Dr. Billy Morehead gives us an insight into how this new program will benefit the School of Business and its students.
Q & A with Dr. Billy Morehead
Q: The School of Business has had for a long time an MBA degree with an accounting concentration. How would you compare or even decided between both degrees?
I am constantly asked what is the difference between the MBA in Accounting and the MAcc. First, similarities: both degrees require 30 hours (10 courses) and both are very well respected throughout the accounting and business community. Second, differences: The MBA in Accounting has nine required courses with only four of these in accounting. Five are more management focused classes and one is an elective. Therefore, the MBAA will better equip a graduate for a career in upper level management while providing a strong background in accounting. The MAcc is wholly focused on the accountancy profession. The MAcc requires five specific accounting courses, three accounting electives, and two general graduate electives (which can be from accounting or management focused courses). Because of the extensive accounting focus, the MAcc better prepares students for the CPA exam and a career in the accountancy profession.
Q: How conducive is the degree for those that aspire to take the CPA exam?
The MAcc is specifically designed to help students take a “deeper dive” into, build upon, and apply the coursework from an undergraduate accounting degree program. Our faculty, all of whom have a variety of industry experience, provide valuable instruction and a focus on research and application to help graduate students in today’s profession. These experiences help prepare the students to sit for the CPA exam. Further, students may take CPA review courses to further enhance their success on the CPA exam.
Q: What is an example of a MAcc program class that will uniquely add to the students’ preparation?
The MAcc introduced two new courses in the fall of 2018: Advanced Managerial Accounting and Advanced AIS and Data Analytics. Both classes demonstrate the unique ability of the MC School of Business to stay in touch with the needs of the profession while being flexible and nimble enough to adapt quickly to the constant changes in the accounting and auditing profession. For instance, in Advanced AIS and Data Analytics, we have included discussion on the challenges and opportunities with topics such as Block Chain, Cryptocurrencies, and Cyber Security which are absolutely relevant to the profession and business world today.
Q: Tell us about the unique scheduling format? How quickly can the degree be completed?
The MAcc is offered in a 100% online format and is the first and only 100% online MAcc offered by a university within the State of Mississippi. The MAcc is designed to be completed over two years, but it can be completed in one year if all foundation classes have already been taken. The MAcc builds on the foundation of an undergraduate degree in accounting. If students lack any of these foundation courses, they must complete them as part of their graduate program, as many are prerequisites for higher level coursework. The courses are set up in eight-week blocks where students can take one course at a time and focus solely on that subject. This format allows for five entry points into the degree program, two in each the fall and spring semesters and one in the summer. This format has been well received by students because it helps accommodate and balance many of the challenges within their families and careers, especially in this mobile lifestyle.
