Vision 

Our vision is to build the future of accounting.

 

Mission

Oklahoma State University’s School of Accounting exists to prepare people to make a difference in the world by teaching essential interpersonal skills alongside a high-quality accounting education backed by impactful research and outreach.

 

Values

• Openness

  We are always open to new people and new ideas.

  In the School of Accounting, we know the value of different people and points of view—in fact, these are essential components of accounting today. As the place where business is personal, we aim to always be welcoming to all and encourage diverse discussion and points of view.

• Sincerity

  We value honesty and candor as an organization.

  In the School of Accounting, we know the importance of deep-seated relationships and interpersonal connections. To this end, we value candor, integrity and the ability to stand by what we say. To us, accounting and especially accounting education is personal.

• Collaboration

  We depend on each other to succeed.

  We share best practices, no matter where we live and work. From Tulsa to Stillwater and even online, collaboration is the way to learn and grow as one organization. As the place where business is personal, our relationships with faculty, alumni, and students strive to build deep, long-lasting connections.

• Foresight

  We are always anticipating what comes next.

  At Spears we know what it means to be an early career person in accounting today. We pride ourselves on being future-focused and prepare our students for the road ahead. Our sensitivity to people and their needs ensures that we will remain relevant and effective far into the future. After all, in accounting, people are the only constant.

 

Our foundational principle

Our foundational principle recognizes that faculty, staff, students, and alumni participate as organizational citizens. We are recipients of significant allocations of taxpayer dollars; generous gifts from our alumni, employers, and other stakeholders; and student tuition and fees that often require great sacrifice on the part of our students and their families. We have a responsibility to act as wise stewards of these resources. Our role is to build upon a tradition of excellence established by those who have preceded us and to hand to the next generation a school well-positioned to continue to build the future of accounting.

 

Accreditation

The School of Accounting and the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University are accredited by the AACSB International. The most recent reaffirmation of the school’s and college’s AACSB accreditation was in 2024. The School of Accounting was a 1977 charter member of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy, a national organization whose mission is to encourage and support high-quality accredited programs of graduate education in accounting. As a step toward continued innovation and excellence in accounting education, research, and service to the profession and community, the Department of Accounting was designated the School of Accounting in 1979.

 

Student organizations

BAP

Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization of financial information students and professionals that motivates, recognizes and celebrates academic excellence. Beta Alpha Psi encourages the study and practice of accountancy, finance, business analytics and digital technology.

SCPT

The mission of the Student Center for the Public Trust is to promote ethical thinking in the developing character and conscience of students. SCPT provides an interactive environment where ethical business behaviors and ideas can flourish, while creating opportunities for students to network with the business community and develop professional leadership skills.

 

Code of ethics

• Compliance

  Comply with laws and regulations, as well as all OSU, SSB, and SOA standards, regulations, and policies.

• Competence

  Convey accurate information about your experience, qualifications, grades, and other attributes to prospective employers, scholarship committees, and other parties.

• Confidentiality

  Students employed by the SOA should refrain from disclosing confidential information acquired in the course of work responsibilities.

• Integrity

  Adhere to guidelines provided by instructors for assignments. Report honestly on the conduct of assignments, reasons for absences, and other matters that can affect either class or job evaluations. Refrain from any form of cheating on exams or assignments, including providing or receiving unauthorized assistance or obtaining any form of advance access to exam questions and/or answers. Refrain from submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for credit on more than one assignment without instructor permission. Refrain from offering gifts that are intended to influence or might appear to influence instructors, administrators, or others who make decisions about your grades, scholarships, admission into programs, etc. Refrain from actively or passively subverting the attainment of legitimate and ethical objectives of the School of Accounting.

• Objectivity

  Maintain the highest standards of fairness and refrain from bias or appearances of bias in performing peer evaluations on the work of other students or in evaluating the performance of instructors. In this context, “bias” refers to consideration of characteristics that are legally prohibited from consideration (e.g., race or gender) as well as other factors that should be unrelated to performance of the job or assignment.

• Interactions

  Whether agreeing or disagreeing, demonstrate respect for other individuals.

• Attribution

  Ensure that assignments (whether papers, problems, computer programs, etc.) that are submitted for grading reflect your own work and are not copied from others (including other students). In formal writings and public talks, credit others (including those with whom you collaborate) for the work they have done. When engaged in informal discussions, refrain from claiming credit for work done by someone else, e.g., a group member.