Faculty

John Volpe, Assistant Professor of Economics (Program Director)
V.R. Nemani, Associate Professor of Business Administration
Sheila Barry-Oliver, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Victoria G. Goetz, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
John Haskins, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Bill Steel, Assistant Professor of Information Technology

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Description

Students in the School of Professional Studies may pursue a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in accounting. Accounting is the information system that measures business activities, processes that information into reports, and communicates the results to decision makers. It is important for managers to understand and interpret accounting reports in order to make optimal decisions. The accounting major at Trinity College prepares students for careers in securities markets, consulting, investment banking, government accounting, public accounting, the non-profit sector, and general management.

Students planning to take the CPA examination should ascertain the eligibility criteria that apply to the state in which they plan to take the test.

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Major Requirements

Required Courses (42 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

BADM 205 Legal Aspects of Business
BADM 213 Quantitative Methods of Business
BADM 221 Financial Accounting
BADM 243 Information Systems in Organizations
BADM 321 Intermediate Accounting
BADM 322 Advanced Financial Accounting I
BADM 323 Advanced Financial Accounting II
BADM 324 Cost Accounting
BADM 325 Business Financial Management
BADM 373 Organizational Behavior
BADM 421 Auditing Practice
BADM 423 International Accounting
BADM 425 Tax Accounting
BADM 427 Government and Non-Profit Accounting

Capstone Course (3 credits) 

This course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize the information, concepts, and skills acquired throughout the Accounting Program. It is taken at the end of one's course of study.

ONE capstone course:

BADM 499 Senior Seminar

Co-Requisite Courses (9 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

ECON 101 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECON 102 Introduction to Macroeconomics
PHIL   253 Business and Professional Ethics

Co-requisite courses are taken as part of the School of Professional Studies' 40-credit Core Curriculum. The required economics courses fulfill half of the 6-credit Social Sciences requirement; PHIL 253 fulfills the 3-credit Philosophy requirement. If courses other than these are used to meet Core Curriculum requirements, students must take these three courses as part of their Electives; they may not be taken as Business Electives. It is recommended that students take the economics courses as early as possible in their program of study. Course descriptions are available in the Economics and Philosophy sections of the catalog.

Suggested Electives

As students complete the remaining elective courses to fill out the minimum of 128 credits required for a bachelor's degree, they are encouraged to select courses from among the following:

BADM 101 Introduction to Business
BADM 211 Business Mathematics
BADM 231 Theory and Practice of Marketing
BADM 241 Computer Applications in Business
BADM 243 Information Systems in Organizations
BADM 251 Management & Leadership Development
BADM 307 International Business
COM   290 Public Speaking
ENGL  209 Business Writing

Course descriptions for these electives may be found in the Business Administration, Communication, and English sections of the catalog.

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement: Credit earned through AP exams may not be applied toward the major.

CLEP Policy: Students wishing to receive credit for CLEP examinations should contact the academic advising staff.

Cross-listed Courses: Courses that are cross-listed represent identical courses offered with a different program prefix. Students may not enroll in or receive credit for more than one iteration of a cross-listed course even in different semesters.

Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major or minor.

Pass/No Pass: The pass/no pass grading option is not accepted in courses to be applied for the major or minor.

Senior Assessment: All majors are required to take BADM 499 Senior Seminar at Trinity College.

Study Abroad: Students are encouraged to plan their studies to allow for the possibility of study abroad to obtain a greater understanding of how global economic, political, environmental, social, and cultural issues influence domestic and multinational organizations. Prior discussions with the program director are necessary to ensure that the courses taken abroad may be applied toward major credit. 

TELL Policy: The Accounting Program encourages students with substantial experiential learning to apply for TELL credits in accounting.

Transfer Credits: Students may apply transfer credit toward the major and minor in accounting if the transferred courses parallel those required for the major or minor. Transfer students who elect an accounting major must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in accounting major courses at Trinity College, of which three must be in BADM 499 Senior Seminar.

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Course Descriptions

BADM 205 Legal Aspects of Business
Offers a comprehensive overview of the principal legal aspects of business management. Topics include: the legal environment of business; contracts; domestic and international sales; negotiable instruments; creditors rights and bankruptcy; agency; business organization; labor and employment relations; government regulations; property; and, special topics (insurance, wills and trusts, liability of professionals, international and comparative law, and law for entrepreneurs). The overall objective of the course is to become familiar with the subject matter by covering the above topics in readings and class discussion sessions. Formerly BUA 302 Legal Aspects of Business.
3 credits

BADM 211 Business Mathematics
Explores quantitative concepts, ratios, and analysis commonly used in the various functional areas of business, including human resources, finance, accounting, and marketing. Topics include discounts, markup/markdown, interest, payroll, commissions, and ratios for performance analysis. Formerly BUA 228 Business Mathematics.
3 credits

BADM 213 Quantitative Methods of Business
Provides students with a sound conceptual understanding of the role quantitative methods play in the decision-making process. Quantitative and mathematical tools used in business for improving the problem-solving process by making it more rational and analytical are explained and examined. The course emphasizes the application of quantitative methods by using problem situations to introduce each of the methods, concepts, and techniques. Topics covered include probability concepts, decision analysis, utility and decision-making, forecasting, linear programming, and project scheduling (PERT/CPM). Formerly BUA 290 Quantitative Methods of Business.
3 credits

BADM 221 Financial Accounting
Introduces the concepts and techniques of financial accounting as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASBE). Students study and understand balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and journals and ledgers, and how to prepare them. Accounting concepts such as revenue recognition, asset measurement, alternative inventory valuation methods, intangible assets, present value, stockholders equity, and liabilities and interest are also studied. Students come away from the course with an understanding of the importance of accounting in business decision-making. Typically offered only in the fall semester. Formerly ACC 235 Financial Accounting and ACC 245 Principles of Accounting I.
3 credits

BADM 243 Information Systems in Organizations
Provides an introduction to systems and development concepts, information technology, and application software. The course explains how information is used in organizations and how information technology enables improvement in quality, timeliness, and competitive advantage. Formerly BUA 223 Theory of Management Information Systems.
3 credits

BADM 321 Intermediate Accounting
Offers an intensive study of the generally accepted accounting principles for asset valuation, income measurement, and financial statement presentation for business organizations, and of the processes through which these principles evolve. Focuses on important areas in financial accounting, including accounting for leases, pensions, and income taxes. Accounting for the equities of a firm's investors and creditors. Continues to focus on financial accounting issues, including financial instruments, asset impairment, and long-term debt. Formerly ACC 345 Intermediate Accounting I.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 221

BADM 322 Advanced Financial Accounting I
Covers accounting and financial reporting for business combinations (including consolidated financial statements), international accounting issues, foreign currency translation, reorganizations and liquidations, accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and accounting for partnerships. Emphasizes the conceptual understanding of major issues and technical accounting requirements. Studies financial accounting theory and practice as prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Specific Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) are covered.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 323 Advanced Financial Accounting II
Serves as a continuation of BADM 321, and offers a comprehensive study of the following financial accounting topics: short and long term liabilities, income taxes, leases, pensions, contributed capital, retained earnings, stock options, earnings per share, Statement of Cash Flows, accounting changes, error corrections, financial statement analysis, changing prices, disclosures, interim reporting, and segment reporting.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 322

BADM 324 Cost Accounting
Provides a comprehensive introduction to managerial accounting for business managers, focusing on the principles and practice utilizing realistic business cases. Course emphasizes not the preparer's mode but rather the managerial interpretation and implementation of the work of professional accountants in order to facilitate wise and logical business decision-making. Course stresses basic concepts and the intuitive organizing principles evident in the three primary business management activities: financing, investing, and operating. Topics include process costing, manufacturing costs, cost terms (fixed v. variable, direct v. indirect, and product v. period costs), cost-volume-profit analysis, capital budgeting, and standard costs and variance analysis.
3 credits

BADM 325 Business Financial Management
Introduces the theory and practice of business financial management. Discusses the techniques of financial management such as discounted cash flow, financial statement analysis, cost of capital, capital budgeting and leverage. Capital market theory and functions of capital markets are also examined. Formerly BUA 324 Business Financial Management.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 373 Organizational Behavior
Introduces students to organizational theory and practice. Research literature, theory, and opinion about organizational behavior are reviewed and discussed, with specific emphasis on the individual, groups in the organization, and the overall organizational system. Topics covered in the course include personality and emotion, motivation concepts, decision making, group behavior, work teams, leadership and trust, power and politics, and conflict management. Formerly MGT 356 Organizational Behavior.
3 credits

BADM 421 Auditing Practice
Covers the theory and practice of auditing by public accountants. Topics include auditing standards and professional conduct and responsibility, legal liability, auditing the purchasing and production cycles, cash balances and accounts payable, designing accounting systems, sampling techniques, and the legal obligations of reporting companies.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 423 International Accounting
Covers the similarities and differences in accounting standards around the world to aid in the interpretation and understanding of financial statements. Topics include harmonizing accounting systems, accounting for foreign subsidiaries, financial risk management, and a review of European, Asian, and Latin American accounting systems with a view to the implications of different methods of reporting for multinational enterprises.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 425 Tax Accounting
Covers basic taxation concepts affecting businesses and individuals that students are likely to encounter in the real world. Topics include tax accounting related to business formation, depreciation, deductions, estate planning, executive compensation, the alternative minimum tax, and international tax issues, such as deferral for individuals and businesses, the foreign tax credit, and the taxation of foreign currency gains and losses. Formerly ACC 375 Tax Accounting I: Individual Taxation.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 427 Government and Non-Profit Accounting
Covers financial and managerial accounting for all levels of government, and for non-profit organizations. Topics include financial reporting, budgeting, and the appropriations process.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 429 Current Accounting Issues
Allows students to compare, contrast, and critique current advanced accounting issues chosen by the instructor.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BADM 321

BADM 491 Internship
Allows students to pursue an internship under the direction of a faculty member and an off-site supervisor. Formerly BUA 488 Internship.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

BADM 497 Directed Research
Allows students to pursue an advanced research project under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

BADM 498 Independent Study
Allows students to develop an independent course of study under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

BADM 499 Senior Seminar
Integrates the functional areas of business, international business, and professional ethics, with a strong emphasis on the synthesis of knowledge and skills gained throughout the business administration curriculum and on understanding how strategic decisions affect the performance of organizations. The course relies heavily on case study analyses and assists in preparing students for entry into the business world or graduate studies. Formerly BUA 480 Senior Seminar.
3 credits
Prerequisites: All functional core courses

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