ACC 4030 A01 (3 CH)
ACCOUNTING THEORY
FALL 2023
136 Drake, Thu 7.15 – 10.00 pm
CONTENTS
CONTENTS ............................................................. 1
ATTENDANCE POLICY ............................................ 4
INSTRUCTOR ......................................................... 1
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY ................................. 4
COURSE DESCRIPTION........................................... 1
OUT-OF-CLASS COMMUNICATION ....................... 4
COURSE OBJECTIVES ............................................. 2
CLASS SCHEDULE – TENTATIVE ............................. 5
COURSE FORMAT AND HEALTH & SAFETY
PROTOCOLS ........................................................... 2
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY .............................. 5
TECHNOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS ........................ 2
COURSE MATERIALS .............................................. 2
UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA COVID-19 HEALTH &
SAFETY POLICY ...................................................... 9
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING .................................. 3
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR.................................... 11
STUDENT SERVICES AND SUPPORTS ..................... 8
MISSED EXAM AND LATE SUBMISSION POLICY .... 4
INSTRUCTOR
Name:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Office hours:
Ainsley Donald (She/Her)
TBD
204-914-1472
Ainsley.Donald@umanitoba.ca
TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Examination of principles and postulates of accounting theory. Coverage of selected topics will vary from
year to year depending on interests of course participants.
The main objectives of this course are to describe and explore various theories that underlie financial
accounting and reporting; explain and illustrate the relevance of these theories in order to understand
the practice of financial accounting and reporting; critically examine the broader implications of financial
accounting for the fair and efficient operation of our economy; give an understanding of the current
financial accounting and reporting environment from the standpoint of the investor and the manager;
increase awareness of how theories relate to, or contradict, real world events; develop an interest in
current events and issues facing the profession; and understand how research tests theories and can assist
policy development.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course will teach you how to analyze current and past accounting practices and the impact they can
have on users of accounting information.
COURSE FORMAT AND HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS
This course will be taught in-person, unless there’s a directive from the university that requires us to move
to remote delivery. We will observe the health-related safety protocol mandated by the university. Please
check the COVID-19 Updates webpage of the university and the COVID-19 health and safety protocols to
know what is expected of you. The university’s policy is also provided later in this course outline.
The class will include class discussions, in class quizzes, guest speakers and lectures.
TECHNOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS
In the event health mandates or the instructor falling sick for an extended period require switching to
remote delivery of classes, you will need a device enabled with a camera and microphone. Further, you
will have to be in a location with a stable Internet connection that is strong enough for streaming video.
COURSE MATERIALS
Financial Accounting Theory, 8th Edition, William R. Scott, ISBN 9780134166681
Please respect copyright laws. Photocopying textbooks or other reading material is a violation of copyright
laws and is unethical, unless permission to copy has been obtained.
PowerPoint presentations, in class quizzes, practice questions, exams provided by the instructor are
property of the instructor and should not be shared with any current or future students. These materials
are provided for learning purposes for registered students only.
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ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING
The course grade includes the following:
In class quizzes – 2 x 10%
Attendance
Mid-term exam (October 19, 2023*)
Final paper (due December 21, 2023)
-
20%
10%
30%
40%
*Subject to change – see course outline, updated course outline will be posted to UMLearn
accommodate changes
In the event of a skewed distribution of grades, the total course marks may be curved up or down as
necessary (the weighting of each component will remain unchanged).
Marks
90 and above
85 – 89.99
75 – 84.99
70 – 74.99
65 – 69.99
60 – 64.99
50 – 59.99
Below 50
Letter Grade
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
Exam: The exam will consist long-answer and multiple choice questions. For the midterm exam you are
allowed one information sheet, 8.5 x 11 inches, one side, handwritten only.
In Class Quizzes: You will be required to submit a written answer to a specific question or set of multiple
choice questions, designed by the instructor. You will be given class time for this task. These quizzes are
optional. If you choose not to submit a quiz, the weight of the quiz will be added to the final exam.
Attendance: For recording your class attendance, the instructor may require you to sign in during class.
Final Paper: The purpose of this paper is to apply concepts and theories discussed in the course to practical
issues. You will be required to prepare a research paper on an entity selected by the instructor. The paper
should include the theories or concepts discussed in the course. For example, you may relate the financial
statements and MD&A to theories which either confirm or contradict or expand upon the material you
learned in the class. The total length for the paper should not exceed 4 pages double-spaced (excluding
the cover page), minimum 11 point font. Grading will be based on the following criteria: Identification of
relevant theories; Understanding of theory; Appropriate application of theory to the company; and
Conclusions.
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Submission of the final paper should be done via email to Ainsley.Donald@umanitoba.ca. Please submit
one file with the file name as Last name, First name.doc (or .docx); example Donald, Ainsley.docx; include
a cover page with your full name and student number (the cover page does not count towards the 4 page
limit). Provide references for all cited works including the text book in a referencing format of your
preference (citations do not count towards page limit).
MISSED EXAM AND LATE SUBMISSION POLICY
For students who miss the midterm for legitimate reasons, the weight of the midterm exam will be
allocated to the final paper (ie., you will be writing a 70% final paper). There will be no deferred midterm
exam privileges.
Students who miss the final paper must apply to the Undergraduate Program Office in their faculty for
possible deferred examination privileges.
Late submissions of final paper will lose 5% per day’s delay.
Do not make travel plans before the Final Exam. I cannot let you take the exam earlier/later because you
made bookings for an earlier date. In the event you have to miss the Final Exam for a valid reason, a
request for a deferred exam must be made at your home Faculty’s Undergraduate Program Office
(b_comm@umanitoba.ca, if you are an Asper student). Applying for a deferred exam does not guarantee
your request will be granted.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular attendance is expected.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY
Do not audio or video record the lectures without written permission of the instructor.
OUT-OF-CLASS COMMUNICATION
PowerPoint files, other class-related files, and grades will be posted on UM Learn. Moreover, any
announcements outside of class will be sent by e-mail to your UM Learn account. It is your responsibility
to check your UofM e-mail account frequently so that you don’t miss these emails.
If you have questions, please email me at Ainsley.Donald@umanitoba.ca.
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CLASS SCHEDULE – TENTATIVE
Date
September 7
September 14
September 21
Topic
Course Outline and Introduction
Accounting Under Ideal Conditions
Decision Usefulness Approach to Financial Reporting
September 28
November 16
Quiz #1 – Chapter 2
Efficient Securities Markets
Value Relevance of Accounting Information
Review Chapter 1 – 5
Mid term exam
Measurement Perspective on Decision Usefulness
Valuation Applications
The Efficient Contracting Approach
An Analysis of Conflict
Quiz #2 – Chapter(s) TBD
FALL TERM BREAK – NO CLASSES
November 23
November 30
December 7
December 21
Executive Compensation
Earnings Management
Review Chapters 1 – 11
Final paper due via email
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2
November 9
Readings
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 1 - 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapters 1 - 11
The schedule above is subject to change to accommodate guest speakers. Revised schedules will be
posted to UMLearn.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Academic integrity is critical to the reputation of the Asper School of Business and for the degrees we
award. As the Faculty that helps create business and government leaders, we have a special obligation to
ensure that our ethical standards are beyond reproach. Therefore, the Asper School takes academic
misconduct very seriously and does what it takes to uphold the highest academic integrity standards. You
can find information on what constitutes academic misconduct on the University of Manitoba’s Academic
Integrity webpage. It is your responsibility to educate yourself on what’s acceptable and what’s not.
Ignorance is no excuse. When in doubt, talk to your instructor.
Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:
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using the exact words from a published or unpublished source without quotation marks and
without referencing that source both in-text and in the Bibliography
reproducing a table, graph, or diagram, in whole or in part, without referencing the source
paraphrasing someone else’s words without referencing the source both in-text and in the
Bibliography
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using a paper (or parts of it) that was submitted in one course for an assignment in another course,
without discussion with both the instructors involved
getting your assignment done by someone else, either for payment or otherwise
using material available on file-sharing sites such as Course Hero, Chegg, etc. Uploading material
to such sites also constitutes academic misconduct depending on what is shared.
copying the answers of another student in any exam or assignment
providing exam answers or assignments to other students via any medium or obtaining them from
other students or websites
taking any unauthorized materials into an examination (crib notes), regardless of whether those
are used during the exam
recording exam questions using any method, regardless of whether those are shared with others
sharing exam questions with those who are yet to take the exam, including future students or
attempting to sell exam questions
impersonating another student or getting another person to impersonate you for the purpose of
attendance, earning class participation marks, submitting academic work, or writing an exam
changing any part of test answers after that test has been graded and returned
Group Projects and Group Work
Many courses in the Asper School require group projects. All group members should exercise special care
to ensure that the group project is free from plagiarism. Should a violation occur, group members are
jointly accountable unless the violation can be attributed to specific individuals.
Some courses, while not requiring group projects, encourage students to work together in groups before
submitting individual assignments. If it’s unclear whether it is allowed, students are encouraged to seek
clarification from the instructor to avoid violating the academic integrity policy.
In the Asper School of Business, all suspected cases of academic misconduct in undergraduate courses are
reported to the Dean's office and follow the approved disciplinary process. See following table for typical
penalties for academic misconduct in the Asper School.
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Typical Penalties for Academic Misconduct in the Asper School
If the student is from another Faculty and the academic misconduct is committed in an Asper course, the
student’s Faculty could match or add penalties beyond the Asper School’s.
F-DISC on transcript indicates the F is for disciplinary reasons.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
PENALTY
Cheating on exam (copying from or
providing answers to another student)
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Sharing exam questions electronically
during exam
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Possession of unauthorized material
during exam (e.g., cheat notes)
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Altering answer on returned exam and
asking for re-grading
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Plagiarism on assignment
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Submitting paper bought online
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Inappropriate Collaboration
(collaborating with individuals not
explicitly authorized by instructor)
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 1 year
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Group member had knowledge of
inappropriate collaboration or
plagiarism and played along
F-DISC in course
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Signing Attendance Sheet for
classmate
F-DISC in course
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
Attempting to sell exam
F-DISC in course
Suspension from taking Asper courses for 18 months
Notation of academic misconduct in transcript
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STUDENT SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
The University of Manitoba provides many different services that can enhance learning and provide
support for a variety of academic and personal concerns. You are encouraged to visit the below websites
to learn more about these services and supports.
For Information on…
…follow this link
Reporting discriminatory behavior by another university member
Speak Up
Tech-related issues with UM Learn or videoconferencing
Information Services & Technology
Admission, Registration, Tuition Fees, Important Dates, Final Exams,
Graduation, and Transcripts
Registrar’s Office
Academic policies & procedures, regulations, Faculty-specific
information, degree and major requirements
Academic Calendar
Help with research needs such as books, journals, sources of data,
how to cite, and writing
Library Resources
Tutors, workshops, and resources to help you improve your learning,
writing, time management, and test-taking skills
Writing and Learning Support
Support and advocacy for students with disabilities to help them in
their academic work and progress
Student Accessibility Services
Copyright-related questions and resources to help you avoid
plagiarism or intellectual property violations
Copyright Office
Student discipline bylaws, policies and procedures on academic
integrity and misconduct, appeal procedures
Academic Integrity
Policies & procedures with respect to student discipline or
misconduct, including academic integrity violations
Student Discipline
Students’ rights & responsibilities, policies & procedures, and
support services for academic or discipline concerns
Student Advocacy
Your rights and responsibilities as a student, in both academic and
non-academic contexts
Your rights and responsibilities
Medical services for any physical or mental health issues
University Health Service
Information on health topics, including physical/mental health,
alcohol/substance use harms, and sexual assault
Mental health, including anxiety, stress, depression, help with
relationships or other life concerns, crisis services, and counselling.
Support services available for help regarding any aspect of student
and campus life, especially safety issues
Health and Wellness
Student Counselling Centre
Student Support Case Management
Resources available on campus, for environmental, mental, physical,
socio-cultural, and spiritual well-being
Live Well @ UofM
Help with any concerns of harassment, discrimination, or sexual
assault
Respectful Work and Learning
Environment
Concerns involving violence or threats, protocols for reporting, and
how the university addresses them
Violent or Threatening Behaviour
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UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
April 8, 2022
The University of Manitoba (the “UM”) is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for all
students, faculty, and staff. Should campus operations change because of health concerns related to the
COVID-19 pandemic or other campus-wide emergency, it is possible that this course will move to a fully
remote delivery format. Should the instructor be required to stay at home for an extended period and
an alternate instructor not be available, the course may move temporarily to a remote delivery format.
Mask Wearing
In a face-to-face environment, our commitment to safety requires students to observe all Covid
guidelines set by the University (https://umanitoba.ca/coronavirus )
While on campus and in class, you must wear masks as stipulated in current University policies,
procedures, and guidelines. The University highly recommends the use of KN-95 masks; the minimum
requirement is a ATSM Level 2 Medical mask. Both mask types are available at many locations on
campus.
Students who fail to comply are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Discipline
Bylaw and the Non-Academic Misconduct and Concerning Behaviour Procedure.
If you do not follow masking requirements, you will be asked to leave the learning space and may only
return to the class already in progress when you have complied with this requirement. Repeated issues
will result in disciplinary action as previously noted.
Students should not eat or drink during class time.
Illness
Remember: STAY HOME IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OR ARE ILL. If you become ill we highly recommend
that you self-isolate; you should notify your instructor by email so you can develop a plan to complete
the course learning outcomes while you are absent.
What to do if you become ill while at UM:
1. Leave the classroom, lab, or workspace immediately. Continue to wear your mask while leaving the
premises and/or while waiting for transportation.
2. Perform hand hygiene (soap and water or hand sanitizer) and avoid contact with others and minimize
contact with the physical environment.
3. Once at home, complete the MB self-assessment and follow the directions that are provided.
4. Inform your instructor(s) or, if in residence, the appropriate individual.
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5. Please remain off-campus and all UM facilities until cleared to return in accordance with selfassessment, testing results, and UM recommended isolation procedures.
Recommended transportation options (in order):
1. Drive yourself home.
2. Pick-up by family or friend – remember to keep your mask on and to distance as much as possible,
and where possible, open a window to improve ventilation.
3. Pickup by taxi/Uber:

Remain masked and perform hand hygiene before entering the vehicle.
o Avoid touching the inside of the vehicle
o Keep your mask on for the duration of the ride
o Where possible, open a window to improve ventilation.
4. Winnipeg Transit buses – We recommend that you do not use Winnipeg Transit in this situation.
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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Ainsley is a sessional instructor at the Asper School of business. She is a Chartered Professional
Accountant (CPA CA) who provides assurance services to Manitoba based businesses and not for profit
organizations as well as a volunteer treasurer for a number of charities. She has been a sessional instructor
teaching Accounting Theory since 2016 and has been in public practice since graduating from the Asper
School of Business in 2002.
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