Course Rationale:  The goals and objectives of this course are to 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.

Course Description:  ACCT 2301 PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (3-3-1). An introduction to financial accounting concepts and the communication of financial information to external users. Examines the accounting process, transaction analysis, asset and equity accounting, financial statement preparation and analysis, and related topics. Before enrolling in ACCT 2301, it is advisable to 1) have taken the equivalent of ACNT 1403 or BUSI 1301; or 2) have recently taken high school bookkeeping; or 3) have acquired relevant work experience. Although not required, the equivalent of MATH 1324 provides a good foundation for ACCT 2301. Basic computer skills utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software are recommended for all accounting courses. If you have any questions, consult with an accounting advisor.

Course Mission Statement: to provide a foundation in the core concepts and procedures underlying the accounting record-keeping function, including preparation and basic analysis of financial statements

Instructional Methodologies Include the Following:  Projects, Practice , Exercises
This online course utilizes exercises, homework, tools from the publisher's web site , internet activities, exams, etc.

Other:  The topics in Accounting build from chapter to chapter.  Thus, students need to master the objectives and concepts of each chapter and develop a good foundation.  To master the material, students must work with the text material, the activities in Blackboard and MyAccountingLab, exercises, problems, labs, and projects.  Reading the chapter is not sufficient.  Be an active learner and allow sufficient time to work with the material.  Ask questions via the Blackboard Discussion Board or MyAccountingLab.  Stay current. Check Blackboard at least two times per week.  For summer courses, it is recommended that each student spend 15 - 18 hours per week working with the course material.  For fall and spring courses, the recommended time requirement is 10 - 13 hours per week. 

Use the ACC g-mail account for all course e-mail communication.  http://www.austincc.edu/google/

Required:  Financial Accounting, 2nd Edition with MyAccountingLab

By Robert Kemp, Jeffrey Waybright  Published by Prentice Hall  Copyright © 2013
http://www.mypearsonstore.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0132771586&xid=PSED

Course ID:  Use the one for your section:

• ACCT 2301 - 10793 Fall 2012 (Course ID: ammons07417)
• ACCT 2301 - 15890 Fall 2012 (Course ID: ammons67027)

Purchase options…

THROUGH THE BOOKSTORE: ·    Student Value Edition (3 hole punch) Text + MyAccountingLab = approx $180  FINANCIAL ACCOUNTG STUDNT VAL ED&NEW MAL PK, 2/E (9780133040586) - This is the looseleaf package (Student Value Edition) with MyAccountingLab

  DIRECT ONLINE PURCHASE:  via www.myaccountinglab.com (actual prices):

·         MyAccountingLab only = $50 total

·         MyAccountingLab + Print Upgrade*  = $ 105 total ($50 + $55)

·                         MyAccountingLab with full ebook = $100 total

                                         *Print Upgrade is (Student Value Edition, 3 hole punch, shipped to your home)

How to Purchase Online

1.      Register for MyAccountingLab at www.pearsonmylab.com

2.      After you create your login and password, log into the course

3.      Once inside the course, Click on COURSE HOME on the left hand side

4.     The first link will say “Would you like a discount version of the book?” (Print Upgrade)

5.      The second link will ask “Will you like to access the eText”

Core Competency:
Demonstrate proficiency by

·         Preparing a multiple-step income statement, classified balance sheet, and statement of retained earnings.

·         Analyzing and recording the effects of common business transactions

·         Preparing adjusting entries

·         Describing the role of closing entries

·         Applying elements of the conceptual framework to accounting issues

·         Explaining the components of the statement of cash flows

·         Understanding the relationship between financial statement components

An assessment will be part of the final course exam.

Course Objectives:
http://www.austincc.edu/sammons/pcm/objectives.pdf

Scans Competencies:
Exhibit Responsibility:  Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance toward goal attainment, works hard to become excellent at doing tasks by setting high standards, paying attention to details, working well and displaying a high level of concentration even when assigned an unpleasant task; and displays high standards of attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm, vitality and optimism in approaching and completing tasks.

 Acquire Information:  Identifies need for data, obtains them from existing sources or creates them, and evaluates their relevance and accuracy. Competently performing the tasks for acquiring data and evaluating information includes posing analytical questions to determine specific information needs, selecting possible information and evaluating its appropriateness, and determining when new information must be created.

Communicate Information: Selects and analyzes information and communicates the result to others using oral, written, graphic, pictorial, or multi-media methods. Competently performing the tasks of communicating and interpreting information to others includes determining information to be communicated, identifying the best methods to present information (i.e. overheads, handouts, etc.), and if necessary, converting to desired format and conveying information to others through a variety of means including oral presentation, written communication etc.

Withdrawal Policy:
The last day to withdraw from this course is 11/26/2012.  If you do not take Quiz 1, Exam 1 or Exam 2 and complete the required homework and lab for Quiz 1, Exam 1, or Exam 2  by the quiz or exam's deadline, you will be withdrawn from the course. See Due Dates for Quiz and Exams (below) regarding a one time extension.

Due Dates for Labs, Homework, and Projects: The mandatory due dates are located in the Course Requirements section of this syllabus and in the Blackboard course. Each assignment must be submitted either in Blackboard or in MyAccountingLab (PearsonMyLab) no later than 11PM on the mandatory due date.   Stay on schedule and complete quizzes, exams, and other assignments a few days early.  This allows you to meet deadlines and keep from getting behind.

Due Dates for Quiz and Exams:   An extension may be granted in the case of an emergency.  If this happens:  (1) contact the instructor by phone or e-mail before the quiz or exam deadline and (2) submit verification of the emergency (for example, in case of personal illness, submit a statement from the doctor which shows the period of time you are unable to attend work or school; in case of death or serious illness of a close friend or family member, submit information about the nature and location of the emergency and when you will be able to take the exam; in case of work or military orders, submit a letter from the supervisor which states the dates and location of the assignment).  If the verification is submitted, one extension may be granted.  Stay on schedule and complete quizzes, exams, and other assignments a few days early.  This allows you to meet deadlines and keep from getting behind.

Grading:  Points are earned for homework, lab, and project assignments.  These points are based on the grade earned for work that is completed on or before the mandatory due date.  Partial credit is awarded.  Students are not given full credit for attempting the assignment.  These grades are based on the accuracy of each assignment.  The exams are a combination of multiple choice, short essays, and problems.  The exam grades are based on the accuracy of the answers provided.  To view completed exams, students must meet with the instructor. 

Grading Curves and Extra Credit:  There are no curves for unit exams.  If a course curve is needed after all grading elements have been completed, the curve will be added on 12/17/2012.  To receive the full amount of the course curve, all grading elements must have been submitted on or before the mandatory due date.  If items were not submitted on or before the mandatory due date, the curve will be pro rated based on the items that were timely submitted.  One or two times during the semester, extra credit opportunities will be announced via the Blackboard Discussion Board and each student's ACC g-mail account.  There will be no extra credit opportunities during the last two weeks of the semester.  Extra credit opportunities are available for all students.

Make-up Policy:  See the discussion for to Withdrawal Policy and the Due Dates for Labs, Homework, Projects, Quiz, and Exams.

Incomplete Policy:
Incomplete grades are rarely given and only if you have taken the first two exams, have completed 80% of homework, lab and financial statement analysis work and have a current grade of C or better. You must have experienced a serious illness or other life event after the deadline for Exam 2 in order to receive an incomplete.  Documentation of the event must be submitted prior to 11/19/2012..

Other Class Policies:
All course requirements, deadlines, and other policies are discussed in Blackboard.  Deadline information is provided in the Course Subjects section of this syllabus.

Attendance Policies:  Online course

Policy on Students with Disabilities:
Policy on Students with 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 do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Statement on Student Freedom of Expression:
Student Freedom of Expression: 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.

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty:
Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: 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.

Testing Center Policies: Click here to review the Testing Center Policies

Students who live outside the Austin area and cannot travel to an ACC Testing Center may be able to have their exams proctored at another location through the Distance Testing procedures outlined at this site. Instructor approval for Distance Testing is required. Students outside the Austin area should discuss testing options with the instructor prior to registering for the class.

Student Handbook

Grading:

Information:

ACCT 2301 – Principles of Financial Accounting PCM -- Grading Criteria

Final Course Grade:  450 - 500 points - A; 400 - 449 points - B; 350 - 399 points - C; 300 - 349 points -
D; below 300 - F

Course Calendar and Deadlines:  The due dates represent the mandatory due dates.  See the Course Policy section of this syllabus regarding the deadlines for all course components.  Be sure to complete the grading component on or before the due date.  For exams, complete the exam before the ACC testing center closes (allow time to take the exam -- approximately 2 hours -- and for any potential waits  because the testing centers can get busy so you may have to wait – get there early and do not wait until the very last day).  For homework, labs, projects – complete the assignment no later than 11:00 PM on the due date.   Be sure to give yourself time to complete all course requirements – do not wait until the last minute.