Courses
ACCT 220. Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or higher in MATH 103 or higher-level mathematics course; Sophomore class standing. Introduces the role of accounting in business and society, a summary of the accounting process, accounting measurement issues, analyzing and recording financial transactions, accounting valuation and allocation issues, conceptual foundation for understanding financial reporting, the usefulness of financial statements for decision making and financial statement analysis and interpretation.
ACCT 230. Introduction to Managerial Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 220; MATH 103 or a higher-level mathematics course with a grade of “C” or higher. Introduces the analysis and techniques for aiding management in planning and controlling decisions, and the use of accounting data for budgeting, cost control, pricing, evaluation of performance and general decision making.
ACCT 292BCS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic – Preparer (2-2-2)
Prerequisites: Sophomore and good academic standing. This course aims to provide students with quality experiential learning experience in the field of taxation as a tax preparer, as well as provide free tax preparation service to low income taxpayers in our community. As a result of completing this course, students will: (1) understand the critical components involved in the tax return preparation process; (2) understand applicable tax law and the tools available to assist in preparing and filing accurate tax returns; (3) certify as a volunteer tax return preparer by taking a certification test; and (4) complete a minimum number of hours of community service and submit electronically a minimum number of federal tax returns for low income taxpayers. May be repeated twice for credit.
ACCT 292CCS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic – Preparer (3-3-3)
Prerequisites: Sophomore and good academic standing. This course aims to provide students with quality experiential learning experience in the field of taxation as a tax preparer, as well as provide free tax preparation service to low income taxpayers in our community. As a result of completing this course, students will: (1) understand the critical components involved in the tax return preparation process; (2) understand applicable tax law and the tools available to assist in preparing and filing accurate tax returns; (3) certify as a volunteer tax return preparer by taking a certification test; and (4) complete a minimum number of hours of community service and prepare to submit electronically a minimum number of federal tax returns for low income taxpayers. May be repeated twice for credit.
ACCT 292DCS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic – Preparer (4-4-4)
Prerequisites: Sophomore and good academic standing. This course aims to provide students with quality experiential learning experience in the field of taxation as a tax preparer, as well as provide free tax preparation service to low income taxpayers in our community. As a result of completing this course, students will: (1) understand the critical components involved in the tax return preparation process; (2) understand applicable tax law and the tools available to assist in preparing and filing accurate tax returns; (3) certify as a volunteer tax return preparer by taking a certification test; and (4) complete a minimum number of hours of community service and prepare to submit electronically a minimum number of federal tax returns for low income taxpayers. May be repeated twice for credit.
ACCT 350. Intermediate Financial Accounting I (3)
Prerequisites: Junior class standing and Pre-Accountancy major. An overall and CSUN GPA of 3.2 or higher for continuing CSUN students or an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher for first semester transfer students. Grades of “B” or higher in ACCT 220 and ENGL 205, as well as a “C” or higher in ACCT 230, BLAW 280, ECON 160, ECON 161, IS 212, MATH 103 and SOM 120 (or MATH 140BUS). The first course in the intermediate financial accounting sequence. Covers the theory of financial accounting as well as the accounting process, with an emphasis on the accounting system and related technical skills such as transaction analysis and conversion from cash basis to accrual basis. Also covers concepts and techniques for developing a business style of writing and creating documents used for communication. Additional subjects include accounting standard setting and the conceptual framework, data analytics, and engaging in case analysis and accounting research using the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
ACCT 351. Intermediate Financial Accounting II (3)
Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or higher in ACCT 350 and BUS 302, and a passing score in BUS 302L. The second course in the financial accounting sequence. Covers the theory of financial accounting as well as the accounting process, with an emphasis on revenue recognition, asset valuation, cash implications of complex transactions and accounting for liabilities and investments.
ACCT 352. Intermediate Financial Accounting III (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 351. Third course in the financial accounting sequence. Covers the theory of financial accounting as well as the accounting process, with an emphasis on stockholders’ equity, pensions, leases, changes in accounting principles and in-depth examination of financial statements.
ACCT 380. Cost Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or higher in ACCT 350 and BUS 302, and a passing score in BUS 302L. Focuses on how to measure and analyze costs for management decision making. Covers how the environment and strategy of a company influences the design of its cost-measurement system and how the resulting cost information may or may not be useful for managerial decisions and for cost management.
ACCT 392BCS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic – Supervisor (2-2-2)
Prerequisites: ACCT 292CS (ACCT 292BCS, ACCT 292CCS or ACCT 292DCS), or ACCT 440, or faculty permission, and good academic standing. This course aims to provide students with quality experiential learning experience in the field of taxation as a supervisor, as well as provide free tax preparation service to low income taxpayers in our community. As a result of completing this course, students will: (1) understand the critical components involved in the tax return preparation and review process; (2) understand applicable tax law and the tools available to assist in preparing, reviewing and filing accurate tax returns; (3) certify as a volunteer tax return preparer by taking a certification test; and (4) complete a minimum number of hours of community service and review a minimum number of tax returns before submission to relevant government agencies. May be repeated twice for credit.
ACCT 392CCS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic – Supervisor (3-3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 292CS (ACCT 292BCS, ACCT 292CCS or ACCT 292DCS) or ACCT 440, or faculty permission, and good academic standing. This course aims to provide students with quality experiential learning experience in the field of taxation as a supervisor, as well as provide free tax preparation service to low income taxpayers in our community. As a result of completing this course, students will: (1) understand the critical components involved in the tax return preparation process; (2) understand tax law and the tools available to assist in preparing and filing accurate tax returns; (3) certify as a volunteer tax return preparer by taking a certification test; and (4) complete a minimum number of hours of community service and review a minimum number of federal tax returns for low income taxpayers. May be repeated once for credit.
ACCT 392DCS. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic – Supervisor (4-4-4)
Prerequisites: ACCT 292CS (ACCT 292BCS, ACCT 292CCS or ACCT 292DCS), or ACCT 440, or faculty permission, and good academic standing. This course aims to provide students with quality experiential learning experience in the field of taxation as a supervisor, as well as provide free tax preparation service to low income taxpayers in our community. As a result of completing this course, students will: (1) understand the critical components involved in the tax return preparation process; (2) understand applicable tax law and the tools available to assist in preparing, reviewing and filing accurate tax returns; (3) certify as a volunteer tax return preparer by taking a certification test; and (4) complete a minimum number of hours of community service and review a minimum number of tax returns before submission to relevant government agencies. May be repeated twice for credit.
ACCT 412L. Excel Specialist Certification (1)
Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or higher in IS 212 and IS 312. Pre-Accountancy major or Accountancy major or enrollment in the Master of Professional Accountancy degree program or enrollment in the Master of Science in Taxation degree program or department approval. The Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification demonstrates competency at the associate level in the fundamentals of creating and managing worksheets and workbooks, creating cells and ranges, creating tables, applying formulas and functions and creating charts and objects. The certification exam covers the ability to create and edit a workbook with multiple sheets, and use a graphic element to represent data visually. Workbook examples include professional-looking budgets, financial statements, team performance charts, sales invoices, and data-entry logs. Available for graduate credit. (Credit/No Credit only)
ACCT 440. Income Tax I (3)
Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or higher in ACCT 350 and BUS 302, and a passing score in BUS 302L; May be taken concurrently with ACCT 351. This course examines fundamentals of individual federal income taxation, including the following topics: tax determination; inclusions and exclusions from gross income; deductions and losses; property transactions (gain or loss, basis considerations, nontaxable exchanges, capital gains and losses, Section 1231, and recapture provisions); depreciation; employee expenses; deductions of the self-employed; itemized deductions; and passive activity losses. The course emphasizes the development of written and oral communication skills, tax research, as well as individual tax compliance.
ACCT 441. Income Tax II (3)
Prerequisites: Grades of “C” or higher in ACCT 352 and ACCT 440. This course examines the federal taxation of business entities, including the following topics: tax credits; Alternative Minimum Tax (individual and corporate); accounting methods and periods; C corporations (organization, operations, distributions, redemptions, liquidations, and reorganizations); partnerships (formation, operation, basis, distributions, transfer of interest, and terminations); S corporations; and taxation of international transactions. The course emphasizes the development of tax research and tax planning skills, as well as tax compliance for business entities. Available for graduate credit.
ACCT 450. Advanced Financial Accounting (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 352. Advanced accounting applications for specialized areas: business combinations, consolidated financial statements, foreign currency transactions, U.S. security filings, SEC filings, and segment/interim reporting.
ACCT 460. Auditing Principles and Analytics (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 351. This course covers the field of auditing and assurance services and the related decision-making processes. Topics include the nature and scope of an audit engagement, requirements for audit documentation, quality control; planning an audit, audit procedures, audit sampling techniques, account cycles, understanding an entity’s environment and internal controls, risk assessment, and materiality. The course will employ data analytics applications and case studies requiring preparation of audit work papers and research in audit standards.
ACCT 465. Advanced Auditing (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 460. Advanced auditing theory and practices. This course furthers the student’s knowledge of auditing, attestation, and assurance services with application of theory and discussion of advanced auditing topics. Applies concepts and principles learned in ACCT 460 using cases and a simulated audit.
ACCT 475. Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 352. Comprehensive coverage of the accounting and financial reporting for governmental and nonprofit entities. Covers the specialized accounting, reporting and auditing requirements applicable to governmental and nonprofit organizations such as budgets, revenues and appropriations, expenditures and encumbrances, various types of funds and accounting statements.
ACCT 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (3)
Prerequisites: BUS 302 and BUS 302L for Business majors. Course content to be determined. See Schedule of Classes for current course offerings.
ACCT 497A-Z. Special Topics in Accounting (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 352. Innovative courses of study. Topics to be specified in the Schedule of Classes. Different topics may be taken for credit.
ACCT 498A-C. Field Assignments and Reports—Accounting (1-3)
Individual study pertaining to present or future career. Student must obtain approved employment. Consultation with employer and instructor determines program. A maximum of 12 units may be earned by combining Field Assignments and Reports (ACCT 498) and Independent Study (ACCT 499). Academic Internship course. (Credit/No Credit only)
ACCT 499A-C. Independent Study—Accounting (1-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of department chair and consent of an instructor to act as sponsor. In order to do an Independent Study assignment in the College of Business and Economics, a student must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA and a 2.0 or higher GPA in all major courses. A student who does not meet these requirements will not receive credit for any ACCT 499. Admission is based on evidence of ability to pursue Independent Study in-depth and on approval of a project submitted at the time of registration. Regular progress meetings and reports are required throughout the semester. Completion of the project is required before credit may be received. Enrollment in Independent Study is not allowed for the purpose of substitution for an existing course. A maximum of 6 units of Independent Study (499) may be earned in the College of Business and Economics. A maximum of 12 units may be earned by combining Field Assignments and Reports (498) and Independent Study (499).
ACCT 501. Financial Accounting (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to a Nazarian College of Business and Economics graduate program or consent of instructor. Study of financial reporting principles, structure of the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows. Measurement principles for assets; liabilities and stockholders’ equity; revenue and expenses. Covers management’s responsibility for full and fair disclosure of financial information.
ACCT 505. Financial and Managerial Accounting in Industry (3)
Study of financial practices relevant to particular industries. Includes general financial and managerial accounting processes, the recording and analysis of financial transactions and statements and the use of accounting data for planning and budgeting purposes. The course will include significant coverage of topics specific to the industry of emphasis. For example, for the Masters in Music Industry Studies, the course will include a survey of music industry income and royalty streams (performance, mechanical, synchronization, copyright), licensor/licensee accounting, inventory and tax issues. If no particular industry focus is needed, the course will include a survey of industries with unusual, specialized or atypical accounting practices.
ACCT 509. Tax Ethics, Research and Communication (3)
Students will develop critical skills in researching and critically interpreting tax authority. They also will acquire and develop the specialized oral and written communication skills needed to interact internally and externally with clients and government agencies. This course also will introduce students to the professional responsibilities and ethical dilemmas that face tax practitioners in today’s challenging and increasingly complex professional environment.
ACCT 511. Accounting Ethics and Professional Responsibilities (3)
Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in ACCT 350 or enrollment in the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program. This course aims to develop students’ ability to recognize, analyze, and properly resolve ethical challenges in the practice of accounting to uphold professional responsibilities in the accounting profession. Emphasizes the application of ethical theories, the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct, and relevant legal regulations.
ACCT 515. Contemporary Issues in Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 352 and ACCT 460 or equivalents; Approval of department chair or designee. Examines contemporary issues confronting accountants, businesses and their stakeholders. Topics such as accounting theory, basic research methodology in accounting, issues in SEC reporting, segment reporting and issues in international accounting will be examined. Students are expected to achieve a thorough understanding of selected contemporary issues in accounting and will develop an ability to critically analyze these issues. Students are expected to be familiar with the concepts of theory development, theories of accounting policy choice, the measurement of income and the societal use of accounting information.
ACCT 520. Income Tax Concepts and Their Business Applications (3)
This course covers basic tax law concepts that affect business and investment management situations. Topics include tax alternatives in business organizations, tax policy management and compliance with government directives.
ACCT 536. Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Entities (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 220 and ACCT 230, or equivalent, or department chair consent. Provides comprehensive coverage of budgeting, accounting and financial reporting for governmental and not-for-profit entities. Covers the specialized accounting, reporting and auditing requirements applicable to governmental and not-for-profit organizations, performance evaluation and related ethical issues. Topics include governmental accounting, fund allocation, government-wide reporting, governmental performance measures and not-for-profit accounting.
ACCT 542. Introduction to Federal Tax Procedure (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 440. This course provides students with an introduction to the procedural aspects of dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. The course will introduce the students to, among other things, the organization of the IRS, investigative authority of the IRS, tax audits, administrative penalties, administrative appeals, tax collection, federal tax crimes, refund claims, examination of returns, ethics in the practice of tax, tax practitioner privileges and statute of limitation and assessments. This course provides the students with the opportunity to apply the materials learned in the course through clinical exercises in the community.
ACCT 600. Taxation of Individuals and Property Transactions (3)
This course is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of federal income taxation of individuals and tax implications incidental to property transactions. Also, this course aims enhance students’ written and oral communication skills, as well as critical thinking skills. Lastly, this course is designed to provide students with the tools to engage in tax research.
ACCT 605. Introduction to Audit and Attestation (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 620B. This course provides students with an introduction to the field of auditing and assurance services and the related decision-making processes. Topics include: nature and scope of audit engagements; terms of engagement and engagement letter; requirements for engagement documentation; a firm’s systems of quality control; planning an engagement; understanding an entity’s environment and internal controls; risk assessment; and materiality.
ACCT 620A. Financial Accounting Reporting I (3)
This course explores financial reporting focused on for-profit business entities. Topics include: revenue recognition; nonreciprocal transfers; fair value measurements; and financial accounting reporting of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, inventory, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, and investments.
ACCT 620B. Financial Accounting Reporting II (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 620A. Building on ACCT 620A: Financial Accounting Reporting I, this course further explores financial reporting focused on for-profit business entities. Topics include financial accounting reporting of payable and accrued liabilities, contingencies and commitments, long-term debt, leases, compensation and benefits, financial statements of employee benefit plans, equity, income taxes, accounting for changes and error corrections and accounting for subsequent events.
ACCT 620C. Financial Accounting Reporting III (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 620B. Building on ACCT 620B: Financial Accounting Reporting II, this course further explores financial reporting focused on for-profit business entities. Topics include: U.S. security reporting requirements, earnings per share and segment reporting, business combinations, derivatives and hedge accounting, foreign currency transactions and translations, and differences between IFRS and U.S. GAAP.
ACCT 624. Advanced Audit and Attestation (2)
Prerequisite: ACCT 605. Auditing theory and practices; auditing standards; SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and stock exchange regulations; auditor’s legal liability; statement trends and techniques. Concepts and principles governing independent professional services that provide assurance on the reliability and relevance of information, including financial statement information.
ACCT 625. Federal Taxation of Entities (3)
This course is designed to provide students with understanding of concepts of U.S. federal income taxation of business entities, including C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, trusts and estates, and tax exempt organizations.
ACCT 626. Managerial Cost Accounting Seminar (3)
Prerequisite: ACCT 380 or equivalent. Focuses on how cost-management information helps managers make tactical and strategic decisions for profit planning and control. Emphasizes the topics of cost and management accounting that help firms compete more effectively.
ACCT 628. Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 352 and ACCT 460 or equivalents. Explores comprehensive financial statement analysis and the valuation framework that integrates strategy, financial reporting and financial analysis/valuation. This framework and tools are then used to do fundamental financial statement analysis. Topics include models of shareholder value, comparison of accounting and cash flow approaches to valuation and the analysis of profitability, growth and value generation in firms.
ACCT 629. Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders I (3)
Income tax principles relating to organization, capital structure and operations of a corporation are examined, as well as the tax effects of corporate distributions, stock redemptions and liquidations on shareholders.
ACCT 632. Accounting Issues in Select Industries (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 511, ACCT 515; IS 530. Examines financial accounting and reporting issues in select industries. The specific topics covered will depend on the industries selected for a particular semester. Regardless of specific industry, the course will contain a section addressing ethical issues in accounting for the industry.
ACCT 633. Income Taxation of Partnerships (3)
Students learn about the tax principles that apply to the formation, operation and liquidation of partnerships, including the effects of the transfer of partnership interests and transactions between the partnership and its partners.
ACCT 634. Forensic Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 511, ACCT 515; IS 530. Explores the conduct of fraud examinations, including a discussion of specific procedures used in forensic accounting examinations and the reasoning behind these procedures. Topics include an overview of fraud and abuse, forensic evidence, substantive procedures for cash outflow irregularities, substantive procedures for other assets irregularities, financial statement fraud, fraud examination reporting and the role of the accountant in litigation.
ACCT 635. Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts (3)
This course focuses on the income tax principles involved in the operation of estates and trusts, including special types of trusts such as grantor and employee trusts. The taxation of grantors, descendants and beneficiaries also is explored.
ACCT 637. Taxation of Foreign Transactions and Taxpayers (3)
This course provides students with an understanding of taxation of foreign income of U.S. citizens and corporations, taxation of foreign persons and corporations on their income from U.S. sources and tax considerations in organizing foreign business operations.
ACCT 640. Accounting Methods and Periods (3)
This course covers comparative principles of tax and financial accounting as they relate to individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. The allocation of income tax expense for financial statement purposes is also examined.
ACCT 645. Federal Tax Procedure (3)
Administrative procedures for settling tax controversies, rules governing tax collection and criminal prosecution, and the rights of taxpayers are among the topics explored in this course.
ACCT 650. Contemporary Tax Planning Issues Seminar (2)
Students participate in a seminar focusing on contemporary tax planning issues affecting local industries.
ACCT 655. Real Estate Taxation (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 509 and ACCT 520. This course provides students with the understanding of the federal tax consequences associated with real estate acquisitions, leases, operations, disposition and securitization of real estate investments.
ACCT 661. State and Local Taxes (3)
Students gain an understanding of the structure of state and local taxes; the principles governing income, sales, property and other taxes levied by state and local governments; and the interrelationship of state, local and federal taxes.
ACCT 668. Selected Topics in Taxation (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 509, ACCT 520. This course provides students with an opportunity to learn about specialized and emerging topics in the field of taxation.
ACCT 692A-Z. Selected Topics in Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 511, ACCT 515; IS 530. The exploration of new/current topics being debated by the accounting profession or the study of accountancy through alternative means (e.g., systems theory, language and communication or literature/film). Selected topics to be specified in the Schedule of Classes. Different topics may be taken for credit.
ACCT 697. Directed Comprehensive Studies in Accountancy (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 511, ACCT 536, ACCT 600, ACCT 605, ACCT 620A, ACCT 620B, ACCT 620C, ACCT 624, ACCT 625, and IS 530, or department chair’s consent. A culminating experience course in the Master of Professional Accountancy program.
ACCT 697TX. Directed Comprehensive Studies in Accountancy (1)
Prerequisites: Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, classified status and obtaining “C” or higher in ACCT 509, ACCT 520, ACCT 629, ACCT 633, ACCT 640 and ACCT 645; Or obtaining department chair or designee’s consent. This course provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate competency in the field of taxation through practice-based simulations or experiential learnings.
ACCT 698D. Graduate Project (3)
Prerequisites: ACCT 511, ACCT 515; IS 530; Approval of department chair or designee. A culminating experience course in the M.S. in Accountancy program. Planning and performing a graduate-level project under supervision of a faculty advisor.
ACCT 699. Independent Study—Accounting (3)
Prerequisites: Permission of graduate advisor and department chair. No more than 6 units of Independent Study may be taken in any one department, and no more than 6 units may be taken in the College of Business and Economics without prior approval of the dean. Only those graduate students who have a current 3.0 or higher GPA may register in a 600-level Independent Study course.