Students must have taken courses in either general or business accounting, with courses in applied mathematics and statistics used in preparing for the exams. The requirements are similar to other accounting classes, but the emphasis is more on the application of financial information and analysis in the planning and management of finances.
Students will be asked to prepare a written report on each chapter of the course. They will be expected to use the information they have already gathered from the course to prepare this report. The assignment will require students to conduct several analyses to present in a report. Students will be required to organize and describe the data found in these financial reports into the most relevant figures that will best support their argument.
Students should expect to make some decisions throughout the semester. The primary decision will be what type of capstone class will be given. This can be done by completing a shortlist of all the requirements listed in the syllabus or completing a brief survey asking the instructor what type of capstone will be given out.
Students will be given the option of choosing one of two capstone courses, depending on which is the most beneficial to them. Some students choose to take a senior capstone class, while others elect to take a junior capstone. The senior capstone is often given out before graduation, while the junior capstone is given out at the end of the class.
Most of the time, the capstone class is not required to take the graduate level. Many times students will decide that the capstone will be given for its own sake, especially if they need to get a quick degree. Capstone courses can be taken in-class for credit or by taking online classes. Students may also choose to take their capstone class online or on an elective basis instead of attending a college full time.
Capstone courses are usually shorter than a standard undergraduate degree course, ranging from two semesters or fewer. in some cases to three semesters. If a student is taking graduate level courses, their capstone course will be much longer.
Once the student has graduated, he or she may decide to continue their career as a financial planner or accountant by attending a BACC-accredited institution of higher learning. At this point, the student should enroll in a BACC-accredited capstone class to continue their education.
Capstone courses offer many benefits to both students and employers. For students, they improve analytical skills and financial management skills. Capstone courses provide a valuable training foundation to prepare students for career success. For employers, hiring students who have successfully completed a capstone class can increase the profitability of the business.
A capstone class will teach students financial reporting and financial analysis. It will help students understand how to develop and organize financial statements, create financial plans, and organize the information they have collected. It teaches students how to create effective financial statements and how to manage financial data. It also provides students with a framework for future financial planning and management.
In order to qualify for a capstone class, a student must be an undergraduate, complete a minimum of 60 credits, and have a C average or better. The number of credits required varies by the institution of higher learning and can range from the number of courses taken.
At the completion of the capstone course, students should have passed their initial examination. The capstone course is then given to the student’s dissertation committee and faculty adviser. The committee will review the student’s thesis. The student’s thesis will serve as the proof of his or her academic excellence for the exam, which is based upon written research and a final exam.
