Department of Accounting and Finance
Chair: Stephanie Yates, Ph.D
The Department of Accounting and Finance strives to provide a quality, practice-oriented educational experience to a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population. The faculty contributes to the understanding and application of knowledge through its teaching, research and service activities.
The Department is responsible for courses, concentrations, majors and minors in accounting and finance. Below is an overview of each major. Detailed degree requirements are located on the Majors Tab above.
Accounting Major
The objective of the major in accounting is to provide conceptual accounting and business knowledge as a foundation for professional careers in public accounting, private or industrial accounting, and governmental or not-for-profit accounting, or for pursuing study at the graduate level.
The various accounting career choices available to students mandate different course emphasis, and our curriculum offers a selection of course choices. Students may further specialize by pursuing the concentration in forensic accounting and information technology auditing.
Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Program (ABM)
A successful graduate of the ABM will earn a bachelor's degree and Master of Accounting degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business in an accelerated time period compared to the independent completion of these two degrees. Students will graduate with a Bachelor degree upon completion of the Bachelor degree requirements, then graduate with a Masters' degree upon completing the requirements for the Master of Accounting.
Admissions
The Accelerated Bachelors/Master's Program is for exceptional students. The accepted student will have:
- an average GPA of 3.5 in all institutional courses
- a minimum of 60 credit hours (36 of these credit hours must have been taken at UAB)
Before applying, the student must meet with their graduate program coordinator and their undergraduate advisor to discuss program requirements; students should also meet with a financial aid/scholarship advisor to determine the impact of ABM on their scholarships and/or aid award. The student should also be advised that additional credit hours may be required for licensure as a CPA.
Upon acceptance, a detailed plan of study must be mapped out specific to each ABM student. This plan must be agreed upon by the student, their undergraduate academic advisor, and graduate program coordinator and strictly adhered to while in the ABM program to guarantee their continued participation in the ABM. Acceptance into the program takes place after a student has earned 60 credit hours of coursework. Admission is by a committee chaired by the graduate program director, consisting of the graduate program director and department program coordinator.
To maintain status in ABM, the student must:
- maintain an institutional GPA of 3.25 or higher
- receive a B (or higher) in all courses taken while still an undergraduate student
- maintain full time student status at UAB
- Accounting and Finance Department will waive the hour requirement for internship terms if the internship causes them to drop below the full time student hour requirement.
If any of these requirements is violated, the student will be withdrawn from the ABM program. If a student is withdrawn from the ABM program, they will retain credit for the courses already completed in the program.
Once the student has completed all undergraduate course requirements for graduation, their undergraduate degree will be awarded. Once the student graduates from a bachelor's degree program, they enter the Master of Accounting program and must maintain the requirements of that program. Tuition is then charged at the graduate rate.
To accelerate progress through the Master of Accounting degree, a limited number of courses (up to 12 credit hours) may be counted toward the completion of the bachelor's degree and toward the completion of the Master of Accounting degree. The selected Master of Accounting courses must be approved by the student's undergraduate academic advisor.
Graduate courses allowed for credit sharing are the following:
AC 523 External Auditing (requires approval of program director)
AC 530 Financial Accounting III (prerequisite - AC 310)
AC 557 Business Law for Accountants (requires approval of program director) AC 573 Fraud Examination (prerequisite - AC 423/523)
AC 580 Advanced Accounting (prerequisite - AC 430/530) AC 600 Accounting Research (prerequisite - AC 430/530)
AC 612 Governance and the Business Environment (prerequisite - AC 401)
Finance Major
The finance curriculum is designed to provide an understanding of financial operating and investment problems in both financial and non-financial businesses. Careers are available in areas such as government, securities businesses, banking, insurance, real estate, savings and other financial intermediaries, and in the financial management of non-financial businesses.
Uniform CPA Exam
Eligibility requirements for sitting for the Uniform CPA examination vary among the states and territories. For detailed information about these requirements, please contact the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) at https://nasba.org/stateboards/. The state of Alabama, through its Accountancy Laws and the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy (ASBPA, www.asbpa.alabama.gov/), requires that applicants for the Uniform CPA Examination hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and possess a total of 120 semester hours of postsecondary education, including at least 24 semester hours of accounting in specified areas at the upper-division or graduate level and 24 semester hours in business-related courses. The UAB 120-hour undergraduate accounting program does not provide all of the classes needed for a 150 hour CPA licensure in Alabama. The M.Ac. combined with either the 24-hour bridge (outlined under Admission Requirements) or an undergraduate program will provide the necessary hours.
Other Professional Accounting Certifications
Other examinations leading to professional certification (CMA, CIA, CFA, etc.) generally do not require academic coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students interested in other accounting certifications should contact an undergraduate Accounting advisor or a member of the accounting faculty for further information.
Major in Accounting
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Students must earn a minimum grade of a B in AC 200. Students who wish to pursue a career path in public accounting must earn a minimum grade of a B for the financial accounting course sequence of AC 300, AC 310, and AC 430. A minimum grade of C is required for all other accounting courses for all career paths. At least 15 hours of the major course requirements must be earned at UAB. | ||
| Core Curriculum | 41 | |
| Lower Level Business Requirements | ||
| AC 200 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| AC 201 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| or BUS 102 | Business Foundations | |
| BUS 110 | Essentials of Financial Literacy | 3 |
| LS 246 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| QM 214 | Introduction to Business Statistics | 3 |
| QM 215 | Foundations in Business Analytics | 3 |
| Upper Level Business Requirements | ||
| AC 305 | Professional Development in Accountancy | 1 |
| BUS 350 | Business Communications | 3 |
| FN 310 | Fundamentals of Financial Management | 3 |
| IS 303 | Information Systems | 3 |
| MG 302 | Management Processes and Behavior | 3 |
| MG 403 | Operations Management | 3 |
| or DB 320 | Distribution Management | |
| MK 303 | Basic Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 450 | Strategic Management Capstone Experience 1 | 3 |
| or BUS 495 | Business Honors Seminar, I | |
| International Business 4 | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning 2 | ||
| Accounting Major Courses | ||
| AC 300 | Financial Accounting I 3 | 3 |
| AC 304 | Accounting Information Systems 3 | 3 |
| AC 401 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
| AC 309 | Intermediate Accounting for Corporate Careers | 3 |
| or AC 310 | Financial Accounting II | |
| AC 402 | Income Taxation I | 3 |
| AC 413 | Internal Auditing | 3 |
| or AC 423 | External Auditing | |
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting | ||
| Financial Accounting III | ||
| Income Taxation II | ||
| Accounting Major Elective | 3 | |
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Business Honors students take BUS 495.
- 2
All business majors are required to participate in experiential education. This requirement may carry 0 - 3 credit hours. This requirement may be met by satisfactory completion of one of the following courses or other course/project approved by your academic advisor:
AC 364,AC 464,AC 474,BUS 496,DB 495,EC 460,ENT 445,ENT 426,FN 460, FN 358, FN 359,IB 495, IS 464, MG 445, MK 425, MK 445. Please see your advisor for specific requirements for your major.
- 3
May be taken concurrently.
- 4
Students select one from: AC 440, MG 415, MK 416, EC 407, IB 320,IB 439,IB 495, or FN 412.
Major in Finance
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Finance majors must earn a minimum grade of C in all finance courses and have an overall 2.0 GPA in all major courses. At least 15 hours of the major must be taken at UAB. The university course forgiveness policy may be applied to any finance concentration. | ||
| Upper-Level Requirements | ||
| Core Curriculum | 41 | |
| Lower Level Business Requirements | ||
| AC 200 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| AC 201 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
| or BUS 102 | Business Foundations | |
| BUS 110 | Essentials of Financial Literacy | 3 |
| LS 246 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| QM 214 | Introduction to Business Statistics | 3 |
| QM 215 | Foundations in Business Analytics | 3 |
| Upper Level Business Requirements | ||
| FN 305 | Entering the Profession | 1 |
| BUS 350 | Business Communications | 3 |
| IS 303 | Information Systems | 3 |
| MK 303 | Basic Marketing | 3 |
| FN 310 | Fundamentals of Financial Management | 3 |
| MG 302 | Management Processes and Behavior | 3 |
| FN 330 | Quantitative Financial Analysis | 3 |
| International Business 1 | 3 | |
| BUS 450 | Strategic Management Capstone Experience 2 | 3 |
| or BUS 495 | Business Honors Seminar, I | |
| Experiential Learning 3 | ||
| Finance Major Courses | ||
| FN 325 | Financial Analysis & Forecasting | 3 |
| FN 350 | Investments | 3 |
| FN 410 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| Choose six 300/400 level FN courses 4 | 18 | |
| Select from: | ||
| Financial Research Methods | ||
| Bond Portfolio Management | ||
| Principles of Real Estate | ||
| Real Estate Finance | ||
| Real Estate Investment Analysis | ||
| Management of Financial Intermediaries | ||
| Derivatives | ||
| Advanced Topics in Finance | ||
| Financial Accounting I | ||
| Cost Accounting | ||
| Income Taxation I | ||
| Introduction to Business Programming | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Applied Forecasting | ||
| Entrepreneurial Accounting and Finance | ||
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Students select one from: FN 412,AC 440, MG 415,MK 416, EC 407,IB 320, IB 439, or IB 495
- 2
Business Honors students take BUS 495.
- 3
All business majors are required to participate in experiential education. This requirement may carry 0 - 3 credit hours. This requirement may be met by satisfactory completion of one of the following courses or other course/project approved by the department chair: AC 364,AC 464,AC 474,BUS 496,DB 495,EC 460,ENT 445,ENT 426,FN 460, FN 358, FN 359, IB 495, IS 464, MG 445, MK 425, MK 445 Please see your advisor for specific options for your major.
- 4
Choose 6 of these courses to satisfy the 18 hours in FN electives for this major: FN 320, FN 351, FN 370, FN 470, FN 475, FN 453, FN 452, FN 490, ENT 320, AC 300, AC 401, AC 402, IS 204, EC 409 or EC 420.
Proposed Program of Study for a Major in Accounting
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| EH 101 | 3 | EH 102 | 3 |
| MA 105 | 3 | CMST 101 | 3 |
| BUS 101 | 3 | BUS 110 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area IV: Social & Behavioral Science | 3 | Core Curriculum Area II: Humanities and Fine Art 1 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science with Lab | 4 | Core Curriculum Area IV: History2 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| QM 214 | 3 | LS 246 | 3 |
| AC 200 (must earn a grade of B or better) | 3 | QM 215 | 3 |
| EC 210 | 3 | AC 201 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Literature | 3 | EC 211 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science (with laboratory) | 4 | Core Curriculum Area II | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| BUS 350 | 3 | MK 303 | 3 |
| MG 302 | 3 | AC 310 | 3 |
| AC 304 | 3 | AC 402 | 3 |
| AC 300 | 3 | AC 401 | 3 |
| AC 305 | 1 | MG 403 | 3 |
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| FN 310 | 3 | BUS 4504 | 3 |
| AC 413 | 3 | International Business Elective3 | 3 |
| IS 303 | 3 | Accounting Elective (400 level) | 3 |
| AC 430 | 3 | General Elective | 6 |
| Experiential Requirement | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
- 1
Select one of the following courses: ARH 101, MU 120 or THR 100.
- 2
Select one of the following courses: HY 101, HY 102,HY 104,HY 105, HY 120 or HY 121.
- 3
Select one of the following:AC 440, FN 412, EC 407, MK 416 or MG 415.
- 4
Business Honors students take BUS 495.
Proposed Program of Study for a Major in Finance
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| EH 101 | 3 | EH 102 | 3 |
| MA 105 | 3 | CMST 101 | 3 |
| BUS 101 | 3 | BUS 110 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science (with laboratory) | 4 |
| Core Curriculum Area IV: Social & Behavorial Science | 3 | Core Curriculum Area IV: History2 | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| QM 214 | 3 | LS 246 | 3 |
| AC 200 | 3 | QM 215 | 3 |
| EC 210 | 3 | AC 201 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Literature | 3 | EC 211 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science (with laboratory) | 4 | Core Curriculum Area II | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| QM 350 | 3 | IS 303 | 3 |
| FN 310 | 3 | FN 410 | 3 |
| FN 325 | 3 | FN 412 | 3 |
| BUS 305 | 1 | MK 303 | 3 |
| BUS 350 | 3 | FN 370 | 3 |
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| FN 350 | 3 | BUS 450 | 3 |
| FN 320 | 3 | Finance Elective | 3 |
| MG 302 | 3 | Finance Elective | 3 |
| Finance Elective | 3 | Experiential requirement | 3 |
| Finance Elective | 3 | General Electives | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
AC-Accounting Courses
AC 200. Financial Accounting Foundations. 3 Hours.
Ever wondered how businesses keep track of their money, assets, and expenses? Dive into "Introductory Accounting" and unravel the mysteries behind the numbers. This beginner friendly course is your first step into the dynamic world of accounting, designed especially for those who are new to the subject.
Prerequisites: BUS 110 [Min Grade: C]
AC 201. Introduction to Decision-Driven Accounting. 3 Hours.
Ever wondered how businesses make big decisions, like setting prices, choosing suppliers, or evaluating employees? Managerial accounting decisions often have significant business and ethical implications on investors, customers, employees, and other stakeholders. This course you will introduce you to techniques and tools for managing such decisions.
Prerequisites: AC 200 [Min Grade: C]
AC 264. Taxation and the Working Poor. 3 Hours.
Students will gain a basic understanding of how certain components of the U.S. federal tax system impact the working poor. The focus will be almost totally on the Earned Income Tax Credit that lifts millions of taxpayers over the poverty level each year. In addition, students will study common misperceptions of those living in poverty, some of the causes of poverty, and barriers to prosperity. The course will consist of readings and discussions and numerous guest speakers that deal with various pieces of poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, education, and other topics in the central Alabama (or statewide) area. Students will complete training in basic income tax return preparation, pass a certification exam, and volunteer at a VITA site preparing tax returns for low-income taxpayers that are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The course is open to both business and non-business majors and assumes no prior knowledge of accounting or tax. This is a service-learning course. This course meets Blazer Core City as a Classroom requirement with flags in High Impact: Service Learning and Civic Engagement.
AC 265. Financial Oversight for Not-for-Profit Organizations. 3 Hours.
Students will explore the basics of financial oversight for nonprofit organizations (NPOs) with emphasis on the overall fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors to protect the assets of the NPO. Special emphasis will be placed on cash management. Students will consider the risks for fraud and embezzlement and the steps that can be taken to reduce those risks. Students will work as teams (mentored by a local financial professional) to assess the risk of loss due to weak policies and procedures. Students will identify those risks and make recommendations to mitigate them. This could have a significant impact on the organization, as many NPOs are the target for theft and/or fraud. This is a service-learning course and assumes no prior knowledge of NPOs or accounting/financial controls. It is open to both business and non-business majors.
AC 300. Financial Accounting I. 3 Hours.
The course covers basic financial accounting with an emphasis on recording transactions and preparing financial statements. Topics include the accounting cycle, accrual accounting, and the preparation of the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows.
Prerequisites: MA 105 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or MA 106 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or MA 107 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or MA 125 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or MA 126 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) and AC 200 [Min Grade: B]
AC 304. Accounting Information Systems. 3 Hours.
Transaction processing cycles of accounting system; internal control, development, and control of information systems; emerging development of information technology.
Prerequisites: (AC 201 [Min Grade: C])
AC 305. Professional Development in Accountancy. 1 Hour.
This course will introduce students to the accounting profession, the recruitment process for internships and entry-level positions in accounting; the traditions, expectations and ethical demands of the profession; and the availability of diverse career options.
AC 309. Intermediate Accounting for Corporate Careers. 3 Hours.
The course explores the major components of the balance sheet elements assets, liabilities and equity as well as revenue recognition.
Prerequisites: AC 300 [Min Grade: C]
AC 310. Financial Accounting II. 3 Hours.
Continuation of AC 300. Inventories, plant assets, intangible assets, current liabilities, long-term debt and stockholders' equity.
Prerequisites: AC 300 [Min Grade: B]
AC 364. Taxation and the Working Poor. 3 Hours.
Students will explore the objectives and consequences of the U.S. federal tax system in relation to the working poor. Topics covered will include the Earned Income Tax Credit, progressive and regressive taxes, and income redistribution as the result of tax provisions. In addition, students will study common mis-perceptions of those living in poverty. The course will consist of classroom instruction, tax preparation training, completion of a tax certification test, and volunteer tax preparation at a community-based site. This course is open to both business and non-business majors and assumes no prior knowledge of accounting or tax. The course is a service-learning course and will satisfy the experiential-learning requirement in the Collat School of Business.
AC 401. Cost Strategies and Decision-Making. 3 Hours.
Using financial data to make cost determinations, cost allocations, and budget-based decisions. Covers a variety of quantitative techniques to assist in managerial decision making.
Prerequisites: AC 201 [Min Grade: C]
AC 402. Introduction to Income Taxation. 3 Hours.
Introductory fundamentals and basic concepts of taxation.
Prerequisites: AC 200 [Min Grade: C]
AC 407. Seminar in Financial Accounting. 3 Hours.
This course provides an integrated understanding of the financial accounting and reporting issues for companies, not-for-profit organizations, and governments, with a particular emphasis on identifying issues, analyzing facts, evaluating the accounting literature, and determining the appropriate response.
Prerequisites: AC 430 [Min Grade: C]
AC 408. Advanced Topics in Regulation. 3 Hours.
This course provides an integrated understanding of the federal taxation of individuals, entities, and property transactions. In addition, this course covers ethical and professional responsibilities in tax as well as business law concepts. A particular emphasis will be placed on identifying issues, analyzing facts, evaluating the accounting literature, and determining the appropriate response.
Prerequisites: AC 402 [Min Grade: C]
AC 409. Professional Standards for CPAs. 3 Hours.
This course provides an integrated understanding of the audit, attestation, review, compilation, and other standards followed by CPA firms during professional engagements for companies, not-for-profit organizations, and governments, with a particular emphasis on identifying issues, analyzing facts, evaluating the professional literature, and determining the appropriate response.
Prerequisites: AC 423 [Min Grade: C]
AC 413. Internal Audit Theory and Practice. 3 Hours.
Dive into the dynamic world of internal auditing, where you'll master the art of enhancing organizational operations, reporting and compliance through systematic evaluations. This course unveils the secrets of governance, risk management, and controls, while also exploring fraud risks and the diverse services offered by internal auditors.
Prerequisites: AC 304 [Min Grade: C] or IS 303 [Min Grade: C]
AC 414. Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting. 3 Hours.
Budgetary and fund accounting as applied to municipalities, other governmental units, and institutions operating as nonprofit entities.
Prerequisites: (AC 300 [Min Grade: C] and AC 304 [Min Grade: C])
AC 423. External Auditing. 3 Hours.
This course covers the major phases of an external audit including preliminary engagement procedures, planning the audit, evaluation of ICFR, substantive audit procedures, and reporting.
Prerequisites: AC 309 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or AC 310 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently)
AC 430. Financial Accounting III. 3 Hours.
Accounting for Dilutive Securities and Earnings per Share, Investments, Revenue Recognition, Income Taxes, Pensions and Post-retirement Benefits, Leases, Accounting Changes and Error Analysis, and the Statement of Cash Flows.
Prerequisites: AC 310 [Min Grade: B]
AC 440. International Accounting: From a User's Perspective. 3 Hours.
Development of international accounting knowledge needed to make informed decisions in a global business environment.
Prerequisites: AC 300 [Min Grade: C]
AC 452. Income Taxation II. 3 Hours.
Completion of fundamentals of taxation for individuals. Basic concepts and laws applicable to partnerships and corporations. Tax research techniques and tax planning concepts.
Prerequisites: (AC 402 [Min Grade: C])
AC 464. Accounting Internship. 1-3 Hour.
Work experience enabling students to better integrate academic knowledge with practical applications by exposure to accounting practice and business environment.
Prerequisites: AC 300 [Min Grade: C] and AC 304 [Min Grade: C] and AC 310 [Min Grade: C] and (AC 402 [Min Grade: C] or AC 423 [Min Grade: C])
AC 472. Information Technology Auditing. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the practice of information technology auditing. An emphasis is placed on information technology auditing standards and methodology, as well as guidance on auditing general computer controls and application controls.
Prerequisites: AC 304 [Min Grade: C]
AC 473. Fraud Examination. 3 Hours.
Advanced forensic accounting concepts with a primary focus on occupational fraud and abuse--its origins, perpetration, prevention, and detection.
Prerequisites: AC 304 [Min Grade: C] and AC 300 [Min Grade: C]
AC 480. Advanced Accounting. 3 Hours.
Business combinations, consolidated financial statements, multinational accounting, and partnerships.
Prerequisites: AC 430 [Min Grade: B]
AC 490. Advanced Topics in Accounting. 3 Hours.
Contemporary professional accounting issues. Preq: Permission of instructor.
AC 495. Data Analytics for Accounting. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on how data analytics is utilized across a variety of accounting disciplines. Students will learn the fundamentals of data analysis and interpretation of output. Students who complete this course will obtain an introductory framework regarding the various ways data analytics is utilized in the accounting profession.
Prerequisites: (AC 300 [Min Grade: C] and AC 304 [Min Grade: C]) and AC 310 [Min Grade: C] and AC 401 [Min Grade: C] and AC 402 [Min Grade: C] and AC 413 [Min Grade: C]
AC 499. Directed Readings. 1-3 Hour.
Readings and independent study in selected areas.
FN-Finance Courses
FN 101. Personal Finance. 3 Hours.
Selected aspects of finance encountered by an individual during his or her lifetime. Lower-level elective credit only. Not applicable to the finance major. Open to all UAB students.
FN 102. Money and Society. 3 Hours.
The basic principles of the use of money in society are presented in a decision making framework. The objective of this course is to provide students with the tools necessary to analyze financial issues from a global and societal perspective.
FN 103. Money Management 101. 1 Hour.
Covers selected aspects of financial planning encountered by an individual during his or her lifetime. Cannot count as credit toward the finance major. Cannot be taken if FN 101 has been taken.
FN 104. Debt Management 101. 1 Hour.
Covers selected aspects of managing credit and insurance needs that an individual might encounter during his or her lifetime. Does not count toward the finance major. Cannot be taken if FN 101 has been taken.
FN 105. Saving and Investing 101. 1 Hour.
Covers selected aspects of managing investments that an individual might encounter during his or her lifetime. Does not count toward the finance major. Cannot be taken if FN 101 has been taken.
FN 201. Investigations into Financial Inclusion. 3 Hours.
This course applies a structured process of change to individual and societal issues of financial inclusion. Students co-investigate what constitutes financial stability personally and in relation to their broader community. Assessment, analysis, and planning for change are key components of the course. This course satisfies Blazer Core City as a Classroom requirement and Justice flag.
FN 305. Entering the Profession. 1 Hour.
This course will prepare students to enter the finance profession. Professional development topics include: resume building, soft-skills and interview prep, internships, entry-level positions and career paths in finance, as well as expectations and ethical demands of the profession.
FN 310. Fundamentals of Financial Management. 3 Hours.
Basic principles of financial management emphasizing the time value of money, stock and bond valuation, and capital budgeting; risk/return analysis, cost of capital, capital structure and cash flow analysis.
Prerequisites: AC 200 [Min Grade: C] and EC 210 [Min Grade: C]
FN 320. Financial Research Methods. 3 Hours.
Introduction to commercial and publicly available financial research databases and the basics of data analysis.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 325. Financial Analysis & Forecasting. 3 Hours.
This course provides the student with a broad study of the basic concepts and tools of finance statement analysis from the point of view of the corporate financial manager. It is a decision-oriented course designed to present a working knowledge as well as a theoretical understanding of the essentials of financial statement analysis and forecasting.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 330. Financial Modeling. 3 Hours.
This course provides an an overview of the tools and skills required to build financial and valuation models. Students will develop a three-statement (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement) model, project a firm's future financial data, and use this information to then build valuation models, focusing on the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 350. Investments. 3 Hours.
Fundamentals of investments with an emphasis on equity and fixed-income securities.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 351. Bond Portfolio Management. 3 Hours.
Fixed income markets and instruments, including valuation and portfolio strategies. Derivatives of fixed income securities.
Prerequisites: (FN 310 [Min Grade: C])
FN 357. Securities Analysis. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on the fundamental principles and techniques of security analysis. Investment theory with emphasis on valuation of equity investment instruments.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 358. Green and Gold Fund Financial Analyst. 1 Hour.
The Green and Gold Fund is UAB's innovative, student-managed investment portfolio. Students gain real-world portfolio management and security analysis experience through the application of professional investment strategies and sound risk management principles. Students enrolled in FN 358 must hold the position of Analyst.
FN 359. Green and Gold Fund Portfolio Management. 1-3 Hour.
The Green and Gold Fund is UAB's innovative, student-managed investment portfolio. Students gain real-world portfolio management and security analysis experience through the application of professional investment strategies and sound risk management principles. Students enrolled in FN 359 must hold the position of CIO, Chief Economist or Portfolio Manager. Permission of the Green and Gold Fund faculty advisor required.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C] and FN 350 [Min Grade: C] or FN 490 [Min Grade: C]
FN 370. Principles of Real Estate. 3 Hours.
Upper division course designed to provide the student with a solid foundation for making real estate decisions. Course involves computer-based assignments.
Prerequisites: AC 200 [Min Grade: C] and EC 210 [Min Grade: C] and QM 214 [Min Grade: C]
FN 410. Corporate Finance. 3 Hours.
Analysis of long-term corporate financial management; detailed stock and bond valuation, cost of capital, capital budgeting, cash-flow analysis, capital structure, and dividend policy.
Prerequisites: (FN 310 [Min Grade: C])
FN 412. International Financial Management. 3 Hours.
Financial analysis and decision making in international context. All traditional areas of corporate finance explored.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C] or BUS 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 429. Short-Term Financial Management. 3 Hours.
This course covers the principles of short-term financial management. Specific topics include liquidity, management of working capital, corporate cash management, and short term investing and borrowing.
FN 452. Management of Financial Intermediaries. 3 Hours.
Roles, activities, and functions of financial institutions and their interrelationships.
Prerequisites: FN 310 [Min Grade: C]
FN 453. Derivatives. 3 Hours.
Domestic and international risk management issues. Tools to measure and manage interest rate; exchange rate and commodity price risks.
Prerequisites: (FN 350 [Min Grade: C] and FN 410 [Min Grade: C])
FN 460. Finance Internship. 1-3 Hour.
A work experience to enable students to better integrate academic knowledge with practical applications and to enhance students' educational experiences by making subsequent study more meaningful. Permission of the instructor required.
Prerequisites: (FN 310 [Min Grade: C])
FN 470. Real Estate Finance. 3 Hours.
A study of the instruments, techniques and institutions of real estate finance and the use of financial analysis in real estate decisions.
Prerequisites: (FN 370 [Min Grade: C])
FN 475. Real Estate Investment Analysis. 3 Hours.
A study of investment analysis for real estate decisions, including taxation, risk, financial leverage, land use and market analysis will be covered in depth.
Prerequisites: FN 370 [Min Grade: C]
FN 490. Advanced Topics in Finance. 3 Hours.
Issues and problems in selected areas of finance.
FN 496. Business Analysis and Valuation Using Financial Statements. 3 Hours.
This case-based accounting and finance capstone course articulates the linkage between accounting and finance and provides a framework for using financial statement data in business analysis and valuation contexts. Topics include business strategy, accounting and financial analysis, financial forecasting, and an introduction to business valuation.
Prerequisites: FN 410 [Min Grade: C] or AC 300 [Min Grade: C] or AC 320 [Min Grade: C]
FN 499. Directed Readings in Finance. 1-3 Hour.
Supervised study of specific areas of finance.
Faculty
| Ashour, Samar, Assistant Professor of Finance 2020, 2017, BA, MBA (Tanta University, Egypt), PhD (University of Texas at Arlington) |
| Athienitis, Maria, Instructor of Accounting, 2019, BA (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg), MAc (UAB) |
| Byrd, Jim, Associate Professor of Accounting, 2013, B.S. (Auburn), M.B.A. (Georgia State), M.A., Ph.D. (UAB), CPA, CHFP |
| Davis, Ryan, Associate Professor of Finance, 2016, BA, MS, PhD (University of Mississippi), MBA (UAB) |
| Edmonds, Christopher, Professor of Accounting, 2013, B.S. (Colorado State), M.B.A. (UAB), Ph.D. (Virginia Tech) |
| Edmonds, Jennifer, Associate Professor of Accounting, 2013, B.S. (Birmingham-Southern), M.Acc., Ph.D. (Virginia Tech) |
| Edmonds, Mark, Associate Professor of Accounting, 2016, BS, MA (UAB), PhD (Southern Illinois) |
| Fu, Richard, Associate Professor of Finance, 2006, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology) |
| Hamrick, Jennifer, Assistant Professor of Accounting, 2019, BS (Birmingham-Southern College), MAc (Auburn), PhD (Kennesaw State University) |
| Houston, Caleb, Assistant Professor of Finance, 2020, BS, MBA (Mississippi College), PhD (Mississippi State University) |
| Jack, Ave, Instructor, 2011, BIE (Georgia Institute of Technology), MS (Boston University), MAEd (UAB) |
| Leece, Ryan, Associate Professor of Accounting, 2014, BS (University of Minnesota); MA (University of North Carolina), PhD (Virginia Tech) |
| Messina, Frank M., Alumni and Friends Professor of Accounting, 1993, B.S. (University of West Alabama), M.Acc., Ph.D. (Mississippi State University), C.P.A. |
| Messina, Marena, Assistant Professor of Accounting, 2020, BS (Alabama), MAc (UAB), Ph.D. (Kennesaw State University), C.P.A. |
| Metcalf, Sevante K., Instructor of Finance, 2012, B.A., M.B.A. (UAB) |
| Nabors, Eddie, Instructor of Accounting, and Internship Coordinator, 2011, B.S. (Alabama), M.Acc. (University of West Florida) |
| Savage, Arline, Professor of Accounting, 2012, Ph.D. (University of Port Elizabeth-South Africa), CA (SA) |
| Smith, Angel, Instructor of Accounting, 2008, B.S., MAc. (UAB) |
| Song, Chen, Senior Instructor of Accounting, 2013, BS (Beijing Information Technology Institute), MA (Virginia Tech) |
| Vermeer, Thomas, Professor of Accounting, 2022, BS (George Mason University), MS (University of North Texas), Ph.D. (University of North Texas) |
| Worrell, James L., Professor of Accounting, 2008, B.S., M.Ac., Ph.D. (Florida State University) |
| Yates, Stephanie, Professor of Finance, Chair, Department of Accounting and Finance, 2007, B.S., M.A., M.B.A. (Cincinnati), Ph.D. (LSU) |