DeKalb High School
Accounting 101 – Syllabus
Spring 2009
Course Information
Teacher: Travis Thompson
Course Number, Title, & Credit: ACC 101, Introduction to Accounting, .5 credit hour
Prerequisites: You will need to have completed Algebra 1 with a C or better.
Course Description
In this course you will learn the basics of accounting. You will learn basic accounting
terminology, T-charts, cash flows and how to balance a checkbook. This course is made for
anybody that has thoughts of becoming an accountant.
Instructor Information
Classroom: 213
Business Office: 225
Phone Number: (817) 352-8976
E-Mail: twthomp@gmail.com
Office Hours: I have planning period 3rd hour every day. You may stop by the classroom then for help.
If I am not in the classroom I will be in the Business Office. I am also available before and after school,
just let me know ahead of time when you plan on coming so I can be ready for you.
High School Information
Address: 1515 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115
Main Office Number: (817) 754-0012
Main Office Fax: (817) 754-5621
Attendance Office Number: (817) 754-2521
Textbook & other materials needed
Textbook: Accounting: What the Numbers Mean, 8th edition
By David Marshall, William W. McManus and Daniel Viele
Publisher: Richard D. Irwin, Inc.
Besides bringing your textbook to class every day, you will need to bring a calculator and a pen
or pencil. Your calculator does not have to be a graphing calculator, but it may be if you have
one available.
Class Conduct Expectations
Attendance policy:
As your teacher I will be her everyday unless an emergency has happened and I am needed to
attend. In doing so, I expect to see everyone here on a daily basis unless of an emergency. In
such a case I will need proof of such emergency. If it is a funeral a note from a parent would be
fine. If any type of doctor’s appointment has you not attending class, a doctor’s note will be
acceptable. Having a note for any of the reasons above will get you the participation points you
missed that day. In any case, letting me know ahead of time would be greatly appreciated.
How the class will operate:
Upon arriving to class I will hand out your participation rubric to see how you did last class and
to also check and see what you need to improve on. After this, if there was homework from the
night before we will then go over it after it is turned in. Following any questions you may have
regarding the homework, we will take our notes for the day. If we get done with the notes early,
the time is yours. However, you must still conduct yourself in a business like manor.
Student Expectations:
As high school students you are expected to come to class prepared and ready to learn. You need
to arrive on time. You also need to conduct yourself in a business professional manor. You are
expected to participate in class and answer questions when called upon. You can expect the same
from myself. I will answer any questions to the best of my knowledge and if I do not know it
then, I will find out for the next class period.
Course Objectives
The object of this course if for you to leave here with an understanding of basic accounting. I
expect to get through three units this semester covering a variety of things from cash flows,
checking accounts, and even t-charts. I want everyone to feel comfortable enough with the
material that they can apply it in other accounting classes they may take down the road. Some of
the information such as the checking account unit, will be helpful for the rest of your lives.
Overall, I intend for everyone to leave this class with an understanding of what accounting is.
Course Rationale
I feel that after completing this course every student should understand how to balance a
checkbook. They should also understand on what side each term goes on the t-charts. Finally,
everyone should have an understanding if the accounting world is right for them. You should
know if you like to work with numbers in accounting or if you might want to try a different
business field out.
Teaching Philosophy
This is my first year teaching and want it to run as smoothly as possible. However, I know there
will be many bumps in the road and hope everyone stays with me through them. I am an avid
believer in learning hands on. In this class you can expect to participate in many group activities
to take notes and describe your findings to the class. With that being said I understand that not
everyone likes to talk in front of the class. I won’t always call on these people as long as they are
paying attention. I want to create a friendly learning environment and have everyone enjoy this
class. I wanted to become a business teacher because of a class very similar to this one that I took
in high school. I believe that I am not the only teacher in this class; however, I am the main one.
I believe that students learn from their peers just like they learn from the teachers. I hope
everyone is ready to learn this semester and have a good time. I hope everyone appreciates my
teaching style and likes the class. If you have any questions please feel free to talk to me at
anytime.
Grading Scale
90 – 100 - - - - - - A
89 – 80 - - - - - - - B
79 – 70 - - - - - - - C
69 – 60 - - - - - - - D
59 and below - - - F
What you have at the end of the
semester is what you receive on
your report card. I do not round
up at the end of the term.
Example: If 89.5 is your final
grade in the class, you will
receive a B.
Breakdown of grading scale
Assignment
10 homework assignments @ 15
points each
5 Quizzes @ 25 points each
Checkbook balance book
Cash Flow internet paper
5 Tests @ 100 points each
Participation: (4 points a day
possible for a total of 288. If you
are here every day and even if
you do not receive all 4 points,
you will receive 12 extra points
to make it out of 300. )
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE
Total Points Possible for
Assignment
150
% of final grade
125
75
50
500
300
10.4%
6%
4.5%
41.6%
25%
1200
100%
12.5%
Tentative schedule with due dates
- Days where nothing is marked expect to takes notes on the chapter we are on.
January: WEEK1: 5th --- Go over syllabus
6th --- Start of unit 1
9th --- Homework 1 introduced
WEEK 2: 12th --- Homework 1 due!
16th --- Homework 2 introduced
WEEK 3: 20th --- Homework 2 due!
23rd --- QUIZ # 1
WEEK 4: 30th --- Homework 3 introduced
February: WEEK 6: 2nd --- Homework 3 due!
6th --- TEST # 1
WEEK 7: 13th --- Homework 4 introduced
WEEK 8: 17th --- Homework 4 due!
18th --- Homework 5 introduced
19th --- Homework 5 due!
20th --- Homework 6 introduced
WEEK 9:
23rd --- Homework 6 due!
27th --- QUIZ # 2
March:
`
April:
WEEK 10: 6th --- TEST # 2
9th --- Start of unit 2
WEEK 11: 13th --- Homework 7 introduced
WEEK 12: 16th --- Homework 7 due!
18th --- Introduce checkbook project
WEEK 13: 26th --- Project due!
27th --- QUIZ # 3
WEEK 14:
WEEK 15:
WEEK 16:
WEEK 17:
3rd --- TEST # 3
6th --- Start of unit 3
7th --- Homework 8 introduced
8th --- Homework 8 due!
9th --- Internet paper introduced
10th-13th--- Easter Break!
14th-19th --- Spring Break!
21st --- Paper due!
22nd --- Homework 9 introduced
23rd --- Homework 9 due!
24th --- QUIZ # 4
28th --- Homework 10 introduced
29th --- Homework 10 due! ; QUIZ 5
May:
WEEK 18: 1st --- TEST # 4
Finals week: 8th --- FINAL (test # 5)
Learning Standards
I. The Accounting Profession
Achievement Standard: Understand the role that accountants play in business and society.
Achievement Standard: Describe career opportunities in the accounting profession.
Achievement Standard: Demonstrate the skills and competencies required to be successful in the
accounting profession and/or in an accounting-related career.
II. Financial Reports
Achievement Standard: Develop an understanding and working knowledge of an annual report
and financial statements.
III. Financial Analysis
Achievement Standard: Assess the financial condition and operating results of a company and
analyze and interpret financial statements and information to make informed business decisions.
IV. Accounting Applications
Achievement Standard: Identify and describe generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP),
explain how the application of GAAP impacts the recording of financial transactions, and the
preparation of financial statements.
V. Accounting Process
Achievement Standard: Complete the steps in the accounting cycle in order to prepare the
financial statements.
VI. Interpretation and Use of Data
Achievement Standard: Use planning and control principles to evaluate the performance of an
organization and apply differential analysis and present-value concepts to make decision.
VII. Compliance
Achievement Standard: Develop a working knowledge of individual income tax procedures and
requirements to comply with tax laws and regulations.
From the National Standards for Business Education © 2007 by the National Business
Education Association, 1914 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191.