Undergraduate Studies in Accounting
Information Systems Concentration

Interested students should contact Accounting Department: 919.515.2256
Accounting faculty directory

About the Concentration

Students in this concentration learn how information systems (IS) enables the flow of accounting information across the company and between a company and its external trading partners. Accounting is at the heart of a company's information system, supporting critical business processes. Hence, an understanding of the role of accounting in an enterprise's information system is critical to successful business management. The IS concentration gives the student an understanding of: (1) key business processes, (2) components of an effective entity-wide internal control structure (including systems-related controls), (3) the process by which efficient database design can be used to improve accounting information, and (4) the contemporary issues involved in providing assurance services for systems and database reliability. For graduates, this knowledge of IS will allow flexibility in terms of work in accounting or systems-related fields.

What is Information Systems?

Organizations use information systems and technology to process and analyze data, streamline activities, and manage resources and assets. Students in the IS field of accounting learn how to apply information sytems theory and techniques to business functions such as accounting, marketing and manufacturing.Topics of study include IS-related internal controls, business processes, systems security and privacy, database management, e-commerce and enterprise resource planning systems theory.

What kinds of jobs are available in this field?

  • Auditor (Internal/External)
  • Information Technology Auditor
  • Systems/Technology Consultant
  • General/Corporate Accounting
  • Data Security Analyst

What kind of personal skills or interests would be a good match for this field?

  • Analytical skills
  • Software proficiency from an end-user perspective
  • Information systems security and audit
  • Communication skills
  • Self-motivation and leadership

What kind of skills will I develop in this curriculum?

  • Proficiency in accounting software
  • Knowledge and Use of Enterprise Resource Planning software
  • Database modeling and development
  • Understanding of business processes and information systems controls
  • Conceptual orientation of information for managerial and financial decisions

Notes about Information Systems

Information about careers, certifications and starting salaries in the accounting information systems field is available at www.isaca.org and www.aicpa.org

What classes are offered in the Accounting IS concentration?

ACC 340: An Introduction to Accounting Information Systems
ACC 440: Accounting Information Systems
BUS 440: Database Management
BUS 441: Business Data Communications and Networking
BUS 442: Information Systems Development
BUS 443: Decision Support Systems (formerly BUS 495 M)
BUS 444: Systems Analysis and Design (formerly BUS 495 X)
BUS 449: Information Technology Capstone (formerly BUS 495 Q)

What are the requirements to earn a B.S. in Accounting with the IS concentration?

Required Course:

ACC 440

Plus choose three from below:

BUS 440
BUS 441
BUS 442
BUS 444
BUS 449

View the complete academic degree requirements for the IS concentration

Important:

Remember to check with your academic or faculty advisor each semester to review possible changes in degree requirements and in course availability.