BA 215 – Sections 1&2– Fundamentals of Accounting
Winter 2006

Madeleine B. Romero

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Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course covers essential topics in accounting and finance, exclusively designed for non-business students. Both financial and managerial accounting will be covered, utilizing basic accounting principles and procedures. Topics include: understanding, developing, and evaluating income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements; forecasting financial statements; cost analyses and budgeting; time value of money evaluation techniques to determine present and future values, evaluate investments, calculate loan payments, and apply financial problems; and types and sources short-term and long-term financing. An integration of the concepts of accounting and financial management into a total system approach to business decision making will be facilitated with the use of cases.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the conclusion of the course, you will be able to perform the following financial decision making analyses, given the pedagogical approach and the materials to be covered:

· understand cash flow versus accrual accounting concepts.

· analyze basic business transactions and determine effect on accounts & financial statements.

· develop and interpret income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

· evaluate the financial positions of organizations through the calculation, application, and interpretation of basic financial ratios, utilizing time-series and cross-sectional analyses.

· construct projected financial statements and budgets.

· understand and develop EXCEL computer spreadsheets to forecast financial statements, run sensitivity analyses, and solve financial problems.

· understand the nature of fixed versus variable costs in budgeting.

· understand time value of money calculations and applications in corporate and personal finance, utilizing a financial calculator and EXCEL spreadsheet functions.

· understand capital markets and sources of short-term and long-term financing.

· understand the interrelationships between personal and corporate financial management, especially as it applies to investments.

More specific daily learning objectives are itemized in the attached course schedule.

REQUIRED TEXT & MATERIALS

1) Finance for Non-Financial Managers, by Gene Siciliano

2) Romero Lecture Notes & Cases (handed out in class)

Problem Sets, Solutions, other Course Material (available on my website)

3) Financial Calculator-HP12C,HP10B,or TI BA2+ recommended - tutorials on my website

4) EXCEL Tutorials: Library reserve or www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/Excel/homepage.html

GRADING PROCEDURE

MIDTERMS (2) 30% each

HOMEWORK/CLASS PARTICIPATION 5%

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL 35%

1. You are guaranteed at least the following grade if your weighted average course score falls within the following percentiles:

A 93-100	B+ 87-90	C+ 77-80	D+ 67-70
A- 90-93	B 83-87	C 73-77	D 60-67
	B- 80-83	C- 70-73	F below 60

Additionally, a curve may be applied to these scores. Class participation is encouraged, and may be used in the final grade evaluation if the student is border-line between two grades. It is necessary to pass the final exam to pass the course.

2. NO MAKE‑UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED. The course outline lists TENTATIVE dates for the exams. You are responsible to take the exam whenever it is given, even if the tentative date changes. You must take the exam with the class section that you are enrolled in.

3. Homework assignments are detailed in the attached Course Outline, and consist of Problem Sets and Cases which are on Romero’s website. It is fully expected that the student will do all the homework to be prepared for class discussion, understand the material, and perform well on the exams. Problem sets & homework cases will be stapled, handed in and graded on a completion basis; specific instructions will be announced in class. Once homework is turned in, subsequent additions or changes will not be accepted. Late assignments will be penalized and will ONLY be accepted at the beginning of the next class session.

Homework assignments can be done in groups, but each student must hand in a complete, separate, individual assignment for credit. (A photocopy of another group members’ work is not acceptable.) Only printed hard-copies of homework (not electronic e-mailed versions) will be accepted. Show all your work.

4.Computer lab class sessions will be held in Bexell Hall 324 for instruction in accounting/finance applications in Excel as noted on the outline. Regular class will be held the other hour of the period.