Fall 2009

Syllabus – ACTG 121AC

Instructor:	Linda Whitten	Phone:	650 738-4372
Office Location:	Bldg 8 Room 8209A	E-mail:	whitten@smccd.edu
Office Hours:	2:00-4:00 MW and 5:30-6:30 Wed	Website:	http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/whitten/index.html
Class Duration:	10:10-12:00 Mon & Wed

PREREQUISITE RECOMMENDATIONS:

ACTG 100, MATH 120, CAOT 225, eligibility for ENGL 836

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

ACTG 121, Financial Accounting, CRN# 89880, 4 units, 12:10-2:00 Mon & Wed . Plus 1 lab hour per week by arrangement

Explores what financial accounting is, why it is important, and how it is used by investors and creditors to make decisions. Covers the accounting information system and the recording and reporting of business transactions, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the classified financial statements, and statement analysis. Includes issues relating to asset, liability, and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls and ethics. Transfer credit: UC: CSU. (CAN BUS 2; ACTG 121 + ACTG 131 = CAN BUS SEQ A).

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

·       Determine and apply generally accepted accounting principles in the appropriate applications.

·       Read and analyze corporate financial statements to evaluate the financial health of firms.

·       Identify and assess ethical corporate behavior.

 

TEXTBOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS:

Required:

Financial Accounting 10^th ed by Needles and Powers ISBN 978-1-4240-8074-8 + web access card ISBN 1-4240-8074-6 OR

Any full text version of Financial Accounting 10^th ed by Needles and Powers including web access card

Students must read the Wall Street Journal as relevant articles will be included in class discussions

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

This course will require at least 5 hours of preparation time per class. You cannot afford to fall behind in assignments; catching up is extremely difficult.

 

Although only selected exercises and problems have been assigned, you should work as many additional exercises and problems as you can. Your text package includes 10 pages of solutions per chapter.

 

Homework counts for 10% of the course grade. Read each chapter and review the questions before proceeding to the short exercises and problems. If you feel uncertain about how to do an assignment, you can look at the illustrations in the chapter and follow the format, check solutions to problems not assigned, ask for help in the accounting lab.

                                                  

You are expected to have completed the assignment before class. Homework will be checked for credit daily. Late homework will not be accepted. If you cannot come to class, send your work with another student or you may email to instructor. Late homework is not accepted for credit.

 

Go to the accounting lab and sign up for a scheduled weekly lab session. David Hall, the lab tutor will give you a separate syllabus for lab assignments. Your lab points will count for 10% of your grade in ACTG 121. Failure to complete these assignments will greatly harm your grade.

                                                                                                  

Success in this accounting course is dependent upon regular attendance, participation, and the completion of assigned homework. You may use the accounting lab for working on assignments or getting tutorial help whenever the lab is open in addition to your regularly assigned lab hour.

                                                                                                                                                                       

The accounting lab contains computers and ten-key adding machines for your use. An accounting tutor is available in the lab for tutorial help in both problems and computer assignments. The Accounting lab is located in Room 8-209 and the phone number is 738-4247. Lab hours are:

 

Please Note:

·     All beepers and phones must be mute during instruction

·     No food is allowed in the lab

 

GRADING POLICY:

No makeup's will be given on quizzes or exams. You may make arrangements to take exams and quizzes before the assigned date if you will not be able to attend the scheduled sessions. All cell phones must be turned off and placed in book bag on floor. Failure to do this will result in a grade of zero on the exam.

 

Academic integrity is expected of you at all times (see the Skyline College 2008-2009 Catalog page 37 for a full description). Violation of academic integrity rules will result in academic discipline at Skyline College. The course grade will be based on a weighted numerical average and a final letter grade for the course will be assigned using the standard 90-100 A, 80-89 B, etc.

 

 

CLASS FORMAT:

This course is a combination of lecture, demonstration, and group discussions. You are expected to participate in the group process and in class discussions. The instructor will introduce the chapter material and go over assigned homework and the class will break into informal groups for additional discussions and problem solving. Please turn cell phones to silent in class.

 

 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

If you wish to withdraw, please go to WebSmart and observe the following deadlines:

 

 

 

RESOURCES:

If you qualify for accommodations in this class, make sure the instructor gets a copy of your letter from DSPS. If you do not have one, contact DSPS at 738-4280. If you need any other help such as counseling or financial aid, contact the Student Services One Stop Center in Bldg 5. Tutors are available in the Learning Center and in the Accounting Lab. Please take advantage of this opportunity for help.