AMIS 522 Intermediate Accounting
Winter 2009
Class meeting times:
10:30-12:18 TR 215 SB
1:30-3:18, 3:30-5:18 TR 330 SB
Professor Doug Schroeder
Office: Fisher 424
schroeder_9@cob.osu.edu
phone: 292-6427
General Description
The course deals with theory and practice in the academic discipline of accounting.
Although the course has an academic focus, it is not divorced from practical issues.
Indeed, by reading and analyzing scholarly work from the academic literature, students
gain a keener understanding of the ways in which accounting is practiced.
Approach
There are many possible ways to approach the study of accounting. This course
emphasizes an information content approach in which accounting reports represent one
among many sources of information in a society. In this approach, we examine the
structure, language, and comparative advantage of accounting reports as an information
source. Uncertainty will be central to our discussions.
Class preparation is vital and involves reading and carefully working the examples.
Students are expected to be actively involved discussions. Each class session will test our
understanding of accounting. The course involves a substantial time commitment (at least
two to three hours outside of class for each hour in class).
Text and Reading Materials
Spiceland, Sepe, and Tomassini (SST). Intermediate Accounting. McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Assignment material is posted at the following web address:
http://fisher.osu.edu/~schroeder_9/AMIS522/
Recommended (optional):
Christensen, J. and J. Demski (CD). Accounting Theory: An Information Content
Perspective, Irwin McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 0072296917.
Demski, J. (D) Managerial Uses of Accounting Information, revised edition, Springer,
ISBN 9780387774503.
While these materials are optional, suggested readings are identified in the attached
course schedule.
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Course Requirements and Grading
Grades will be assigned based on cumulative performance in the course, using the
following weights for the components:
class discussion, homework,
making a positive contribution
to the learning environment
Midterm exam
Comprehensive final Exam
20%
40%
40%
No makeup midterm exams are offered. Students must provide a valid reason in advance
or will receive zero credit for the exam.
Examinations
The exams are cumulative, closed-book, closed-note, in-class examinations. No make-up
midterm exams or quizzes will be given. Make-ups for the final exam will be given only
for reasons acceptable according to University guidelines. The exam dates are identified
in the outline, mark them on your calendar. You must let me know in advance if you
have a conflict with an exam time (including illness).
Examinations are designed to serve two purposes: (1) to assess your comprehension of
basic concepts, and (2) to evaluate your ability to integrate various topics discussed and
to apply them to different settings. The examinations will be challenging, and
(hopefully) instructive. The exam format will primarily be problems and short essay.
You’re encouraged to prepare diligently for class discussions and concentrate on the
topics discussed in class in preparing for exams.
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Tentative schedule for AMIS 522 Winter 2009:
week
T
R
1/5
Overview: valuation
CD ch. 3; D ch. 3;
Ralph’s Economic Income
Overview: performance evaluation
CD ch. 11; D ch. 13;
Decentralized Ralph,
Ralph's Incentive Contract
Notes,
SST ch. 12,14;
Ralph's Note
Ralph’s Accruals
& Debt
1/19
Bonds,
SST ch. 12,14;
Ralph's Bonds
notes on best depreciation
schedules
Ralph’s Accruals (A-C)
1/26
Leases,
SST ch. 15;
Ralph's Leases
Investments,
CD ch. 3; D ch. 3;
Ralph's Income
2/2
Investments,
SST ch. 12
Ralph’s Investment
Ralph’s R&D Analyst
2/9
Midterm Exam
2/10/09
Contingent claims analysis &
option valuation
1/12
2/16
Rubinstein, 1994, “On the Accounting
Valuation of Employee Stock Options,”; Ralph's Employee Stock Options
(part B)
Ralph's Employee Stock Options
(part A)
3
week
T
R
2/23
Owners’ equity and eps,
SST ch. 19;
Ralph’s EPS
Earnings management;
CD ch. 8; D ch. 10;
Ralph’s Accounting Reserves
3/2
Accounting standards,
CD ch. 19-20; D ch. 19;
Ralph’s Information Cascade
Accounting standards,
CD ch. 19-20; D ch. 19;
Ralph's Regulation
3/9
Financial statement analysis,
SST ch. 2-4;
Invertible Ralph
Ralph's Coldwater Creek
Analysis (parts 1-3 & 5)
Final Exams
3/16
10:30 class T 3/17 9:30-11:18
1:30 class M 3/16 1:30-3:18
3:30 class W 3/18 3:30-5:18
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