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Enterprise Hall 4400 University Drive, MS 1B1
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: (703) 993-1880
Fax: (703) 993-1867
Intermediate Accounting II – ACCT 332
(This Syllabus is tentative and subject to change.)
Instructor:
GMU Email:
Course Website:
Class Meeting Times & Location:
Recitation Meeting Times:
Office Hours:
Office Location:
Course Description
With this course we continue to develop our financial accounting knowledge and skills to prepare and analyze the periodic GAAP financial statements used by external capital providers and others, including the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows.
Students learn to analyze and record business transactions affecting the liability and stockholders’ equity sections of the balance sheet and the related income statement revenues and expenses. We learn to prepare the statement of cash flows and to report accounting changes using GAAP.
Course Materials and Technology Required
- Canvas: https://info.canvas.gmu.edu/
- All course information and materials are located in the Blackboard course website.
- Connect registration with eBook for Intermediate Accounting, 11th Edition, Spiceland et.al., McGraw-Hill publisher. Your previous Acct 331 Connect registration may continue for this Acct 332 course without additional payment.
See the next page and follow instruction to register for Connect access in Acct 332 - xxx.
How to register for Connect: All students register for Connect access using Canvas. Go to the **Chapter Modules** menu item and select Module 0. In the Assignments folder, click on the link to access Connect. Register for Connect access using only your George Mason email address. Register using the same full name as your Bb enrolled full name.
If you have recently taken Acct 331, your GMU email address and full name may allow you to register for Acct 332 access without additional payment. Any student, including those who have not recently taken Acct 331, can register for free 2-week Connect access. With this you will have full access to Connect with eBook, Practice exercises, and Assignments to Submit. If you need to purchase a registration for Acct 332 you can do so on Connect or at the George Mason bookstore website. Your Connect registration gives you full access to the textbook in eBook online format. An optional loose-leaf textbook in paper form is available but is not required.
During the semester, all students will use only the Canvas chapter link to access all Connect Assignments, Practice, and SA online Quiz. Do not directly access Connect outside of your Blackboard course website.
Common Policy Addendum
Please use this link and review the 4 Common Policies at George Mason:
https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/home/gmu-common-course-policies/
Learning Goals
Course Objectives
Primary Learning Goals
- Students will record, analyze, interpret, and communicate financial and non-financial information for users of such information in accordance with applicable professional authoritative literature.
- Students will understand the environment and role of the accounting profession in the proper functioning of commerce, and in society at large, and the ethical and regulatory responsibilities associated with that environment and role.
- Students possess the following technical competencies: (1) research skills to access, understand, and apply relevant professional authoritative literature; (2) decision modeling skills to identify issues, analyze alternatives, and implement solutions related to financial and non-financial information; and (3) technology and data analysis skills to manage financial and non-financial information. - Students will be effective communicators.
- Students will have an interdisciplinary perspective.
- Students will be knowledgeable about global business and trade.
- Students will be critical thinkers.
Other Learning Goals
- Students will assess risks inherent in financial and non-financial information and provide appropriate assurance to users of such information and they will be able to develop, validate, and evaluate processes and controls which serve to ensure the integrity of financial and non-financial information.
- Students will be aware of the uses of technology in business.
- Students will recognize the importance of ethical decisions.
- Students will be knowledgeable about the legal environment of business.
- Students will be knowledgeable about team dynamics and the characteristics of effective teams.
- Students will understand the value of diversity and the importance of managing diversity in the context of business.
Concentration Learning Goals
Students majoring in the Accounting concentration will master the following by graduation:
- A working knowledge of accounting theories, concepts, and practices and will be able to interpret and communicate financial information for users of such information.*
- Problem-solving and analytical capability for accounting decision-making.*
- The ability to research issues and use technology and data analysis techniques to manage financial information for decision-making purposes.*
- The oral and written communication skills needed by successful accounting professionals.
- The ethical and regulatory responsibilities in accounting practice and understand the role of accounting in the proper functioning of commerce.
Bachelor of Science in Business Learning Goals
By the end of the BS Business program, students will master:
- The social, global, ethical, and legal contexts of business and will be able to reflect on the role of the individual in business.*
- The ability to apply knowledge of professional skills necessary for success in business including effective business writing.
- Technical and analytic skills appropriate for success in business.*
- The ability to apply knowledge of core business disciplines including accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and operations management.*
- How research in the business disciplines contributes to knowledge and how such research is conducted. *
*Program and concentration learning goals that are addressed in this course
Important Dates
semester, year. Intermediate Accounting II, Acct 332 - xxx
| January 21, Tuesday | First day of class |
| February 4, Tuesday | Last day to drop with 100% tuition refund |
| February 11, Tuesday | Last day to drop with 50% tuition refund |
| February 25, Tuesday | Midterm Exam #1 |
| February 25, Tuesday | End of unrestricted withdrawal period |
| March 10 to March 16 | Spring Recess – no classes |
| March 31, Monday | End of selective withdrawal period |
| April 8, Tuesday | Midterm Exam #2 |
| May 5, Monday | Last day of Spring classes |
| May 13, Tuesday | Final Exam |
Any schedule changes necessary are announced on Canvas.
Email Policy
All email communication must use only the GMU email system and GMU email accounts. Please remember to always include your full name and section number with any email. Please also maintain a professional tone and proper grammar in all communication.
Students who email the instructor Monday-Thursday can ordinarily expect a response within 24-36 hours. Students who email after 4:00 pm on Friday or over the weekend can ordinarily expect a response by the following Monday.
Contact Your Professor
You can meet with your professor during office hours for questions or to talk, and you can contact your professor at class or by email at xxx. Also, a Graduate Teaching Assistant is available each week to help all students with coursework in Enterprise Hall or Online.
Canvas
Course information and all supporting material is available through our Canvas course website, including important class Announcements, the Syllabus, and all chapter Modules.
The Chapter Modules contain most of our course material, including chapter Lecture Notes, access to your Textbook in eBook format, all Practice #1, #2, #3 material, and Assignments to Submit for points. Information for Self-Assessment Quizzes, Examinations, and other current course activity will be available on Canvas.
Check for Canvas Announcements frequently. This is the primary way your professor will communicate with students about class status and activity. All students are responsible for reading course announcements on a timely basis.
Technology Requirements - All Costello College of Business Courses
- A computer with video and audio capability.
- A functioning and reliable internet connection.
- For more information on all computer requirements, see Costello College of Business 2025 Undergraduate Laptop Requirements at this link: https://business.gmu.edu/undergraduate-laptop-requirements
Introduction to Your Classmates
In the Canvas “Start Here” menu section, please respond to two questions. We are asking all students to briefly introduce themselves to their classmates and professor, and for each student to help everybody else in the class by sharing any study tips or study methods which you found to be helpful in other accounting courses.
Grading
Grades will be assigned based on the absolute number of points a student earns during the semester. Total course points earned will be available on Canvas after the final exam. Course letter grades are posted by the registrar on Patriot Web.
There are no extra credit assignments available in Acct 332. Letter grades will be assigned based on total points earned by students completing all course requirements as follows: A (90 – 100%), B+ (87 – 89%), B (80 – 86%), C+ (77 – 79%), C (70 – 76%), D (60 – 69%), and F (below 60%). A- and B- grades may be assigned for borderline students.
Grade components and their related points are as follows:
| Points | Percentage (rounded) | |
| Assigned Problems and Simulations to Submit | 70 | 13% |
| Assigned SmartBook Questions to Submit | 21 | 4% |
| ASC Research Written Memorandum | 14 | 3% |
| Self-Assessment Quiz #1, #2, #3. (5 points each) | 15 | 3% |
| Midterm Exam #1 | 120 | 23% |
| Midterm Exam #2 | 120 | 23% |
| Final Exam | 160 | 31% |
| Total | 520 | 100% |
All Assigned Problems and SmartBook Questions are scored on Connect and point scores earned are reported to the student on Connect. Student scores earned for the ASC Research Memo, Self-Assessment Quizzes and Exams are reported in “My Scores” on Canvas.
Self-Assessment
An online Self-Assessment Quiz is scheduled prior to each of the 3 exams and is given online using Connect during an availability window. The online SA Quiz is administered under exam conditions (Honor Code in effect, limited time, no student use of course materials or other help). The SA Quiz provides important practice and review of chapter topics and will help with exam preparation. Detailed SA Quiz information and brief chapter topic outlines will be available on Canvas.
The Self-Assessment Quiz gives students the ability to see how well they understand chapter topics and is helpful experience for answering questions under the pressure of exam conditions. Incorrect responses indicate topics where more study is needed before the exam. The SA Quiz includes many of the same topics as may be tested in the exam. The point value of each SA Quiz is relatively low (at 5 points per Quiz). Full solutions are available for student self-assessment and review.
If a student has a justifiable conflict with a scheduled SA Quiz availability window, the student must contact the professor at least 3 days before the scheduled Quiz. A documented and approved SA Quiz start time extension will apply for completion of the Quiz on the scheduled Quiz day. Please note it is the student’s responsibility to seek approval for an extension request in advance of the Quiz.
If an emergency arises which prevents a student from taking a SA Quiz, the student must notify the professor by email as soon as possible. Acceptable documentation regarding the emergency is required to support the request for extension. An unapproved absence will result in a grade of zero on the SA Quiz.
Midterms and Final Exam
There will be two midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam during the semester. All exams are administered in class on paper. Midterm exam #1 is Tuesday, February xx, and Midterm exam #2 is Tuesday, April xx. The midterm exam time limit is 75 minutes. The Final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, May xx. Detailed exam information and brief chapter topic outlines will be available on Canvas. Any necessary change in the exam date will be announced.
If an emergency arises and prevents a student from taking an exam at the scheduled time, the student must notify the professor by email as soon as possible. The student will provide acceptable documentation regarding the emergency to support any request for excused absence. Please note it is the student’s responsibility to make the required arrangements for an excused extended exam. An unapproved exam absence will result in a grade of zero on the exam.
ASC Research and Written Memorandum
Each student will learn to research the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and will submit a written memorandum with ASC citations in response to ASC research questions (14 total points). Further assignment details will be available on Canvas. Students will submit their assignment to the collaborative learning environment at SafeAssign. Late ASC research assignments will not be accepted.
Learning Material within each Module
We have 9 Learning Modules in this course and each module has multiple opportunities for students to learn and understand chapter topics.
Here is the order of work to follow in each Module, in this order: step 1, 2, 3. At any point during these steps, students can refer to the chapter Practice Multi’s and Exercises #1, #2, and #3 videos.
Step 1. Chapter Lecture Notes
The chapter Lecture Notes (LN) used in class are the primary learning component for this course. The LN use a visual learning method which makes it easier for students to learn and understand all chapter topics. Some chapters may include a video for specific Lecture Notes topics or exercises to help students strengthen their understanding of course content.
All Acct 332 students are expected to print a paper copy of the Lecture Notes to use in class to take notes, make calculations, prepare schedules, and record journal entries. We use paper and pencil in class because it makes you remember what you are learning. The tactile pressure of pencil on paper is the proven best way for you to remember essential concepts and calculations. When you learn to complete a solution on paper it is much easier to correctly recall solution steps needed when you take your exam using paper and pencil.
Before class all students read their copy of the LN to discover the new terminology and topic structure of each chapter. Students who read the LN before class learn much better and more quickly during class as they move through the LN and solve exercises.
Step 2. Spiceland Textbook in eBook Format
Our course Lecture Notes have the same basic topic structure as is used in your eBook. The Spiceland 11th edition textbook is an excellent learning source, and you will use it to help answer the SmartBook questions to Submit (described below).
As you study chapter topics using the Lecture Notes, you can frequently refer to the eBook for additional guidance on challenging chapter topics. Refer to the relevant section of a chapter for helpful and clear textbook explanations and examples.
After you have studied and learned the LN topics and worked to solve the Practice Multiple Choice and Exercises, then turn to Step 3: Assignments, including SmartBook Questions to Submit.
Step 3. Chapter Assignments to Submit for Points.
- SmartBook to Submit. All students will respond to financial accounting questions in multiple-choice format using the SmartBook adaptive learning technology.
- SmartBook is an important leaning component of our course and gives all students essential practice with answering multiple-choice questions. This is very useful because exams always include numerous multiple-choice questions. The SmartBook adaptive learning technology will show you a specific section of an eBook chapter to help you learn topics and answer questions correctly.
- All students will access SmartBook questions using the Assignments to Submit folder. Due dates are indicated on Connect. The assignments are scored and your earned points for each assignment are reported to students on Connect.
- For SmartBook, you can accumulate up to a maximum of 21 points (even though the total cumulative points provided for all SmartBook assignments may exceed this number). You can consult with others or work in groups on these assignments, but the actual submission of a solution must be your own work.
- Problems to Submit: For each chapter, all students will complete Problems to Submit.
- The Problems include exercises from your textbook, task-based simulations, data analytics and visualization problems.
- Students access all Problems to Submit using the Canvas Assignments to Submit folder. Due dates are indicated on Connect. Late submission is penalized 25% per day after the due date. Because late submission is allowed, assignments are not automatically submitted on the due date. Assignments are scored and your earned points for each assignment are reported on Connect. Note: only a student’s highest score among all attempts is recorded for grade.
- For the Problems to Submit, you can accumulate up to a maximum of 70 points (even though the total cumulative points provided for all assignments may exceed this number). You can consult with others or work in groups on these assignments, however the actual submission of a solution must be your own work.
Connect Technical Support for help with Connect issues:
For Connect issues, please contact Connect Technical Support at (800) 331-5094 or use Chat to message a technician. They can help resolve access problems. Your professor cannot assist with technical issues, so please reach out to Support directly.
Chapter Practice: Multiple Choice, Exercises, and Short Textbook Videos
Each chapter module includes many practice exercises, multiple choice, and short textbook videos to help you learn and understand financial accounting topics. All solutions are immediately available. Practice material has no points and is not scored. Practice and repetition are especially helpful and a very important part of effective student learning in any accounting course.
Each chapter module has Practice #1, #2, and #3 textbook videos:
- Practice on Connect: online Exercises and CPA Exam Multiple Choice. These are very good exercises to work and learn. Here’s why: most of the #1 Practice Exercises are the same as the Problems to Submit, but with algorithmic adjustment to numbers. Because practice exercise solutions are immediately available, you can use the practice solutions to help you complete the Problems to Submit for points.
- You may not have time to work on all the #1 practice material (especially the CPA Exam multi’s), but you can pick specific exercises which cover topics you would like to practice. Work as many online #1 Practice Exercises as time allows to help you with Problems to Submit and Examinations.
- Note: The #1 Practice CPA Exam multi’s can be challenging (time consuming), so it is best to work these only after you have completed the #2 Practice Multi’s on paper (next item).
- Practice on Paper. Multiple Choice and Exercises. You can print these questions and attempt to solve using paper before you refer to the solutions provided. It is important for all students to work the #2 Practice - multiple choice because they are very helpful practice and review for the types of questions which may appear on exams.
- Remember: you will be taking all Exams on paper using pencil, so it is essential experience for all students to work and practice the #2 Practice on paper multi’s and exercises.
- Practice Videos. These are short videos produced by the textbook publisher. Each video explains a specific eBook topic. As time allows, try them out. You can be selective and watch a short video for any topic area where you can benefit from additional study. You may be surprised at how much you can quickly learn about a specific topic.
Student Accommodations
Students with a learning or physical difference which may affect academic work can contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (703) 993-2474 or http://ods.gmu.edu. If you qualify for accommodation, ODS will give you a form detailing appropriate accommodation. In addition to providing your professor with this form at least one week prior to an event, please take the initiative to discuss accommodation with your professor at the beginning of the semester and as needed during the term.
Student Privacy
To comply with student privacy laws, students must use their Mason email account to receive important University information, including messages related to this class, and when corresponding with your professor or fellow students. Your Mason email account is also required when using Connect.
Disclaimer
Any changes to assignments or course schedule will be announced on Blackboard and/or via email. Inability to access the course webpage or failure to read announcements or email cannot be an excuse for late submissions or non-completion of assignments.
Academic Integrity
Note: Please very carefully read and understand everything in this Academic Integrity section.
Any student in this course who may choose to violate the GMU Honor Code is subject to penalties as determined by the University Honor Code Committee. These sanctions (penalties) can include an “F” in the course, a notice of violation in the student’s academic record, and possible suspension or expulsion from the University.
Academic Integrity: Integrity is an essential element of a successful learning community. Ethical standards of behavior help promote a safe and productive community environment and ensure every student the opportunity to pursue excellence.
It is expected that students adhere to the George Mason University Honor Code as it relates to integrity regarding coursework and grades. The Honor Code reads as follows: ”To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among all members of the George Mason University community and with the desire for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the University Community have set forth this: Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal and/or lie in matters related to academic work.” More information about the Honor Code, including definitions of cheating, lying, and plagiarism, can be found at the Office of Academic Integrity website at http://oai.gmu.edu.
Use of online websites is prohibited:
- You can NOT use online website providers of artificial intelligence, homework help, or tutoring, for help with your coursework. Use of these websites is prohibited (it is not allowed) for any graded assignment, including but not limited to, Assignments to Submit, ASC research writing assignment, Self-Assessment Quizzes, and Exams. Any use of these websites by a student is an Honor Code violation and any violation will be referred to the University Office of Academic Integrity for investigation and possible sanctions.
- You can not upload (submit, post, send) course material to any website and you can not share course material with any person who is not enrolled in this course. This material includes, but is not limited to, Lecture Notes and Videos, class and Practice Exercises, Assignments to Submit, ASC assignment, and material from any SA Quiz or Examination. Students are advised they are not anonymous online. These websites work with universities and professors to identify honor code violators. Any violation is reported to the University Office of Academic Integrity for investigation and possible sanctions
Legal Copyright of Course Material
Every Mason instructor owns the copyright to the course material they create. A student who shares class materials outside the normal course of study is in violation of the University Honor Code. If you post or share class material with a website, you are violating both the instructor’s copyright and the University Honor Code. The internet is regularly monitored to identify whether course materials have been compromised. Any violation is reported to the University Office of Academic Integrity for investigation and possible sanctions.
The School of Business has an Honor Code violation penalty matrix approved by the faculty. Below is the penalty matrix used in this course if academic violations are identified.
| Costello Recommendations for Honor Code Violations (Approved November xxxx) | |
|---|---|
| UG-Non Freshman Students (including transfer students) | |
| Type of Violation | Sanction |
|
Plagiarism
|
An F in the class; referral to the Writing Center; and relevant Academic Integrity seminar/training completion |
|
Cheating
|
An F in the class; and relevant Academic Integrity seminar/training completion An F in the class; and relevant Academic Integrity seminar/training completion, and at least one semester suspension |
| Lying (e.g., providing fraudulent excuse documents, falsifying data) | An F in the class; and relevant Academic Integrity seminar/training completion, and at least one semester suspension |
| Egregious Violation (e.g., stealing an exam; submitting coursework from another class as original work across multiple courses; lying to an employer about academic performance, false identification or posing as another, in person or online) | An F in the class, relevant Academic Integrity seminar/training completion; and at least one year suspension |
Notes:
- The School of Business reserves the right to initiate termination proceedings for any student found guilty of an Honor Code violation by the Office of Academic Integrity.
- The Office of Academic Integrity may increase these sanctions (up to and including expulsion from the university) for repeated offenses.
| Tentative Course Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT 332 - xxx semester, year | |||
| Week | Dates (Tuesday - Thursday class) | Module | Chapter |
| 1 | January 21 | 0 1 |
Course Introduction - Financial Accounting Ch 13 Current Liabilities and Contingencies |
| 2 | January 28 | 1 2 |
Ch 13 Current Liabilities - continued Ch 14 Long-term Bonds Payable and Notes Payable |
| 3 | February 4 | 2 | Ch 14 Bonds Payable - continued |
| 4 | February 11 February 14, Friday |
2 3 |
Ch 14 Bonds Payable – continued Ch 15 Leases Self-Assessment online Quiz #1 - Modules 1 and 2, (chapters 13 and 14). Availability window will be announced. |
| 5 | February 18 | 3 | Ch 15 Leases - continued |
| 6 | February 25, Tuesday February 27 |
4 | Midterm Exam #1 (Modules 1, 2, 3, which include Chapters 13, 14, 15). Ch 16 Accounting for Income Taxes |
| 7 | March 4 | 4 5 |
Ch 16 Accounting for Income Taxes - continued Ch 18 Stockholders’ Equity |
| March 11 and 13 | Spring recess - no classes | ||
| 8 | March 18 | 5 | Ch 18 Stockholders’ Equity - Continued |
| 9 | March 25 March 28, Friday |
6 | Ch 19- A Share-Based Compensation Self-Assessment online Quiz #2 - Modules 4, 5, and 6, (chapters 16, 18, 19- A). Availability window will be announced |
| 10 | April 1 | 7 | Ch 19- B Earnings Per Share (EPS) - Not tested on Exam #2. Tested only on Final Exam. |
| 11 | April 8 - Tuesday April 10 |
7 | Midterm Exam #2 (Modules 4, 5, 6 which include Chapters 16, 18, 19- A). Ch 19- B Earnings Per Share (EPS) - Continued |
| 12 | April 15 | 8 | Ch 21 Statement of Cash Flows |
| 13 | April 22 | 8 | Ch 21 Statement of Cash Flows - Continued |
| 14 | April 29, Tuesday May 2, Friday |
9 | Ch 20 Accounting Changes Self-Assessment online Quiz #3 - Modules 7, 8, and 9, (chapters 19 -B, 21, 20). Availability window will be announced. |
| May 13, Tuesday | Final Exam (Comprehensive Exam, all chapters are tested). Most points are allocated to the last 3 Modules - 7, 8, and 9, which include Chapters 19- B, 21, 20. | ||
The professor reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the syllabus or class schedule with appropriate announcements on Canvas.