Bachelor of Accounting

BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF THE BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING

Initially, the Bachelor of Management degree had 6 areas of specialization namely Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Operations Management, Organisational Behavior and Islamic Finance. The nation’s critical call for qualified accountants and a growing need for a full fledge Accounting Program led the School of Management to offer the Bachelor of Accounting degree with effect from the 1999/2000 academic session.

The entire curriculum for this degree was designed in close collaboration and consultation with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and many other professional accounting bodies. The MIA is the professional quality control association in the field of accounting and MIA is a member of the International Accounting Standards Board responsible for studying accounting standards besides current local and international accounting issues.

These efforts culminated in the accreditation of the Accountancy Program by the MIA on the 30th of September 2000.  This recognition means that the graduates will be accepted as Certified Accountants after gaining 3 years working experience at an accounting firm or an industry. As such, graduates of the program can apply to become Chartered Accountants after gaining a 3-year working experience in the field of accounting or a related field under MIA's CARE program.

With MIA’s input, the Bachelor of Accounting degree program offered by the School of Management has successfully combined the expertise and experience of both accounting professionals as well as accounting academics. This has resulted in the enhancement of the program to world standards. Apart from the MIA’s involvement, the program also receives feedback from members of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Accountants [MICPA], representatives  of  the  Department  of  the National Accountants and as well as representatives of  renowned audit firms.

As quality education is the School of Management's ultimate objective, various other professional bodies were invited to assess its curricula and instructional strategies. Other professional bodies like MICPA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA AUSTRALIA, and ICAEW have followed suit in accrediting the School of Management’s Accounting Program. With effect from the 2002/2003 Academic Session, students need to complete their studies in 4 years. The 4-year curriculum has been examined  by audit firms, management consultants,   company managers and financial consultants.  It is necessary to ensure that the curriculum content can fulfill market needs.

The efforts and determination of the entire School of Management's faculty bared success when in 2003; the Ministry of Education bestowed the honor of being the best School of Business Management and Accounting in the country. This recognition was based on an academic audit undertaken by a few professors from a consortium of the Institutes of Higher Learning New Zealand in collaboration with a local audit firm, Atarik Kamil and Company. Most recently, the School of Management was accorded three (3) Palms, as an “Excellent Business School” by Eduniversal World Business School Ranking for three years in a row (2010, 2011, and 2012).

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESIRED OUTCOMES

The Bachelor of Accounting degree program has a very clear objective which is to produce accountants who can meet the development objective of the country. The degree program aims to produce graduates who not only can perform accounting functions but possess communication and interpersonal skills as well.

The accounting graduates of the School of Management are ethical, confident and capable of expressing logical views, and possess a good attitude. These graduates are sensitive  to  and  are  capable  of  keeping  up  with  current developments as well as developments in technology. They strive to be team players, professional and possess leadership skills.

Students who have completed their Bachelor of Accounting (Honors) studies at the School of Management would have gained in-depth knowledge in the field of accounting as well as have developed and sharpened their technical skills, practical skills and are able to demonstrate the ability to form perceptions towards guided feedback regarding the subject of accounting.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Accounting (Honors) program are able to use their scientific thinking skills in conducting research works and have the communication skills necessary to manage, process, analyze and apply information for decision making. The School of Management accounting graduates are able perform  their  duties  in  a  team  and  are  able  to  solve  problems associated with group work such as conflict, motivation and contribution.

They exhibit characteristics of leadership with integrity without compromising the norms and values of Eastern societies as well as fully utilizing information technology in implementing management activities such as planning, organization, leadership, control, and decision making. They are meticulous and concentrate on the development of knowledge by focusing on the need to be competitive and to be sustainable by applying new practices in the field of business management from entrepreneurial skills gained through lectures, teaching, and practical training. Finally, accounting graduates of the School of Management are able demonstrate the leadership skills necessary and are innovative in creating opportunities through entrepreneurship.