University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Accounting and Finance
ACC 201-01: Financial Accounting
Spring 2015 Online
INSTRUCTORS:
Through March 1:
Dr. Hughen, CPA, PhD
Office: 336 Bryan
Email: lmkolbas@uncg.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
After March 1:
Dr. Safdar, PhD
Office: 325 Bryan
Email: musafdar@uncg.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
TUTORING: 335 Bryan; Tutoring hours to be announced at the end of the first week of class.
Course Objectives:
 Demonstrate an understanding of basic accounting terminology and procedures
 Create the financial statements which flow from the accounting process
 Understand the accounting cycle and the accounting system
 Develop an understanding of how business organizations operate and the events which have a
financial impact upon them
 Understand the time value of money concepts
 Contribute toward the Bryan School’s commitment to information technology by requiring
students to use the internet, e-mail, word processing software where appropriate.
IMPORTANT
There are high expectations for you in this course. The material is difficult and this is considered a
demanding, time-intensive course. It is not a course you can study for the night before an exam. I cannot
stress enough the importance of (1) reading the text and doing homework on a daily basis, (2) using the
resources in MyAccountingLab, (3) listening to all of the lectures in MyAccountingLab (“Multimedia
Library” tab), and (4) developing a sound foundation by understanding the basic concepts in Chapter 1
through Chapter 3 of the text. I also encourage you to take advantage of the tutors located in 335 Bryan.
1
Grades will be determined by:
 Homework (15 assignments @ 1% each): 15%
 Mid-term exams (4 exams @ 15% each): 60%
 Final Exam (cumulative): 25%
Grading Scale: (final course grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number)
A+ = 97-100
B+ = 87-89
C+ = 77-79
D+ = 67-69
F = 59 and below
A = 93-96
B = 83-86
C = 73-76
D = 63-66
A- = 90-92
B- = 80-82
C- = 70-72
D- = 60-62
COURSE RESOURCES
1. Text: Financial Accounting: A Business Process Approach by Jane Reimers. UNCG Bookstore
ISBN: 9781256636755.
2. An access code for MyAccountingLab is required. 365 days of access to MyAccountingLab is
included with a new textbook purchase from the UNCG bookstore or can be purchased online at
http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/. The course id is: hughen18608.
a. If you are comfortable using an e-book, you can purchase the e-book option through
MyAccoutingLab. You will be given the option to purchase the access code with the ebook or you can upgrade to the loose leaf student version.
b. If you are waiting for financial aid you can receive free access for 14 days. Please go to
the MAL website to register.
3. Canvas: canvas.uncg.edu will be used for announcements, materials and information for class.
4. Tutoring: Tutoring is available in 335 Bryan. Please see “Tutoring” below for additional
information.
COMPUTER RESOURCES AND INTERNET ACCESS
This is a web-based class. You must have reliable high speed access to the internet and a reliable
computer to take this class. A problem with your computer or internet is not a valid excuse for not
completing assignments.
Check your UNCG email DAILY for course-related emails and check the Canvas Announcements
regularly. Use the instructor email address at the top of page one of this syllabus when sending emails.
Failing to read the syllabus, emails or announcements/updates will not constitute an excuse for missed
work, assignments or exams.
CLASS ORGANIZATION, PROCEDURES, AND EXPECTATIONS
Online Learning: This is an online class where all of your learning will be done through use of the
textbook and materials available online. The best way to learn the material is by reading the assigned
chapters in the text, utilizing the MAL resources in each chapter, completing the required homework
problems in MAL, and working and reworking the additional problems and study guides in MAL. Your
final grade will be based upon your performance on the chapter homework assignments and the exams.
There are no opportunities for extra credit in this class.
2
Online learning does not mean that you can work at your own pace or on your own schedule. There is a
detailed schedule of the material to be covered and when it will be covered. The online homework and
exams have scheduled windows when you must complete them. It is your responsibility to look at this
schedule and adjust your schedule to be able to take them during the scheduled windows. If your work
schedule, travel schedule or other responsibilities will not allow you to complete the required
assignments at the set times, then you need to drop this class.
Accounting is a subject that most students must study regularly instead of waiting until the last minute to
cram. You should:
1. Read and STUDY the assigned materials for each assigned date in order to keep up.
2. PAY ATTENTION TO DATES AND TIMES FOR THE HOMEWORK AND THE EXAMS!
3. Do NOT get behind!
HOMEWORK POLICIES
 MyAccountingLab (MAL) can be accessed using https://registration.mypearson.com/ and the course
ID is hughen18608.
 Late homework will not be accepted. There are no exceptions. Completing the assignment before
the due date reduces your chance of missing an assignment because of an illness or emergency.
 Homework assignments can be saved in MAL, allowing you to work on the same assignment at
different times.
 You are allowed 3 attempts at each homework question and you have the availability of the “Help
Me Solve This” function.
 All homework assignments are due at 11:00 pm on the due date.
 If you are having trouble with your homework, please use the tutoring available from the accounting
department.
 The instructors will not respond to emailed homework questions received after 12pm on the due date
of the assignment. Please plan in advance for the homework due dates.
 The due dates for all assignments are listed on the syllabus and in MAL.
 If you are experiencing a problem with the MAL website, please immediately call or email the MAL
Customer Help Desk at (800) 677-6337 or visit
http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/students/support/ to send an email. This ensures that customer
service has a record of the issue. After calling or emailing MAL, please send the appropriate
instructor an email before the assignment is due.
TUTORING
 Tutoring for this course is available for free in BRYN 335. No appointment is needed – just drop in
during scheduled tutoring hours.
 Be sure to bring your notes and other relevant materials. If you have a question about a homework
problem, you will need to either have your book or your laptop/tablet with you to access MAL.
 The tutors will not do your work for you. Please be prepared with specific questions.
 Tutoring is available to students in all sections of ACC 201, ACC 202, ACC 218 and FIN 315 so
please be considerate of others that are waiting when you are receiving help.
3
EXAM POLICIES
 Exams are administered through MyAccountingLab and are available on from 8:00am through
11:00pm on the scheduled exam date.You have one hour to complete each of the four midterm
exams.
 Mid-term exams are not cumulative but are closed book. The final exam is cumulative and closed
book.
 There are no makeup mid-term exams. If you have prior permission from the instructor, the weight
attributable to a missed exam will be allocated to the final exam. Please try to notify your instructor
at least 48 hours prior to the exam. Failure to notify the instructor within 24 hours after the
scheduled exam will result in a grade of zero on the exam. At the time of notification, the instructor
will determine whether to consider the absence excused or unexcused and follow University policy.
In the event you miss an exam for medical or psychological circumstances, you must provide written
verification to the instructor.
 The final exam is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. This date is set by the University and cannot be
changed. The exam will be available to access in MAL from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm. Please plan
accordingly.
 In accordance with UNCG’s policy, only those students with three or more final exams within the 24
hour period surrounding our scheduled final exam and have documentation from the registrar’s
office are eligible to take the final exam on the make-up day. Documentation from the registrar’s
office must be submitted to Prof. Safdar for a change in the exam date.
GRADES
 Homework and exam grades are posted in MyAccountingLab.
 To determine your grade at any point during the semester, use the grade calculation spreadsheet
posted on Canvas.
 There are no opportunities for extra credit in this course. Each assignment/exam is an opportunity to
improve your grade.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES & RESOURCES
I expect students to abide by UNCG’s Student Code of Conduct which can be found at:
http://studentconduct.uncg.edu/policy/code/.
I expect students to abide by UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at
http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/academic-integrity-policy/. Any evidence of cheating, falsification or
facilitating academic dishonesty that is brought to my attention is considered a violation of UNCG’s
Academic Integrity Policy and will be documented as such. Students found guilty of violating the policy
will receive grade-related sanctions determined on a case-by-case basis.
Student Disabilities - Any request for special accommodations must come through the Office of
Disability Services with the appropriate paperwork. Please visit http://ods.dept.uncg.edu/services/ for
further information.
4
SCHEDULE OF CLASS TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments shown in bold are due at 11:00pm on the date noted. Other assignments (those
not in bold) will not be collected. Solutions are at the end of the study guide.
Week Dates
#
1
January 12 –
January 18
Chapter and Topic
(chapter to read and MAL video to watch)
Chapter 1:
 Business Purpose and Organization
 Business Transactions and Information
 The Four Basic Financial Statements
Practice:
Assignment Due:
Chapter 1
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 1 Part 1
due Sunday, January 18
2
January 19 –
January 25
Chapter 1:
 Business Purpose and Organization
 Business Transactions and Information
 The Four Basic Financial Statements
Chapter 1
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 1 Part 2
due Sunday, January 25
3
January 26 –
February 1
Chapter 2
 Characteristics of Accounting Information
 Elements of the Financial Statements and
the Accounting Equation
 Accrual Accounting
 Key Financial Statement Ratios
Chapter 2
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 2 Part 1
due Sunday, February 1
4
February 2 –
February 8
Chapter 2
 Characteristics of Accounting Information
 Elements of the Financial Statements and
the Accounting Equation
 Accrual Accounting
 Key Financial Statement Ratios
Chapter 2
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 2 Part 2
due Sunday, February 8
Monday, February 9: Exam 1 – Chapters 1 and 2
The 60-minute exam is available from 8:00am – 11:00pm
5
February 9 –
February 15
Chapter 3
 Accruals
 Deferrals
 Key Financial Statement Ratios
Chapter 3
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 3 Part 1
due Sunday, February 15
6
February 16 –
February 22
Chapter 3
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 3 Part 2
due Sunday, February 22
7
February 23 –
March 1
Chapter 3
 Accruals
 Deferrals
 Key Financial Statement Ratios
Chapter 4
 Cash and Bank Reconciliation
 Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts
Expense
 Accounts Receivable Example and Key
Ratios
 Credit Card Sales and Notes Receivable
Chapter 4
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 4 Part 1
due Sunday, March 1
5
8
March 2 –
March 8
Chapter 4
 Cash and Bank Reconciliation
 Accounts Receivable and Bad Debts
Expense
 Accounts Receivable Example and Key
Ratios
 Credit Card Sales and Notes Receivable
Chapter 4
Study Guide
HW – Chapter 4 Part 2
due Thursday, March 5
Friday, March 6: Exam 2 – Chapters 3 and 4
The 60-minute exam is available from 8:00am – 11:00pm
The second half of the course will be taught by Prof. Safdar. Following is the assignment schedule for
this half of the course. Please consult your textbook to see contents of the chapters corresponding to
each assignment.
Additional Information:
Each program within the Bryan school has separate learning goals as listed with the degree program.
The essential components of a professional education in business (excluding the B.S. and B.A. in
Economics, the B.S. in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies and the B.A. in Sustainable Tourism and
Hospitality) include common courses for breadth and opportunities for advanced work for depth in the
various business disciplines. These core business programs share the following common learning goals:
6
1. Students will implement the various steps of the critical thinking process, supported by the
appropriate use of analytical and quantitative techniques, to formulate recommendations for
subsequent decision making.
2. Students will apply appropriate ethical standards when making recommendations for business
decision making.
3. Students will evaluate business decisions in the context of sustainability goals, balancing
environmental, social, and economic needs, conditions, and potential decision impacts.
4. Students will formulate appropriate strategies, in the context of global issues and forces, to
improve business performance in the world economy.
5. Students will explain the roles of innovation and innovation management in achieving successful
business strategies, decisions, and performance.
6. Students will be able to plan, schedule, contribute to, and lead projects.
Impact of this Course on the Program Student Learning Goals
Upon successful completion of Financial Accounting (ACC 201), students will have met the Student
Learning Goals related to the critical thinking process (#1).
7