Oregon State University, College of Business, BA 211- Financial Accounting
Fall Term 2006
Instructor: Laurie Solum
Office: 112 Buxton Hall
Phone: 541-737-8864
E-mail: laurie.solum@bus.oregonstate.edu
Class Hours: Section 5: TTh 6:00 – 7:50 Bexell 321
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 and by appointment.
Required Textbook: Financial Accounting, Harrison and Horngren, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall.
OneKey to accompany the text.
Class notes, example problems and other related materials are available on Blackboard.
Course Overview: This is an introductory course in financial accounting. The primary objectives of this course are to show students how accounting information helps decision-making and how this information is formed. After this course, students should be able to (1) understand the basic accounting concepts and principles; (2) perform basic accounting procedures underlying an entity’s financial statements; and (3) understand and use financial statements for decision-making.
This 4 credit hour class will be conducted primarily through lectures and working example problems in class. While there are no formal prerequisites for the class you should have a working knowledge of basic algebra.
· Each student shall be able to analyze basic business economic events to determine their effect on accounts and financial statements.
· Each student shall have a basic understanding of the accounting cycle, be able analyze economic events and prepare simple journal entries.
· Each student shall be able to interpret and analyze accrual and cash flow information presented in accounts.
· Each student shall be able to interpret and analyze financial statements.
· Each student shall have a basic understanding the principles of internal control and be able to apply them to relatively straight forward situations to identify strengths and weaknesses.
· Each student shall be able to analyze issues relating to inventory, receivables, long-lived assets, liabilities and stockholders equity and recommend appropriate accounting treatment.
Class Attendance and Preparation: Class attendance is essential for success in this course. In the event you need to miss a class, you must make the necessary arrangements to find out what you have missed. You might miss the pop quiz if you do not come to a class. No make-up of class quizzes will be allowed. Any students who miss three quizzes will receive a grade of “F”.
Due to the amount of material to be covered, all students are expected to read the chapters to be covered prior to attending class in order to facilitate classroom discussions. Students will be called upon to answer questions during the term.
Grading Policy: Grading for this course will be based on homework assignments, quizzes, and 3 examinations. Course grades will be calculated according to the following weights:
|
|
Points |
Percent |
|
Homework assignments |
40 |
10% |
|
Quizzes |
40 |
10% |
|
Mid-term Exam#1 |
100 |
25% |
|
Mid-term Exam#2 |
100 |
25% |
|
Final Exam |
120 |
30% |
|
|
400 |
100% |
Note: You may earn up to 5 bonus points for attending networking events during the term – one point per event. A networking event is one where you have the opportunity to interact with professionals. You must provide me with a 1 paragraph write up of the event to earn the point.
You may earn up to 5 additional bonus points for correcting errors I make during class, errors found in the text or in the written materials I provide you during the term --one point per error. Only the first person to point out the error earns the point.
No extra credit will be offered during the term.
Homework Assignments: Each exercise is worth 1 point and each problem is worth 2 points. The purpose of these assignments is to enhance the student’s mastery of the course material and to develop the student’s problem solving skills. Each student is required to submit his or her own homework assignment solutions. The due date of each assignment is specified in the class outline. Homework will be completed and graded on-line. There are approximately 51 points available for you to earn. A maximum of 40 will be included in your grade calculation. No late assignments will be accepted without the instructor’s approval.
Quizzes: There will be at least six quizzes through out the term. The purpose of these quizzes is to encourage you to read the chapters and class notes carefully and be well prepared at any time for a “test”. The quiz with the lowest score will be dropped. Quizzes CANNOT be made-up. Quizzes will be completed on-line or in class. You will be notified in class when a quiz is to be taken either in-class or on-line. It will also be posted on Blackboard announcements for the class when an on-line quiz is to be taken.
Examinations: There will be three in-class closed-book examinations. The first two mid-term exams will consist of approximately 50 multiple choice questions. The final exam will be comprehensive with approximately 50 multiple choice questions.
During exams, students may only use a basic 4 function calculator or a financial calculator which is carried by the OSU Bookstore. Students will not be permitted to refer to notes or any other materials during the exam. Sharing of calculators during exams is not permitted. No programmable calculators, cell phones, head phones or computers may be used during exams.
It is the students’ responsibility to schedule arrangements and holiday plans which do not conflict with the scheduled exam dates. In the event that a dire emergency arises which prevents a student from attending a scheduled exam, permission to be excused from the exam must be obtained from the instructor prior to the exam date. An unexcused absence from an exam will result in a zero for that exam.
Students with Disabilities: Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSD immediately at 737-4098.
Academic Dishonesty: According to OSU student conduct regulations, academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work. All cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be handled in strict accordance with University and College Policy. Please refer to Office of Student Conduct website for more information. Students are expected to follow University [http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm] and College policies.
Unintentional discrimination or harassment is just as damaging to the offended party, but it usually results from people not understanding the impact of their remarks or actions on others, or insensitivity to the feelings of others. We must all strive to work together to create a positive learning environment. This means that each individual should be sensitive to the feelings of others and tolerant of the remarks and actions of others. If you find the remarks and actions of another individual offensive, please bring it to their attention. If you believe those remarks and actions constitute intentional discrimination or harassment, please bring it to your instructor's attention.