Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Accountancy
First Advisor
Victoria Dickinson
Second Advisor
W. Mark Wilder
Relational Format
Accounting
Abstract
This thesis includes a variety of topics related to public accounting. I completed a series of six case studies completed during the Accountancy Honors Professional Development course at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. In this course, Dr. Victoria Dickinson often challenged her students to “think like an auditor.” The variety of cases coupled with the auditor mindset allowed me to gain a brief understanding of financial reporting and public accounting before I had any practical experience. In the group cases revolved around Home Depot and General Mills, we analyzed their 10-ks, pulled relevant information from reliable sources, and developed conclusions based on the information we had gathered. By the end of the course, I was very familiar with the structure and contents of a 10-K. On top of the case work, numerous public accounting professionals spoke to our class. They were able to provide context about the public accounting profession. This helped me apply the knowledge I derived from the cases. I encountered many learning curves during this course, but by the end I was a more seasoned writer and a more technical public accountant.
Recommended Citation
Cordia, John, "Honors Accounting Thesis" (2026). Honors Theses. 3496.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3496