The Bauer Professional Program in Accountancy

The Professional Program in Accountancy (PPA) is designed to prepare students for successful careers in public accounting, as well as in industry, government and other areas that require CPA credentials. In addition to receiving bachelors and masters degrees in accounting, graduates also will have satisfied the requirements to take the CPA examination as prescribed by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. PPA students can obtain their MS Accountancy degree sooner than normal because they are allowed to apply up to two masters level courses toward both the BBA and the MS Accountancy requirements.

The goals of the Professional Program in Accountancy are to provide graduates with…

1. The ability to recognize dysfunctional accounting situations,
2. The capacity to engage in accounting research and communicate findings in a clear and concise manner,
3. The skills required to work as a member of a professional team by coordinating actions and efforts to solve accounting problems,
4. An overall understanding of accounting and financial concepts, and
5. The capacity to recognize and respond appropriately to ethical and regulatory dilemmas.

Firm and Industry Partnerships

Throughout the fall and spring semester, representatives from local, regional, and national public accounting firms, as well as from industry and government host a one-semester-hour colloquium course for our students. Each week they address issues of current importance affecting the accounting profession, discuss financial accounting, auditing, tax, and other topics with the class. Many of these firms offer internships designed to provide students with an opportunity to experience what it means to be a member of the accounting profession, for which the student can receive course credit.