Syllabus - Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting

Course Requirements

CIP CODE AREA: 52.0301.00

COURSE LEVEL: Advanced (Junior Level)
COURSE NUMBER: ACNT 2330 (Workforce Education Course Number)
COURSE TITLE: Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting
CREDIT HOURS: 3; Lecture Hours: 3, Lab Hours: 1
PREREQUISITE: ACCT 2301 or equivalent
METHOD OF PRESENTATION: 3 lecture hours/1 lab hour each week - ONL students use the Internet and email to complete coursework online. Discussion boards, streaming video, and instructional software may also be incorporated. Students use their own computers or the Computer Labs on campus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
ACNT 2330 Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting (3-3-0) focuses on the development and use of financial information as it relates to governmental and not-for-profit entities. The course coverage includes identifying and applying appropriate accounting and reporting standards for governments and private not-for-profit organizations, preparing fund basis and government-wide statements for state and local governments, preparing financial statements for private not-for-profit organizations, using nonfinancial performance measures to evaluate governmental and not-for-profit entities, and describing auditing requirements for these entities.

This course is accepted by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as one of the 30 hours of upper division accounting courses. To be accepted, students MUST HAVE completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree PRIOR to taking this course.

REQUIREDTEXTBOOKS/ MATERIALS:
Essentials of Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organizations, 10/e; Paul A. Copley, James Madison University; ISBN: 007352705x; Copyright year: 2011

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Instructor	Sheila Ammons, CPA, CMA, CGFM
Office	SAC, Room 1313.4 and NRG, Room 4216A
Phone	223-9216
e-mail	sammons@austincc.edu
Office Hours	On-line or by appointment – see Blackboard for details
Web Blackboard	http://www.austincc.edu/sammons http://acconline.austincc.edu

COURSE POLICIES:
Departmental policies for Incompletes, Attendance, and Withdrawal are as follows:

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

Withdrawal Policy: The instructor may withdraw a student for lack of progress. If a student does not complete the exam within 3 days of the mandatory deadline, the student will be dropped from the course. The last day to withdraw from this course is 8/1/12.

Austin Community College policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student Discipline, Students with Disabilities, and Grade Changes are as follows:
Academic Freedom Statement: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement:Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework” (Student Handbook,). Electronic devices may not be use for exams unless specifically authorized by the instructor. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement: Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook).

Students with Disabilities Statement:Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to complete this task three weeks before the start of the semester” (Student Handbook).

Grade Change Policies: Click on this link to view the policy. (Student Handbook)

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY: The objectives of this course will be met by incorporating a variety of instructional methods. These include lecture, group activities, student presentations, discussion papers, Spreadsheet and word processing activities, and online research.

COURSE RATIONALE: The goals and objectives of this course prepare students for (1) completing degree requirements, (2) obtaining or improving job skills, (3) qualifying for a business or Accounting job, (4) working as an entrepreneur, (5) fulfilling personal goals, and/or (6) understanding financial statements and the basic accounting process.

GRADING SYSTEM:

Item	Points	%
Exam 1 – Ch 1 - 4	100	25%
Exam 2 – Ch 5, 6, 8	100	25%
Exam 3 – Ch 10,11,12	100	25%
Projects	40	10%
Labs	60	15%
Total	400	100%

Final Grade
360 - 400	A
320 - 359	B
280 - 319	C
240 - 279	D
Below 240	F

Exams-- The exams will be taken at any ACC testing center. See Blackboard for exam reviews and specific procedures. The exams have a mandatory deadline. There will be a 3 day grace period – if the exam is taken within 3 days of the mandatory deadline, 3 points for each day will be deducted from the exam grade. No curve is available to students who complete the exam within this grace period. If a student does not complete the exam within 3 days of the mandatory deadline, the student will be dropped from the course. The exams are a combination of multiple choice, problems, and short essays. Exams may be completed before the due date - see Blackboard for information.

Homework– The problems are listed in the Homework section of Blackboard. The solutions to these homework assignments are also posted in the Homework section of Blackboard. There are no course points for these assignments. The points will be earned on the related exam. Students are encouraged to work the homework assignments and post questions on the Blackboard Discussion Board. Working homework is an excellent way to prepare for the exams.

Labs– These are online labs and will be submitted via the Labs section of Blackboard. Lab assignments and instructions are located in the Blackboard course. Labs are due, via Blackboard by 11PM on the due date. No late labs will be accepted. Students need access to Word, Excel, and the Internet. Students can work at the library computer lab at and ACC campus.

Projects – There will be two projects that are worth 20 points each. The projects will cover material in Chapters 8, 12, and 13. The projects must be turned in via the Project section of Blackboard no later than 11 PM on the project date. No late projects will be accepted.

Readings

REQUIREDTEXTBOOKS/ MATERIALS:
Essentials of Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organizations, 10/e; Paul A. Copley, James Madison University; ISBN: 007352705x; Copyright year: 2011

Course Subjects

ACNT 2330 - Activities/Deadlines
Mandatory			Submission
Deadline	Activity	Points	Method
6/1/12	Lab 1 - Orientation	5	BB - Orientation Section
6/7/12	Lab 2 - Ch 1/2	7	BB - Labs Section
6/21/12	Lab 3 - Ch 3/4	8	BB - Labs Section
6/26/12	Exam 1 - Ch 1 -4	100	ACC Testing Center
7/3/12	Lab 4 - Ch 5	8	BB - Labs Section
7/10/12	Lab 5 - Ch 6	8	BB - Labs Section
7/17/12	Lab 6 - Ch 8	8	BB - Labs Section
7/19/12	Ch 8 Project	20	BB - Projects Section
7/24/12	Exam 2 - Ch 5,6,8	100	ACC Testing Center
7/24/12	Lab 7 - Ch 10	8	BB - Labs Section
8/7/12	Lab 8- Ch 11	8	BB - Labs Section
8/9/12	Exam 3 - Ch 10 - 12	100	ACC Testing Center
8/14/12	Ch 12/Ch 13 Project	20	BB - Projects Section
Total		400

Labs and Projects are due no later than 11 PM on the mandatory deadline.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

PROPOSED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Knowledge: Explain generally accepted accounting principles as they apply to economic transactions of governmental and not-for-profit entities.

Skills: Identify accounting standards and procedures for governmental and non-profit entities. Apply generally accepted accounting principles in the preparation of reports for public institutions

SCANS (SECRETARY’S COMMISSION ON ACHIEVING NECESSARY SKILLS): Course SCANS Competencies for Governmental Accounting – ACNT 2330.

Go to http://www.austincc.edu/accting/Scans.php for a complete definition and explanation of SCANS. This list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course.

INTERPERSONAL

2.1 Participates as a Member of a Team

2.2 Teaches Others

INFORMATION

3.2 Organizes and Maintains Information

3.3 Uses Computers to Process Information

BASIC SKILLS

6.2 Writing

6.6 Speaking

TECHNOLOGY

5.2 Applies Technology to Task:

THINKING SKILLS

7.2 Decision Making

7.3 Problem Solving

PERSONAL QUALITIIES

8.1 Responsibility

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Ch 1	Obtain an overview of financial reporting for nonbusiness entities. Distinguish between private and public sector organizations. Identify the sources of authoritative accounting standards for various public and private sector organizations. Define the 11 fund types used by state and local governments.
Ch 2	Obtain an overview of the contents of a governmental financial report. Define the governmental reporting entity. Illustrate the basic financial statements for a state or local government.
Ch 3	Describe the basic accounts used by governmental funds. Identify the recognition criteria for revenues and expenditures under the modified accrual basis. Apply fund balance classifications for governmental funds. Prepare journal entries for the expenditures cycle using both budgetary and activity accounts.
Ch 4	Apply the modified accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transaction of a General or special revenue fund. Prepare closing entries and classify fund balances within the framework of GASB Statement 54. Prepare the fund- basis financial statements for a General or special revenue fund.
Ch 5	Apply the modified accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transactions of capital projects, debt service, and permanent funds. Prepare the fund- basis financial statements for governmental funds.
Ch 6	Apply the accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transactions of internal service and enterprise funds. Prepare the fund- basis financial statements for proprietary funds. Identify when an activity is required to be reported as an enterprise fund. Contrast statements of cash flow prepared under GASB guidelines with those prepared under FASB guidelines.
Ch 8	Perform the steps necessary to prepare government- wide financial statements, including: Prepare worksheet entries to convert the governmental fund records to the economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting. Prepare worksheet entries to include internal service funds with governmental activities. Prepare required schedules reconciling the government- wide and fund-basis financial statements. Record events and transactions related to general fixed assets and general long- term debt and describe required schedules related to long- term debt.
Ch 10	Describe characteristics of private not- for- profit organizations and the accounting for contributions. Apply the accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transactions of private not- for- profit organizations. Prepare the financial statements for private not- for- profit organizations.
Ch 11	Apply the accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transactions for private not- for- profit colleges and universities.
Ch 12	Describe the reporting requirements of varying types of health care organizations. Apply the accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transactions of a not- for- profit health care organization.
Ch 13	Describe the unique characteristics of audits of governmental and not-for-profit entities Describe the major requirements of the Single Audit Act

Syllabus Sections

Publish Date

Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting

Course Information

Office Hours

Course Requirements

Readings

Course Subjects

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives