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Mission Statement
The missions of the Stan Ross Department of Accountancy are (1) to operate the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in accountancy, (2) to provide accounting knowledge to students with majors in areas other than accounting, and (3) to serve its student, academic, and business constituencies through engagement in high quality research. Consistent with the Zicklin School’s mission, the Department seeks to provide high quality, high value education to enhance the professional aims of its students.
As one of its major accomplishments, the Department’s programs have always provided the tools necessary for a diverse student body to contribute to the development and prosperity of New York City, the country, and the world. Accounting graduates have become leaders in business, not-for-profit organizations, and government.
The undergraduate program is the largest of the Department's programs and receives the majority of the Department's resources. Undergraduate students obtain both the technical tools and general background necessary for successful careers in accounting. Much of the program's emphasis is directed to enhancing the students' ability to understand the environment and to alert students to the broad implications of accounting principles, procedures and accounting decisions.
The Department’s master's programs in accountancy seek to expand the knowledge and skills that students bring from undergraduate school and the workplace. The MBA in Accountancy appeals, generally, to students with business experience. This program seeks to provide students with both a broad business base and the accounting and managerial tools necessary to function effectively as accountants and manage others in public accounting, private industry, and not-for-profit organizations.
The MS in Accountancy is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in any field. It provides advanced coursework in preparation for financial and accounting positions in diverse areas and, as one option, provides the knowledge and skill set necessary to sit for the CPA examination. Students enrolled in the 150-hour program receive both an undergraduate degree in their chosen major and the MS in Accountancy.
The Department’s master's programs in taxation appeal to students who wish to specialize in this area. The MBA is for students who desire a broader business education, whereas the MS is for those wishing to focus only upon taxation. The goal of both the MBA and the MS is to provide students with an understanding of concepts, procedures, and specific tools necessary for effective practice in the field.
The PhD program in Accountancy develops prospective professors of accounting who possess the tools necessary for future research. PhD students are expected to conduct meaningful, imaginative, and rigorous research in the field. Their doctoral dissertations require them to demonstrate this ability prior to graduation.
In conducting these programs, the Department provides students with an appreciation of relevant concepts and theories, their relationship to society, a strong sense of ethical issues, and the opportunity to interact with accounting practitioners and business executives.
Course and curriculum committees help the Department to achieve its educational objectives. These committees are in place for each major accounting course area. They meet periodically to discuss course content and consider the need for modifications. Curricula are revised, as necessary, to reflect the suggestions and mandates of the various accrediting agencies, the business community, and the New York State Education Department. The Department continuously evaluates and modifies its programs based on that input.
For a faculty member to achieve tenure and promotion, he or she must teach effectively, publish quality research, and provide service to the department, school, and college. This is communicated to faculty members at appointment and reviewed at each year's annual meeting with the chair. The annual review includes discussion of the faculty member's teaching as evaluated by students and peers, publication record, and record of service. The publication record should reflect contributions to the creation and dissemination of knowledge in accounting, preferably in top-tier academic journals. The faculty, as a whole, is also very active in academic and professional endeavors.
The Stan Ross Department of Accountancy intends to build on its tradition of excellence in public higher education in accountancy. With a rededication to quality, the Department seeks to realize the fullest potential of its educational mission by energetically responding to the strong aspirations of its students, faculty, and alumni.