Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Accounting, Economics, and Finance

Contact Info
ChairSecretaryLocationDepartment Phone
Dr. Thuy BuiTeresa Aspinall110 Eisenberg Classroom Building724-738-4865

Department Web Site URL

Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Liang Xu

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – BSBA, with majors in Accounting, Economics and Finance

The Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance  offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with  majors in Accounting, Economics and Finance. 

Our Vision

We will provide transformational education experiences that equip students to be lifelong learners who engage the world as knowledgeable, principle centered and responsible global citizens. 

Our Mission

The School of Business at Slippery Rock University prepares students to be career ready emerging leaders by developing competencies for success professionally and personally.  Our academic programs are student centered with high levels of engagement in an environment where faculty scholarship enhances student learning.  The School of Business also serves as a catalyst for regional economic development through outreach and partnerships.

Accreditation

The BSBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business  - AACSB accreditation.

Faculty

Melanie Anderson
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.B.A., Pennsylvania State University
B.S., Clarion University

Lua Augustin
Associate Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., Texas Tech University
M.Ed., Lamar University
M.B.A., Midwestern State University
B.B.A., Midwestern State University

Thuy Bui
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
M.B.A., Ohio University
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
B.B.A., Ohio University

Baizhou Chen
Instructor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
M.B.A., St. John's University
B.S., University of Minnesota

Jeffrey Forrest
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., Auburn University
M.S., Northwestern University (China)
B.S., Northwestern University (China)

John Golden
Assistant Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
J.D., Duquesne University School of Law
B.A., California University of Pennsylvania

Benjamas Jirasakuldech
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.S., Texas Tech University
B.A., Assumption University (Thailand)

Yi Li
Associate Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., Georgia State University
B.A., Renim University of China
B.S., Renim University of China

Simonae Lyles
Instructor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
B.S., Westminister College
M.B.A., Geneva College

Larry McCarthy
Assistant Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh
C.P.A., University of Pittsburgh
B.S., Slippery Rock University

Sunita Mondal
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., Jadavpur University (India)
B.A., Jadavpur University (India)

Donald Mong
Associate Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
J.D., University of Pittsburgh
M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh
B.A., Haverford College

Theresa Phipps
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
M.B.A., Wheeling Jesuit University
B.S., Wheeling Jesuit University

Edward Scott
Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
M.B.A., Texas Christian University
B.S., Point Park University

Pavani Tallapally
Associate Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., Louisiana Tech University
M.B.A., Indiana University
B.A., Osmania University

Xintong Wang
Assistant Professor
Accounting,Economics & Finance
Ph.D., SUNY at Binghamton
M.A., SUNY at Binghamton
B.A., Nankai University

Programs

Certificates

Courses

ACCT Courses

ACCT 590 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

ACCT 595 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 598 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 612 -  Corporate Accounting  

Corporate Accounting provides both financial and non-financial managers with the skills and knowledge necessary to interpret and effectively use accounting inofrmation for decision-making. The course links theory with application of principles and concepts within the scope of the Code of Professional Conduct that prescribes the ethical conduct expected of its members. course material presents both U.S. and International Accounting standards to prepare students to succeed in global and diverse markets.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Accountancy, Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ACCT 620 -  Forensic Accounting  

Forensic Accounting topics covered will include collecting, analyzing and evaluating evidence and interpreting and communicating findings. Several components of forensic accounting reviewed will include: 1) Fraud prevention and detection, 2) Fraudulent financial transactions including fraud schemes, internal controls to deter fraud, and auditing techniques; and 3) Fraud investigations including interviewing, tracing fraudulent transactions and report writing. ACCT 620 is dual listed as ACCT 320.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Accountancy, Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 622 -  Fraud Examination  

This course is designed as a case-study approach that enables students to identify key signs of fraud in financial statements. This course might also cover types of fraud, sources of evidence, and analysis of internal and external fraud schemes with an emphasis on the skills needed to identify, investigate and litigate fraud and forensic accounting allegations.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Summer Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 623 -  Non-Profit/Government Accounting  

This course is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of accounting and reporting for federal, state and local governments in accordance with pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). This course will also cover the unique accounting and financial reporting needs of governmental, non-governmental, and non-profit organizations.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Summer Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 626 -  Budgeting, Performance Management, and Cost Analysis  

This course is based on the study of the concepts, measures, techniques, and approaches for strategic and operational decision-making based on managerial and cost accounting. The emphasis is on understanding and developing accounting and economic concepts for decision making within profit-making organizations related to such topics as short-term and long-term planning, performance measurement, and traditional and contemporary product costing systems. The course will emphasize the application of concepts and approaches to small and large-sized domestic and global organizations. Contemporary strategic and operational decision-making issues are stressed, as well as how use of information provided by costing systems and cost analysis informs strategic and operational decision-making.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 628 -  Financial Statement Analysis  

This course includes an evaluation of publicly traded company financial statements and related note disclosures to understand a company's current and future performance as well as financial condition. The focus of the course is on comprehensive analysis of financial statements using different techniques to determine the operating efficiency, profitability and financial risk of a company.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 629 -  Accounting Data Analytics  

This course examines the emerging roles of accounting analytics in business, auditing, and tax contexts. Technological advances have allowed the capture and economic storage of massive accounting and business data; this course focuses on how to productively gather and apply Big Data to a variety of accounting related contexts. Students will learn to understand the data within major accounting information systems and generate meaningful accounting and auditing analytics from the data. A deep understanding of accounting flows, processes, and controls is critical to understanding and building meaningful accounting and auditing analytics. ACCT 629 is dual listed as ACCT 429.

Prerequisite: ACCT 230D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 630 -  Risk Analysis and Internal Control  

This course examines fundamentals of risk assessment, including an overview of corporate governance, risk assessment essentials, audit universe, audit engagement, risk appetite, and fraud. Failures in risk management and causes will be reviewed. Additionally, exploration of internal controls, including preventive controls, essential components of internal control, and inherent limitations of internal controls are explored.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 631 -  Federal Corporate Tax  

This course will explore how important features of the Internal Revenue Code influence decisions regarding how to organize and structure business operations and selection of the most appropriate form of doing business. Tax planning is an integral part of the course. Also, the course will explore income shifting, tax deductions, tax credits, and income exclusions as it relates to corporate tax.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 639 -  Auditing Systems  

This course examines fundamental concepts related to an information systems audit; including the role of the information systems auditor in systems development. Computer based system controls and identification of appropriate audit procedures for a secure information system are also studied.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

ACCT 640 -  Business Law  

Examines the legal aspects of business and focuses on contracts, property law, sales, product liability, secured transactions, insurance, negotiable instruments, banking and bankruptcy and securities regulation. Students analyze applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and cases and problems on the above topics. Students will also investigate ways to minimize risks in international business transactions using legal means.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Summer Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 690 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

ACCT 695 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 698 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 700 -  Independent Study  

Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. Students work one on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determined by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 790 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

ACCT 795 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ACCT 798 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ECON Courses

ECON 590 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

ECON 595 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ECON 598 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ECON 602 -  Managerial Economics  

This course applies economic concepts and economic analysis to the managerial decision-making in business environments and in other managerial units. The course draws on quantitative teechniques such as regression analysis and correlation to develop optimal decisions concerning pricing, production and evaluating risk. The focus of the course is on firm behavior decision in both competitive and non-competitive environments. Game-theoretic concepts are used to analyze strategic decision-making as a response to competitor's behavior and to government laws and regulations. The course applies economic tools to identify problems of asymmetric information and quantify risk to construct decision rules to manage risk.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ECON 619 -  Quantitative Analysis  

This course is designed to sharpen the problem solving skills for tomorrow's business leaders by presenting quantitative techniques widely used in business decision making. Techniques include the metholology of statistical inference: simple and multiple regression (estimation, testing and prediction), time-series analysis and forecasting, decision theory and statistical process control. Data analysis will be conducted with statistical software programs including spreadsheets and/or other programs selected by the instructor.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ECON 690 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ECON 695 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ECON 698 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ECON 700 -  Independent Study  

Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. Students work one on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determine by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

ECON 790 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

ECON 795 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ECON 798 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN Courses

FIN 590 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

FIN 595 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 598 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 603 -  Global Dynamics of Business  

Globalization and its challenges; cultural diversity and business enterprise; sustainability and ethical challenges in global business; issues of international trade and finance; foreign direct investment; entering foreign markets; global production; global human resource management.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Summer Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 620 -  Financial Management  

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of financial issues faced by financial managers. Topics included are the long-term financial decision, financial assets valuation, risk and return analysis, time value of money, investment decision and evaluations criteria, cost of capital, concept of leverage, theories of capital structure, dividend policy and other related topics for successful financial management of a corporation. This course will also use short-cases so that students will learn to link theory with application and learn to solve cojmplex financial problems.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

FIN 636 -  Advanced Corporate Finance  

This course will focus on theoretical issues that arise in modern corporate finance. Advanced and in-depth analysis of various subjects of corporate finance including security valuation, modern portfolio theory, optimal dividend and capital structure policy, bankruptcy and idstress, mergers and acquisition, real option and risk management will be discussed. Case studies will be used to solve complex business financial problems.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

FIN 690 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

FIN 695 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

FIN 698 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

FIN 700 -  Independent Study  

Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. Students work one on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determined by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Business Adm-Accountng/Finance, Business Adm-Management/Mrktng, Business Administration or Business Administration (OL).

FIN 790 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Graduate.

FIN 795 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

FIN 798 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.