Michael Cottrill is an Accounting professor at Northeastern University rated 3.4/5 by 41 students, with 3.9/5 difficulty (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Michael Cottrill professor reviews and ratings: 3.4/5 from 41 student reviews at Northeastern. TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
ACCT 1201 is a very hard class and he is not very helpful. His lectures are so boring, making it hard to focus. His quizzes and tests are really hard and are worded differently from his lectures and exercises. Choose another professor if possible because it'll be super tough to pass with him. Hardest class I've taken to date. He is funny though.ACCT1201 2014-11-13 12:17:47 +0000 UTC
One of the sweetest guys ever. Not good at teaching - very hard to follow as he doesn't organize thoughts well. If you are an auditory listener and can't learn from the book, switch out. Fair grader, makes himself available for students.ACCT1202 2013-12-04 21:07:28 +0000 UTC
One of the most amazing teachers. Im in the class currently and he is great. Anyone who doesnt like him is not trying. Go to his office hours and talk to him. He is so sweet and will explain anything you for as long as it takes. Anyone who says hes not great obviously doesnt go to class ever. This is a great class where you learn real life examplesACCT2202 2013-11-18 22:14:24 +0000 UTC
Stay away from him at all costs, he is very knowledgeable about his field but that by no means makes him a competent teacher. He grades tests however he wants, he doesn't even read the answers he just makes up points and trying to get him to help you in office hours is impossible. Apparently he used to be the best teacher but that no longer is trueACCT3401 2013-11-06 10:50:56 +0000 UTC
Cottrill was a knowledgeable and funny professor. He always had great stories to tell the class. To do well in his class, you really have to read the chapters he assigns in the syllabus. I did not do this, and fell behind. His quizzes are very hard, and his exams are worse. I don't think many people got an A in my class, if any.ACC1201 2013-07-25 13:31:29 +0000 UTC
He is awesome!! if you wanna learn just TAKE HIM!ACCT2010 2011-06-24 13:22:17 +0000 UTC
He is CRAZY!!! In a good way, talks about taking inventory of**** for crying out loud. Work really hard in the class and you will do well. Slack off and you will drown.ACT501 2010-09-07 13:25:33 +0000 UTC
If you have to take accounting class, dont take it with Cottrill. Extremely hard, and you will not learn as much as you would with the other profs at NU. He is a great guy, but his classes are absolute lunacy.ACC2201 2010-07-13 01:06:20 +0000 UTC
funny guy.. BUT exams/tests are hard and tricky. class average is usually around 70 or lowerACCT101 2010-04-04 17:34:24 +0000 UTC
Helpful and nice teacher. Tests require some studying, but he's a fair grader. Learned a lot and would recommendACCT401 2010-03-18 14:39:58 +0000 UTC
Cottrill is not an effective teacher. I have almost a 4.0 GPA, and I will continue to work hard to get a good grade, but his class is not set up well. Lectures spend a lot of time on conceptual topics and random topics, not much time on examples and problems, which is what's tested. To learn the material you have to study it on your own.ACCT3301 2009-11-13 11:38:25 +0000 UTC
He is definitely the best professor I have had at NEU so far. VERY funny and nice guy, always help you after class. Quizzes and exams are NOT hard at all as long as you pay attention in class and do all the exercises he gives. He teaches every single question and tells you specificly what would be on the tests. Definitely will take his class again.ACCU201 2009-08-13 23:24:47 +0000 UTC
He's a nice guy but like the person said before me, he just teaches way to fast. Make sure that you study for all of the quizzes and especially for the midterm. And read the text! the slides are not enough to get an AACC201 2009-04-02 20:41:51 +0000 UTC
Do not take his class if at all possible. He's really funny and has a good sense of humor (don't fall asleep he throws erasers at you). He didn't give group quizzes because the classes are smaller now. The project is easy. There are 2 tests 1 final 5 quizzes, one is a take home and the rest you do ALONE. He doesn't explain anything while teaching!ACCT201 2008-11-23 22:02:11 +0000 UTC
Very funny & layed back guy. Easy class to get through with his sense of humor. Group quizzes, project, 2 exams, final. Not a tough class if you keep up with the material.ACCU209 2008-01-04 14:04:08 +0000 UTC
Michael Cottrill has an average rating of 3.4/5 from 41 student reviews.
Michael Cottrill's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.9/5 based on student reviews.
Data updated July 2026.