ACCT4540-5540 Course Syllabus
Fall 2011
Course Instructor: Jim Marlatt
Office: S450G
Class: Koelbel 320 Mondays and Wednesdays 5pm to 6:15 pm
Cell Phone: 720-933-5541 (Don’t be afraid to call with questions 7 days a week anytime
between 9 am and 7 pm)
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 pm to 3 pm or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An accounting information system is designed to collect, record, store and process data to
produce information for decision makers. It can be simple, using paper and pencil, or
very complex, using the latest information technology. We will be using SAP
extensively in class to learn about these concepts (www.sap.com).
As organizations are expecting more and more from their accounting information
systems, its’ importance to an organization’s success is greater than ever before. Because
the accounting function and the work accountants do have been fundamentally changed
by information technology, it is critical that all accountants are familiar with how to
utilize it to improve decision-making and internal controls.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
When you complete this class you should be familiar with the following:
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Explain what an accounting information system is and describe the basic
functions it performs,
Describe the role accountants play in today’s information intensive organizations,
Describe how an accounting information system can provide management with
information for better decision-making,
Create and use process maps to understand, evaluate and design business
processes,
Create and defend your process map design, while comparing it to other designs
and identifying its strengths and recommendations for improvement,
Describe what a relational database is and how to use one to collect and analyze
information,
Create a relational database which helps address specific business requirements,
Create queries using Microsoft Access to answer business questions about your
process,
Design business reports which address specific business’ information needs,
Explain basic control concepts and why system controls and security are
important,
Design internal controls which address business opportunities and risks.
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COURSE MATERIALS:
Kay, Donna. And Ovlia, Ali. (2011). Accounting Information Systems, The Crossroads of
Accounting & IT. 1st Edition, Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978-0-13-213252-7
SAP – You will be provided access to SAP early in the semester and use it to complete
multiple exercises that cover the main topics of the course. Free for student use in this
class.
COURSE CONDUCT:
We will spend time at the beginning of the semester reviewing the syllabus, the learning
environment and getting to know each other. Based on this information, I may make
some changes to maximize our learning potential. These changes will be communicated
in class or via e-mail
All assignments are to be completed prior to the week for which they are assigned.
Exams must be taken when scheduled, per the syllabus. Any missed exams will receive
an automatic zero.
The instructor reserves the right to cold-call on students, particularly on students who have
not participated in a while. Students who are shy or uncomfortable with participation are
encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor. This discussion should take place
early in the semester.
CU POLICIES AND RULES OF CONDUCT
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter
from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed.
Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.
Contact: 303-492-8671, Center for Community N200, and
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to
deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have
conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, you
must make me aware of the dates you will miss class due to religious observation no later
than the end of the first week of class. At this time, we will determine how to handle any
missed assignments or exams. See full details at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to
discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to
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individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed,
politics, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender
expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor
with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an
alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the
semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
The University of Colorado at Boulder Discrimination and Harassment Policy and
Procedures, the University of Colorado Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures, and
the University of Colorado Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships policy
apply to all students, staff, and faculty. Any student, staff, or faculty member who
believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination or harassment
based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual
orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment
(ODH) at
303-492-2127 or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at 303-492-5550.
Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources
available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at
http://www.colorado.edu/odh
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and
adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution.
Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty,
fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic
misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-7352273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be
subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions
(including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other
information on the Honor Code can be found at
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Maximum Section GPA Policy. The faculty of the Leeds School has recently mandated
the following maximum grade point average (GPA) for each Leeds course section taught,
where
A=4.0, A- =3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B- =2.7, C+=2.4, C=2.0, C- =1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D=0.7, F=0.0.
Maximum Section
GPA
Course Level
4000/5000
15% of class at least a
C+ or below
3.2
No more than 35% of class Aor above
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COURSE COMMUNICATIONS:
You will be responsible for any information I communicate to you during class or via email. I expect you to check for messages at least once every 24 hours M-F. You are
responsible for all messages sent after the second class period. Go to
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/email.html for more details on the campus e-mail
policy. I will communicate any clarifications, changes and/or additions during class or
via the class e-mail list.
COURSE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
First Midterm Exam (September 21st)
Second Midterm Exam (October 26th)
Final Exam (Monday, December 12th 7:30pm to 10pm)
Total
Points
300
300
400
1000
The following percentages define the course grading scale. If you miss an assignment,
there will be no opportunity to make it up.
Grades: Points are converted to grades according to the following:
926 <= 1000 A
900 <= 925 A-
866 <= 899 B+ 766 <= 799 C+
826 <= 865 B 726 <= 765 C
800 <= 825 B- 700 <= 725 C-
666 <= 699 D+
626 <= 665 D
600 <= 625 D-
0 <= 599 F
Note: Students taking the course for graduate level credit will be expected to deliver
higher quality products than the undergrads and provide a deeper level of understanding
and participation during class discussions.
ACCT4540/5540 CLASS SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS:
Week 1: August 22nd - Review Course Syllabus and Accounting Information Systems
(AIS) textbook,
August 24th – AIS textbook, chapter 1, cont. and AIS textbook,
Week 2: August 29th –
August 31st – AIS textbook,
Week 3: September 7th – AIS textbook,
Week 4: September 12th – SAP Module 1,
September 14th – SAP Module 1, cont.
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Week 5: September 19th – Midterm Exam Review
September 21st – First Midterm Exam
Week 6: September 26th – AIS textbook,
September 28th – AIS textbook,
Week 7: October 3rd – ConocoPhillips speaker, how they use SAP
October 4th - AIS textbook,
Week 8: October 10th – SAP Module 3
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October 12th – SAP Module 3, cont.
Week 9: October 17th - SAP Module 4
October 19th - SAP Module 4, cont.
Week 10: October 24th – Second Midterm Exam Review,
October 26th – Second Midterm Exam
Week 11: October 31st - AIS textbook,
November 2rd - AIS textbook,
Week 12: November 7th - AIS textbook,
November 9th – Return mid-term exam 2
Week 13: November 14th – SAP Module 2
November 16th - SAP Module 2, cont.,
Week 14: Fall break, have fun and be safe
Week 15: November 28th – Review for final exam
November 30th – Review for final exam
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Week 16: December 5th – SAP Module 5,
December 7th – Review for final exam
Other Resources:
AICPA Web Site
CFO On-Line Tools and Resources for Financial Executives
PriceWaterhouseCoopers
SOX 404 IT
ISACA
Visio download instructions
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