Field Study (ACCT-498-0) Field Studies include those opportunities outside of the regular curriculum in which a student is working with an outside company or non-profit organization to address a real-world business challenge for course credit under the oversight of a faculty member.
Sustainability Reporting and Analysis (ACCT-459-5) Traditional financial reporting is often criticized for ignoring some of a company's most important economic assets and liabilities. On the assets side, mainstream accounting often ignores brands, human resources, intellectual property, supplier/customer relationships, and (more generally) the goodwill that accrues to a business through its involvement in the wider community. On the liabilities side, despite numerous attempts, accountants have been unable to develop a coherent framework for reporting on the risks, or contingent liabilities, posed by deleterious environmental and social policies.
This course introduces students to sustainability reporting, a system of analysis and reporting that attempts to bridge these gaps and provide a more expansive view of an organization's social and environmental performance, sometimes called the triple bottom line. Through lectures, cases, and a research project, we will examine markets for sustainability reporting and metrics that have been developed to supply information to these markets. The class will address a number of important topics, such as socially responsible investing, the Global Reporting Initiative, carbon disclosure, tracking and controlling product and labor standards in the supply chain, accounting for legal and environmental liabilities, and the role of intangible assets in long-run performance.
Global Financial Management and Reporting (ACCT-457-5) Designing and executing a global financial strategy is one of the most important duties of senior managers in international organizations. This class will use a mixture of cases and lectures to prepare students to work in this area. Specific topical areas covered will include international taxation and reporting, governance and stewardship in foreign environments, and cross-border financial management. The business questions raised by our exploration of these areas, particularly those related to international taxation, are among the most widely discussed in the business world.
Issues in Financial Reporting (ACCT-452-0) This course differs from traditional financial accounting classes in that the material is organized according to five broad themes, with particular accounting topics (revenue recognition, lease accounting, etc.) brought in only to the extent that they help elucidate one of the themes. The five themes are: governance and control; quality of earnings; quality of cash flows; consolidation and scope of reporting; fair value reporting and appraisal.
Each of these themes contain material in which a large portion of Kellogg students would have an interest. For instance, how boards choose non-GAAP metrics; executive compensation contracts (governance and control); how to assess recurring vs. non-recurring profitability (quality of earnings); the sustainability of cash flows (quality of cash flows); the degree of control of a foreign subsidiary or JV (scope of reporting); the valuation of marketing intangibles, such as brands (fair value reporting).
Formal lectures end in Week 9. Week 10 is reserved for group project presentations. An online version of the Week 9 class will be available for students whose summer internships start before the end of the quarter.
Financial Reporting and Analysis (ACCT-451-0) This course provides a study of current practices in corporate financial reporting and fundamental issues relating to asset valuation and income determination. The emphasis is on financial statement analysis and interpretation of existing financial disclosures. The course stresses critical analyses of financial reporting numbers as a basis for improved risk assessment and cash flow forecasting. Cases are used extensively to enhance relevance.
Financial Planning for Mergers & Acquisitions (ACCT-444-5) Many companies are able to identify potential merger partners where combinations can result in significant synergies or value creation, but less than half are able to execute the merger to claim the value created. This course provides the technical knowledge necessary to identify targets as well as prepare business and law practitioners for their future collaborations in the mergers and acquisitions field. The course is offered jointly by the Kellogg School of Management and the Northwestern Law School and is primarily targeted for those interested in planning, analyzing, executing, or facilitating corporate acquisitions. Topics include: economics of mergers and acquisitions, securities law and antitrust regulation, financial reporting issues, tax implications, and economic and legal considerations.
Accounting For Decision Making (ACCT-430-0) This course acquaints students with the process used to construct and understand the financial reports of organizations. The objective is to understand the decisions that must be made in the financial reporting process and to develop the ability to evaluate and use accounting data. Emphasis is placed on understanding the breadth of accounting measurement practices and on being able to make the adjustments necessary for careful analysis. The course highlights the linkages between accounting information and management planning, and decision making and control.
Course sections that end in "H" will be taught in a format that combines the convenience and flexibility of online learning with the social and instructional benefits of face-to-face classroom experiences. Online sessions are conducted synchronously with classmates and faculty.