We know accounting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about relationships. The personal connections between Broad accounting students, alumni, faculty and employers is what sets us apart.
The nationally recognized faculty of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Michigan State University continually work to set our students up for success. We understand that, in the ever-changing fields of accounting and information systems, it’s crucial to provide students with skills and resources that keep them at the forefront of the industry. The department offers programs at every level—undergraduate through doctoral—and students graduate with outstanding knowledge, skills and unrivaled professionalism.
- 6
- Best Master's in Accounting
- (Tax Talent, 2018)
- 8
- in Managerial Accounting Research
- over the last 12 years
- (BYU Accounting Research Rankings, 2021)
- 12
- Undergraduate Accounting Program
- among schools with 24 or more full-time faculty.
- (Public Accounting Report, 2019)
Collaborative Relationships
Regardless of your background or interests, 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. In fact, the mission of our department is “to create and disseminate knowledge in accounting and information systems through collaborative relationships.”
Our success is built on the relationships among our students, alumni, faculty, and employers. Our nationally renowned faculty working alongside incredibly bright and hard-working students. In addition, our dedicated alumni and employers collaborate with us to ensure that our graduates are prepared for the rapidly changing fields of accounting and information systems.
We welcome you to join us! Explore our website to learn more about our programs, faculty, and students. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need additional information.
Accounting @ Broad
Seventeen students received scholarships to complete short-term business projects for companies around the world.
We celebrate the achievements of more than 430 business graduates at the Fall 2022 Commencement ceremonies, Dec. 16-17.
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
- The 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
We’ve produced premier accounting and information systems talent for more than half a century.
Accounting careers afford ambitious professionals a wealth of career possibilities. 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. A degree in accounting, the “language of business,” provides an excellent base for upward mobility.
The Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Broad College is home to one of the nation’s top accounting programs. For more than 50 years, the Department of Accounting and Information Systems has been attracting bright, ambitious students and has been the state’s largest provider of certified public accountants (CPAs). Our AACSB-accredited undergraduate and graduate accounting degree programs are consistently ranked highly by the Public Accounting Report.
AIS Programs
This competitive Ph.D. program prepares doctoral candidates to become productive researchers and educators at top research universities. Specializations include audit, financial accounting, managerial accounting and tax.
Explore ProgramPrepares scholars to become innovative and productive information systems researchers. Doctoral students work with ITM faculty who are nationally renowned for their publications, editorial positions, research grant funding and information systems community leadership.
Explore ProgramThis accounting and analytics program prepares students with technical knowledge, critical thinking skills and global mindset to thrive. Choose from specializations in taxation, information systems, public and corporate accounting, and transaction services. The forward-looking curriculum prepares students to sit for the CPA or CMA exam.
Explore ProgramThis master’s degree will prepare students for accounting and financial management careers within public accounting, corporations, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Courses taken in the program will count towards the education requirements of professional certifications such as the Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.
Explore ProgramThis experiential program teaches problem-solvers how to use big data and analytics to solve business problems. Corporate projects each semester provide an opportunity to focus on business strategy, applied statistics and data mining to gain real-world experience and professional partnerships.
Explore ProgramThe bachelor’s degree in accounting program prepares students for careers in public, managerial and governmental accounting.
Explore ProgramThe nine-credit, online Graduate Certificate in Accounting Analytics program is designed to meet the professional development needs of accounting professionals, and it also provides an alternative pathway for students seeking to meet the 150 Hour Rule for CPA certification.
Explore Program
Our Faculty
Sev Grabski
- Professor
Accounting and Information Systems
Ranjani Krishnan
- Ernest W. and Robert W. Schaberg Chair in Accounting
Accounting and Information Systems
Matt Anderson
- Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dean's Office - Professor
Accounting and Information Systems
Research Expertise
Financial Accounting
Focusing on the link between accounting information and capital markets.
Auditing
Focusing on the audit function, which sits between the accounting information produced by the firm and capital markets.
Managerial Accounting
Focusing on the link between accounting information and internal users
Governance
Focusing on corporate economic activities, which in turn drive accounting information.
Tax
Focusing on the link between accounting information and taxation authorities as well as the capital markets.
Information Systems
Focusing on systems that collect, store and generate accounting information.
Alumni & Friends
A critical piece in achieving the vision and mission of our department is staying engaged with our networks of alumni and other friends of accounting 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 students.
We are also extremely grateful for the philanthropic support which 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 comprised 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.
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 Business Data Science & Analytics
- Gayle Nelson
- gdcohen@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 355-7600
- View Profile
- Director, Ernst & Young Communication Center
- Genevieve Risner
- risner@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 353-8642
- View Profile
Get Connected with Broad:
- Business College Complex
- 632 Bogue St
- East Lansing, MI 48824