Accounting

Mission Statement

The UNO School of Accounting leverages its distinctive metropolitan position to:

  • Prepare students for professional accounting and business careers by delivering AACSB Accounting Accredited and IMA Endorsed BSBA-Accounting and Master of Accounting programs,
  • Create and disseminate knowledge that impacts students, the academy, and business professionals by engaging in relevant scholarly activities, and
  • Enrich relationships among students, faculty, and business professionals in the Omaha region by providing and supporting engagement opportunities.

The UNO School of Accounting has earned supplemental accounting accreditation by the AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) for its undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting. This accreditation is in addition to the UNO College of Business Administration’s AACSB business accreditation. Fewer than 200 institutions worldwide hold both AACSB business and accounting accreditation. Information about AACSB accreditation is available here.

The UNO School of Accounting has received the IMA Endorsement of Higher Education from the Institute of Management Accountants for its management accounting curricula.  UNO's accounting programs meet the educational standards enabling students to pursue the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential and careers in private and public accounting.  Information about the IMA's endorsement program is available here.

The UNO School of Accounting is recognized by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) as an IIA Internal Audit Awareness Program School, acknowledging our inclusion of internal auditing concepts in auditing courses. See information about the this IIA program here.

Accounting students have the opportunity to acquire an excellent accounting education from faculty members who use appropriate and varied teaching methodologies and who incorporate the most recent developments in their discipline into the curriculum. Accounting instructors seek to create an environment which maximizes the development of critical skills such as problem solving, analysis, technology agility, communication and teamwork. Students are strongly encouraged to continue their professional development and to enhance their careers by seeking a Master of Accounting or other graduate degree and one or more professional certifications or designations. Well-recognized and valued accounting certifications include the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Nebraska applicants for the CPA Exam are required to have completed at least 150 college semester credit hours. UNO students can meet the CPA Exam educational requirements with a minimum of 150 credit hours by completing the BSBA-Accounting degree (120 hours) and the Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree (30 hours) at UNO. Complete information on the MAcc degree program is available online or in the UNO graduate catalog. A student can complete both degree programs in five years. Additional information about the undergraduate accounting program, including links to professional associations and certification resources, is available online.

The School of Accounting does not offer a certificate program. BSBA degree candidates may earn a concentration in accounting, and BSBA degree candidates earning a concentration in other business areas may earn a secondary concentration in accounting. A student who has previously earned a business degree cannot earn a second business degree but may complete an accounting concentration as a second concentration to complement that previous business degree by completing all of the accounting concentration course and GPA requirements (including all necessary course prerequisites). A student who has previously earned a non-business bachelor’s degree and who completes all of the accounting concentration course and GPA requirements does not earn a business degree, an accounting concentration, a secondary concentration, or a certificate in accounting; that student’s transcript lists the courses completed and grades earned.

Special Requirements

Course-related items:

  1. Students interested in taking the CPA Exam in Nebraska must complete ACCT 4070.
  2. Students pursuing an accounting concentration who complete ACCT 3080 with a grade of C or better are not required to take the business core course MGMT 3100.

Concentration-related items:

  • A student may enroll only twice in any upper-division accounting course. You are enrolled in a course if your name appears on the final class list published immediately after drop/add week. Therefore, you may drop a course only one time (excluding drops during drop/add week). If you drop the same course twice (or receive any grade below a C twice), you will not be permitted to enroll in this course a third time.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.50 overall is required for enrollment in any upper-division (3000-level or 4000-level) accounting course.
  • Accounting courses at the 4000-level also require a minimum GPA of 2.50 in all upper-division UNO accounting courses successfully completed to date (excluding ACCT 3000, ACCT 4500 , and ACCT 4510 ).
  • Students who wish to contract to take upper-division accounting courses as “honors” courses should contact the course instructor.

Accounting study at UNO provides the skills for many diverse career choices in the accounting field as well as an excellent foundation to pursue CPA, CMA, and other types of certifications. Accounting career options include professional positions in the areas of auditing and information systems, financial accounting, management accounting, and taxation.  The School of Accounting offers Power Lunches and the annual Accounting Careers Expo as part of its Accounting Careers Program for students to explore diverse accounting career paths and to engage with accounting professionals.  The School of Accounting's Accounting Career Advisor and Internship Coordinator mentors and advises students and provides guidance for internships and other career opportunities.

Student Groups

Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is an honor organization for financial information students and practicing professionals. The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance, and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and the association of members with practicing professionals; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social and civic responsibility. Membership into Beta Alpha Psi is based on scholastic achievement.

Contact:

UNO School of Accounting at 402.554.3650 or unocbaaccounting@unomaha.edu

Website

Concentrations Offered

Secondary Concentrations Offered

Accounting

  • Billing Clerk
  • Bookkeeper
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Collections Clerk
  • Controller
  • Cost Accountant 
  • General Accountant 
  • Internal Auditor
  • Inventory Analyst
  • IT Auditor
  • Payroll Clerk 
  • Public Accountant
  • Purchasing Manager
  • Tax Accountant
  • Treasurer

ACCT 2000  ACCOUNTING BASICS FOR NON-BUSINESS MAJORS (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide non-business students with an understanding of basic accounting terms and concepts, an understanding of the usefulness of accounting data for decision-making by internal and external business stakeholders, and the skills to actually use accounting data in decision-making.

Prerequisite(s): Student must be a non-business student. ENGL 1150 and MATH 1310 or MATH 1220 with 'C-'(2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students

Distribution: Social Science General Education course

ACCT 2010  PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I (3 credits)

Basic concepts and assumptions underlying financial accounting; basic structure of accounting; the accounting cycle; external financial statements of the enterprise with emphasis on the corporation; income determination; accounting for and reporting of assets, liabilities and owners' equity; analysis and reporting of cash flows; financial statement analysis.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1150 with a 'C' (2.0) or better, a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and MATH 1370 or MATH 1930 with a 'C' (2.0) or better or concurrent enrollment in MATH 1370 or MATH 1930

ACCT 2020  PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING II (3 credits)

A study of techniques and concepts affecting internal accounting in a business organization. These include budgeting in general, costing systems, variance analysis and generating reports for management decision-making. Special topics include segment reporting, control of decentralized operations, capital budgeting, and service department cost allocations.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2010, ENGL 1150, and MATH 1370 or MATH 1930, each with a C (2.0) or better, and a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

ACCT 3000  MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (3 credits)

This course highlights the important role of a managerial accountant in managing a global supply chain and covers the key accounting techniques for supply chain management. (Cross-listed with SCMT 3000)

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2020 with a grade of C (2.0) or better or ACCT 2000 with a grade of C (2.0) or better and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. ENGL 1160 with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1160. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 3020  BASIC FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and principles of federal income tax with an emphasis on concepts unique to individual taxpayers.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2020, ENGL 1150, ECON 2200 and ECON 2220 with a 'C' (2.0) or better in each course. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

ACCT 3030  INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING I (3 credits)

A more intensive study of basic accounting theory and principles learned in ACCT 2010. Topics include a conceptual framework of accounting, net income concepts, financial statements, present value applications, revenue recognition, current assets, plant assets, and intangible assets.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2020, ECON 2200, and ECON 2220, with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better in each course and a 2.5 GPA. ENGL 1160 with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1160.

ACCT 3040  INTERMEDIATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING II (3 credits)

This is the second of two courses in intermediate financial accounting. This course focuses on financial reporting issues relating investments, debt financing, leases, contingencies, cash flows reporting and income taxes.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3030 and ENGL 1160, each with a 'C' (2.0) or better.

ACCT 3050  INTERMEDIATE MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

The objective of managerial accounting is to provide management with relevant and timely information to aid economic decision making. This course analyzes numerous economic decisions and identifies what information is relevant. Special attention is given to how different cost accumulation systems and different cost accounting and estimating techniques can aid the decision-making process.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2020, ECON 2200, ECON 2220, and BSAD 2130, BSAD 3140 or BSAD 3160, with a "C" (2.0) or better in each. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. ENGL 1160 with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1160.

ACCT 3080  ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3 credits)

Introduction to professional accounting information systems, including information systems concepts, accounting and database software and research tools to provide a foundation for subsequent accounting courses.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 2020, ECON 2200 and ECON 2220, with "C" (2.0) or better in each. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. ENGL 1160 with a grade of 'C' (2.0) or better or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1160.

ACCT 4010  ADVANCED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Specialized issues in financial accounting. Principal topics include business combinations and consolidated financial statements, partnership accounting, translation of foreign currency financial statements, accounting for foreign currency denominated transactions, and SEC reporting requirements. (Cross-listed with ACCT 8016)

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3030 and ACCT 3040 with "C+" (2.33) or better in each and ENGL 1160 with "C" (2.0) or better. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division Accounting GPA of at least 2.5. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 4020  ANALYTICS FOR ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Students develop an Analytics Mindset for the accounting profession, which includes the crossover competencies of accounting and business knowledge, data modeling and analytic abilities, and communication skills. Principal topics include fundamentals of data capture and cleansing, database development and implementation, visualization and presentation of information, and the use of accounting information for business decisions.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3030, ACCT 3080, and ENGL 1160 each with C (2.0) or better. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division Accounting GPA of at least 2.5. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 4040  ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION (3 credits)

Analysis of various advanced tax issues, such as accounting methods, property transactions, and formation, operation, and liquidation of C-corporations, S-corporations and partnerships. (Cross-listed with ACCT 8046.)

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3020, ACCT 3030, and ENGL 1160, each with a "C" (2.0) or better. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division Accounting GPA of at least 2.5. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 4060  ADVANCED MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Intensive study and discussion of the responsibilities of managerial accountants in the decision-making process in organizations and the consequences of the manner in which they use cost accounting information in decision-making. (Cross-listed with ACCT 8066.)

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3050, ACCT 3030, and ENGL 1160, each with "C" (2.0) or better. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division Accounting GPA of at least 2.5. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 4070  GOVERNMENTAL/NONPROFIT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING (3 credits)

Study of budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and auditing in governmental and nonprofit entities. (Cross-listed with ACCT 8076.)

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3030 and ENGL 1160, each with a "C" (2.0) or better. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division accounting GPA of at least 2.5. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 4080  PRINCIPLES OF AUDITING (3 credits)

An introduction to auditing, Standards, responsibilities, professional ethics, the audit framework, evidence and reports are studied.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3030, ACCT 3080, ENGL 1160, and BSAD 2130 or BSAD 3160, with a "C" (2.0) or better in each. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division Accounting GPA of at least 2.5.

ACCT 4090  INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING (3 credits)

This course will provide an introduction of auditing an advanced accounting information system. Content studied will include professional standards, guidelines, and procedures promulgated by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. Accounting information systems control and security practices, and their assessment, will be discussed in the areas of operations, physical and logical access, systems, networks, development and applications, and incorporating hands-on exposure to automated evaluation tools.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 4080 with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Cumulative upper-division Accounting GPA of at least 2.5.

ACCT 4500  INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)

Individual investigation of specific problems in the field of accounting.

Prerequisite(s): Must have permission of the School of Accounting director.

ACCT 4510  ACCOUNTING INTERNSHIP (1-3 credits)

A course for junior or senior accounting students to apply their academic accounting knowledge to accounting practice in an employment situation. A student report on the internship experience and an employer's evaluation of the student's performance are course requirements. Can be applied to free electives, but not accounting specialization electives. (Maximum of 3 hours)

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3030 and ENGL 1160, each with a C (2.0) or better, and permission of internship coordinator.

ACCT 8016  ADVANCED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Specialized issues in financial accounting. Principal topics include business combinations and consolidated financial statements, partnership accounting, translation of foreign currency financial statements, accounting for foreign currency denominated transactions, and SEC reporting requirements. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4010).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3030 and ACCT 3040 with a grade of "C+" (2.33) or better in each. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8046  ADVANCED FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION (3 credits)

Analysis of various advanced tax issues, such as accounting methods, property transactions, and formation, operation, and liquidation of C-corporations, S-corporations and partnerships. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4040).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3020 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8050  FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS (3 credits)

Using the financial statement and supplemental information as inputs, this course utilizes a systematic fundamental analysis approach across a variety of decision-making contexts to understand how a business generates value for shareholders.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 3040 with a "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8066  ADVANCED MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

Intensive study and discussion of the responsibilities of managerial accountants in the decision-making process in organizations and the consequences of the manner in which they use cost accounting information in decision-making. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4060).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3050 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8076  GOVERNMENTAL/NONPROFIT ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING (3 credits)

Study of budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and auditing in governmental and nonprofit entities. (Cross-listed with ACCT 4070).

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 3030 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8080  CURRENT TECHNOLOGY USE IN ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

This course will cover tools and methods that facilitate business analytic techniques, with a focus on current and emerging technology. This may include tools for databases, spreadsheets, robotic process automation, data mining, artificial intelligence, and others.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. Successful completion of BSAD 8110, ACCT 2020, or equivalent. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8090  INFORMATION SYSTEMS AUDITING (3 credits)

This course presents a broad overview of the professional practice of information systems audit, emphasizing control and audit procedures related to security along with Information Technology General Controls. Content studied will include professional standards, guidelines, and procedures promulgated by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 4080 with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8210  FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING THEORY (3 credits)

The development of accounting, current accounting theory and present controversies and suggested theory and practice.

Prerequisite(s): ACCT 3040. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8220  GRADUATE TOPICS IN INCOME TAXATION (3 credits)

This course will discuss commonly encountered tax issues such as gift and estate taxation, income taxation of estates and trusts, and exempt organizations, as well discuss current events while introducing the student to practitioner-oriented research publications.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 4040 or ACCT 8046 with a "C" (2.0) or better, or concurrent enrollment in ACCT 4040 or ACCT 8046. Not open to non-degree students.

ACCT 8230  MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING ISSUES (3 credits)

An analysis of information to assist managers in determining successful strategies, developing those strategies into plans and controlling operating activities to achieve strategic goals.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 3050 or BSAD 8210 with a "C" (2.0) of better. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8250  SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

A study of a specific area within the accounting discipline. Possible areas include: auditing, financial, managerial, systems and tax. May be repeated, but no area can be taken more than once.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA programs or permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree students.

ACCT 8260  FEDERAL TAX RESEARCH AND PLANNING (3 credits)

This course is intended to provide students with a working knowledge of the primary and secondary tax resources used in practice to solve tax problems, as well as basic tax planning concepts.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. ACCT 4040 or ACCT 8046 with a "C" (2.0) or better. Not open to non-degree students.

ACCT 8280  SEMINAR IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3 credits)

This course examines current topics in Accounting Information Systems (AIS), how AIS contributes to business effectiveness and ineffectiveness, and the interaction between AIS and human decision-makers.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of instructor. Successful completion of BSAD 8110, ACCT 2020, or equivalent. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8290  ADVANCED FINANCIAL AUDITING (3 credits)

This course will provide students with an intense study of financial auditing in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc or MBA program or permission of the Director of the MAcc program. ACCT 4080 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better.

ACCT 8900  INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (1-3 credits)

This is an independent research course in which the student completes a focused project, typically individual research, under faculty supervision to supplement graduate study in a specific area within the Accounting discipline.

Prerequisite(s): Completed contract and permission needed from director of MACC program. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

ACCT 8910  SPECIAL TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING (3 credits)

A variable content course with accounting topics based on student and faculty interest. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) hours.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to MAcc program and permission of instructor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.