USC Leventhal School of Accounting

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A student rides by the Elaine and Kenneth Leventhal School of Accounting, on Trousdale Parkway. Photo by William Vasta.

The USC Leventhal School of Accounting is dedicated to maintaining a leadership position in accounting education and research. We are committed to educational programs that seek to establish in each graduate the potential for career development into the highest executive levels of public accounting, controllership, financial management and management of accounting information systems. The accounting curriculum explores not only the state of the art but also seeks to explore the accounting discipline’s future structures and directions. Relevant concepts and techniques from other academic disciplines are drawn upon and integrated into all accounting programs.

Accounting education has been an integral part of USC since 1920, when the Department of Accounting offered a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. The Leventhal School of Accounting was established in 1979 in recognition of the growing importance of accounting to our economy and broader society. It continues to rank as one of the premier AACSB-accredited accounting programs in the nation.

Currently the Leventhal School of Accounting undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Science accounting degree. Honors students may be eligible for early admission to the graduate program, an efficient way to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees. An accounting minor is also offered to students outside the USC Marshall School of Business. The school also offers a minor in risk management. Graduate programs include a full-time Master of Accounting, Master of Accounting with an emphasis in Data Analytics or Master of Business Taxation; a Master of Business Taxation for working professionals; and a Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation in conjunction with the USC Gould School of Law. A PhD degree with an accounting major is offered through the doctoral program in the Marshall School of Business.

USC Leventhal School of Accounting
Accounting 101
(213) 740-4838
FAX: (213) 747-2815
Email (graduate students): MAcc.MBT@marshall.usc.edu; (undergraduate students) lsoa_undergrad@marshall.usc.edu
marshall.usc.edu/leventhal

Administration

William W. Holder, DBA, CPA, Dean, Alan Casden Dean’s Chair at the Leventhal School of Accounting

Mark L. DeFond, PhD, CPA, Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs

Shirley Maxey, BA*, Associate Dean, Master’s Programs

Lori Smith, BS, CPA, Assistant Dean, Academic Administration

Mildred G. Penner, MA, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Program

Faculty

George Bozanic and Holman G. Hurt Chair in Sports and Entertainment Business: S. Mark Young, PhD*

Joseph A. DeBell Chair in Business Administration: TJ Wong, PhD

Deloitte & Touche LLP Chair in Accountancy: Kenneth A. Merchant, PhD, CPA

A.N. Mosich Chair in Accounting: Mark L. DeFond, PhD, CPA*

Accounting Associates Professor of Accounting: Clive Lennox, PhD

Accounting Circle Professor of Accounting: Richard Sloan, PhD

Arthur Andersen & Co. Alumni Professor of Accounting: Regina Wittenberg Moerman, PhD

Robert R. Dockson Professor of Business Administration: Patricia Dechow, PhD

KPMG Foundation Professor of Accounting: K.R. Subramanyam, PhD

Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting: Sarah E. Bonner, PhD, CPA*

Professors: Randolph P. Beatty, PhD, CPA; Sarah E. Bonner, PhD, CPA*; Patricia Dechow, PhD; Mark L. DeFond, PhD, CPA*; William W. Holder, DBA, CPA; Clive Lennox, PhD; Kenneth A. Merchant, PhD, CPA; Daniel E. O’Leary, PhD, CPA, CMA, CISA; Richard Sloan, PhD; Mark Soliman, PhD, CPA; K.R. Subramanyam, PhD; Charles W. Swenson, PhD*, CPA; Regina Wittenberg-Moerman, PhD; TJ Wong, PhD; S. Mark Young, PhD*

Associate Professors: John J. Barcal, JD, CPA*; Shane M. Heitzman, PhD; Maria Ogneva, PhD; Shiing-Wu Wang, PhD*

Assistant Professors: Eric Allen, PhD, CPA; Shelley Xin Li, PhD; Tracie Majors, PhD, CPA; Matthew Shaffer, PhD; Lorien Stice-Lawrence, PhD; David Tsui, PhD; Forester Wong, PhD

Professors of Clinical Accounting: Ruben A. Davila, JD, MBA, CPA; Chrislynn Freed, MBA, CPA*; Merle Hopkins, PhD*; Cecil W. Jackson, PhD, CPA; Rose M. Layton, MAcc, CPA*; Shirley Maxey, BA*; Patricia Mills, JD, LLM; Francisco Román, PhD

Associate Professors of Clinical Accounting: Robert Kiddoo, MBA, CPA; Lori Smith, BS, CPA;  Zivia Sweeney, MBA, CPA*

Assistant Professors of Clinical Accounting: Smrity Randhawa, PhD; Julie Suh, PhD

Professors of the Practice of Accounting: John Owens, BS; Thomas P. Ryan, MBA

Lecturer: Gregory M. Kling, MST

Emeritus Professors: Joseph L. Keller, MS, CPA; Thomas W. Lin, PhD, CMA; Theodore J. Mock, PhD; ZoeVonna Palmrose, PhD

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

Degree Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Bachelor of Science, Accounting

The USC Leventhal School of Accounting offers the Bachelor of Science, Accounting (BS) degree designed to provide students with a broad foundation in accounting and business to prepare them for entry into the professional program leading to a Master of Accounting or Master of Business Taxation degree. The undergraduate curriculum also provides the background necessary for direct entry into the accounting profession.

Graduate Degrees

Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) program provides an integrated curriculum designed to prepare graduates for careers in professional accounting, public accounting, industry and government. Students have the opportunity to study accounting in greater depth and in more areas of specialization than in undergraduate accounting programs or MBA programs with concentrations in accounting. Students have flexibility in elective choices to reflect their career goals.

Master of Accounting (Data and Analytics)

The Master of Accounting, Data and Analytics emphasis (MAcc D+A) delivers a firm foundation in accounting, audit and financial reporting with a focus on data and analytics and the enabling of IT capabilities. The exclusive career focus for the D+A emphasis is on the role of an auditor.

Master of Business Taxation

The Master of Business Taxation (MBT) degree is offered to both full-time and part-time students. The program is designed for accountants, attorneys and business professionals who wish to learn or improve skills and knowledge through participation in advanced tax study. Students have flexibility in elective choices to reflect their career focus and goals. The part-time program is referred to as the MBT for Working Professionals (MBTWP).

Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation

The USC Gould School of Law and the Leventhal School of Accounting offer this dual degree program. Admission to the JD program offered by the Law School is required before applying to the MBT program offered by the Leventhal School of Accounting.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Marshall School of Business offers the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in conjunction with the Graduate School. A student electing to major in accounting may design a research program that emphasizes auditing, financial accounting, information systems, management accounting or taxation. More information on the doctoral program is available in the USC Marshall School of Business  section of this catalogue, or contact the doctoral office at (213) 740-0674 or the director of doctoral studies in accounting at (213) 740-4838.

Admission to Master’s Programs

The Leventhal School of Accounting seeks individuals who have the potential for outstanding achievement in accounting or taxation. The Admissions Committee uses the holistic review model. Candidates are reviewed on the merits of their application and the merits of the applicant pool for the year in which they seek admission.

Applicants to the full-time programs are not required to have previous work experience. Applicants to the part-time MBT program (MBTWP) are required to have a minimum of one year full-time professional experience related to taxation after receiving an undergraduate degree.

Application to the Programs

An admission decision requires the following: (1) a completed USC Leventhal School of Accounting online graduate application (available at gradadm.usc.edu/); (2) a non-refundable application fee; (3) one official transcript from the registrar of each college or university attended (undergraduate and/or postgraduate); (4) two letters of recommendation; (5) a professional résumé; (6) an official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score report or, for JD/MBT applicants or attorneys, an official Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score report; and (7) an essay. Finalists must also complete an interview.

Applicants for the JD/MBT dual degree program should apply to the Leventhal School of Accounting for admission to the MBT program in the second semester of their first year in the USC Gould School of Law. In addition, current Law School transcripts and a “letter in good standing” from the registrar of the Law School must be submitted as part of the application. The same Leventhal School of Accounting admission criteria apply to the MBT portion of the JD/MBT program.

International Students

In addition to the application requirements noted above, all international students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. A letter of financial support is also required.

MAcc/MBT for Current USC Students

The Leventhal School of Accounting offers the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less. This simplified, early admission process is for current USC students who have demonstrated exceptional academic success in undergraduate studies and who have completed a minimum of 70 units of course work. Strong SAT scores may be substituted for GMAT scores for continuing USC students only.

Please see a Leventhal School of Accounting academic adviser for further information and to develop a course plan proposal.

Application Deadlines

Full-time MAcc and MBT – Applicants are urged to file a completed application as early as possible. For applications to the full-time programs that begin in summer or fall, the online application system is generally open beginning early October. For more information regarding application deadlines go to our Website marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-accounting-programs.

MBT for Working Professionals – For more information regarding application deadlines go to our Website marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-accounting-programs.

Residence Requirements

Subject to approval of the Leventhal School of Accounting, the maximum number of transfer credits that may be applied toward the master’s degree is three units. To be applied to the degree, transfer work must have been completed within five years of admission to the master’s program. Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for course work taken elsewhere after a student has been admitted and enrolled at USC. Credit will only be allowed for courses (1) from an AACSB-accredited graduate school, (2) of a quality of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, (3) constituting a fair and reasonable equivalent to current USC course work at the graduate level, and (4) fitting into the logical program for the degree. Transfer course work is applied as credit (CR) toward the degree and is not included in the calculation of a minimum grade point average for graduation.

Waivers

With the written approval of the Leventhal School of Accounting, waiver of required courses may be granted to students based upon prior academic work. All waived courses must be replaced with approved electives. Students should carefully read their program evaluation form to know what electives must be taken if they are granted subject waivers.

Programs

• Accounting (BS)

• Accounting Minor
• Risk Management Minor

• Accounting (Data and Analytics) (MAcc)
• Accounting (MAcc)
• Business Taxation (MBT)
• Business Taxation for Working Professionals (MBT)

• Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation (JD/MBT)

Courses

Major Restrictions

Enrollment in most 500-level business courses by non-business graduate students requires special permission. For information about the registration application process for non-business students, visit the Schedule of Classes.

• ACCT 369 Analytical Tools for Accountants
• ACCT 370 External Financial Reporting Issues
• ACCT 371 Introduction to Accounting Systems
• ACCT 372 Internal Reporting Issues
• ACCT 373 Introduction to Auditing and Assurance Services
• ACCT 374 Introduction to Tax Issues
• ACCT 377 Valuation for Financial Statement Purposes
• ACCT 380x Introduction to Enterprise Risk Management
• ACCT 385x Introduction to Risk Management and Insurance
• ACCT 387x Risk Management in Entertainment, Sports and the Arts
• ACCT 390 Special Problems
• ACCT 410x Foundations of Accounting
• ACCT 415x Intermediate Financial Accounting for Non-Accounting Majors
• ACCT 416 Financial Reporting and Analysis
• ACCT 430 Accounting Ethics
• ACCT 442 The Ethics of Financial and Political Accountability
• ACCT 462 Detecting Fraudulent Financial Reporting
• ACCT 463 Internal Audit
• ACCT 470 Advanced External Financial Reporting Issues
• ACCT 471 Accounting Information Systems
• ACCT 472 Managerial Accounting
• ACCT 473 Financial Statement Auditing
• ACCT 474 Tax Issues for Business
• ACCT 475 Systems Security and Audit
• ACCT 476 Performance Measurement Issues
• ACCT 477 Intermediate Fair Value Issues in Accounting
• ACCT 478 Accounting Systems Design
• ACCT 479 Accounting Systems Development
• ACCT 490x Directed Research
• ACCT 493 Leventhal Honors Research Seminar
• ACCT 494 Marshall Honors Research and Thesis
• ACCT 495 Accounting Internship: Work, Ethics and Communication
• ACCT 499 Special Topics
• ACCT 509 Concepts of Financial and Management Accounting
• ACCT 525x Intensive Accounting Principles and Practices
• ACCT 526 Global Accounting Experience
• ACCT 527 Financial Statement Analysis - Audit Perspective
• ACCT 528 Fair Value Accounting: GAAP, IFRS and Emerging Issues
• ACCT 530L Ethics for Professional Accountants
• ACCT 532 Financial Accounting for Mergers and Acquisitions
• ACCT 533 Mergers and Acquisitions: Tax Planning and Strategy
• ACCT 535 Management and Cost Accounting
• ACCT 536 Advanced Cost Analysis and Management Accounting
• ACCT 537 Performance Measurement, Evaluation, and Incentives
• ACCT 540 Technological Innovations in Accounting and Auditing
• ACCT 541L Auditing in the Enhanced Data Age
• ACCT 542 Fraud Analytics in the Audit
• ACCT 546 Auditing and Assurance Services
• ACCT 547 Enterprise Information Systems
• ACCT 548L IT Audit and Data Applications
• ACCT 549 Advanced Enterprise Systems and Technologies
• ACCT 550T Tax Research and Professional Responsibilities
• ACCT 551T Taxation of Partnerships and S-Corps
• ACCT 557 Advanced Financial Statement Auditing Topics
• ACCT 558 Advanced Accounting Valuation
• ACCT 559 Strategy and Operations Through CFO Lens
• ACCT 560T Tax Theory and Ethics
• ACCT 561T Income Tax of Corporations and Their Shareholders
• ACCT 562 Methods and Motivations of Financial Reporting Fraud
• ACCT 563T Federal Estate and Gift Taxes
• ACCT 567T Taxation of Transactions in Property
• ACCT 568T International Taxation
• ACCT 569T Advanced Partnership Taxation
• ACCT 570T State and Local Tax Concepts
• ACCT 571T Taxation of Individuals
• ACCT 572 Corporate Accounting and Reporting
• ACCT 573T Federal Tax Procedure
• ACCT 574 Accounting and Corporate Governance in Global Business
• ACCT 575T Taxation of Financial Markets
• ACCT 576T Tax Consolidations
• ACCT 577T Compensation
• ACCT 578T Advanced Corporate Taxation
• ACCT 579T Advanced International Taxation
• ACCT 580T Tax Accounting Methods
• ACCT 581 Financial Statement Analysis
• ACCT 583 Income Tax Accounting and Auditing
• ACCT 584 Family Wealth Preservation
• ACCT 585 Professional Responsibilities in Accounting
• ACCT 587 Forensic Accounting
• ACCT 588 Analysis and Implications of SEC Registration and Reporting
• ACCT 590 Directed Research
• ACCT 592 Field Research in Accounting
• ACCT 593 Independent Research in Accounting
• ACCT 595 Internship in Accounting
• ACCT 596 Research Practicum in Accounting
• ACCT 597 Consulting Project in Accounting
• ACCT 599 Special Topics
• ACCT 601 Applied Econometrics and Research Design
• ACCT 602 Judgment and Decision-Making Research in Accounting
• ACCT 604 Survey of Management Accounting Research
• ACCT 605 Survey of Financial Reporting Research
• ACCT 606 Survey of Tax Research
• ACCT 608 Positive Accounting Research
• ACCT 610 Survey of Accounting Research
• ACCT 611 Selected Topics in Accounting Research
• ACCT 621 Research Forum
• ACCT 630 Auditing and Archival Research
• ACCT 661a Accounting Research Methodology
• ACCT 661b Accounting Research Methodology
• ACCT 699 Special Topics

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