The mission of the M. E. Rinker, Sr. Institute of Tax and Accountancy (Department of Accounting), is to offer an intellectually challenging education that will facilitate the development of our students as accounting, information systems, or management professionals. The focus of the Institute's educational program is excellence in teaching in an intensive, yet supporting learning environment.

The mission of the Institute to deliver excellent teaching is supported by:

·        Faculty selection and development that fosters quality instruction;

·        Intellectual endeavors that support and enhance innovative teaching, contribute to the body of accounting knowledge, or advance the practice of accounting; and

·         Faculty service that draws the Institute and its students closer to the accounting, consulting, and business communities as well as the University community.

The Institute seeks to provide a distinctive educational experience by encouraging:

·        High involvement and experiential learning in a small class environment,

·        An orientation toward real-world applicability in teaching and research,

·        A pervasive commitment to social and ethical leadership development, lifelong learning; and

·         A faculty-student relationship that extends from academic counseling through career choice.

The Institute administers an undergraduate degree program in accounting information systems and a graduate degree program in accounting. Students completing the graduate degree program in accounting are academically qualified for the CPA examination in Florida. The Institute also administers an accounting minor, a family business major and minor, and a business law minor, and provides introductory and advanced level accounting courses in support of other undergraduate and graduate business degree programs. (adopted 10/95; revised 1/04)