam.
Students who would like to pursue a double major in Accounting and Business should consult with their advisors.
Minor for a student in the B.S. in Business Administration program: ACC 313-314, 301, and any three of the following: ACC 337, 411, 412, and 421.
Minor for a student not in the B.S. in Business Administration degree program: ACC 213-214, 217, 301, BUS 414 and ACC 411 or ACC 421 or ACC 424 or ACC 485.
| 213-214 | Principles of Accounting (3-3). Prereq: Sophomore status. A study of the concepts and fundamental principles of accounting practice. The course includes applications to proprietorships, partnerships, corporate accounting, and managerial accounting. |
| 217 | Computerized Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 213-214. An application oriented course with emphasis on the use of computers in solving accounting and business problems. Hands-on use of general ledger and spreadsheet software will be emphasized. |
| 301 | Managerial Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 213-214. An in depth study of accounting applications for managers with special emphasis on computer applications. Required for business majors, not available for credit for accounting majors. |
| 313-314 | Intermediate Accounting (3-3). Prereq: ACC 213-214 An in-depth study of financial functions and basic theory; recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and equity; and the preparation and analysis of financial statements. |
| 337 | Cost Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 213-214 with BUS 305 as a co-requisite. A study of cost and revenue behavior, cost-volume-profit relationships, master budgeting, and responsibility accounting for the purpose of planning and control of operations. |
| 411 | Individual Income Tax Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 213-214. An introduction to the federal income taxation of individuals. This course offers a broad base for understanding and applying the tax laws. |
| 412 | Auditing (3). Prereq: ACC 313 and 314. A study of the concepts and standards of auditing and an explanation of how concepts are implemented in auditing practices, policies, and procedures. |
| 413 | Advanced Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 313-314. A study of specialized problems of accounting, including income presentation, business combinations, multinational accounting, partnerships, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, and fiduciary accounting. |
| 418 | Accounting Ethics (3). Prereq: ACC 213, 214, 313 and 314. A study of the codes of professional ethics for accountants, biblical principles of virtue and character, the absolute truth of God’s moral standards, and the application of biblical principles to solve ethical dilemmas in the accounting profession. |
| 421 | Accounting for Taxes on Businesses (3). Prereq: ACC 213-214. A detailed study of the federal income taxation of corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts. A broad base for understanding and applying the tax laws is provided. |
| 424 | Governmental Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 213-214. A study of fund accounting concepts and standards as they relate to federal, state, and local governments and to not-for-profit organizations. |
| 430 | Accounting Theory (3). Prereq: ACC 313-314. The capstone course of the accounting major studies the development of accounting standards by FASB. Accounting controversies are evaluated using FASB’s theoretical statements and biblical principles. |
| 450 | Internship (3). This course is designed to give the student practical experience in the field of accounting. This course is only open to students majoring in accounting. Senior standing and approval by the Dean of the School of Business must be obtained. This course is graded on a pass or fail basis. Refer to “Student Intern Programs and Practicums” for further requirements. |
| 485 | Financial Management of Christian Ministries (3). An introduction to the biblical principles that should guide the administration of Christian ministries and the accounting and management skills needed by the administrator of a Christian ministry in order to be an effective steward of the Lord’s resources. Topics to be covered: biblical principles of money management and stewardship; financial disclosure; internal controls; audits; budgeting; employee payroll; obtaining tax-exempt status; and tax returns for ministers. Does not apply toward the major. |
| 490 | Forensic Accounting (3). Prereq: ACC 313-314, ACC 412. Also called investigative accounting, forensic accounting is a study of the methods used to detect and prove financial fraud or to track funds that have been embezzled. |
