With accounting scandals making headlines throughout the country, federal and state regulations related to income and expense reporting continue to change requiring companies to need more employees who have successfully completed accredited accounting degree programs in Texas. Proper accounting practices protect companies from fraud as well as from charges that money was mismanaged in their organization.

In 2007, the federal government passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in order to prevent accounting scandals like those that were prominent in the headlines in the few years before its passage. Those scandals led to massive losses to investors, prompting federal and state legislators to take steps to protect consumers. The act required accounting firms to register with a new agency known as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and narrowed the scope of nonaudit services that can be provided to an audit client. Texas broadened the authority given to the state accountancy board in order to add an additional protection for those using accounting services, as well as adding additional ethics and disclosure requirements.

These additions to accounting regulations can be confusing to the average business person, but those who successfully complete accredited accounting degree programs in Texas have the knowledge and skills to understand the regulations and to implement them in order to protect both consumers and the company.

Our Lady of the Lake University

School of Business and Leadership

The School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University offers students a person-centered learning environment that fosters professional, personal and intellectual development. The school believes that businesses need leaders that bring change and who actively participate in the community, whether locally, nationally or globally. The school provides knowledge and skills across various business sectors with a focus on leadership, innovation and learning. The school is noted for its practical approach to business education and provides internships, community outreach and international study options to students who attend.

MS in Accounting

The School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University offers a Master of Science in Accounting that is designed for working professionals. Classes are offered on weekends and can be completed in one year. Classes are also offered online. Students who complete the program are eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant Examination and are eligible for both Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Management Accountant positions. Students must be an undergraduate student at the University with 30 hours of coursework or hold a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited institution. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last 607 hours of undergraduate work and a 2.5 grade point average or better in their undergraduate major. Students must also have a satisfactory score on the GMAT or Miller Analogies test and the test must be taken in the past five years. Applicants must also provide two references and a resume.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Accreditation Council for Business and Schools

Contact

Kathryn Winney
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Our Lady of the Lake University
411 Southwest 24th Street
San Antonio, TX 78207
Telephone: 210-434-6711, Ext. 2297
Email: kmwinney@ollusa.edu
Website: http://www.ollusa.edu/s/1190/ollu-3-column-noads.aspx?pgid=6390

Prairie View A&M University

College of Business

The College of Business at Prairie View A&M University strives to empower students from diverse backgrounds to become productive and ethical business leaders. The college offers a highly-regarded and dedicated faculty whose goal is to provide students with the best guidance and instruction available. Through excellence in teaching, research and service, the college helps students succeed in an increasingly global business environment. Students learn through personal attention, teamwork, leadership training and a focus on the need for social responsibility in the business setting.

Master of Science in Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting program at the College of Business at Prairie View provides advanced training in accounting. Graduates of the program are qualified for careers in public, private and government accounting as well as qualifying them to sit for the Texas Uniform CPA Examination. Classes are held on weekends and Saturday in order to allow working professionals to meet family, social and work responsibilities. In order to be accepted into the program, students must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75. An undergraduate degree is required, but the degree does not have to be in accounting. Student’s whose undergraduate degree is in a subject other than accounting may be required to take additional foundation courses.

Master of Business Administration, Accounting Concentration

An MBA degree from Prairie View A&M University is designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills for graduates to succeed in their profession. The program integrates classroom learning in business principles with hand-on experiences in order for students to assume leadership roles as a manager or entrepreneur. The program is offered in the evenings at the PVAMU Northwest Center or online. The accounting concentration requires students to complete the following prerequisites: Concepts of Accounting, Concepts of Economic Analysis, Concepts of Finance, Concepts of Management, and Business Statistics.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)

Contact

Dr. Lawrence McNeil
Nathelyne Kennedy Architecture Building
Room 202
PO Box 519
Prairie View, TX 77448
Telephone: 936-261-9215
Email: lrmcneil@pvamu.edu
Website: http://www.pvamu.edu/business/departments/pvamu.msa/

Sam Houston State University

College of Business Administration

The College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University offers eleven undergraduate and four graduate level programs. Students learn in small but challenging classes taught by highly-qualified faculty. The college began as a few commercial courses in 1923 when what had been the Sam Houston Normal Institute became the Sam Houston State University. The first bachelor’s degrees were awarded in 1935 and the first master’s program was instituted in 1937, although the first MBA was not awarded until 1964. Today the college enrolls more than 3000 students annually and confers more than 500 degrees in 11 different majors.

Master of Science in Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting program is only offered on the Huntsville campus of the university and is designed to provide students with advanced education in the field of accounting. Graduates are qualified to sit for the CPA examination with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. The program requires 30-credit hours and can be completed in one year if students attend full-time. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, an official GMAT score and a current resume. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Students must have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better and a GPA of 3.0 in all advanced accounting classes.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

Rick Thaler
Associate Director
Graduate Studies and Distance Learning
Sam Houston University
PO Box 2056
Huntsville, TX 77341-2056
Telephone: 936-294-1239
Email: busgrad@shsu.edu
Website: http://www.shsu.edu/academics/business-administration/graduate-programs/master-of-science-in-accounting.html

Southern Methodist University

Cox School of Business

The Cox School of Business was founded in 1920 as the Department of Commerce. It is named for Edwin L. Cox, a business leader, entrepreneur and faithful supporter of Southern Methodist University. Mr. Cox completed his first two years of undergraduate study at the university in the late 1930s, later earning IA and MBA degrees from Harvard Business School. He is currently CEO of the Edwin L. Cox Company which engages in investments and venture capital. He is also the founder of the Cox Distinguished MBA Scholars Program, the Business Leadership Center for graduate students and the Edwin L. Cox BBA Leadership Institute for undergraduates. The college is in the heart of Dallas, surrounded by industries that focus on commerce and culture. Students have the opportunity to network with business leaders through speakers, internships and mentoring programs. Classes are small so students are encouraged to collaborate and interact. In 1970, the college introduced the Caruth Institute of Entrepreneurship, the first of its kind.

MS in Accounting (MSA)

The Master in Accounting program at SMU Cox is designed to prepare students not only for the CPA examination but also for advancement in their career. The program provides students is designed for recent college graduates seeking to further their careers or who wish to enhance their knowledge of accounting, finance, tax and information technology. Students may attend full-time or choose the part-time option with no summer classes. The program has received national and regional recognition for their challenging curriculum and personalized class environment. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and provide an official transcript. In addition, applicants must provide a GMAT score, two essays and two letters of recommendation. Students must have completed Intermediate Accounting and Federal Income Tax courses. Class sizes are limited to ten and students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GMAT score of 600 or higher to be considered.

MBA – Professional (MBA) Experience

The Professional MBA at SMU Cox helps students optimize their success in today’s competitive marketplace. The PMBA with an Accounting Concentration requires students to take 14 credit hours above the PMBA required courses including:

  • Financial Accounting I &II
  • Managerial Accounting I & II
  • Financial Reporting and Analyis I & II
  • Audit Risk and Controls
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Accounting-based Valuation
  • Mergers & Acquisitions I
  • Advanced Topics in Accounting
  • International Financial Reporting
  • Forensic Accounting and Financial Statement Fund
  • Taxation of Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax Research
  • Advanced Partnership Taxation
  • Seminar in International and State Taxation
  • Accounting for Income Taxes
  • Assurance Methodology
  • Audit Research
  • Non-Corporate Entity Accounting
  • Corporation Taxation
  • Entity Taxation

The program is designed for the working professional with a flexible schedule that allows studies to customize their learning experience. The program is 24 months requiring 48 credit hours. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and a GMAT score of 600 or higher. They must also provide a resume, two personal references, transcripts and participate in a personal interview.

Full-Time MBA Accounting Concentrations, Specializations, Minors

The MBA program at SMU Cox offers accounting concentrations, specializations and minors. The MBA with an Accounting Concentration requires students to take Financial Accounting I & II as part of their core course which are not included in the 14 credit hours required for the concentration. Students must take six hours of:

  • Managerial Accounting I
  • Financial Reporting Analysis I & II

Students must also choose 8 credit hours from any of the following courses:

  • Managerial Accounting II
  • Audit Risk and Controls
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis II
  • Accounting-based Valuation
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Advanced Topics in Accounting
  • International Financial Reporting
  • Forensic Accounting and Financial Statement Fraud
  • Taxation of Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax Research
  • Advanced Partnership Taxation
  • Seminar in International and State Taxation
  • Accounting for Income Taxes
  • Assurance Methodology
  • Audit Research
  • Non-Corporate Entity Accounting
  • Corporate Taxation
  • Entity Taxation

Accreditation

  • Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

Kimberly McKissick, Admissions Assistant
SMU – Cox School of Business
6212 Bishop Boulevard, Suite 125
PO Box 750333
Dallas, TX 75275-0333
Telephone: 214-768-1214 or 800-472-3622
Email: mbainfo@cox.smu.edu
Website: http://www.cox.smu.edu/web/guest/prospective-students1

St. Edward’s University

The Bill Munday School of Business

The Bill Munday School of Business at St. Edward’s University is named for Bill and Pat Munday who provide a cash gift of $20 million in 2013 to be used to provide 150 scholarships each year to the university. It was the largest single gift in the university’s history. Mr. Munday provided the gift as an expression of their commitment to education for all. In addition to monetary donations to the university, Mrs. Munday began serving as a trustee in 2005. Since 2003, the Munday’s have contributed more than $36 million to St. Edward’s. The school offers business education that includes liberal arts as well as following the Holy Cross tradition.

Accounting (MACT)

The Master of Accounting at St. Edward’s Bill Munday School of Business prepares students for success in the accounting profession. Students who successfully complete the program are qualified to take the Certified Public Accountant Examination. Students study topics such as:

  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Foreign Currency Translation
  • Advanced Tax
  • Accounting Ethics
  • Internal Auditing
  • Business Law
  • In addition, students further develop their leadership qualities analytical and research skills as well as a thorough understanding of accounting theory and practices. Applicants must have completed:
    • Intermediate Accounting I & II
    • Cost Accounting
    • Auditing
    • Accounting Information Systems
    • Taxation – Individuals and Managers

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

St. Edward’s University
3001 South Congress
Austin, TX 78704-6489
Telephone: 855-468-6738 or 512-448-8400
Email: seu.admit@stedwards.edu
Website: http://www.stedwards.edu/academics/masters/accounting

St. Mary’s University

Bill Greehey School of Business

In 2005, Bill Greehey, the CEO of Valero Energy Corporation and a 1960 graduate of St. Mary’s University, gave a personal gift of $25 million to the university as an endowment to the business school. In his honor, St. Mary’s named the business school in his honor. The school began offering courses in accounting and economics in 1923, starting with a first graduating class of two. Today, the school graduates more than 7,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students each year. Presidents Ronald Regan and Gerald R. Ford have both lectured on free enterprise at the college.

Greehey MBA in Professional Accountancy

The Greehey MBA in Professional Accountancy is a 12 semester hour program with MBA foundation courses plus 18 semester hours of graduate-level accounting courses. When combined with the 33 credit hours required for undergraduate degrees, the program qualifies students to sit for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants certification requirement and to sit for the Texas Certified Public Accountant examination.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • International Association of Management Education
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact

Office of the Registrar
St. Mary’s University
One Camino Santa Maria
St. Louis Hall, Room 104
San Antonio, TX 78228-8576
Telephone: 210-436-3701
Email: registrar@stmarytx.edu
Website: https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/business/mba-programs/greehey-mba-accountancy/

Stephen F. Austin State University

Graduate School

The Graduate School at Stephen F. Austin State University offers 44 master’s and three doctoral programs. Students select from a wide variety of courses offered in both traditional and online classroom settings. Students are provided the opportunity to work with world-renowned faculty on research projects related to today’s business world as well as study abroad in areas such as Costa Rica, China and Italy.

Department of Accounting

The Graduate School at Stephen F. Austin State University offers an integrated Master of Professional Accountancy degree program which is a stand-alone program, as well as courses that support the Master of Business Administration degree. The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in accounting. The rigorous curriculum increases the student’s understanding of accounting and the need to remain cognizant of the ever-changing requirements of the accounting profession.

Accreditation

  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact

Dr. Jack Ethridge, MPA Director
Department of Accounting
Stephen F. Austin State University
PO Box 13005, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Telephone: 936-468-3105
Email: jethridge@sfasu.edu
Website: http://www.sfasu.edu/cob/acc.asp

With regulations changing as to what companies must do to document and report financial information, individuals who successfully complete accredited accounting degree programs in Texas will be in high demand in the job market over the next decade.