Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "FIN 201-1"
COURSE NAME: "Financial Accounting"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Luzon Josephine
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 18:00-19:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The objectives of the course are the following:

1. Develop a basic understanding of the language of business – Accounting.

2. Gain an understanding of the major financial statements and the relationships that exist among the statements.

3. Develop the ability to prepare basic financial statements.

4. Develop business analytical skills by solving a variety of accounting problems.

5. Develop the ability to read, understand, and analyze corporate annual reports.

6. Establish a solid basic accounting knowledge foundation upon which future courses can be built.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Financial Accounting course introduces the basic concepts, principles, and procedures that underlie the preparation and use of financial statements. The fundamental business concepts and perspectives that students are provided in this course will carry over and have relevance in virtually every other business course that they will undertake. In addition, accounting is an essential element of the decision making process. The course will provide an introduction on how accounting information is accumulated and used in decision making.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Recognize and understand ethical issues related to the accounting profession.
Prepare financial statements in accordance with International Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Employ critical thinking skills to analyze financial data as well as the effects of differing financial accounting methods on the financial statements.
Effectively define the needs of the various users of accounting data and demonstrate the ability to communicate such data effectively, as well as the ability to provide knowledgeable recommendations.
Recognize circumstances providing for increased exposure to fraud and define preventative internal control measures.
Apply financial accounting methods to evaluate and project business performance.
Apply appropriate judgment derived from knowledge of accounting theory, to financial analysis and decision making.
The student will experience real-world learning and application of skills via problem solving homework and project.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Financial and Managerial Accounting 15th edition	Williams, Haka, Bettner. & Carcello	McGraw Hill	9780071220125

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Exam no. 1		25%
Exam no. 2		25%
Final Exam		25%
Class participation (includes homework-oral & written presentation, quizzes)		10%
Attendance		5%
Project (Guidelines to follow)		10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Number of points	Grade
100 - 94	A
93 - 90	A-
89 - 87	B+
86 – 84	B
83 - 80	B-
79 - 75	C+
74 - 70	C
69 - 65	C-
64 - 60	D+
59 - 55	D
54 - 50	D-
Below 50	F

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B: This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

The University’s attendance policy is described in the catalogue. Persistent absence or tardiness usually precludes satisfactory performance in the course, and jeopardizes that part of the grade which is based on class participation. Students are expected to arrive at class on time; students are responsible for all material covered by the syllabus and/or discussed in class, whether or not they are actually present in class. Attendance is 5% of total grade and is included in Class Participation.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE