Nationally Recognized, In-demand Accounting Programs
There’s more to accounting degrees than just numbers. There are personal connections that lead to experiences and opportunities that define your future success. And one accounting program stands out for delivering beyond expectations.
Michigan State University’s nationally recognized accounting degrees, offered through our Department of Accounting and Information Systems, position you for extraordinary success.
Our renowned faculty understand the skills needed in the ever-changing fields of accounting and information systems. They equip you with competencies to keep you at the forefront of the industry. And alumni, employer and student connections broaden your horizons in the world of business accounting.
Whether you choose accounting degrees at the undergraduate, graduate or doctoral level, you’ll be equipped with the relevant knowledge, skills and unrivaled professionalism to propel your accounting future forward.
- 6
- Best Master's in Accounting
- (Tax Talent, 2018)
- 10
- in Managerial Accounting Research
- in all methods, all years tracked
- (BYU Accounting Research Rankings, 2023)
- 12
- Undergraduate Accounting Program
- among schools with 24 or more full-time faculty.
- (Public Accounting Report, 2019)
From MSU’s Accounting Program Chair
We’re committed to helping you understand organizations by understanding accounting — the language that businesses, governments and nonprofits use to tell their stories. We do this through collaboration. Our nationally renowned faculty work alongside incredibly bright and hard-working students. And our dedicated alumni and employers collaborate with us to ensure our graduates are prepared for the rapidly changing fields of accounting and information systems.
Accounting @ Broad
The event honors exceptional contributions to the accounting profession and celebrates leaders in the field
In The News
Susarla’s 2022 interview with NPR Marketplace Tech on platforms’ challenges in policing deepfakes.
From NPR Marketplace
Featuring Anjana Susarla
We celebrate the seniors who are recognized for having a 4.0 GPA at the close of their time at MSU.
Employers Turn to MSU for Premier Accounting and Information Systems Talent
For more than 50 years, MSU’s Department of Accounting and Information Systems has attracted bright, ambitious students — and serves as Michigan’s largest provider of certified public accountants (CPAs).
Our AACSB-accredited accounting degrees prepare you for a successful and rewarding future. Even in challenging economic times, accountants typically enjoy a strong job market, and starting salaries are usually among the top salaries offered to college graduates.
By working with alumni in the field, our faculty bring the latest workplace scenarios into the classroom to enhance your knowledge and problem-solving skills. They also serve as experts in the fields of corporate governance and control, tax, information systems and analytics, auditing, business valuation, regulation and public policy, and managerial decision-making. They pass their valuable knowledge in these growing fields right to you — giving you a leg up on the competition. It’s just one of the reasons why our undergraduate and graduate accounting programs are consistently ranked highly by the Public Accounting Report.
Accounting and Information Systems programs at MSU
Prepare to become a leading researcher and educator at top research universities with our competitive Ph.D. in Accounting program. Specializations include audit, financial accounting, managerial accounting and tax.
Explore ProgramDive deep into the world of information systems by working with expert faculty who are nationally renowned for their publications, editorial positions, research grant funding and community leadership.
Explore ProgramMaster the technical knowledge, critical thinking skills and global mindset needed for a successful accounting career with our STEM-designated M.S. in Accounting. Choose from specializations in taxation, information systems, public and corporate accounting, and transaction services — and prepare to sit for the CPA or CMA exam.
Explore ProgramLearn how to excel in accounting and financial management careers within public accounting, corporations, government and not-for-profit organizations. Courses count toward the education requirements of professional certifications such as the CPA and CMA.
Explore ProgramDiscover how to use big data and analytics to solve business accounting problems in this STEM-designated program. You’ll experience corporate projects each semester to focus on business strategy, applied statistics and data mining to gain real-world experience and professional partnerships.
Explore ProgramLearn the basics of accounting and get ready to succeed in a career in public, managerial and governmental accounting. Our B.A. in Accounting provides an excellent foundation for aspiring entrepreneurs and serves as strong preparation for pre-law majors.
Explore ProgramEnhance your business skills with a graduate certificate that offers an alternative pathway to meet professional requirements. Certificates are available in Accounting and Data Analytics, Accounting for Management Decision Making, Taxation, and Transaction Services.
Explore Programs
Experts in the World of Accounting and Information Systems
Accounting expertise to shape the world
MSU’s accounting programs are consistently ranked among the top in the nation. That’s because of our expert faculty who are leaders in the field of business accounting and information systems. They use their knowledge and experience to cultivate yours. Here, you literally learn from the best.
Our information systems and accounting faculty have expertise in the areas of:
Financial accounting, to bridge the gap between accounting information and capital markets
Audit functions, which provide assurance of the accounting information released by the firm to the capital markets
Managerial accounting, which provides and interprets information that helps business leaders make sound decisions
Governance, including metrics and controls related to board diversity, corruption and bribery, business ethics, compensation policies and general risk tolerance
Tax, understanding tax liabilities and penalty avoidance
Information systems that collect, store and generate accounting information
In the fast-paced world of information systems, faculty show you how to use big data and analytics to solve real business problems. Through corporate partnerships, you’ll focus on business strategy, applied statistics and data mining to make decisions that improve business functions. Our professors — who are nationally known for their publications, editorial positions, research grant funding and community leadership — support you as you take your learning to the next level.
Learn more about the people behind our accounting and information systems programs.
Department of Accounting and Information Systems Vision and Mission
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a global leader in creating and disseminating expertise in making business happen.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge in accounting and information systems through collaborative relationships.
Our Work
- Graduates with outstanding knowledge, skills and professionalism
- Thought leaders in education, research, professional standards and practice, and service
- Expert and effective student mentoring and placement
- Lifelong professional and personal development for alumni, staff and faculty
How We Accomplish Our Work
Collaborations among communities of:
- Students
- Faculty and staff
- Practitioners
Our Stakeholders
- Highly engaged public accounting firms, corporations and alumni
- Talented and motivated students, staff and faculty, both current and prospective
- Broad College, Michigan State University and the state of Michigan
- The academy and professional communities
Our Value Contributions
- Learned profession of accounting and information systems practice
- Intellectual capital in accounting and information systems
- Influence on practice and professional communities
- Global reputation
A Community of Supporters for MSU’s Accounting Programs
Alumni and friends
To achieve our vision and mission, we stay actively engaged with our networks of accounting alumni and other friends at Broad. We want to stay in touch to know all the great ways Spartans are making business happen and build mutually beneficial relationships that can connect employers with our accounting students.
We are also extremely grateful for the philanthropic support that helps us sustain excellence. The department proudly recognizes the generous alumni, friends and organizations that support the department and allow us to continually enhance our efforts.
External Advisory Board
The Accounting and Information Systems External Advisory Board is composed of leaders in the field of accounting. They hold positions in public accounting, industry, government and academia, giving them unique insight into the role our department plays in shaping the accounting profession. We rely on their guidance, advice and feedback to ensure our accounting degrees are relevant, in-demand and attainable.
Contact Information
- Department of Accounting and Information Systems
- Business College Complex
- 632 Bogue St Rm N270
- East Lansing, MI 48824
- acct@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 355-7486
- Fax: (517) 432-1101
- Faculty Office Hours
- Chairperson
- Marilyn Johnson
- john1614@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 353-8647
- View Profile
- Director, Student Academic Services
- Lynne Zelenski
- zelensk2@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 432-3034
- View Profile
- Co-Director, Ph.D. in Accounting
- Ken Bills
- billsken@msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 884-1677
- View Profile
- Co-Director, Ph.D. in Accounting
- Kevin Markle
- marklek2@msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 432-2919
- View Profile
- Director, Ph.D. in Information Technology Management
- Anjana Susarla
- asusarla@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 432-8350
- View Profile
- Director, M.S. in Accounting
- Shannon Mulally
- mulally@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 432-0951
- View Profile
- Director, M.S. in Accounting and Data Analytics
- Lynne Zelenski
- zelensk2@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 432-3034
- View Profile
- Director, M.S. in Business Data Science & Analytics
- Titun Maiti
- titun@msu.edu
- View Profile
- Director, Ernst & Young Communication Center
- Genevieve Risner
- risner@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 353-8642
- View Profile
- Graduate Certificates in Accounting
- Lynne Zelenski
- zelensk2@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 432-3034
- View Profile
