2011-2012 Graduate Calendar

Accounting

 

Master of Accountancy

Fields of Specialization

General

Information Systems (MAcc only)

Taxation (MAcc only)

Dean

Philip J. Kitchen

Faculty of Business

Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Programs

Danny Cho

Faculty of Business

Core Faculty

Professor

Fayez Elayan (Accounting), Raafat R. Roubi (Accounting)

Associate Professors

Ian Adamson (Accounting), Darlene Bay (Accounting), Ernest Biktimirov (Finance, Operations and Information Systems), Gail L. Cook (Accounting), Louis Culumovic (Accounting), Maureen Donnelly (Accounting), Paul Dunn (Accounting), Sandra M. Felton (Accounting), Hemantha Herath (Accounting), Mark Julien (Organizational Behaviour, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship and Ethics), Eugene Kaciak (Finance, Operations and Information Systems), Pascale Lapointe-Antunes (Accounting), Jingyu (Jennifer) Li (Accounting), Herbert MacKenzie (Marketing, International Business and Strategy), Alex Nikitkov (Accounting), Barbara Sainty (Accounting), Paul Scarbrough (Accounting), Anamitra Shome (Accounting), Linda Stillabower (Accounting), Samir Trabelsi (Accounting), Allister Young (Accounting)

Assistant Professors

Leslie Berger (Accounting), Walid Ben Omrane (Finance, Operations and Information Systems), Zhefeng (Frank) Liu (Accounting), James Moore (Accounting), Parunchana Pacharn (Accounting)

Participating Faculty

Assistant Professors

Donald Brown (Accounting)

Lecturers

Marilyn Adams (Accounting), M. Sharon Broderick (Marketing, International Business and Strategy), Norman Chasse (Accounting), Jacqueline Glenney (Marketing, International Business and Strategy), Sangeeta Hollo (Accounting), Sohyung Kim (Accounting), Carolyn MacTavish (Accounting), Patrick Ounlert (Accounting), Glenn Skrubbeltrang (Accounting), Xia (Celine) Zhang (Accounting)

Director of Graduate Programs

Shari Sekel

905-688-5550, extension 3916

Taro 461A

http://www.bus.brocku.ca/macc

Graduate Academic Co-ordinator

Bryan Butryn

905-688-5550, extension 3461

Taro 468

International Co-ordinator, Graduate Programs

Jingtao (Teresa) Feng

905-688-5550, extension 4157

Taro 458

Recruitment Officer, Graduate Programs

Andrea Johnson

905-688-5550, extension 5362

Taro 468

International Recruitment/Admissions Officer

Jason Barfoot

905-688-5550, extension 5936

Taro 413

Administrative Assistant, Graduate Programs

Bei (Nora) Xiao

905-688-5550, extension 4156

Taro 461

Director, Co-op Programs

Cindy Dunne

 

Master of Accountancy

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Program Description

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The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program (a two term program) enables students to assimilate advanced knowledge in accounting and related aspects of business. The program encourages the development of critical thinking, analytic and communication skills. It is intended to enhance the ability of students to adapt and respond to a complex changing business environment and to develop a professional attitude, with sensitivity to related ethical questions. The overall objective is to provide a strong academic grounding that will support and encourage the expansion of knowledge for both the individual and the profession over the long term.

Students select one of the following streams: (A) General, that includes one independent study with a faculty member in the student's area of interest, (B) Taxation, that includes advanced study in several areas of taxation (C) Information systems, that includes advanced study in several areas of information systems and one independent study in the area of information systems with a faculty member. In all streams, students take one or more electives or specialty courses in other business topics or in approved topics outside the business faculty.

 

Admission Requirements

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Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, with an accounting concentration including courses in advanced financial accounting, advanced management accounting, corporate tax, auditing and other business courses with an average of not less than 75%. Students with an undergraduate education from outside North America will be considered for the MAcc or IMAcc program (see below) depending on the applicant's background and future intentions.

A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 105 (or equivalent) is required for all applicants whose first language is not English.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.

Applicants who do not have the required prerequisites may be given the opportunity to complete one or more prerequisite terms. However, acceptance to Brock for purposes of obtaining prerequisites does not constitute acceptance into the Master of Accountancy.

Part-time study is not available.

 

Degree Requirements

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The program consists of a series of courses required for all students. In addition to the required courses, students select from the general stream as outlined in Stream A, the tax specialty stream as outlined in Stream B or the information systems specialty stream as outlined in Stream C below. All students must complete a total of 10 half-credits.

The Master of Accountancy is normally completed in two terms (Fall and Winter).

 

Required Courses

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MACC 5P21 Strategic Cost Management

MACC 5P32 Global Tax Management and Planning or MACC 5P41 Advanced Topics in the Taxation of Corporations and their Shareholders

MACC 5P91 Advanced Topics in Corporate Finance

MACC 5Y11 Integration and Analysis I

MACC 5Y12 Integration and Analysis II

MACC 5P51 Information Technology and Systems

MACC 5P61 Corporate Governance

 

Stream A: General

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The general stream provides students with a broad background in all aspects of accounting. It is expected that they will select their electives and their independent study topic in areas that allow them to develop expertise in one or more specialized disciplines such as, auditing, finance or management accounting.

In addition to the required courses, general stream students will take two half-credit course electives. Students must enroll in MACC 5F91 (Independent Study) under the supervision of a faculty member in the accounting discipline of their choice. The elective courses are normally selected from other graduate courses offered in the Faculty of Business. Requests to take electives from upper year undergraduate offerings and/or graduate courses outside of the Faculty of Business may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. The proposal for the independent study must be approved by the Associate Dean and the Chair of the Accounting Department.

 

Stream B: Taxation

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The tax specialty stream provides students with advanced knowledge in taxation and an ability to research tax issues and communicate results efficiently and effectively. The tax specialty requires several major papers and projects that are spread across the courses in the program, offering students an opportunity to develop their research and communication skills, as well as an opportunity to investigate specialized tax issues.

In addition to the required courses, students in the tax specialty stream will take MACC 5P42, (Tax Research and Statutory Interpretation and Practice) MACC 5P43 (Tax Policy), and MACC 5P45 (International Taxation: The Canada/United States Model) and one half-credit elective. The elective half-credit course is normally selected from other graduate courses offered in the Faculty of Business. Requests to take electives from upper year undergraduate offerings and/or graduate courses outside of the Faculty of Business may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Stream C: Information Systems

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The information systems specialty stream provides students with advanced expertise in information systems and technology. Students also will develop a strong understanding of the strategic role of information systems and will be able to review and assist in their design. Students will complete research and design projects in each of their specialty courses. It is expected that the required independent study project will reflect research and/or consulting activities in the information systems field.

In addition to the required courses, students in the information systems specialty stream will take MACC 5P54 (Expert Systems in Business), MACC 5P52 (E-Commerce), and MACC 5P53 (Database Design and Management). In addition, students in the information systems stream must also enroll in MACC 5P92 (Independent Study for Information Systems) under the supervision of a faculty member. The proposal for the independent study must be approved by the Associate Dean and the Chair of the Accounting Department.

 

International Master of Accountancy

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Program Description

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The International Master of Accountancy (IMAcc) program provides international students with a broad background in all aspects of accounting with emphasis on managerial accounting and information systems. The content and program objectives are substantially the same as the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program described above with minor modifications that focus on the needs of international students. The IMAcc program is a lock-step program that includes: an intensive English language study program, a transition term, and two academic terms (12 months). Each of these terms increases students' skills and prepares them for subsequent terms.

 

Admission Requirements

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Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, with a substantial number of accounting courses, and at least the equivalent of a B academic standing. Students with undergraduate education from outside North America will be considered for the IMAcc or MAcc program depending on the applicants' backgrounds, and future intentions.

Proof of English language proficiency will be required from all applicants. The minimum required score for entry is 550 on the TOEFL PBT or equivalent.

 

Business English

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All students entering the IMAcc program must complete a non-credit Business English program with satisfactory standing in all courses. Students who do not achieve satisfactory standing may be withdrawn from the IMAcc program by the Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Research in consultation with the MAcc Committee. The Business English program takes place for four weeks in August of each year. The objective of this program is to enable development in the four key language skill areas, reading, writing, listening and speaking in a business context, prior to proceeding to the transition term and graduate courses. The program concentrates on real world examples from the North American business environment. Business English courses are offered in co-operation with Brock's ESL Services and include:

MACC 5N81 Business Reading

MACC 5N82 Business Writing

MACC 5N83 Business Listening

MACC 5N84 Business Speaking

 

Transition Term

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All students entering the IMAcc program must take courses during a one-term transitional period. This takes place in the Fall of each year. The objective of this transition term is to ensure that students have the appropriate background in North American accounting, business environment, educational delivery methods, and English to continue in the IMAcc program. Students must complete the courses with satisfactory marks before they are permitted to continue with the graduate courses.

Transition term courses may include:

MACC 5P01 Financial Accounting I

MACC 5P02 Financial Accounting II

MACC 5Y03 Managerial Accounting

MACC 5Y04 Corporate Finance

MACC 5P05 Marketing, Operations Management and Organizational Behaviour

MACC 5Y06 The Legal and Political Environment

MACC 5Y07 Business Communications

 

Degree Requirements

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The program is lock-step and consists of the following required courses for all IMAcc students:

MACC 5P21 Strategic Cost Management

MACC 5P31 Advanced Management Accounting

MACC 5P32 Global Tax Management and Planning

MACC 5P51 Information Technology and Systems

MACC 5P52 E-Commerce

MACC 5P53 Database Design and Management

MACC 5P60 Advanced Accounting Theory

MACC 5P61 Corporate Governance

MACC 5P91 Advanced Topics in Corporate Finance

MACC 5Y11 Integration and Analysis I

MACC 5Y12 Integration and Analysis II

 

Co-op Option

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A paid co-op option is available to MAcc and IMAcc students. MAcc students will complete term one of the program prior to the co-op term. IMAcc students will complete all of their academic requirements prior to the co-op term. The exposure to courses in the core areas of accounting and finance provides the necessary academic background for the internship experience. Students may be admitted to the co-op option upon initial MAcc or IMAcc program admission or following the first term of graduate courses. Co-op students will be required to maintain a 75% overall average and achieve appropriate English language proficiency. Admission to the co-op option is on the basis of marks, a review of a personal resumé and employer availability. An interview may be required. In addition to the current tuition fees, co-op students are assessed a co-op administrative fee.

 

Course Descriptions

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Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

MACC 5F91

Independent Study

Research and/or consulting project carried out in collaboration with a faculty adviser and relevant resource personnel. Development of knowledge in a specialized discipline and development of ability to apply the knowledge to particular issues and/or situations.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the general stream.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5F91.

MACC 5N11

Co-op Placement I

Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to graduate accounting co-op students with permission of the Faculty of Business Graduate Programs Office.

MACC 5N12

Co-op Placement II

Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer. Enrolment subject to approval by Program Director.

Restriction: open to graduate accounting co-op students with permission of the Faculty of Business Graduate Programs Office.

MACC 5N13

Co-op Placement III

Co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer. Enrolment subject to approval by Program Director.

Restriction: open to graduate accounting co-op students with permission of the Faculty of Business Graduate Programs Office.

MACC 5N81

Business Writing

(also offered as MBAB 5N81)

Emphasis on written business communication memos, letters, e-mails, reports, proposals.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

MACC 5N82

Business Reading

(also offered as MBAB 5N82)

Vocabulary and conventions of North American business.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

MACC 5N83

Business Listening

(also offered as MBAB 5N83)

Practice with business related audio/video materials. Academic note-taking skills.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

MACC 5N84

Business Speaking

(also offered as MBAB 5N84)

Developing oral communication skills for business meetings and presentations. Recognizing cultural differences in business practices.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

MACC 5N90

Co-op Training and Development

Framework for the development of learning objectives by students for individual work term(s). Includes orientation to the co-op experience, goal setting, résumé preparation, interview skills preparation.

Restriction: open to graduate business co-op students with permission of the Faculty of Business Graduate Programs Office.

MACC 5P01

Financial Accounting I

The theory and practice of financial statement preparation including the conceptual framework for accounting choices, revenue recognition and the role of financial information in contracting. Emphasis on the measurement, reporting, and disclosure of monetary assets and liabilities. Includes complex issues such as accounting for leases, pensions, future income taxes, intercorporate investments and cash flow reporting.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P01.

MACC 5P02

Financial Accounting II

Explores the theory and practice of preparing, measuring and reporting financial information for corporations. Includes essentials of financial analysis, stock valuation using accounting information, accounts receivable, inventory, capital assets, use of derivatives and other financial instruments in hedging, shareholders' equity and shareholders' rights, and inter-corporate investments.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P02.

MACC 5P05

Marketing, Operations Management, and Organizational Behaviour

Introduction to fundamental concepts in marketing, operations management and organizational behaviour as they exist in the North American business environment.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P05.

MACC 5P21

Strategic Cost Management

Identification and exploration of current and emerging issues in management accounting. Investigation and analysis of complex issues within an applied organizational setting.

Restriction: open to MAcc and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P21.

MACC 5P31

Advanced Management Accounting

Examines various advanced topics such as cost behaviours, costing systems, accounting for decision-making, planning and control, incentive and compensation systems, decentralization, and performance evaluation.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P31.

MACC 5P32

Global Tax Management and Planning

Focuses on the fundamentals of international tax principles and rules. Provides a structural framework within which international tax issues can be examined by both governments and multinational corporations. The role of treaties in international tax planning will be discussed using the Canada-US Income Tax Convention as an example. Particular emphasis will be placed on the key provisions of the OECD Model Treaty. Other topics included will be source-based taxation, related party transactions, harmful tax competition, tax avoidance measures and the role of tax havens.

Restriction: open to MAcc, MBA and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P32.

MACC 5P41

Advanced Topics in the Taxation of Corporations and their Shareholders

Technical and planning issues related to structures for conducting business and investment activities. Focus on various ownership categories, types of business operations and funding issues. Investigation of partnerships and trusts as part of a business or investment portfolio structure. Application of provisions of tax law and communication of results of research and analysis.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the taxation stream.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P41.

MACC 5P42

Tax Research and Statutory Interpretation in Practice

Effective, efficient, tax research techniques. Development of analytical and critical thinking skills in the context of tax planning. Emphasis on development of research skills including discerning facts, locating authorities, assessing and applying authorities and communicating results.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the taxation stream.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P42.

MACC 5P43

Tax Policy

Socioeconomic, legal and political analysis of the legislation, jurisprudence and literature of taxation. Evaluation and application of alternative tax systems and methods.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the taxation stream.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P43.

MACC 5P44

Fundamentals of U.S. Tax

Fundamentals of the U.S. tax system relative to corporations and individuals. Focus on the structure of U.S. statutes. Particular emphasis on comparative U.S. and Canadian tax policy and implementation. Introduction to reference tools available for tax research in the United States.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the taxation stream.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P44.

MACC 5P45

International Taxation: The Canada/United States Model

Tax implications of doing business in multiple jurisdictions. Investigation of the United States tax system and Canadian tax provisions regarding multinational investment, in-bound and outbound.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the taxation stream.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P45.

MACC 5P51

Information Technology and Systems

Knowledge-based and decision support systems used in decision-making for support of the enterprise at the strategic and operation management levels. Conceptual foundations and techniques for decision-making, data management, modeling and model management. Fundamentals of expert systems and the acquisition of knowledge for such systems.

Restriction: open to MAcc and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P51.

MACC 5P52

E-Commerce

Basic grounding in concepts related to electronic commerce-based solutions (primarily business-to-consumer and business-to-business). Communications infrastructure supporting e-commerce, security and integrity issues. Architecture of e-commerce applications, strategic deployment of e-commerce for global competitive advantage. Design of a working e-commerce system required.

Restriction: open to MAcc, MBA and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P52.

MACC 5P53

Database Design and Management

Large-scale database projects. Includes requirements analysis, selection, functional specifications, design, testing, performance evaluation and maintenance of a database system. Design of a database system required.

Restriction: open to MAcc, MBA and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P53.

MACC 5P54

Expert Systems in Business

Conceptual foundations for building knowledge-based systems. Application of artificial intelligence, rule-based systems, other common knowledge representation techniques, knowledge acquisition methods, application of KBS in accounting systems and management. Design of a KBS required.

Restriction: open to MAcc and MBA students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P54.

MACC 5P60

Advanced Accounting Theory

Economic, ethical and behavioural foundations of accounting theory. Topics may include agency theory, efficient markets and expectancy theory.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P60.

MACC 5P61

Corporate Governance

Using examples drawn from current business practices, investigates financial reporting matters, the role and function of auditing and the board of directors, ethics, management policy and leadership. Focuses on developing critical thinking and research skills.

Restriction: open to MAcc and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P61.

MACC 5P91

Advanced Topics in Corporate Finance

Investigation of current topics in the world of corporate finance, both domestically and internationally. Exploration of complex issues involved with financial instruments, derivative securities, futures and international markets. Application of knowledge in a real-world environment.

Restriction: open to MAcc and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in FNCE 5P91.

MACC 5P92

Independent Study for Information Systems

Research and/or consulting project carried out in collaboration with a faculty adviser and relevant resource personnel. Development of knowledge in a specialized discipline and development of ability to apply the knowledge to particular issues and/or situations.

Restriction: open to MAcc students in the information systems stream.

Note: completion of the course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5P92.

MACC 5Y03

Managerial Accounting

Introduction to management accounting information used to implement and guide management planning, control, and evaluation. Topics may include cost identification, cost behavior, cost allocation, and the use of various tools to analyze information for decision-making.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5Y03.

MACC 5Y04

Corporate Finance

Introduction to fundamental concepts in corporate finance as they exist in the North American business environment.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5Y04.

MACC 5Y06

The Legal and Political Environment

Introduction to fundamental concepts in business law and the political system as they exist in the North American business environment.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5Y06.

MACC 5Y07

Business Communications

Skill-based introduction to business communications. Structured case study analysis and the development of critical thinking, persuasive speaking and effective writing skills.

Restriction: open to IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5Y07.

MACC 5Y11

Integration and Analysis I

Integration of knowledge from various functional areas of accounting and the business disciplines in a professional context. Development of analytical, diagnostic, decision-making and presentation skills. Application of knowledge and formation of professional judgment in the context of practical problems presented in complex cases.

Restriction: open to MAcc and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5Y11.

MACC 5Y12

Integration and Analysis II

Continuation of integration of knowledge.

Restriction: open to MAcc and IMAcc students.

Note: completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in ACTG 5Y12.

 
Last updated: April 2, 2013 @ 04:13PM