AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ADVANCED ACCOUNTING
ACNT 2333
FALL 2010
SYNONYM: 15576
LECTURE: Wed, 6 - 8:40 PM, SAC Room 1315
LAB:  Online – See Blackboard Course

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Sheila Ammons, CPA, CMA, CGFM
Office: SAC, Room 1313.4
Phone: 223-9216
E-mail: sammons@austincc.edu
Web site: www.austincc.edu/sammons
Blackboard site : http://acconline.austincc.edu
Office Hours: Wed. 5 - 6 PM, other office hours, or by appointment

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

• Methods of measuring and communicating economic information, including consolidated statements, partnerships, foreign operations, segment reporting.  Topics include equity method of accounting for investments; consolidation of subsidiaries; foreign currency transactions and translations; hedging foreign exchange risk; financial instruments - including derivatives; segment reporting; international accounting standards; and partnerships.
• This course presumes a thorough understanding of intermediate accounting principles in order to successfully master the course content.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Objectives

 COURSE PREREQUISITE: 
ACNT 2304, Intermediate Accounting II or its equivalent at an accredited college or university. There are no exceptions. A student may be withdrawn from the class if the prerequisite has not been successfully completed. Be prepared to prove that you have completed ACNT 2304 on the first day of class.

 TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY:

Austin Community College has received the designation of Qualifying Educational Credit for CPA Examination by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (Board).  This course qualifies as one of the 30 required upper-level accounting courses. However, for this course to be counted, the student MUST have completed a bachelor's degree PRIOR to taking this course. If this course is completed before a bachelor's degree is awarded, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy will not accept it. Please review the information on our web site http://www.austincc.edu/accting/cpainfo.php. It is the responsibility of the student to understand and comply with the requirements of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

 REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS/COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Advanced Accounting, 4th ed; Jeter, Chaney; Wiley; 978-0-470-50698-1
  • Calculator brought to class each meeting
• Basic computer skills utilizing the internet, spreadsheets, word-processing and presentation software are required for this course. Generally, all assignments are to be prepared on the computer and presented in a format that would be acceptable in a business environment. Access to computers is available in the library at any ACC campus.

BLACKBOARD:

Log onto the Blackboard site http://acconline.austincc.edu to gain access to: course announcements, syllabus, class material, grade book, textbook support, assignments. It is important for you to access Blackboard at least one time each week. To use Blackboard, you do not have to have Internet access at home. Blackboard access is available through any ACC computer and is available from any Internet connection.

 SCANS COMPETENCIES:

SCANS is the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. Please go to http://www.austincc.edu/mkt/scans.php for complete definitions and explanation of SCANS. This list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course.

• Exhibition of responsibility
  • Students meet established deadlines as specified by the instructor.
  • Students regularly attend classes prepared and on time.
  • Students exhibit reliability and dependability in the performance of group related tasks.
• Acquisition of Information
  • Students identify the need for data, obtain it from existing sources, or create it as necessary.
  • Students use computers to process information.
  • Students understand financial accounting.
• Use of Information Skills
  • Students evaluate the relevance and accuracy of information and its appropriateness for a given academic activity.
  • Students effectively communicate the results of information retrieval and analysis using oral, written, graphical, pictorial, or other methods as appropriate.
  • Students apply technology to problem solving activities.
• Demonstration of Writing Proficiency
  • Students display the proper use of grammar and appropriate writing skills in all assignments.
  • Students seek writing assistance from tutors or others when necessary.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:  The objectives of this course will be met by incorporating a variety of instructional methods. These include lecture, group activities, student presentations, discussion papers, class quizzes, class exercises, Spreadsheet and word processing activities, and online research. 

COURSE RATIONALE:  The goals and objectives of this course prepare students for (1) completing degree requirements, (2) obtaining or improving job skills, (3) qualifying for a business or Accounting job, (4) working as an entrepreneur, (5) fulfilling personal goals, and/or (6) understanding financial statements and the basic accounting process.

 ACC POLICIES:

Austin Community College policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student Discipline, Students with Disabilities, and Grade Changes are as follows:

Academic Freedom Statement:  Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework” (Student Handbook,). Electronic devices may not be use for exams unless specifically authorized by the instructor.  Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement:  Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook).

Students with Disabilities Statement: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester” (Student Handbook).

Grade Change Policies: Click on this link to view the policy. (Student Handbook -- page 28)

 COURSE POLICIES:

Incomplete Policy:  An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W. 

Attendance Policy:  All students are expected to attend classes.  Non-attendance will have an impact on the student’s grade.

Withdrawal Policy:  The instructor may withdraw a student for lack of progress.  Lack of progress includes:  A student who has missed more than 3 days of class and has not discussed the reasons for the absences with the instructor.  This discussion must take place in the instructor’s office or by phone within one week of the absence.  The last day to withdraw from this course is 11/18/10.

 COURSE GRADING:

GRADING INFORMATION:

There will be 10 class quizzes during the semester and each will count for a maximum of 12.5 points each.  No make up is available.  These assignments count for a total of 125 points, thus you have the ability to miss two quizzes without losing significant points.  The maximum points that can be earned is 100. 

The class quizzes will be announced in class and on Blackboard – if you miss a class be sure to check the Blackboard announcements.  These quizzes will cover end of chapter discussion questions, suggested homework items, lab activities, and material covered in class.

The exams are in-class, closed book exams.  If you cannot take the exam, you must contact the instructor prior to the start of the exam (call 223-9216 or e-mail sammons@austincc.edu).  A make-up exam will be placed in the SAC testing center.  You will have until the start of the next class period to complete the exam.  Otherwise you will be required to take a randomly generated multiple choice exam.  If the instructor is not contacted prior to the start of the exam, a randomly generated multiple choice exam will be placed in the SAC testing center.   You will have until the start of the next class period to complete the exam with no penalty.  Otherwise 10 points will be deducted from the exam grade for each class meeting date after the exam date.

See Blackboard for instructions for the lab assignments.  The lab activities will count as 10% of the course grade. 

To ensure the integrity of the assignments: When applicable, each student will be assigned a different entity.  Students will also be assigned different questions, when applicable.  Students should always perform their own work and learn from the assignments.  Students will be asked to make unique discussion board postings based on the lab activities.  These postings should be professional and should reflect that the student understands the concepts.

Material covered in lab assignments will be tested on the course exams and in class quizzes.

 COURSE CALENDAR: FALL 2010:

 Course Calendar

The solutions to the pre homework are available in Blackboard.  These assignments will not be collected and there are no course points awarded for them.  Students must, however, complete each of these and use the Blackboard solutions to check their work. This is the best way to learn the course objectives and prepare for quizzes, labs, and exams.  There is no substitute for answering questions and working problems.  This is the best way to learn the material.

At least one of the post homework problems will be collected for grading (determined on the due date – be sure to complete all post-homework assignments on the due date).  Solutions for the remaining post homework problems will either be provided during class or via Blackboard.  It is important for students to work each of the post-homework problems.  These problems must be completed using Excel or Word (when appropriate).  No handwritten solutions will be accepted for grading.

Please note: This schedule is subject to change.

Revised: 7/31/10