ACCT 5302
Current Accounting Theory
General Information and Policies
Fall 2015
I. INSTRUCTOR
Instructor:
Office:
Office Phone:
Office Hours:
E-mail
Web site
Herschel Mann
BA E366
806-834-2037
W 1:30-3:00
And by appointment
herschel.mann@ttu.edu
http://hmann.ba.ttu.edu
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES, EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES, AND ASSESSMENT OF
THE ATTAINMENT OF EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ACCT 5302 is, in part, what might be described as “Intermediate Accounting III,” in that it
addresses certain topics typically found in an intermediate accounting text but not covered in
ACCT 3304 or ACCT 3305. It also addresses topics not traditionally included in an
intermediate accounting text. Included in these topics are (1) the evolution of and what
currently constitutes U.S. GAAP, as represented primarily by pronouncements issued by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) the FASB’s Codification of U.S. GAAP, (3) the
nature and evolution of International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board, (4) a comparison of U.S. GAAP and International
Standards issued by the IASB, (5) an introduction to the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and (6) a review of selected major projects currently being addressed by the
FASB and the IASB
To successfully complete this course, you are expected to learn U.S. GAAP for each of the
topics included in the course and to demonstrate proper application of those principles by
solving a variety of accounting problems to which those principles relate. You are also
expected to be familiar with the principal differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs with
respect to those topics included in the course.
A student’s attainment of the expected learning outcomes in this course will be assessed via
a set of traditional written exams. Please see section V of this General Information and
Policies statement for a description of how the results of applying this assessment method
will influence the course grade.
III. COURSE MATERIALS
Kieso, Weygandt & Warfield, Intermediate Accounting, 15th ed. (New York: John Wiley &
Sons, 2013) or
Kieso, Weygandt & Warfield, Intermediate Accounting, 15th ed. 2014 FASB Update (New
York: John Wiley & Sons, 2013)
Each student is required to sign up for the following Web site:
www.iaaer.org You should sign up for the student price, which gives you access to the
IASB’s pronouncements.
You will also be using the FASB’s Codification. To access the Codification, go to the FASB’s
Web site and click on FASB Accounting Standards Codification – Online, then click on
Academic Accounting Access, and when prompted to provide a username and password,
use the following:
User ID for Texas Tech students:
AAA51489
Password for Texas Tech students:
zKS63Hj
IV. COURSE PREREQUISITES
A. Enrollment in ACCT 5302 requires that you have successfully completed ACCT 3304
(Intermediate Accounting I) and ACCT 3305 (Intermediate Accounting II).
B. You must meet the qualifications necessary to be enrolled in a graduate-level accounting
course for students admitted to the Master of Science in Accounting program at Texas
Tech.
V. COURSE GRADE
Your grade in the course will be based on your performance in the following areas:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Minimum
Points
Possible
100
100
100
300
Grades normally will be based on the following scale:
Course Average
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
00-59%
Course Grade
A
B
C
D
F
VI. CLASS PARTICIPATION
You individually and the class collectively will benefit from your preparation for class and
your participation in class discussion. Each of you should be prepared to participate in a
meaningful way in class discussion, which, of course, will require that you come to class
prepared. While your participation is not specifically included in the allocation of points for
grading purposes, it may be a deciding factor, either positively or negatively, in borderline
cases. In this regard, absences obviously indicate a lack of class participation. A tardy will be
treated the same as an absence. Having more than three unexcused absences will, by itself,
prevent you from receiving a grade of A in the course.
VII. EXAMS
Three exams will be given during the course. Exam #3 is not a comprehensive final. It will only
include topics covered after Exam #2.
VIII. CELL PHONES
The use of a cell phone, iPod, iPhone, or any other form of communication device to send or
receive oral or written messages during class is prohibited. The mere presence of one of
these forms of communications inside the classroom is grounds for your dismissal from
the class for that date. Therefore, it should be obvious that the use of any of these forms of
communications during class is grounds for dismissal from the class for that date. (Thus,
texting during class is grounds for dismissal from class for that date.) A repeat of either of
these violations (the presence or use of any of these forms of communications) is grounds
for your dismissal from the class for the semester.
Your cell phone being visible in the classroom on the day that I give an exam or on the day
that I return your exam to you graded constitutes grounds for a zero grade on that exam. In
other words, make sure your cell phone is out of sight and in the “off-off” position.
Computers may be used in class but may not be connected to the internet during class
unless I provide you with a specific acceptable URL. Violation of these policies may result in
your dismissal from the class.
IX. Other
A. Academic Honesty
You are expected to do your own work on exams. Cheating will result in an "F" in the
course and you will be subject to the maximum disciplinary action allowed by Texas Tech
University.
B. Blue Books
You are required to furnish three blue books in which to take your exams. You should
place your name only on the outside of the back cover. These blue books will be due
no later than September 3, 2015.
C. Disabilities
If you have any type of disabling condition that causes you to have special needs with
respect to the class, I request that you notify me as soon as possible. I will try to make the
necessary accommodations.
D. Possible Changes in Due Dates/Assignments
Changes in the assignments or due dates are not expected but could possibly occur. Such
changes would be announced in class. It is the responsibility of each student to attend
class and become aware of such changes. It is anticipated there will be no changes in the
exam dates.
E. E-Mail Address
You will need an e-mail address. You need to make sure that your e-Raider e-mail
address is current and is the one that you actually use. If it is not, you must update it this
week. I consider any information that I send to your e-Raider e-mail address to be
official. It is your responsibility to make sure that your e-Raider e-mail address is correct.