Accounting

Programs & Courses › Specializations

The Accounting specialization provides a path towards the CPA professional designation either through the accelerated (two-semester) Master of Accounting (entry at CFE) or the CPA stream of the BBA and iBBA (entry at Core 1). Schulich’s accounting courses cover the principal subjects in the field: financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation and auditing.

Studying with one of the top Accounting faculties in the country, students not only acquire a diverse and detailed education in the subject matter, but also develop transferable skills and analytical acumen.
Professor Linda Thorne, Area Coordinator

Specialization Details by Category

Study Options

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Choose a study option to view its details and requirements

Available delivery options

Direct-Entry 48 to 60 months
Delayed-Entry 36-48 months

Location(s)

Schulich School of Business - Keele Campus

Graduation Requirements

The successful completion of 120.00 credits of university-level study, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.00.
The completion of specific courses within the required 120.00 credits listed in the Curriculum Overview Charts section of the Undergraduate Academic Handbook.
Students with a cumulative GPA of 7.50 or above will be awarded their degree “with distinction” (this will appear on both the transcript and the degree parchment).
Fourth year BBA and iBBA students who have completed the required 120.00 credits to graduate from the program by the end of the Winter term of their 4th year of study will be required to convocate in the Spring. Courses taken in the summer following Year 4 will not be counted towards the degree requirements or used to calculate the overall GPA.

Courses

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Requirements

To specialize in Accounting, enrol in 12.00 credits of Elective Courses.

Elective Courses

ACTG 3000 3.00 FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS
Publicly-issued financial statements are "general purpose" statements, issued to a variety of users and prepared using generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, the statements are based on management's financial reporting objectives (e.g. profit maximization; income smoothing; tax minimization), as well as on many management estimates and disclosure decisions. Statements based on GAAP do not usually reflect the needs of the individual user. In this course, students will learn to apply diagnostic, analytical and judgmental skills to understanding financial statements from the point of view of external users who need to make various types of decisions such as performance evaluation, loan decisions, and stock valuation.

Note: Not available to exchange students visiting Schulich.
Prerequisite: SB/ACTG 2011 3.00
ACTG 3110 3.00 INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING I
This course examines the concepts, objectives and techniques underlying asset valuation and income determination, including alternative asset measurement bases and accounting for changing prices. The course has a decision orientation. Special emphasis is placed on accounting policy choices and the criteria by which such choices are made, as well as on analyzing financial statements prepared under differing accounting policy alternatives. Note: Not available to exchange students visiting Schulich. Prerequisite: ACTG 2011 3.00; Year 3 BBA/iBBA standing required
ACTG 3120 3.00 INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING II
This is an extension of SB/ACTG 3110.03, but with a primary focus on the valuation and presentation of liabilities and owners' equity. Major topics include current, long-term and contingent liabilities; leases; pensions; corporate income tax allocation; capital transactions, earnings per share and analysis of financial statements under differing accounting policies. The criteria by which both preparers and users make decisions are emphasized. Note: Not available to exchange students visiting Schulich. Prerequisite: SB/ACTG 3110 3.00
ACTG 4200 3.00 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ACCOUNTING
This course concentrates on the application of accounting theory to controversial issues in financial accounting. The topics covered vary with the changing importance of current accounting issues. Source materials include current accounting literature and the research publications of professional accounting organizations. The development of research, writing and analytical skills is emphasized.

Note: Not available to exchange students visiting Schulich.
Prerequisite: SB/ACTG 4600 3.00 and SB/ACTG 4710 3.00; Year 4 BBA/iBBA standing required.
ACTG 4400 3.00 MANAGERIAL COST ACCOUNTING & ANALYSIS
ACTG 4600 3.00 AUDITING STANDARDS & APPLICATIONS
This course focuses on the standards and applications underlying the latest function and the responsibilities of external and internal auditors. The theory of audit evidence and certain basic techniques are used to provide an understanding of auditing methodology. The auditor's responsibility beyond the financial audit and current developments in auditing are also examined. Students may be expected to complete a research paper or project. Note: Not available to exchange students visiting Schulich. Prerequisite: SB/ACTG 3120 3.00 and Year 4 BBA/iBBA standing. Students who were on exchange in year 3 may take ACTG 3120 3.00 and ACTG 4600 3.00 concurrently.
ACTG 4710 3.00 INTRODUCTION TO INCOME TAXATION
ACTG 4720 3.00 ADVANCED INCOME TAXATION
SUST 4400 3.00 SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
This course situates corporate activity within the wider context of Sustainability. In particular, emphasis is placed upon the information that corporations produce in order to inform society about its social and environmental impacts, assessing whether such reporting is relevant and/or credible. The course also helps understand the interactions between stakeholders and the inherent issues related to their conflicting demands.
Prerequisites: SB/ACTG 2011 3.00 and SB/ACTG 2020 3.00

CPA Designation: Course Requirements

If you are planning to pursue a CPA designation, take note of academic requirements below, or connect with your academic advisor.

CPA Academic Requirements (class of 2027 and onward)

CPA Academic Requirements (class of 2025 and 2026 and onward)

CPA Academic Requirements (class of 2020 to 2024)

Professional Designations

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Professional Designations

Many Schulich accounting graduates have used their degree as a stepping stone to professional accounting designations, going on to earn their Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree and qualify as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). If you plan to pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) pathway, take note of academic requirements specific to your year below the course table. View "Courses" for details.

Faculty

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Schulich’s accounting professors research topics that matter: Canadian tax policy, the globalization of the accounting profession, sweatshop labour, privatization in developing countries, risk taking in the banking industry, hospital capacity decisions, auditor liability, and homelessness.

Faculty members are among the world’s top accounting researchers; they have extensive professional experience and written Canada’s leading intermediate and advanced accounting textbooks.

Selected faculty members

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Career Opportunities

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Schulich graduates specializing in accounting have found careers in public accounting firms, law, investment banking, international corporations and non-profit organizations. They have excelled in the positions of chief financial officer; partner; taxation, business acquisitions, consulting; auditor; public accounting firm; financial analyst; pension administrator; chief executive officer; professor; underwriter; investigative accountant and more.

The Schulich Centre for Career Design

Your career is top priority at Schulich. To make career decisions that are right for you, the CCD will help you identify strengths, determine career objectives, develop career plans, hone skills for career management and put your professional development plan into action.

- Our highly experienced CCD Advisors bring a unique combination of first-hand knowledge, experience and diverse perspectives in a wide variety of businesses and industry sectors.

- Take advantage of a series of proven career-building modules, including up-to-date Job Search Techniques, Self-Assessment, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, and Interview Skills to help you stand out from the competition.

- Corporate Information Sessions offer you an opportunity to meet top level recruiters, alumni and executives.
Visit the Centre for Career Design

Student Clubs

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The Schulich Accounting Society (SAS) is an independent, student-run organization that aims to enhance learning experiences of the student body via-real world exposure to the field of accounting. We are committed to fostering relationships between our members and practicing professionals, as well as other accounting-affiliated organizations. Our mandate is to enlighten students on the various career paths available to them, and provide them with the skills and network enhancing opportunities that can be leveraged well towards a career in accounting.

Email: schulichaccountingsociety@gmail.com
Web: schulichaccountingsociety.com

Contact Accounting

(416) 736-5062

actg@schulich.yorku.ca

Accounting

Specialization Details by Category

Study Options

Courses

Requirements

Elective Courses

CPA Designation: Course Requirements

Professional Designations

Professional Designations

Faculty

Selected faculty members

Career Opportunities

The Schulich Centre for Career Design

Student Clubs

Contact Accounting