Accounting
California Lutheran University’s bachelor of science program in accounting offers excellent preparation for a career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or for an accounting career in private, nonprofit or governmental organizations. The program combines general education studies, a selection of business-related courses and intensive work in all aspects of accounting.
Accounting majors take courses that focus on financial accounting, managerial/cost accounting, tax audit, banking, capital markets and quantitative analysis.
The Accounting Association, a student club, offers opportunities for students to become knowledgeable about the accounting profession and to prepare for entry into an accounting career. Frequent meetings are used to introduce students to professional exam preparation, recruiters in the area, advice from accounting professionals and to develop camaraderie and friendships among this highly motivated group of students.
Accounting majors have entered careers as accountants, budget officers, controllers, consultants, financial analysts and planners, and tax attorneys. CLU accounting graduates have been successful in passing the CPA examinations and in accepting positions with the largest firms.
See Business Administration for course descriptions and faculty listing.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
79 credits minimum, 62 credits upper division.
BUS 251 | Principles of Accounting | 4 |
BUS 252 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
Select one of the following: | 5-6 | |
General Economics and General Economics Lab | ||
Introduction to Micro-Economics and Introduction to MacRo-Economics | ||
MATH 245 | Applied Calculus | 4 |
BUS 257 | Practicum in Accounting | 2 |
BUS 352A | Intermediate Accounting | 4 |
BUS 352B | Intermediate Accounting II | 4 |
BUS 367 | Behavior in Organizations | 4 |
BUS 374 | Business Law | 4 |
BUS 375 | Principles of Marketing | 4 |
BUS 391 | Principles of Finance | 4 |
BUS 451 | Cost Accounting - Computer Application | 4 |
BUS 452 | Tax I | 4 |
BUS 453 | Auditing | 4 |
BUS 454 | Advanced Accounting | 4 |
BUS 462 | Tax II | 4 |
BUS 301 | Communication for Managers | 4 |
or COMM 306 | Business and Professional Communication | |
ECON 311 | Statistical Methods | 4 |
BUS 484 | Senior Seminar in Accounting - Capstone | 4 |
Select one of the following: | 4 | |
Ethics | ||
Social Ethics | ||
Technology and Value | ||
Contemporary Christian Ethics | ||
Theology and Business Ethics | ||
Upper Division Elective Credits | 2 | |
Total Hours | 81-82 |
Courses
Lower Division
BUS 151. Introduction to Business. (4).
Students will have instruction in various
business and economic topics (Marketing,
Management, Finance, Personal Financial Planning,
Economics, etc.) to better prepare them for
making informed choices in selecting their
ultimate degree and emphasis areas of study.
Students will benefit from an introduction to
advising and academic guidance. They will have an
opportunity to meet with and be instructed by
various faculty members from the school of
business on a "guest professor" basis. Students
in this course will participate in benchmarking
exercises to contribute to outcomes assessment
reports. Prerequisite to BUS 251 - Principles of
Accounting.
BUS 251. Principles of Accounting. (4).
An introduction to the basic assumptions that
underlie modern accounting: the principles,
procedures and methods applied in the preparation
of financial statements. Prerequisite:
MATH 115 or equivalent and BUS 151.
BUS 252. Managerial Accounting. (4).
An examination of how accounting data is used,
communicated and interpreted for internal use.
Emphasis is placed on planning, control and
decision making, particularly in a manufacturing
setting. This course will include instruction in
and application of computer spreadsheet programs.
The student will be required to use
word-processing and spreadsheet programs for work
submitted during this course. In addition, an
introduction to and use of Internet research
resources are included in the course syllabus.
Prerequisite: BUS 251.
BUS 253. Financial Information in Business Organization. (4).
This course is designed for non-business majors
who are not required to take Principles of
Accounting or Managerial Accounting. The intent
of the course is to provide students with
sufficient background in accounting and finance
to allow them to function more effectively in
their chosen careers. To that end, the course
will cover the basics of financial accounting and
managerial accounting, with some additional
material typically covered in finance and
economics courses.
BUS 255. Environment of Business. (4).
This course provides an introduction to and an
overview of topics and disciplines addressed and
taught in a typical Schools of Management
curriculum. The topics are important background
for the non-business major. It is an
introductory-level treatment of course topics
required in business emphasis areas: Accounting,
Finance, Marketing, Management, Economics, and
others. Career Services on campus are the basis
for assignments with a focus on career readiness.
Spreadsheet software is taught and used for
completing assignments for the course.
Importantly, expectations and standards for
further coursework will be communicated so
students are better able to set goals for success
in their academic pursuits and chosen career.
BUS 257. Practicum in Accounting. (2).
Basic principles of accounting will be presented
as a review for a solid foundation in GAAP and
accounting. The course will include theory, as
well as the completion of hands on financial
statements using Excel and other software.
BUS 275. Intro to Advertising. (3).
An exploration of advertising from the
management-marketing, consumer and communications
creativity viewpoint. Focus is on general
principles and broad perspectives with particular
emphasis on strategy and how advertising fits
into the total sales program.
BUS 282. Selected Topics. (1-4).
Upper Division
BUS 301. Communication for Managers. (4).
The study of business communications methods with
emphasis on planning, organizing, preparing and
presenting major reports. Significant use of
computer skills will be included, as well as
design and structure of communication materials
for the highest levels of impact.
BUS 310. Managerial Use of Information Systems. (4).
This course investigates the nature and uses of
various types of information systems in business
organizations, including decision support
systems, expert systems, executive and management
information systems, and communication systems.
Examines the relationships between information
system use and business strategy and the
applications of information systems in the
development of competitive advantage. (ADEP only).
BUS 321. Computer Organizations and Architecture. (4).
Principles of computer organization and
architecture are introduced from a layered point
of view, beginning at data representation and
progressing through the machine language
execution cycle. Representative hardware-software
tradeoffs in the implementation of various
computer system components will be presented. The
design and interface to a variety of peripheral
devices will also be discussed. The emphasis will
be on the hardware aspects of a computer system.
BUS 342. Marketing Research/Consumer Behavior. (4).
A detailed focus on marketing research, strategy,
statistical techniques and decision-theory
concepts. Includes the nature of the influences
affecting consumer behaviors, values, lifestyles,
market segmentation, motivation and attitudes
that form consumer marketing decisions.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
BUS 344. Copywriting/Storyboarding in Broadcast Advertising. (4).
Designed as a "hands-on" communication and
business course, this course provides an overview
of broadcast media and develops skills in basic
advertising/public relations campaign production
techniques including scripting, copywriting and
storyboarding. (cross-listed with COMM 344).
BUS 350. Data Communication and Networks. (4).
Includes a discussion of distributed data
processing, communication techniques, wide-area
and local-area networks, integrated services
digital network, open-systems interconnections,
security and network management.
BUS 352A. Intermediate Accounting. (4).
Includes detailed coverage of accounting theory
and practice as applied to the corporate form of
business. Topics include income statement,
earnings per share, income tax allocation,
compound interest, revenue recognition,
price-level accounting, an introduction to fund
accounting and a thorough treatment of balance
sheet accounts. Prerequisites: BUS 251
(for BUS 352A), BUS 352A (for BUS 352B).
BUS 352B. Intermediate Accounting II. (4).
Includes detailed coverage of accounting theory
and practice as applied to the corporate form of
business. Topics include income statement,
earnings per share, income tax allocation,
compound interest, revenue recognition,
price-level accounting, an introduction to fund
accounting and a thorough treatment of balance
sheet accounts. Prerequisites: BUS 251
(for BUS 352A), BUS 352A (for BUS 352B).
BUS 354. Theology and Business Ethics. (4).
This course applies ethical theory to business
decisions within the context of theological
reflection. With a strategic focus, the course
will investigate the relationship between
theological ethics and the economic concerns of
managers. The course is particularly designed to
help students become effective ethical agents by
developing the skills to apply ethical principle
to strategic business decisions. (cross-listed
with REL 354).
BUS 355. Client/Server Fundamentals. (4).
Discusses modern technology in network
communication and cooperative computation. Topics
include client/server design concepts, software
expectations, hardware requirements, service
support and training issues. Prerequisite:
CSC 220 or CSC 300.
BUS 361. Human Resource Management. (4).
A study of the use of the human resources within
the organization. Includes recruiting, selecting
and training employees, wage administration and
union relations. Focus is on government
regulation of employment practices, including
Equal Opportunity Employment and affirmative
action.
BUS 365. Organization Theory. (4).
Analysis and design of modern organizations with
an emphasis on organizational technology.
Perspectives include organization design,
organization effectiveness and changing
organization culture, and the organization and
its external environment. Attention is given to
emerging global realities. Integrates theoretical
knowledge with practical applications.
BUS 367. Behavior in Organizations. (4).
An introduction to the methods and findings of
the behavioral sciences on the persisting human
problems of organizations. Attention is given to
the roles of individual attributes, group
dynamics and organizational structure in
determining levels of performance at work.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
BUS 370. Multimedia Technology. (4).
Introduces modern multimedia technologies. Topics
include basic concepts, principles, sound images,
animation, standards, hardware and software
requirements, new technologies, current research
and practice, and future directions.
BUS 374. Business Law. (4).
The study of law as it relates to business.
Topics include contracts, agencies, commercial
paper, personal property, sales, real property
and insurance.
BUS 375. Principles of Marketing. (4).
The study of marketing methods and practices.
Topics include policies and problems related to
consumers, pricing, advertising, management
information systems and distribution and
management of the marketing function.
(cross-listed with COMM 375).
BUS 376. Sales Management. (4).
This course concerns the sales and sales
management functions as they exist in
business-to-business sales settings. The course
discusses current problems in sales management
and the design of effective sales management
processes and systems. Prerequisite: BUS 375.
BUS 380. Principles of Advertising. (4).
An exploration of advertising from an integrated
marketing communications perspective. Focus is on
general principles and broad perspectives with
particular emphasis on strategy and the role of
advertising in an integrated program. Students
will examine consumer motivation, planning and
development, the creative process and campaign
execution and evaluation. (cross-listed with
COMM 380).
BUS 381. Information, Systems, and Organizational Design. (4).
Surveys the major components of business
information systems (hardware, networks, data and
applications) and investigates the
interrelationships between information, systems,
organizational structure, processes and strategy.
BUS 391. Principles of Finance. (4).
Introduces students to the field of finance
through an applied conceptual framework using
problem sets and computer software to analyze
various financial dilemmas. Topics include
security valuation, risk analysis, working
capital management, financial budgeting and
planning, time value of money concepts, financial
ratio analysis and capital budgeting.
Prerequisite: BUS 252.
BUS 392. Intermediate Finance. (4).
Students learn to appreciate the usefulness and
limitations of financial statements in valuation
concepts and financial analysis and are made
aware of the value of the role of financial
information in capital markets. Concepts are
reinforced through problem sets. Prerequisite:
BUS 391.
BUS 393. Corporate Finance. (4).
Provides a conceptual framework for analyzing the
major types of investment and financial decisions
of corporations. The course reviews modern
financial theory related to capital structure,
cost of capital, dividend policy, intermediate
and long-term financing, corporate restructuring
and capital budgeting. Employs a mix of problem
sets and cases. Prerequisite: BUS 391.
BUS 394. International Business. (4).
Covers international trade and its effect on the
world economy. Includes the problems of the
multinational firm and the impact of numerous
environmental factors on the conduct of business
across national boundaries.
BUS 395. Financial Strategy. (4).
Deals with corporate financial strategies
primarily in the areas of valuation, capital
structure, external financing, bankruptcy,
mergers and acquisitions. These issues are
addressed mostly in the context of case studies
that illustrate how ideas studied in introductory
finance courses are applied to real-world
situations. Prerequisite: BUS 391.
BUS 400. Graphical User Interface. (4).
An introductory course to user interface
fundamentals. Topics include development
methodologies, evaluation techniques,
user-interface building tools, considerations in
the design phase, identification of design rules
and successful delivery of the design.
Prerequisite: CSC 220 or CSC 300.
BUS 410. Database Management Systems. (4).
Studies the concepts and structures necessary to
design and operate a database management system.
Topics include data modeling, relational database
design and database querying.
BUS 411. Sports-Related Marketing. (4).
An introduction to management and marketing
issues in the sports industry, with a particular
emphasis on major and minor league professional
sports. Students will receive a broad overview of
the structure of sports and its relationship to
the dominant culture, the economy and the media.
(cross-listed with COMM 411).
BUS 418. Business in China and India. (4).
Students investigate China and India in terms of
the macro forces and factors that comprise the
business environment in these "big emerging
markets." Students work to understand the
demographic, economic, socio-cultural,
political-legal, technological and natural forces
that influence business in China and India. They
compare and contrast how business is conducted
within the two countries as well as with foreign
enterprises, and they assess current and emerging
opportunities for business in the region. Through
readings, online research, discussions, and case
analyses, students learn what appear to be
critical factors for business success in China
and India.
BUS 420. White-Collar Crime. (4).
This course will provide students with a critical
examination of white-collar crime and deviance,
its impact on society, and what might be done to
address this social problem. Cross-listed with
CRIM 420.
BUS 429. Executive Roundtable. (4).
This course is designed to provide students with
an appreciation of how management and finance
theory are integrated into the strategies of the
modern cooperation.
BUS 430. Integrated Marketing Communication. (4).
This course explores the role of communications
in marketing management, the strategic
integration of promotional tools, and the
application of generic IMC concepts in various
social and organizational contexts-commercial,
non-profit, domestic, and international.
Communication trends and technologies are
illuminated. The impact of marketing
communications on individuals and on society as a
whole is critically evaluated. Through readings,
discussions, and analyzing cases, students learn
how communications objectives are accomplished
through carefully chosen combinations of public
relations, advertising, sales promotion, personal
selling, database and online marketing.
Prerequisite: BUS 375 / COMM 375 Principles of
Marketing.
BUS 439. Senior Seminar in Management Thought and Practice. (4).
The consideration of classic and contemporary
writings on issues related to the management of
the business enterprise and the role of business
in the larger society. Prerequisite: senior
standing.
BUS 440. Marketing Simulations. (4).
Emphasis is placed on the marketing planning
function, consumer identification and buyer
behavior, marketing strategies and price-value
relationships.
BUS 442. Advertising Campaigns. (4).
Advances the principles learned in introductory
advertising and marketing courses and includes
the application of principles learned through the
completion of an actual consumer-oriented
marketing/advertising campaign. Includes lecture
and lab. Prerequisites: BUS 375, senior standing.
(cross-listed with COMM 442).
BUS 443. Event Planning and Management. (4).
The study of the theory and practice of various
forms of event planning and management. The class
will be using a hands-on approach to delve into
this wonderful field and will include lessons on
budget, décor, entertainment, types, and security
issues. (cross-listed with COMM 443).
BUS 445. Marketing and Management of Services. (4).
Addresses marketing and management issues related
to the service component of products,
particularly products which are
service-intensive. Topics include understanding
the distinctive aspects of services, creating and
delivering services, developing and managing the
customer service function, balancing demand and
supply in a service environment and others.
BUS 446. Theories and Practice of Leadership. (4).
Examines leadership from theoretical, historical
and practical perspectives. Includes topics of
trait, behavioral and contingency theories; the
influence process; management vs. leadership,
leadership and followership. Survey of leadership
theory and research; characteristics of leaders,
theories of leadership origins and psychological
and social correlates. Interaction of personal
and organizational factors in determining
leadership effectiveness. (ADEP only).
BUS 447. Social Marketing. (4).
Reflecting the needs of social entrepreneurs,
NGOs and nonprofit organizations, the course
explores the use of marketing to effect
behavioral changes for the benefit of
individuals, society and the global environment.
Social marketing is viewed in various
organizational and cultural contexts, both
domestic and international. Trends and
technologies are critically evaluated. Through
reading, discussion and practical application,
students learn how social marketing objectives
are accomplished through carefully chosen
combinations of research, planning,
implementation and program evaluation.
Prerequisite: BUS 375 / COMM 375.
BUS 448. Organization Development. (4).
The study of planned change in organizations
including diagnosis of the organization and
implementation of organization development
interventions. Emphasis on teamwork in
organizations and survey development.
Prerequisite: senior standing.
BUS 449. Managerial Leadership: Core Competencies And Skills. (4).
Focuses on the development of the core
competencies and skills needed for effective
managerial leadership at all levels of the
organization. Each skill component will follow a
five-step developmental pedagogy: (1) Assessment,
(2) Learning, (3) Analysis, (4) Practice and (5)
Application. Prerequisite: senior standing.
BUS 450. Advanced Public Relations. (4).
Students strengthen their command of the
processes and techniques of public relations and
apply them strategically to real-world PR
stations. They apply the full process of public
relations management, including research and
analysis, planning, implementation, and control
and evaluation, while producing a strategic PR
plan and professional media kit. They role-play
crisis communications planning and response in an
emergency PR exercise. Ethical considerations in
PR management are examined; the impact of current
PR practices on individuals and society are
critically evaluated. Prerequisite:
COMM 342. (cross-listed with COMM 450).
BUS 451. Cost Accounting - Computer Application. (4).
Advanced study of the procedures used to
determine costs for manufacturing operations.
Includes process and differential costing,
overhead allocation, profit-volume analysis,
joint products and by-products and responsibility
accounting. Emphasis is placed on making informed
business decisions based on quantifiable data.
Prerequisites: BUS 252; junior standing.
BUS 452. Tax I. (4).
A study of current federal tax laws and issues as
they pertain to the individual taxpayer. Cases
are used to provide practical experience in
implementation of tax law interpretations;
emphasis is placed on the evolution of the
philosophy that drives development of the federal
tax code. Prerequisite: BUS 251. (offered one
semester each year).
BUS 453. Auditing. (4).
Covers the legal responsibilities, theory and
procedures in the conduct of an audit and the
making of an audit report. Prerequisite:
BUS 352B. (offered one semester each year).
BUS 454. Advanced Accounting. (4).
Accounting for business combinations and the
preparation of consolidated financial statements.
Also includes accounting for partnerships,
consignments, foreign currency translation, fund
accounting and international accounting.
Prerequisite: BUS 352B. (offered one semester
each year).
BUS 461. Advanced Human Resource Management. (4).
Studies advanced human resource management
problems and practices and is intended for
students interested in a professional career as a
human resource management specialist. Topics
include selection, placement, employee
development and employee relations in private and
public sector organizations. Prerequisite:
BUS 361.
BUS 462. Tax II. (4).
A study of tax laws and issues pertaining to
business entities such as partnerships,
C-corporations and S-corporations. Focuses on the
taxation of estates and trusts and expands the
study of personal taxation introduced in Tax I.
Prerequisite: BUS 452. (offered one semester each
year).
BUS 463. Exporting/Importing. (4).
Provides a pragmatic overview of the different
aspects of importing/exporting and a working
knowledge of the various terms and techniques
essential to establish and maintain a profitable
import/export business in America. Discussions
and assignments will include the marketing
organization, regulation, terms of access,
documentation, shipments and financing involved
with the international movement of products.
BUS 468. Venture Development. (4).
A study of venture development through
entrepreneurship. Designed to help the student
discover the opportunities and challenges of
operating a business enterprise. The student will
apply concepts learned in other business courses
to the business operation. Recommended: BUS 391.
BUS 469. Strategic Management (capstone). (4).
Complex business cases integrating the fields of
marketing, finance, law, accounting, economics
and industrial management provide a realistic
view of how general managers deal with conceptual
business problems. Cases include analysis of
strategic, interpersonal business problems.
Prerequisite: senior standing;
prerequisite/corequisite: BUS 391.
BUS 472. International Finance. (4).
Focuses on the financial environment surrounding
multinational businesses involved in
international trade, investment and financing.
Covers management of current assets and
liabilities, including foreign financing
decisions and techniques, and investigates
foreign investment decisions, feasibility
analysis and capital budgeting. The course uses
problem sets and case studies to reinforce the
concepts discussed in class. Prerequisite:
BUS 391. Recommended: senior standing.
BUS 473. Marketing Management. (4).
Focuses on the effective design and management of
the marketing function in a business organization
and the development of effective marketing
programs. Topics include strategic marketing
plans organization and incentive structures for
the sales force, product launch, marketing
communication and integration with other
essential management functions. Prerequisites:
BUS 375, senior standing.
BUS 474. International Marketing. (4).
An exploration of international marketing
conditions with emphasis on foreign market
research; trade promotion; political, legal,
economic and cultural environments; product and
service adaptability; and the development of
strategic marketing plans for multinational
competition. Prerequisite: BUS 375.
BUS 475. Investment Analysis and Portfolio Development. (4).
Provides the necessary background to critically
evaluate both the practical and academic
literature on investments. Stocks and bonds are
addressed in market equilibrium and within the
context of portfolio development. The capital
asset pricing model, market efficiency and the
investment environment are covered. Prerequisite:
BUS 391.
BUS 476. International Business Behavior. (4).
A review of current organizational development
approaches developed in the United States for
possible international application. Cultural
influences fostering or hindering the development
of effective humanistic organizations are
explored. Prerequisite: BUS 394 or consent of
instructor.
BUS 477. Personal Financial Planning. (4).
An in-depth study of personal budgeting and
long-term planning, investment opportunities,
credit, financial institutions, insurance, risk
preferences and goals. Prerequisite: junior
standing.
BUS 478. Pacific Rim/Art of Japanese Management. (4).
An examination of our international trading
partners in the Pacific Rim with special
attention to their history, culture and
political, economic, business and management
systems. Attention is given to an assessment of
both American and Japanese approaches to
management and slow-growth economies.
(cross-listed with POLS 478).
BUS 479. Advanced Strategic Management. (4).
Applies the principles of business and industry
analysis and strategy formulation to the coming
economic battles between Japan, United States and
Europe and among the major emerging international
trading blocs. Prerequisite: BUS 469.
BUS 482. Selected Topics. (1-4).
BUS 484. Senior Seminar in Accounting - Capstone. (4).
The alternative capstone course for B.S. in
accounting majors. Includes the history and
evolution of the accounting profession with an
investigation and critique of current theory.
Prerequisite: BUS 454.
BUS 485. Seminar. (2-4).
BUS 490. Independent Study. (1-4).
BUS 492. Internship. (1-4).
BUS 493. Field Studies. (2).