ACNT 1403: Introduction to Accounting I

Syllabus

COURSE INFORMATION

            SYNONYM: 52672

            SECTION: 001

            CLASSROOM and LAB: EVC 8301

           LECTURE: M/W 6:00-7:20pm

LAB: M/W 7:30-8:20pm

INSTRUCTOR: Tina Bertucci, Adjunct           

            E-mail: tbertucc@austincc.edu                  

Office Hours: EVC 8313, M/W 5:30-6:00pm    

REQUIRED TEXTS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This course is a study in analyzing, classifying, and recording business transactions in a manual and computerized environment. The course emphasizes the complete accounting cycle, preparation of basic financial statements, recording merchandising transactions, reviewing inventory costing methods, preparing bank reconciliation’s, and recording long-term assets. 

CPA and TRANSFER CREDIT:

To become a CPA in Texas, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree that includes 150 hours of college credit, 36 hours of accounting, an approved 3 hour accounting ethics course and 24 hours of business. Passage of the uniform CPA exam and appropriate supervision by a CPA are also required.

ACNT 1403 - Introduction to Accounting I does not qualify for meeting the requirements for accounting courses required to take the CPA exam.

ACNT 1403 – Introduction to Accounting I does not generally transfer to four year colleges and universities for equivalent credit.  Please consult with an advisor for other university transfer requirements.

ACNT 1404 – Introduction to Accounting II is the next accounting course. 

SCANS COMPETENCIES:

SCANS is the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. Please go to http://www.academicinnovations.com/report.html   for complete definitions and explanation of SCANS.  This list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course.

1.    Student exhibits responsibility:  Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance toward goal attainment, works hard to become excellent at doing tasks by setting high standards, paying attention to details, working well and displaying a high level of concentration even when assigned an unpleasant task; and displays high standards of attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm, vitality and optimism in approaching and completing tasks. 

2.    Student acquires information:   Identifies need for data, obtains them from existing sources or creates them, and evaluates their relevance and accuracy. Competently performing the tasks for acquiring data and evaluating information includes posing analytical questions to determine specific information needs, selecting possible information and evaluating its appropriateness, and determining when new information must be created. 

3.    Student communicates information:  Selects and analyzes information and communicates the result to others using oral, written, graphic, pictorial, or multi-media methods. Competently performing the tasks of communicating and interpreting information to others includes determining information to be communicated, identifying the best methods to present information (i.e. overheads, handouts, etc.), and if necessary, converting to desired format and conveying information to others through a variety of means including oral presentation and written communication.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:

The objectives of this course will be met by incorporating a variety of instructional methods. These may include lecture, exams and quizzes, group activities and projects, student presentations, problem-solving, written analysis, spreadsheet, word processing and power point activities, and the use of accounting software and online activities and research.

COURSE RATIONALE:

The goals and objectives of this course prepare students to (1) complete degree requirements; (2) obtain or improve job skills; (3) qualify for a business or accounting job; (4) become an entrepreneur; (5) fulfill personal goals; and/or (6) understand financial statements and the basic accounting process.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to “read” the financial statements of companies and understand information that is being conveyed.

ACC POLICIES

Concealed Handgun Policy:  The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

Academic Freedom Statement:  It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.(See Student Handbook: www.austincc.edu/handbook)

Student Discipline: ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook:  www.austincc.edu/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 make their requests three weeks before the start of the semester.  (See Student Handbook: www.austincc.edu/handbook)

Scholastic Dishonesty: 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, 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. Electronic devices may not be used 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. (See Student Handbook: www.austincc.edu/handbook)

Safety Statement: Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs.  Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Use of ACC email: All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/

Grade Change Policies: See Student Handbook: www.austincc.edu/handbook

Rule of Three: Per state law, effective spring 2006 any student taking a class for the third time or more may be charged an additional $60 per credit hour unless exempted. Click on this link for more information:

http://www.austincc.edu/apply-and-register/registration-information/course-withdrawals

COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING SYSTEM:

Basis for Grading:

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance: Your attendance is expected at all classes and labs. Since the exams are a reflection of the material covered in class and the assigned homework and lab problems, it is to your advantage to attend. If you are unable to attend a class or lab session, email me in advance (or as soon as you are able).

Withdrawal: April 23, 2018 is the last day to withdraw from this class and receive a grade of “W”.  If you wish to withdraw, it is your responsibility to do so.  DO NOT ASSUME THAT I WILL WITHDRAW YOU. I have no obligation to do so.

Incomplete: Incomplete grades are given only on rare occasions at the instructor’s discretion.  Generally, to receive an Incomplete, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, with a satisfactory grade of C or better, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw.

Blackboard: I maintain a Blackboard site for this class. You will be able to log onto the Blackboard site http://acconline.austincc.edu to gain access to:

* Course announcements

* Syllabus

* Link to CengageNow (where the interactive homework assignments are located)

* Grade book

* All communication

Your user name for Blackboard is your ACC eID. This is your 7 digit ACC student ID, preceded by the first initial of your official first name. During the activation of your ACC eID, you will select your password. If you do not know your ACC eID, you may retrieve it via the Blackboard home page.

Exams: The exams will be problems, or a combination of multiple choice/matching/problems.  DO NOT MISS EXAMS.  If you must miss an exam, please contact me BEFORE the start of class by email. Make-up exams will be given at my discretion. Any make-up exams will be administered at the ACC Testing Centers. There will be no re-tests.

Quizzes: There will be a quiz over each chapter consisting of multiple choice/matching/problems. If you must miss a quiz, please contact me BEFORE the start of class by email. Make-up quizzes will be given at my discretion.

Lab Activities: Lab consists of graded assignments covering the learning objectives in each chapter. You should consider the assignments as open book quizzes which must be completed using CengageNow, an on-line interactive homework system. The CengageNow software will grade your labs and provide immediate feedback to you. This means you must come prepared to work the assigned lab problem. No late lab assignments will be accepted.

Homework: Homework is a critical part of any accounting course.  Important accounting concepts cannot be fully understood until you work the problems. Failure to complete homework often affects the grade a student receives.

Homework assignments must be completed using CengageNow, an on-line interactive homework system. The CengageNow software will grade your homework and provide immediate feedback to you.  

Homework assignments must be submitted by 11:55  PM on the due date indicated in this syllabus. No late homework will be accepted.

Comprehensive Problems: Two Comprehensive problems will be assigned this semester. These problems will be completed using CengageNow. More instructions will be provided.

Class Activities: There will be graded chapter exercises available in Cengage for students to work while in class along with a lecture and instruction. The exercises will cover all of the learning objectives for each chapter. These exercises will be completed using CengageNow.

Pre-lecture Assignments : Pre-lecture assignments provide short videos along with questions to check your understanding of the concepts and objectives presented. COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THESE ASSIGNMENTS FOR EACH CHAPTER BEFORE CLASS STARTS ON THE DAY THE LECTURE IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN.

Mastery Problems: These assignments allow students to connect concepts across multiple objectives and demonstrate mastery. While these assignments are not required, they are highly recommended. These problems will be completed using CengageNow.

Tutoring: Accounting tutors are available in the Learning Labs at most of the campuses. They have proven to be a valuable resource for students. For information about tutoring availability in the Learning Labs, go to

http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/tutoring-and-academic-help/tutoring-services-and-schedules