ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
ACCT 300 Accounting Concepts
Online Course
INSTRUCTOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructor:
Anthony L. Fulmore, MSA, MS-HRM, PhD.
Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University – Central Texas
Office:
Warrior’s Hall room 406
Phone:
254-501-5840
Email:
afulmore@tamusct.edu
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Access to
Blackboard:
https://tamuct.blackboard.com
For communication, please use the Blackboard messages to keep course related information
within the course. Should you write me an email, please mention your name and class title with
course and section number in the Subject line.
UNILERT
Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas
UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas
the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email and text
message. By enrolling in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related
information, regardless of your location. Please enroll today at http://TAMUCT.org/UNILERT
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Overview and Description:
Students are expected to have strong writing skills, creative and analytical thinking skills,
effective reading skills, advanced learning skills, and a general understanding of
problems faced by business managers.
Catalog Description:
A survey of basic accounting principles, concepts, and methods to include a review of
general purpose financial statements and the accounting process. Financial accounting
procedures are presented to support the overall managerial function. This course is
provided for students without a previous accounting background (Meets requirements for
Accounting I ).
Course Objective:
Overall Course Assessment Objectives: This course is organized into two parts –
Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting. Financial accounting deals with
financial reports prepared for external parties such as shareholders and creditors
whereas managerial accounting deals with the preparation and use of financial and
nonfinancial information by internal decision-makers.
Part I – Financial Accounting
The objectives in the financial accounting part are to help students obtain skills in
reading and using information in financial statements. The financial accounting section
includes nine modules. Working through suggested exercises and problems from the
textbook is critical to understanding the concepts and is the most effective means of
preparing for the module tests.
Part II – Managerial Accounting
This part of the course provides an introduction to accounting techniques used by
managers when they are faced with planning, directing, controlling and decision-making
activities in their organizations. Accounting information can be used to identify and
analyze alternatives and to guide the manager to a course of action that will yield the
greatest benefit to the firm. While the major emphasis in financial accounting is on the
accumulation and presentation of accounting data to external decision makers, the
emphasis in managerial accounting is on the presentation and analysis of accounting
data by internal decision makers.
One of the main objectives of the Managerial Accounting part of the course is to
familiarize you with the requisite technical skills for problem solving; for example,
determining unit product costs, measuring production process costs, budgeting,
performance reporting, allocating resources efficiently within the firm, and maximizing
profits while maintaining the ability to meet long-term goals. As mangers, you will need
to identify the relevant information, the appropriate method for analyzing that
information, and the manner in which to communicate your observations and
recommendations to others in the organization. This part of the course is structured in a
manner so that the course contents will help you to develop these skills.
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
Upon the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Be able to summarize the information provided by the balance sheet, income
statement and statement of cash flows and interpret individual amounts (assets,
liabilities, equities, revenues and expenses, cash flows from operating, investing and
financing activities).
2. Be able to compute financial ratios and use financial ratios and other information to
compare companies competing in an industry in terms of profitability and liquidity
(short and long term).
3. Be able to use cost and management accounting concepts to assess challenges and
develop solutions in production and service entities
4. Learn to analyze the accounting systems designed for performance measurement
and appraisal to arrive at optimum solutions.
5. Learn to analyze and evaluate specific aspects and apply the course concepts in a
team mode to "real world" situations.
Required Reading and Textbook:
Survey of Accounting, 4th ed.
Edmonds, McGraw-Hill/Irwin 2011.
ISBN: 0077862376
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association,
6th Edition
American Psychological Association
Softcover, 272 pages
©2010, ISBN-13 978-1433805615
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This course is made up of a series of assignments and assessments to assist you in
achieving the course and learning objectives/outcomes. Each week you will work on
various combinations of assignments, activities, discussions, readings, research, etc.
which will be made available to you by each Monday and close on the date given in your
course schedule.
Chapter Homework. Chapter homework will be due each Sunday no later than 12:00
a.m. Some of your assignments are algorithmic, which means that everyone in the class
will have a different version of the problem to work. It will be the same basic problem
that is in the book, but with different numbers. You will be able to print the problem and
work it out and then return to the site and enter the answers. You should use these to
review/study for exams since you will not have access to them online after the due date.
In these types of problems, you may be given hints as you work and you will be shown
the correct answer after you submitted your answers. If you want to improve your grade
on these homework problems you may work them more than once. You may have up to
three attempts with a different version being given each time. Each set of homework will
generally be divided into two sets to make it easier to complete an assignment, check
your answers, and redo it to improve your grade without having to redo all problems.
These assignments may be used to measure the course embedded outcome
assessment objectives listed earlier in this syllabus. These assignments will be listed by
the chapter number (i.e. HW1 Chapter 1). Each assignment will generally be available
one week before the due date (approximately 7 days).
Chapter Quizzes. Eight short quizzes (20 to 25 questions) will be given at regular
intervals (all scheduled to be due on Sunday no later than 12:00 a.m.) to give you
flexibility in pacing your instruction, but encourage you to keep on track to finish the
material in a timely manner. These quizzes will be a random selection from a group
questions online and the answers will be different for each student. These graded
quizzes will be timed and may be taken up to TWO times. I will always take the higher
of the two grades if you choose to retake a given quiz. Quizzes will be accessed on the
Connect Accounting web, just like your homework. You should allow at least an hour or
two to take the quizzes. The actual time will vary depending on the type and number of
questions asked. All quizzes will be available approximately one week prior to the due
date. The due date for all the quizzes are listed on the assignment sheet by the date.
After the due dates for each quiz, you will be able to access your quiz grade and see the
suggested solution for each question. Any questions over these quizzes MUST be
posted to Blackboard Virtual Office for the chapter within 5 days after the due date of the
quiz to receive a posted reply and no replies will be posted until after the due date.
Please put the question number at the beginning of your posting followed by a copy of
the entire question so that all class members can see the question.
Examinations. You will have one exam (a final) that will be from the same database of
the questions that is used for the chapter quizzes and will have different solutions for
each student. The exams will also be accessed on the Connect Accounting website.
These graded exams will be timed and may be submitted only one time. You should
schedule about two hours to take the exams, but the actual time allowed will depend on
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
the type and number of questions asked. After the due date for each exam, you will be
able to access your grade and see suggested solutions for each question.
Group Project. Please form a group of four to five members. Your group will be
assigned an accounting issue to investigate. You will research about the accounting
issue and write a report of no more than five pages (singled-spaced, the page limit does
not include the reference list and any figures or tables). For the project, you must read
widely, think critically, reason logically, and write clearly. Your project grade will be
based on my evaluations of the written report, presentation slides, and individual
presentation. To discourage free-riding, at the end of the course each group member will
turn in his or her peer evaluations (between 0 and 10) of the other group members. A
student’s mean peer evaluation divided by 10 will be the grading weight used for his or
her group-score portion of the project. Please e-mail me the list of your group
members by 10 June. The written report and presentation slides are due on 15 July by
e-mail (one email per group).
Discussion Boards. To get the most learning from this course, you must actively
participate in the classroom experience. Participation means actively participating in the
course discussions. We will have Discussion Questions every week of the course. You
will be assigned discussion question(s) based on the topics for that classroom
experience. Each discussion question will have its own threaded discussion space. You
are expected to offer responses to these questions and/or comments on your
classmates’ responses. I will monitor the quantity and quality of your responses. At a
minimum, you will be expected to post at least one substantive quality posting in
response to the Week’s discussion question and at least 4 responses to the postings of
myself or your peers each week. In other words, the minimum number of postings each
week is 5. Participation accounts for 20% of your grade. Of course if the quality of your
postings is not sufficient, the points will not be earned. You are expected to contribute to
the class discussions in meaningful ways. That means:
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Contributing new and relevant information to the course discussion and from
readings of the textbooks;
Commenting in a positive manner;
Building on the remarks of your fellow students;
Posing questions of your fellow students; and sharing quotes, websites, and
other supplementary information.
Demonstrating practical application of the week's key concepts from your
professional/personal experience.
“Substantive” does not include “I agree,” “Great point” or “You’re wonderful” type
postings. These types of postings are examples of positive “teaming” and are fine
but not by themselves. They do not add depth or breadth to the discussion. A
“substantive” posting should include:
Your thesis (main point)
Your supporting arguments
A reference to class or outside material to support your thesis
An example from your experiences to support your thesis.
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
Grading Criteria Rubric and Conversion
Students earn their course grades by completing scheduled assignments; no extra credit
assignments are given. To satisfactorily pass this course, students must complete each
of the graded items listed below. Failure to submit appropriate documents for scoring in
each category will result in a failing grade.
Course Element
Percent of Course Grade
Homework Assignments
10%
Chapter Quizzes
20%
Final Exam
40%
Group Project
10 %
Discussion Questions
20%
Total
100%
Grade Equivalents:
If Grade is Computed Numerically
If Grade is Computed by Letter
90.0 - 100 %
=A
A=
95%
80.0 - 89.9%
=B
B=
85%
70.0 – 79.9%
=C
C=
75%
60.0 – 69.9%
=D
D=
65%
0 – 59.9%
=F
F=
0%
Submission Style Requirements: Submissions will be in accordance with The
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed., will be used as
reference regarding format issues.
Late Submissions/Resubmissions: Late work will generally be accepted, but each day
it is late, the grade will drop by 10%.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Like all schedules the following is tentative. If changes are necessary they will be announced
on Blackboard. It is your responsibility to learn of any changes announced by your instructor.
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
Week
Week of Chapters
1
31-Aug
2
7-Sep
3
14-Sep
4
21-Sep
5
28-Sep
6
5-Oct
7
12-Oct
8
19-Oct
9
26-Oct
10
2-Nov
11
9-Nov
12
16-Nov
13
23-Nov
14
30-Nov
15
7-Dec
16
14-Dec
Assignments
1
An Introduction to Accounting
2
Understanding the Accounting Cycle
3
Accounting for Merchandising Businesses
4
Internal Controls, Accounting for Cash, and Ethics
5
Accounting for Receivables and Inventory Cost Flow
6
Accounting for Long-Term Operational Assets
7
Accounting Liabilities
8
Proprietorship, Partnership, and Corporations
Procrastination is the worst enemy in this class. If you believe that things that can be done
tomorrow need not be done today then this class is not for you.
Fulmore’s Proverb: Those who wait get good grades when they take this class the third time.
Taking an online class is like joining a health club. If you stop working out, you won’t see any
improvement in your physical condition, even though you are still paying dues. It takes
consistent effort to run faster, jump higher, build muscle, or lose weight. “Cramming” the day
before the exams will have the same result as one really intense session at the gym (which is
NOT MUCH). No pain, no gain. So here are some common behaviors that lead to failing the
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
class.
1. Don’t buy the book, or if you buy it, don’t bother reading it until the night before the exam. The
text doesn’t come with any magical qualities – holding it or carrying it in your backpack won’t
transfer the information into your brain unless you read and study it.
2. Don’t log in frequently. I can see which days you login to the course and for how long.
3. Wait until the last day to participate in online discussion. Shows how much you care about the
class. This is like coming to class the day before the exam and asking a lot of questions that have
already been answered.
4. Forget about deadlines – if you miss an exam, quiz or assignment, maybe it will disappear. I don’t
change dates once the syllabus has been distributed, so you can use ink when you put them on
your calendar and planner.
5. Be dead weight for team projects. Even though your team member can fire you, or complain
about your lack of performance, there is always the chance they will give you a free ride on the
assignment. If you need help understanding the assignment, ask for clarification.
6. Ignore emails from the instructor advising you to drop the class if you are failing. He probably
doesn’t mean it. Want to know how many Fs I gave last year because people don’t want to deal
with bad grades? And I hate doing it.
7. Don’t get familiar with the grade book and syllabus. Prioritizing the assignments that count the
most, or understanding what your grade means will only make you worry more. There is a big
difference between 75/150 (50%) and 75/100. Know how much things are weighted so you can
put your effort where it will do the most good.
8. Put off the easy things to improve your grade, like discussion, or keeping up with reading.
Emergencies can happen, but if you aren’t prepared, you won’t have a chance of catching up.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT
Technology Requirements
This course will use the new TAMU-CT Blackboard Learn learning management system
for class communications, content distribution, and assessments.
Logon to http://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course.
Username: Your Tarleton email address (the complete email address, e.g.
john.doe@go.tarleton.edu)
Initial password: Your DuckTrax ID (UID)
For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the
Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a microphone
to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the course.
If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet connection,
please consider dropping this course or contact me (your email and phone number) to
discuss your situation.
Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:
PC: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000,
Mac: Mac OS 10.6 “Snow Leopard®”, Mac OS 10.5 “Leopard®”, Mac OS 10.4 “Tiger®”
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link on the
TAMU-CTBlackboard logon page. (http://tamuct.blackboard.com) This is a CRITICAL
step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit an
assignment.
Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student
Orientation under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this
orientation course. The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have to
come up to speed with it really quickly. This orientation course will help you get there.
There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left-hand menu bar.
The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that will help you get up
to speed with navigation, sending and receiving messages and discussion posts, and
submitting an assignment. Your ability to function within the Blackboard system will
facilitate your success in this course.
Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make
sure your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of
deadlines.
Technology Support
For technological or computer issues, students should contact the TAMU-CT Blackboard
Support Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Support Portal: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport
Online chat (through the support portal at: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport) Phone:
(855)-661-7965
For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.
COURSE AND UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and
ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the
responsibility of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form
must be returned, completed and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records
office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer
enrolled. Should you still be enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately?
You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence.
Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the
course.
Attendance/Withdrawal
In accordance with university policy, each faculty member has the responsibility and
authority to determine whether make-up work can be done because of absences.
Although make-up assignments will generally be accepted up to one week late during
the first two weeks only, no individual additional “extra credit” activities will be granted.
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
In rare, emergency cases, students may qualify for an incomplete grade, which is
recorded as a “K” on the grade report and transcript. Requests for incomplete grades
must be made according to university policy and approved by the instructor prior to the
final week of classes. All requirements must be completed by the end of the next long
semester or the “K” automatically changed to an “F.”
Students who began taking classes at Tarleton State University or its related units as of
September 1, 1998, may only drop six classes during their entire undergraduate
program. The last day to drop a course with no record this semester is published in the
Texas A&M University Catalog on the Academic Calendar page(s).
Academic Integrity
Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of
personal and scholarly conduct. Students found responsible of academic dishonestly are
subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,
cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the
abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for
each case of academic dishonestly and report the incident to the Director of Student
Affairs. More information can be found at www.ct.tamus.edu/StudentConduct.
Disability Support Services
If you have or believe you have a disability and wish to self-identify, you can do so by
providing documentation to the Disability Support Coordinator. Students are encouraged
to seek information about accommodations to help assure success in their courses.
Please contact Gail Johnson at (254) 519-5831 or visit Founder's Hall 114. Additional
information can be found at www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects
tutored include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA). Tutors
are available at the Tutoring Center in Founder's Hall, Room 204, and also in the Library
in the North Building. Visit www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring
Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you have questions, need to schedule a
tutoring session, or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support
Programs at 254-501-5830 or by emailing cecilia.morales@ct.tamus.edu.
Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an
online tutoring platform that enables TAMU-CT students to log-in and receive FREE
online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing,
Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and Statistics. To
access Tutor.com, click on www.tutor.com/tamuct.
Library Services
Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work
in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of
critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research
techniques. Help may include, yet is not limited to: exploration of information resources
such as library collections and services, identification of subject databases and scholarly
journals, and execution of effective search strategies. Library Resources are outlined and
accessed at. http://www.tarleton.edu/centraltexas/departments/library/
Changes to Syllabus
A syllabus serves as an instructional and study planning document for both faculty and
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ACCT 300 - Fall 2014
students. Although every effort will be taken to complete the semester according to the
syllabus, it may become necessary to make certain changes to better facilitate the
academic environment. In such an event, changes will be announced in class and students
will receive written notice within one week of the change decision. Changes may be made
within the last two weeks of the semester only in exceptional circumstances.
The Operation of the Online Course and Being an Online Student
Online learning requires students to be very self-disciplined, be sure you understand and
are prepared to comply with all required class assignments and deadlines. For this course,
the weekly tasks and assignments are posted in each week’s individual tab that will be
made available Sunday night and will be due by Sunday night at midnight.
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