1. ACCT 301: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING & MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING
SYLLABUS
Summer 2010 Session A
Instructor:
K.Roberts, CPA Email: krobertl@gmu.edu
Class Time: TR 7-10:05 PM Class Location: Sci Tech I room 122
Office: Enterprise Hall, Room 50 Office Hours: Upon Request
Course Pre-Requisites
ACCT 203 or equivalent
Text and Required Materials
Financial Accounting, Harrison, Hongren & Thomas, 8th Edition, Prentice-Hall Pearson, 2010.
Scantron Form 882-E (please bring this to every class)
Course Description
This summer class is intense and accelerated. As such, please consider this before deciding to
continue with this course. The course examines financial accounting from the viewpoint of
preparers and users of financial statements, including using financial statement information to make
financing, operating and investing decisions for the firm.
Course Objectives
1. To be able to understand the underlying economics of identified business events and
transactions, record them in terms of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and present
recorded events in the form of various financial statements, including balance sheet, income
statement, statement of changes in equity, and statement of cash flows.
2. To be able to identify the relevant operating, investing and financing transactions of a firm
and use financial statements data to make decisions and draw inferences about the
underlying economic performance of the firm.
Approach to Learning
The course utilizes the Socratic methold of teaching which incorporates a mixture of lecture and
class discussions.
Students are expected to read the assigned chapters in advance of class.
Student participation in class discussions is strongly encouraged and expected.
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2. Student Responsibilities
You are expected to attend all classes and to participate fully. Reading and homework
assignments are expected to be completed before coming to class. You are
responsible for any material covered during an absence, even if it was supplementary material and
not in the textbook. When a class is canceled, scheduled assignments or tests are re-scheduled for
the next time the class meets. Students are required to regularly check Blackboard for updates and
announcements.
If you miss the lecture, the class handouts will not be given in the next class or sent by email. As
such, it is imperative that you know your classmates, so that you can ask them about any handouts
that you missed.
Professionalism
You are expected to behave in a professional manner in the classroom. As a result, during class you
should turn off all cell phones, blackberry, and other electronic devices. You are expected to
behave courteously and politely towards other students and the instructor. Disciplinary action will
be taken against a student who disrupts the class environment or by walking in or out of class
during lectures without prior arrangement.
Grading
Letter grades will be assigned based on total points earned by students completing all course
requirements as follows:
Item Percentage of Grade
Exam 1 25
Exam 2 25
Exam 3 50
Total 100
The final grade will be based on the following scale. The instructor may curve the final grades or
give plusses and minuses depending on the performance and participation of the class as a whole.
Grade % Earned
A 90 -100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
D 60 – 69
F Below 60
Exams
All exams will be given in class on the days specified in the class schedule and will consists of
multiple choice questions and/or problems.
You must present your GMU student identification card at each examination. Students
without identification cards are not allowed to take the examination.
You must have a #2 pencil.
You must bring a Scantron Form 882-E (green) answer sheet to each exam.
You may use a basic, 4 function calculator if you wish. Students found using a any other
calculator (this includes graphics calculators) will be in violation of the honor code, and will
receive a “Zero” on the exam.
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3. Exam Material
Failure to return the exam to the instructor, both after it is completed and after its distribution in
class, is considered an act of academic dishonesty and a violation of the Honor Code. Failure to
return the exam will result in a grade of “zero” being awarded for the exam and the student being
reported to the Honor Code Committee.
Make Up Exams
You are expected to be present for all examinations.
Honor Code Statement
This class has a “Zero Tolerance” policy for any Honor Code violations. You are expected to
understand and follow the Honor Code as mentioned in the University Catalogue. The hallmarks of
the accounting profession are integrity, objectivity, and independence. Cheating in this class will
result in a grade of “F” in the exam and your name being referred to the Honor Code Committee for
additional sanctions (this includes being prevented from graduating or possible expulsion from the
school).
Students with Disabilities
If you have a diagnosed learning disorder or disability, please contact the Office of Disability
Services (ODS) at 703-993-2474 and register with them. If you need special consideration, please
see me after the first class.
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4. Course Schedule
The schedule for the course is given below. Please note that this schedule may be changed at the
discretion of the instructor during the term.
Class Date Topics
1 T
5/24 Ch 1: Financial Statements
2 R
5/26 Ch 2: Transaction Analysis
3 T
5/31 Ch 3: Accrual Accounting and Income Determination
4 R
6/2 EXAM 1
5 S
6/4 Ch 12: Statement of Cash Flow
6 T
6/7 4: Internal Controls and Cash
7 R
6/9 Ch 5: Short-Term Investments and Inventory
8 S
6/11 Ch 6: Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold
9 T
6/14 EXAM 2
10 R
6/16 Ch 7: Property Plant and Equipment
11 S
6/18 Ch 8: Liabilities
12 T
6/21 Ch 9: Stockholders’ Equity
Time Value of Money
13 R
6/23 Exam 3: Comprehensive Final
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