This syllabus and related point allocations for purposes of grading may change during the term.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted to Moodle.

Office:  Hipp Hall 201 F
Office hours: MF 11:30 to 12:30 and by appointment
Email:  sandy.roberson@furman.edu
Home phone:  246-5642

Course Objectives:  In this class you will, of course, learn technical accounting content.  Significant time will also be dedicated to helping you to develop your analytical skills, research skills, problem solving skills, interpersonal skills and both written and verbal communication skills.

Upon successful completion of this course you should

• Understand the foundations, concepts and standards underlying financial reporting under US GAAP for the areas studied
• Be able to apply your understanding of US GAAP to solve complex accounting problems
• Understand key differences and similarities between US GAAP and IGAAP for the areas studied
• Be able to use the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to research and resolve accounting questions
• Recognize the importance of ethics in accounting decision making and the challenges to ethical decision making
• Understand the implications of significant judgments in the application of accounting standards
• Have given serious consideration to the question, “As an educated professional, what is my responsibility to my community?”
• Have improved your analytical, organizational, interviewing, and communication skills.
• Be aware of CPA and GMAT exam content and other considerations that are critical to your future career plans

Text Web site:  The text web site,  http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=0470374942&bcsId=4881 has many resources to help you in your study of intermediate accounting.

Solutions Manual: The solutions manual is available on Moodle.  The solutions manual is a valuable tool for checking problems that we do not go over in class and providing solutions to extra problems that you may wish to work prior to an exam.  Do not, however, rely on the manual to help you get through the homework - if you do,  you will regret this decision at exam time.

Class Format:  We will generally begin the study of each chapter with a discussion of the chapter, focusing on the more complex material.  You are responsible for all chapter material covered via lecture, in class activities and written assignments.  Some of this material may not be discussed in class and if you have questions regarding this material it is your responsibility to raise them.  Intermediate Accounting II involves the study of complex business concepts and the accounting associated with them.  Because of the complexity involved, you may be tempted to memorize the related accounting; however, you should avoid doing this.  Throughout the course you should keep in mind that a true understanding of how a procedure is applied demands a clear understanding of why it is applied.

Written Assignments from the Text: Each reading assignment will be accompanied by a homework assignment.  For items not reviewed in class, you should compare your solution to the solutions manual which is available on Moodle.  If you do not understand the solution or have questions about it, you should raise questions in class or see me outside of class.

VITA Service Learning Project: This course will encourage you to reflect on the question, “As an educated professional, what is my responsibility to my community?” through discussion, writing and participation in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).   In addition, participation in VITA will expose you to various ethical issues in the community and the tax system while enhancing your communication, analytical and organizational skills.   15% of your grade in this course will be based on your participation in VITA.  You are expected to complete a minimum of 12 hours of service in the VITA program along with the training necessary for you to become a certified tax return preparer under the program.  See separate VITA document for further details regarding training, service and grading.  If you have issues or concerns relative to completing the VITA service learning project, you must discuss this with Professor Roberson no later than  January 14.

An important component of any service learning project is reflecting on your experiences.  Relative to your VITA experiences you are expected to prepare reflective writings after each volunteer session and once you have completed your VITA service.  See separate VITA document for further details.

Ethics and Professionalism:  Professionalism is related to the ethical conduct of a select group of people.  Throughout the term, we will discuss the importance of ethics in the accounting profession and discuss ethical decision making in an accounting context.  During the term you are expected to conduct yourself with a high level of professionalism. This means, among other things, that you will attend class on time, prepare for every class meeting, hand in assignments on time, work with colleagues, respect everyone in the classroom, including the professor, and abide by Furman's policies on academic integrity.

IFRS Written Assignments: International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are becoming increasingly important in our global economy.  Accordingly, the IFRS material in your text will be supplemented with IFRS readings for selected chapters and the readings may be accompanied by written assignments.  These written assignments are due the class period following the related exam and combined with the codification assignments noted below are worth a total of 10 points.  You may work on these assignments with other students but are not required to do so.   The solutions to these assignments will not be reviewed in class.  Significant  IFRS concepts  may be the source of exam questions and will be identified as such.

FASB Codification Research Assignments:  Researching and resolving financial reporting questions is an acquired skill. To give you an opportunity to acquire this valuable skill, there will be accounting standards codification assignments associated with selected topics studied during the term.  These assignments will help you to develop your research skills and allow you to experience firsthand the judgment involved in the application of accounting standards.  Because the Codification assignments specifically relate to the technical material being studied and will often provide insights into that material, they are due once coverage of the related chapter is completed.  Codification research is an individual activity.

Group Activities:  Due to the importance of teamwork skills in the workplace, groups - formal as well as informal - may be used for certain class activities. Class preparation will be critical to effective group participation.

Outside Readings and Communication Exercises: Because it must meet the needs of an ever changing business environment, Accounting is a discipline that is constantly evolving.   To give you an understanding of this aspect of accounting and to insure that you are aware of the most significant issues facing the profession today,  I may occasionally assign outside readings relating to current accounting issues which we will discuss in class.  The readings may also be a source for exam questions.

Effective communication skills are important in this class and in the "real world".  Accordingly, during the term I may assign short papers, cases or other written communication exercises.  These exercises may, among other things, require you to read an article and provide your reactions to the material read, further research an accounting theory that we are studying or apply it to a specific fact situation, or complete a group exercise.   Your grade will be based on the substance of your comments as well as your ability to communicate your thoughts clearly and succinctly. Such communication exercises will make-up no more than 5% of your total grade.

Professional Development:  To help you to continue your preparation for a career in accounting you are required to complete part 2 of the Accounting Majors Checklist.  The checklist is posted to Moodle and consists of 3 items that must be completed and turned in no later than April 26.

Exams:  There will be  3 exams during the term that will make-up approximately 80% of your final grade.  Exams will be held outside of normal class meeting hours to allow for adequate time.

Exams may consist of true false, multiple choice, problems or short answer questions.  Exams are designed to test your comprehension of the material and your ability to apply the concepts studied.  Accordingly, exam problems will not  mirror the format found in  the written assignments and may challenge you to apply the skills learned in class in NEW ways.

Class Attendance and Participation: Attendance is a very important part of this course and is expected.  Although no specific points are given for participation, your participation  is encouraged and may marginally effect your grade.  You will be held accountable for material discussed in class that is not in the text.  University policy will be followed regarding the handling of excessive absences.

Final Grade:  Your final grade will be determined based on your total number of points earned as a percentage of the total points available.
 
 

Academic Integrity:  Your enrollment in this class signifies that you accept the rules of academic honesty provided in the Helmsman. Any violation is grounds for an "F" in this course.  Cheating on assignments, plagiarism, and other similar conduct will result in immediate dismissal from this course.

Students with disabilities who need academic accommodations should contact Ms. Gina Parris in the Office of Disability Services prior to the first exam.  After meeting with her, contact me.

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