If you are enrolled in this course, purchase your textbook and access code for the Homework Manager Connect site, sign into class by January 18th, (see student check-in section below), read over all information located on this homepage, check out the class schedule, and go the the "Connect" website and use your access code to register. Be sure to register into the correct section and register by January 20th. You will not be allowed to continue with this course if you do not go through the check in process (via our course homepage) and register at the homework site by the due dates listed above.
*Note, the SR campus bookstore is selling the book and access code together. You need both in order to take this course and and complete all requirements. If you are repeating the class, and/or already have the required text, you still need to purchase the homework access code. You can buy this at the Connect website. Address for Connect site is listed in a few sections below.
WELCOME
Welcome to Financial Accounting. I look forward to having you in my virtual classroom. This is a very demanding class due to the subject material, homework assignments, examinations, and group project. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep up with the material and communicate with the class when you are experiencing any difficulty understanding the concepts covered in this course. This type of class is not for everyone; the online nature requires that you possess excellent time management skills, communication, analytical, and team building skills. Finally, the exams are challenging and they are timed. So, even though you will have access to your notes and book, you should plan to be ready to take the tests without the use of these resources, as you will NOT have much time to search for answers.
DESCRIPTION
This course will discuss accounting as an information system and why understanding accounting is important in order to make good sound business decisions. Major accounting principles and concepts will be discussed along with receivables, inventories, payables, depreciation, systems and controls, notes and interest, and financial statement analysis.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to: 1. Complete the steps in the accounting cycle and apply generally accepted accounting principles to determine how transactions are recorded and reported. 2. Analyze, record, summarize, and report the effects of transactions in financial accounting and interpret the accounting information for internal or external decision making purposes. 3. Use computer technology applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to complete assignments. 4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills, analytical ability, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to write business reports.
CONTENT
Upon completion of the course students will be able to: 1. Explain how accounting meets the information needs of investors, creditors, managers, regulatory agencies, and taxing authorities. 2. Explain the principles, procedures, and concepts underlying the primary financial statements. 3. Evaluate the uses and limitations of financial statements and related information disclosed in the annual report of Securities and Exchange Commission's reports in making decisions. 4. Explain how an accounting system is designed to meet the needs of specific businesses; and how to input transactions, process this input and prepare and interpret the financial statements. 5. Determine the economic transactions for both a service and merchandising concern from the source document through the closing process. 6. Analyze the difference in accounting methods allowed under generally accepted accounting principles in the accounting for various assets, liabilities and equity transactions. 7. Categorize the types of business transactions as being operating, investing or financing activities. 8. Compare the difference between accrual based measurements and cash flows from activities. 9. Demonstrate analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills in solving problems.
EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to read over all available course information located on our class website, purchase required textbook and homework access code.
Additionally, you need do to two additional tasks:
1. Sign into the class (via this course homepage, see "student check" section)by January 18th.
2. Register at the homework site by January 20th! Failure to do so will result in the instructor dropping you from this course.
Connect site can be found at the following link (copy and paste the following:
During the check-in period Jan 14-18th, be sure to use the online check-in page (bottom of this page) to submit your student information. After you submit this information, and assuming you are enrolled in this class, you'll receive confirmation within 1-2 days stating that your class account has been activated. If you fail to receive that confirmation within 24 hours let me know at once!
In addition, remember you also need to register at our Homework Manager site "Connect" by using the following address....
The access code you purchased with your textbook will allow you to register at this site. This needs to be done by Jan 20th. Once you've registered, take a careful look at this site. You will see that there are practice homework problems, graded homework assignments, and practice quizzes. The due dates for the graded homework are listed here.
Also, this is the site that you will access to take your exams. The exam dates are listed on the class schedule link and in the section below. There are no make-up exams and all exams must be taken on the day they are scheduled!
IMPORTANT DATES
There are many important due dates regarding homework submission, group project and examinations. See schedule and watch these dates carefully as late work is not accepted.
Examinations will take place on the following days:
Feb 21st April 4th May 16th
The exam link will open for a the 24-hour period and you will have 2 hours to take the test once you begin. If you fail to take the test during this time, you will lose credit for this exam, so please plan accordingly. All exams are included in your final course grade! There are no make-up exams, so plan accordingly.
Because this is an Internet-based class, students must have access to an Internet account with an Internet Service Provider (either a local ISP or an online service such as AOL) via a modem or high-speed connection such as DSL; a Web browser (such as Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher, or Microsoft Internet Explorer); email capability; and a sufficiently powerful PC or Macintosh computer to support these requirements. This normally means a Pentium processor (PowerPC processor for the Mac).
Alternatively, students may use a computer in the campus computer labs and a campus student account for email. This, of course, is assuming the labs are open.
TEXTBOOK
Financial Accounting (SRJC customized edition) Homework Manager Code (comes with book) Libby, Libby and Short Irwin McGraw-Hill
These are packaged in the SRJC bookstore. I would highly recommend you purchase them there so that you have your book when class begins. You cannot turn in the required homework without purchasing the homework access code. If you do not have the access code by the time homework is due, you will not be able to submit it, as late homework is not accepted.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Participation in classroom discussions (via the class mailing list) is an extremely important part of learning and understanding accounting (especially in this environment). You really must post your questions in order for me to know where I can help. This also provides an opportunity for other students to ask additional questions.
In my experience teaching online courses for the past 15 years, the classes that have provided the best learning environment are those where students continue to post questions frequently and help their classmates with questions. In other words, participation has been the key to success!
Each day students should visit the class "archives" and read over the questions and comments posted. If you want to answer a question posted by the instructor or other students, you need to retrieve the message through the archives and respond to the class by posting a reply here. You can also post your questions to the class for feedback/discussion by using the "email class" link located on our archive page.
Being prepared, keeping up with the assigned course work, and regular communications with the class, is vital in this course. Do not hesitate to contact the instructor if you are having any problems understanding an accounting concept, problem, or lecture topic.
TESTS AND EXAMS
Students must take the exams as scheduled, which will take place on the following dates:
Feb 21 April 4th May 16
These are all online exams. Be sure to read the instructions carefully before you begin! The link for the test will be located at our "Connect" homework site and will be activated for the 24-hour period listed above for each test. Once you begin the test, you will be given 120 consecutive minutes to complete it. You cannot start and stop by the test. So, make sure you start the exam and allow yourself 120 minutes before it closes (11:59pm on each date listed above). These tests are very challenging, so be prepared to move quickly through them. Although you will have access to your notes and book, they won't be very useful if you do not know the material VERY WELL!
GRADING
Your grade will be calculated as follows:
3Required Examinations: Each exam 100 points
Group Project: 100 points possible (80pts written component, 20pts peer evaluation)
Homework: 100 points possible for eleven assignments (lowest score dropped)
Total possible class points = 500
Points needed to earn an A = 450 Points needed to earn a B = 400 Points needed to earn a C = 350 Points needed to earn a D = 300 Below 300 = F
PRACTICE: HOMEWORK AND QUIZZES
There are practice problems at our Homework Manager Connect site. Try these each week as many times as you like. These are not included in your course grade.
In addition, there are exercises embedded within each of my online chapters via the class homepage. These are for your practice--they will not usually be seen by the instructor. If you have questions or need help with them, please post your questions to the class mailing list.
There are also practice quizzes located at our Homework Manager Connect site. You should try these during the week to see if you are understanding the material well enough in order to process the information in a multiple choice format. These questions are similar to the questions on the exam (although not exactly the same).
*Please note, in addition to the practice homework, you are also required to turn in homework each week that is graded and included in your overall course grade. Read below.
HOMEWORK
Again, you must register at the Connect site in order to do homework and take exams. Registration must be completed by Jan 20th. Site address is:
REQUIRED HOMEWORK (included in your grade): In addition to the practice problems described above, you will assigned homework problems each week that will be submitted for credit. There will be an assignment of problems for each chapter. With these specific assignments, you will only be given ONE chance/try to do these and submit by the due date. The due date is listed next to each homework set. If you fail to submit these on time, you will not get credit. I will drop the lowest homework chapter grade at the end of the semester and only use 11 out of the 12 assignments to determine your average homework grade for this component of the class.
Again, these are homework assignments that WILL be counted in your course grade. Once the due date has passed,your homework will be returned with detailed answers for feedback and self-assessment purposes.
All practice problems and required/graded homework described above should be completed by all students in order to know whether or not they are understanding the concepts correctly and applying the theory. All of these assignments are designed to stimulate discussion and allow students to self-assess.
GROUP PROJECT
The group project will focus primarily on the analysis of a few annual reports, including the ones located at the end of your textbook (Urban Outfitters and American Eagle).
Groups will be established by the instructor well into the semester. This will allow enough time to pass for students to know whether or not they need to drop this class. In the past, when I've established groups too far in advance, many members have had to drop due to various reasons, and it's been difficult to move forward with the project.
Once groups have been set up, students are required to check in with their peers and start the project. Failure to check in with the group, will necessitate the instructor to drop you from this group and you will not be allowed to get credit for this project. It's imperative and your responsibility to check in with your group members once the instructor has established group. Announcement of the groups will be posted and you will be allowed 2 days to check in via the Connect site.
More information regarding this component will be posted later in the class.
In the meantime, you can all get familiar with the two annual reports located at the end of your textbook. Read through these as we move through the class. Also, begin to think about another competing company or two, that you would like to research in addition to these companies in your textbook. Each member will be required to identify and gather information about another company in this same industry (retail clothing).
Your group project will be based on the analysis of these annual reports, culminating in a comprehensive write up, completed by all group members, on all companies involved, leading to a decision regarding which company you all feel is the best investment and why.
All students MUST complete this project within a group setting in order to earn credit.
Project grades will be based upon the following:
Written Component = 80% Peer Evaluation = 20%
Total possible points = 100
DUE DATE - Monday May 20th
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How will I communicate with the instructor and other students? You can reach the instructor by email,glord@santarosa.edu
2. What about tests and exercises? The class includes online exams that must be taken according to the schedule. There are not make-up tests! There are plenty of practice exercises embedded in each chapter, including on the Connect homework site and available at the publisher's website.
3. What are the class deadlines? Homework is due according to the due dates listed, exams must be taken according to the schedule and project is due according to the schedule.
4. How will class participation be handled? Participation is still an important element of this learning environment. Therefore, you are encouraged to participate frequently in this course via the class mailing list. Post your questions and contributions.
6. Will I be taking any exams? Yes, see schedule. All examinations are online and must be taken according to the scheduled dates and there are no make-ups.
7. How do I get a password to see the rest of the class webpages? After you've enrolled in the class, you need to contact the instructor via the online check-in page. After you submit your name, email address, and preferred username and password, you'll receive and email response within one or two working days after class has started. At that point your class account will be activated and your password will let you into all the class pages.
8. Once my class account is activated, what do I do? After you've received confirmation by email, you should go to the class schedule. Bookmark that page so you can always find it! Then begin doing the material as it's laid out in the schedule.
9. I have my password, but I still can't access the class webpages. What do I do now? If you encounter a problem with the webpages, please notify the instructor.
10. Suppose I change my email address? You can do this yourself by using the student module. You can also have more than one email address. You do not need to notify the instructor, just change/edit/delete yourself.
CLASS CHECK-IN
Before you can participate in this class you must register with Admissions & Records. When the class actually begins, you must check in online as soon as possible. By checking in, you'll notify your instructor of your email address and you'll create your personal username and password. You'll need that username and password to access some Web-based components of your class and/or to fully participate in certain online activities. After you check in, your username and password will not be activated until your instructor accepts you into the class; acceptance might sometimes take a day or two, so don't delay! Check in as soon as class begins.
This class is configured so that you MUST go through the CATE check-in process. No username or password will be functional until you successfully complete the check-in process and your instructor accepts you into class.
Use the following link to reach the online check-in page for this class:
The check-in link is no longer available because check-in has closed. The check-in link for this section was open in this location from 14 January 2013 through 18 January 2013.
• Your CATE username and password are case-sensitive. Username is not the same as username which is not the same as USERNAME. Password is not the same as password
which is not the same as PASSWORD. You must enter your username and password correctly in order for them to work.
This is the homepage for one section of BAD 1 at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Information on this page applies to this particular section and has been placed here by the instructor of this section.
Other sections of this course might be taught by different instructors, might be delivered by different means
(such as in the classroom, on the Internet, or via television), and in any event might not use the same information presented on this page.
For a full listing of all sections of this course, visit the
complete schedule of classes.
You must be a Santa Rosa Junior College student in order to take any section of this course.
If you are not already an SRJC student, you must first apply for admission to the college.
After you have been admitted to SRJC, then you must officially enroll in this course through
the Admissions and Records Department. Read the SRJC Online Orientation for more information on eligibility, registration, fees, etc.
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