USC Catalogue 2025-2026
USC Leventhal School of Accounting
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Students outside the Elaine and Kenneth Leventhal School of Accounting. Photo by David Sprague for USC Marshall.
The USC Leventhal School of Accounting is dedicated to maintaining a leadership position in accounting education and research. We are committed to educational programs that seek to establish in each graduate the potential for career development into the highest executive levels of public accounting, controllership, financial management and management of accounting information systems. The accounting curriculum explores not only the state of the art but also seeks to explore the accounting discipline’s future structures and directions. Relevant concepts and techniques from other academic disciplines are drawn upon and integrated into all accounting programs.
Accounting education has been an integral part of USC since 1920, when the Department of Accounting offered a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. The Leventhal School of Accounting was established in 1979 in recognition of the growing importance of accounting to our economy and broader society. It continues to rank as one of the premier AACSB-accredited accounting programs in the nation.
Currently the Leventhal School of Accounting undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Science, Accounting and a Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Finance . An accounting minor is also offered to students outside the USC Marshall School of Business. Some undergraduate students may be eligible for our progressive degree program, an efficient way to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Graduate programs include Master of Accounting; Master of Business Taxation (Data And Analytics); Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals; and a Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation in conjunction with the USC Gould School of Law. The School also offers a graduate certificate in Business Taxation. A PhD Accounting program is offered through the doctoral program in the Marshall School of Business.
USC Leventhal School of Accounting
Accounting 101
(213) 740-4838
(213) 747-2815 (Fax)
marshall.usc.edu/leventhal
Administration
Andrew Call, PhD, Dean, Alan Casden Dean’s Chair of Accountancy
Lori Smith, BS, CPA, Academic Director, Leventhal Graduate Programs MAcc
Michael Paranal, CPA, JD, MBA, PgDIP, Academic Director, Leventhal Graduate Programs MBT
Andreas Simon, PhD, Associate Dean, Leventhal Undergraduate Programs*
Shane M. Heitzman, PhD, CPA, CFE, Academic Director of Accounting and Finance Degree
Megumi Horinouchi, BA, Senior Administrator
Erica Ramirez, MPA, Operations Manager
David Park, MBA, Director of Graduate Programs
Precious Barela, MS, Director of Undergraduate Programs
Faculty
A. N. Mosich Chair in Accounting: Mark L. DeFond, PhD, CPA*
Arthur Andersen & Co. Alumni Professor of Accounting: Mark Soliman, PhD*
Deloitte & Touche LLP Chair in Accountancy: Richard Sloan, PhD
George Bozanic and Holman G. Hurt Chair in Sports and Entertainment Business: S. Mark Young, PhD*
Sharon and Greg Maffei Chair in Teaching Excellence: Patricia Mills, JD, LLM*
USC Accounting Associates Chair: Clive Lennox, PhD*
Patrick Grismer Teaching Chair in Accounting: Smrity Randhawa, PhD*
Joseph A. DeBell Professor of Business Administration: TJ Wong, PhD*
Robert R. Dockson Professor in Business Administration: Patricia Dechow, PhD
Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting: Daniel E. O’Leary, PhD
KPMG Foundation Professor of Accounting: K.R. Subramanyam, PhD
Professors: Andrew Call, PhD; Patricia Dechow, PhD; Mark L. DeFond, PhD, CPA*; William W. Holder, DBA, CPA; Clive Lennox, PhD*; Daniel E. O’Leary, PhD; Richard Sloan, PhD; Mark Soliman, PhD*; K.R. Subramanyam, PhD; Charles W. Swenson, PhD, CPA*; TJ Wong, PhD*; S. Mark Young, PhD*
Associate Professors: John J. Barcal, JD, CPA*; Shane M. Heitzman, PhD, CPA, CFE; Tracie Majors, PhD, CPA*; Maria Ogneva, PhD; Shiing-Wu Wang, PhD*
Assistant Professors: Ray Gao, PhD; Shelley Xin Li, PhD, CMA, FRM; Matthew Shaffer, PhD; Lorien Stice-Lawrence, PhD; Jacqueline Wegner, PhD
Professors of Clinical Accounting: Ruben A. Davila, JD, MBA, CPA*; Patricia Mills, JD, LLM*; Smrity Randhawa, PhD*; Francisco Román, PhD; Andreas Simon, PhD*, Lori Smith, BS, CPA*; Zivia Sweeney, MBA, CPA*
Associate Professors of Clinical Accounting: Robert Carnes, PhD; Taylor Wiesen, PhD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting: Michael C. Paranal, JD MBA, MBT, CPA*
Professors of the Practice of Accounting: Tony Aaron, MBA, CFA; Kristen Jaconi, JD*
Associate Professors of the Practice of Accounting: George Braunegg, MBA, CPA; Elizabeth Woo, MBA
Emeritus Professors: Jerry Arnold, PhD; Randolph P. Beatty, PhD, CPA*; Sarah E. Bonner, PhD*; Merle Hopkins, PhD*; Joseph L. Keller, MS; E. Jack J. Larsen, DBA ; Thomas W. Lin, PhD; Shirley Maxey, BA*; Kenneth A. Merchant, PhD, CPA; Theodore J. Mock, PhD; ZoeVonna Palmrose, PhD; Leslie Porter, PhD; Tom Ryan, MBA; Kenneth Simmonds, MBA*
*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.
Degree Programs
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting offers students a robust education that combines foundational accounting principles with practical skills essential for diverse career paths. The program prepares students for professional roles by focusing on key areas such as critical decision-making, problem-solving, and research skills while learning to navigate ethical dilemmas and stakeholder conflicts common in accounting practice. Graduates are well-equipped to enter various fields, including public accounting, corporate finance, government, and non-profit sectors, with the ability to tackle real-world financial challenges confidently. Please visit our website for more information.
Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Finance
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance is a joint degree offered by the Leventhal School of Accounting and the Marshall School of Business. This degree provides students with a comprehensive foundation in both accounting and finance, equipping them for finance-oriented careers. The program emphasizes real-world applications, including financial statement analysis, financial reporting standards, and valuation techniques. Please visit our website for more information.
Graduate
Master of Accounting
The Master of Accounting (MAcc) program provides an integrated curriculum designed to prepare graduates for careers in professional accountancy, public accounting, industry and government. Students may choose an emphasis in Professional Accountancy, Data and Analytics, or Strategic Finance. This degree allows students the opportunity to study accounting in greater depth and in more areas of specialization than in undergraduate accounting programs or in MBA programs with concentrations in accounting. Students have flexibility in elective choices to reflect their career goals.
Master of Business Taxation
The Master of Business Taxation with an emphasis in data and analytics (MBT) degree is offered to both full-time and part-time students. The program is designed for accountants, attorneys and business professionals who wish to learn or improve skills and knowledge through participation in advanced tax study. Students have flexibility in elective choices to reflect their career focus and goals. The part-time, full online program is referred to as the MBT for Working Professionals (MBT.WP).
Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation
The USC Gould School of Law and the Leventhal School of Accounting offer this dual degree program. Admission to the JD program offered by the Law School is required before applying to the MBT program offered by the Leventhal School of Accounting.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Marshall School of Business offers the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in conjunction with the Graduate School. A student electing to major in accounting may design a research program that emphasizes auditing, financial accounting, information systems, management accounting or taxation. More information on the doctoral program is available in the USC Marshall School of Business section of this catalogue and on the Marshall website.
Admission to Master’s Programs
The Leventhal School of Accounting seeks individuals who have the potential for outstanding achievement in accounting or taxation. The Admissions Committee uses the holistic review model. Candidates are reviewed on the merits of their application and the merits of the applicant pool for the year in which they seek admission.
Applicants to the full-time programs are not required to have previous work experience. Applicants to the part-time MBT program (MBT.WP) are required to have a minimum of one year full-time professional experience related to taxation after receiving an undergraduate degree.
Application information is available on the Leventhal Masters Programs website. All international applicants are expected to demonstrate their proficiency in English as part of the application process and should carefully review the guidelines provided by the Office of Graduate Admission. Applicants for the JD/MBT dual degree program should apply to the Leventhal School of Accounting for admission to the MBT program in the second semester of their first year in the USC Gould School of Law. In addition, current Law School transcripts and a “letter in good standing” from the registrar of the Law School must be submitted as part of the application. The same Leventhal School of Accounting admission criteria apply to the MBT portion of the JD/MBT program.
Applicants are urged to submit a completed application as early as possible. The online application system is generally open in September. For more information regarding application requirements and deadlines, please visit our website.
MAcc/MBT Progressive Degree Program (PDP)
The Progressive Degree Program (PDP) enables USC undergraduate students to accelerate the completion of a USC MAcc or MBT degree. Visit the USC Progressive Degree Program website for USC requirements, student classification, and financial aid. Additional details can be found on the admissions section of the MAcc and MBT website.
Residence Requirements
Subject to approval of the Leventhal School of Accounting, the maximum number of transfer credits that may be applied toward the master’s degree is 3 units. To be applied to the degree, transfer work must have been completed within five years of admission to the master’s program. Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for course work taken elsewhere after a student has been admitted and enrolled at USC. Credit will only be allowed for courses (1) from an AACSB-accredited graduate school, (2) of a quality of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, (3) constituting a fair and reasonable equivalent to current USC course work at the graduate level, and (4) fitting into the logical program for the degree. Transfer course work is applied as credit (CR) toward the degree and is not included in the calculation of a minimum grade point average for graduation.
Waivers
With the written approval of the Leventhal School of Accounting, waiver of required courses may be granted to students based upon prior academic work. All waived courses must be replaced with approved electives. Students should carefully read their program evaluation form to know what electives must be taken if they are granted subject waivers.
ProgramsBachelor’s DegreeMinorMaster’s DegreeDual DegreeGraduate CertificateCoursesAccounting
Major Restrictions
Enrollment in most 500-level business courses by non-business graduate students requires special permission. For information about the registration application process for non-business students, visit the Schedule of Classes.
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