12/2/2019 - Jackson, Miss.

Keeping track of the finances is critical in any size operation, public, private, for-profit, and non-profit. Financial resources provide the foundation for the organization to achieve its goal and fulfill its mission. Mississippi Public Universities are preparing the accounting workforce to help all Mississippi businesses and organizations keep track of their finances.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in accountancy and a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA). Students in the BSBA program study financial accounting, cost/managerial accounting, business process systems, federal taxation, governmental/non-profit accounting, auditing and business law, as it pertains to accounting. The curriculum teaches business and accounting knowledge as well as the professional skills needed to ensure graduates of the program possess the competencies necessary to succeed in public, corporate and governmental accounting organizations.

Additionally, students in the MPA program are prepared for a wide variety of employment opportunities and are guided to meet the course and credit eligibility requirements for the nationally administered Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. USM's MPA program has been recognized for achieving 100% placement for graduates seeking employment, with students being recruited by local, regional, national and international accounting firms, private industries, and government agencies.

Students in the School of Accountancy can enhance their knowledge of the field through avenues such as selection into Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting; participation in internships with renowned accounting firms and organizations; and enrollment in USM's study abroad programs.

Accounting is a historically strong academic area at Delta State University and is part of the Division of Accountancy, Computer Information Systems, and Finance. Businesses of all sizes across the state seek DSU accounting graduates for their skill and dedication to the profession. DSU accountancy graduates also work in regional, national, and international businesses and CPA firms. Many graduates find jobs in cost, tax, governmental, and managerial accounting. The program covers the five major areas of accountancy required for the CPA exam at the undergraduate level and offers a Master of Professional Accountancy degree.

The Jackson State University Department of Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship is accredited by the Association for Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB accreditation differentiates business and accounting programs from those at other institutions in terms of quality, rigor and relevance. Only six percent of business schools worldwide are accredited by AACSB International.

JSU's Department of Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship is the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that offers a Ph.D. program in accounting in Mississippi. It is also only one of two HBCU's in the country to offer the Ph.D. program.

All faculty in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and the job placement rate for students who complete the Ph.D. program in Accounting is 100 percent.

Mississippi State University's Adkerson School of Accountancy offers an undergraduate degree in accountancy. This program prepares students for positions such as public, private or government accountant, as well as auditor, controller, fraud examiner, entrepreneur, and related business professions. It is also an excellent foundation for the study of law. Students develop leadership and interpersonal skills by participating in an internship program. Students meeting certain criteria are given the opportunity to join several student organizations, which are sponsored by the school. Graduate programs provide further study to complete a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) or Master of Taxation (MTX) degree.

The accounting major at Mississippi University for Women prepares students for immediate employment in business or government; obtaining professional certification by meeting the requirements to become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or with additional semester hours, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA); or necessary undergraduate preparation for graduate study in Accounting or Business Administration.

The W's TVA Investment Club has earned first place in the TVA Investment Challenge three times, most recently for the 2018 investment year. In 1998, TVA created the Investment Challenge by allocating $1.9 million to 19 universities to manage in investment portfolios. TVA added six schools to the program in 2003 and increased the portfolio amount to $10 million. A TVA asset retirement trust fund provided the original $1.9 million for the program and the additional $8 million to expand it.

Students manage TVA funds by designing long-term investment strategies, placing trades and providing performance reports to TVA. Investment guidelines are like those used by TVA's professional investment managers. Universities can earn performance awards based on their returns versus the benchmark S&P 500 index.

TVA financial managers and analysts provide guidance and resources to help students apply investment management concepts. The W's team had a Final Assets under Management (AUM) of $502,303 for the 2018 investment year. He also said The W teams have earned more than $50,000 in performance awards for the school in the life of the program. The TVA Investment Challenge involves schools in the TVA service region, which includes Tennessee, Mississippi, and parts of Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina.

The Department of Business Administration at Mississippi Valley State University offers three career pathways within its undergraduate program, including accounting. Successful completion of the accounting program at the University prepares students to pursue careers in public accounting, industry and all levels of government. Graduates of the program have become certified public accountants and work in a variety of roles at various organizations.

All three degree programs at the University of Mississippi's Patterson School of Accountancy are among the top 10 in the 2018 annual national rankings of accounting programs published by the Public Accounting Report.

Enrollment in the Patterson School of Accountancy master's programs skyrocketed 70 percent for fall 2018, thanks in part to two new degrees developed in partnership with KPMG in the high-growth field of data analytics. Ole Miss is among only nine universities selected by KPMG as a partner in this prestigious program in accounting and data analytics.

# # #

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

News Archive