Accounting Department Strategic Plan
9-1- 2015
Our Mission
To develop successful accounting professionals, produce high-quality intellectual contributions, and create collaborative
relationships.
Our Vision
To achieve our mission through the power of creativity.
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Accounting Department Strategic Plan
9-1- 2015
Theme I: Develop successful accounting professionals
Our goal is to graduate students with the knowledge, skills, and marketability necessary to join the ranks of our alumni in professional
accounting careers. We seek to holistically develop and engage students through our academic programs so that they understand the demands
of a career in accounting, as well as the professional expectations for accountants. Regular program review, which engages the feedback of
faculty, students, and members of the accounting community, is a critical part of ensuring that our programs consistently meet the evolving
needs of the market, employers, and our students.
Our Goals
To engage in regular program
review to promote quality and
relevance of degree offerings
To graduate students with the
knowledge, skills, and abilities
required for career success
To encourage a high level of
student engagement
To graduate doctoral students
who are experienced teachers
and researchers
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Illustrative Initiatives
Program review conducted, at minimum, every 3 years
Evaluate course offerings each year, especially B.S. Accounting
Review and update choice of aspirant schools to determine the most appropriate
accounting programs for benchmarking purposes
Community feedback on new employees’ preparation
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Encourage qualified students to join BAP
Encourage students to use Career Center for development opportunities
Encourage faculty to invite Career Center reps to classrooms
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Support Beta Alpha Psi as a career-enhancing experience for students
Develop promotional strategy to encourage high-ability students to apply for available
accounting scholarships
Encourage faculty to invite professional accountants to speak in classes.
Encourage majors to experience an internship
Review entrance qualifications for PhD students to ensure candidates are of the
highest quality available, with well-rounded professional backgrounds
Support development of research skills
Support teaching ability by assigning a high-quality mentor
Support research colloquium series
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Responsible Party
 Department Chair
 Faculty
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Beta Alpha Psi
Faculty Advisor
Faculty
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Beta Alpha Psi
Faculty Advisor
Faculty
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Department Chair
Research Faculty
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Accounting Department Strategic Plan
9-1- 2015
Theme II: Faculty Excellence
Our goal is to recruit and retain high-quality faculty and staff who support the mission and vision of the VCU Department of Accounting. Our
research-active faculty members publish high-quality, discipline-based and pedagogical research on accounting relevant topics. Teaching focused
faculty support our mission by bringing best practices from the accounting field to the classrooms. We welcome faculty and staff members from
diverse backgrounds and seek to create an environment where differences and similarities are celebrated as assets to the organization.
Our Goals
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To develop research-active
faculty
To foster a culture that
emphasizes excellence in
teaching and learning
To recruit and retain diverse and
high-ability faculty and staff
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To encourage faculty and staff to
engage in service that supports
the department
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Illustrative Initiatives
Develop mentoring program for assistant professors to match senior research-active
faculty with new faculty members
Support research colloquium series to bring accounting researchers to present their
papers to accounting faculty and doctoral students
Send assistant professors to AAA Annual and Section Meetings
Strengthen assessment practices to facilitate ongoing program review
Ensure all programs complete Assessment Quality Review (AQR) and approved by
University Director of Assessment
Ensure assessment data are used to make any needed curriculum changes
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Responsible Party
Department Chair
Research Faculty
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Department Chair
Faculty
Promote professional development opportunities
Support doctoral student travel
Support research collaborations between research-active tenured faculty, assistant
professors, and doctoral students
Ensure annual reviews are conducted for all members of the department
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Department Chair
Encourage participation and leadership in service activities that directly support the
department, the School, the University and the Accounting Community.
Work with outside organizations to enhance teaching and to develop exercises and
projects that encourage students to engage in creative problem solving
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Department Chair
Faculty
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Accounting Department Strategic Plan
9-1- 2015
Theme III: Create collaborative relationships with our professional community
Our department is strengthened by the connections that we build with our alumni and members of the community. A mutual connection of
shared knowledge between the department and members of the community, including our alumni, fosters understanding between practice and
theory.
Our Goals
To encourage accounting
students and alumni to actively
participate in the life of the
department
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To enhance our resources
through value-added
relationships between the
department and members of the
business community
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To encourage accounting faculty
and staff to develop external
funding sources
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Illustrative Initiatives
Promote accounting and business school engagement opportunities to current students
and alumni
Offer one-year memberships to graduating BAP members in the School Alumni Society
Encourage accounting alumni to participate in BAP events and Alumni Society
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Responsible Party
Department Chair
Beta Alpha Psi
Faculty Advisor
Foster long term sustainability of the Controller’s Executive Roundtable (CERT)
o Ensure that succession planning is part of the organization’s strategy
o Encourage growth of membership
Foster our relationship with members of CERT and seek their engagement during the
school’s annual and capital campaigns
Foster our relationship with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) to continue support of
accounting student scholarships
Encourage faculty members to seek leadership opportunities in the business community
and among professional organizations to foster support for our department
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Department Chair
Collaborate with the business school as well as Central Advancement in developing and
implementing fundraising strategies
Develop alumni relationships that support fundraising goals
Develop and enhance relationships with accounting firms and other companies to
support Beta Alpha Psi and additional endowed faculty positions
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Department Chair
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