Master of Accounting Program Issues

1. Master of Accounting Program Issues • Alan Lord – Bowling Green State Universityalord@bgsu.edu • Marv Bouillon – Iowa State Universitybouillon@iastate.edu

2. Topics For Discussion • What is the relevance of the GMAT to admission decisions in various graduate program formats? • What can be done to improve the communication skills of our students? • How can we provide more financial aid to our students that attend graduate school? • Other topics from the audience?

3. Accounting Education Options Beyond the Four-Year Degree • Complete hours as a non-graduate student • Attend a school that does not offer students the option to get an undergraduate degree in accounting after four years but will offer the undergraduate and a graduate degree after five years • Pursue a graduate degree other than a MAcc • Complete a MAcc at a school that admits “any background” students into the MAcc Program • Complete a MAcc at a school that only admits “accounting majors” into the program

4. Program Design Implications Upon Admission Policies • Institutions offering undergraduate courses as the primary way for students to become CPA qualified typically only require “satisfactory” performance in the courses • If a decision to admit students to a program leading to a dual undergraduate/graduate degree after five years is made after only two-years of undergraduate work, there are fewer courses to evaluate and GMAT may not be appropriate because students have not completed undergraduate degree • MBA and MAcc programs that admit with “any background” may need to rely heavily upon GMAT to “level the field” of knowledge • MAcc programs with only accounting majors have similar knowledge bases for applicants and GMAT may be less important

5. MAcc Program Admission Guidelines • Formula Driven systems are used (a multiplicative factor using GPA and GMAT) • Portfolio systems use essays, experience, or other judgmentally evaluated input

6. Predictors of Success in a MAcc Program • Undergraduate Overall and Major GPA Averages • Professional Experience and Certifications • GMAT Examination Scores • Recommendation Letters • Essays

7. Questions to Consider? • Does the GMAT add value to the admission decision? • Do programs with higher average GMAT scores have “better” students? • Is it equitable to require the GMAT for only some students? (Or to not require it for some students?) • Is a student that invests dozens (or more) hours to retake the GMAT to get a higher score now a better candidate for graduate school?

8. How Do We Increase Writing Skills of Accounting Students? • Traditional Approaches • Writing assignments in accounting classes • Separate course on communication skills taught by accounting faculty members • Have these approaches been meeting the needs?

9. An Alternative to Consider • Accounting Communications Class • Staffed by the English department’s Technical Writing faculty members • Enrollment limited to Master of Accountancy students • Offered in conjunction with Advanced Financial Reporting course

10. How Do We Increase the Financial Aid for Students? • Educate your university about how to utilize your student’s talents to provide more value added to the university’s mission. • Most universities have graduate students serving in various “funded” positions already • Master of Accountancy students in your program can provide high talent at a lower cost to your university

11. Creative Financing at Iowa State University • Two former athlete are on graduate assistantships with the athletic department • One graduate assistantship given to me as chair • Three graduate assistantships are funded by MBA funds • One graduate assistantship is through the VP of Financing working with the Hockey Club • Two other students are financed by Development/Scholarship funds from accounting

12. Examples at Bowling Green State University • Office of the Internal Auditor • Office of Campus Involvement (Responsible for Student Organizations) • Treasurer’s Office • Foundation Office • United Way Campaign recordkeeping • Student Advising in the College of Business Administration office • Other university offices

13. Develop Grant Funded Internships • Universities typically provide “matching funds” to grants from outside organizations • Utilize this “model” to create funding for accounting students • CPA Firms • Local businesses • Corporation • Accommodations may be required in course offerings