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Enterprise Hall 4400 University Drive, MS 1B1
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: (703) 993-1880
Fax: (703) 993-1867
International Accounting – ACCT 370
(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
This course provides an overview of the broadly defined area of international accounting from a financial statement user perspective, focusing on accounting issues uniquely relevant to multinational corporations.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of:
- The major factors that influence the development of national accounting systems and lead to diversity in financial reporting.
- The consequences of diversity in accounting standards and company practices worldwide.
- The arguments for and against international convergence of financial reporting standards and the current state of convergence efforts.
- Certain differences between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and their impact on financial statements.
- The accounting implications of foreign currency transactions.
- Remeasurement and translation of foreign currency financial statements and each method’s impact on financial statements.
- The differences in taxation and auditing regimes across countries.
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.
BS 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
Course Materials
REQUIRED:
- Material provided by instructor on Blackboard
- Computer that meets the Costello College of Business Undergraduate Laptop Requirements: https://business.gmu.edu/undergraduate-laptop-requirements
- Simple four-function calculator
- Case study “IFRS in China”, costs $4.95 from https://hbsp.harvard.edu/import/1135628
OPTIONAL: International Accounting 6e, Doupnik and Perera (McGraw Hill)
Course Delivery
This is a an in-person course. Students are expected to attend weekly class on the day/time stated on this syllabus.
Canvas https://info.canvas.gmu.edu/
Course information and supporting materials are available through Blackboard. Blackboard includes all important announcements, the syllabus, lecture notes, practice problems, grades, and other relevant information.
Printed copies of lecture notes will not be provided, students should print these if they wish to use them during class. You should visit Blackboard regularly for the latest information.
Professionalism
The classroom is a community, and we each bear responsibility for creating an environment conducive to learning. You will lose a portion of your final grade, at the instructor’s discretion, if you engage in behaviors that are deemed unprofessional. Some examples of unprofessional behaviors are overly casual or dismissive tone, and continual interruption.
Student Responsibility for Learning
The freedom and flexibility offered by higher education come with important responsibilities for the student. Be present in class, do not multitask. Stay organized and avoid procrastination with your coursework.
Missed Class Policy
If you miss a class for any reason it is your responsibility to obtain the material and information covered in that class. You should connect with other students in the class to review the lecture and any other class activities. After reviewing the material, please visit office hours or make an appointment with me to go over questions you may have. The policy for missed graded assignments and exams is included below.
Grading
The grade you receive depends solely on your ability to demonstrate your mastery of the course materials. Grades will be assigned on the basis of the absolute number of points you earn during the semester. The Canvas Gradebook will keep track of your points earned in the class. Final letter grades will be available from Patriot Web.
Letter grades will be assigned based on total points earned as follows: A (90 – 100%), B+ (87 – 89.9%), B (80 – 86.9%), C+ (77 – 79.9%), C (70 – 76.9%), D (60 – 69.9%), and F (Below 60%). Grades are not rounded upwards. A– and B– grades may be assigned for borderline students at the instructor’s discretion. There are no “extra credit” assignments.
Assignments and their related points are as follows:
| Element | Points | Percent (rounded) |
| Quizzes | 45 | 13.2% |
| Midterm Exam | 100 | 29.4% |
| Final Exam | 120 | 35.3% |
| Homework Assignments | 70 | 20.6% |
| Class Engagement | 5 | 1.5% |
| Total Points | 340 | 100.0% |
Quizzes
There will be three quizzes during the semester; the quizzes will be announced in advance in-class and on Blackboard; the tentative dates are included in the schedule at the end of this syllabus. The quizzes have lesser coverage than exams (usually 1 or 2 lectures) and they are designed to help students develop and apply their knowledge on topics that may be tested on exams. All quizzes take place online during our assigned class time.
Exams
There will be a midterm exam (covering the material from the first six weeks of the course) and a comprehensive final exam, the dates of which are included in the schedule at the end of this syllabus. All exams take place online during our assigned class time.
Respondus
To ensure fairness, exams will be administered using Respondus, which is a lock-down web browser with video and audio monitoring. If you do not have Respondus installed, you will need to download it to your computer (instructions provided). Exam settings will allow you to view one question at a time and you must answer each question in the order it is presented to you (i.e., “no backtracking”).
Quiz and Exam Policies
All quizzes and exams must be completed individually without the use of lecture notes, class materials, or any other resources. You are not allowed to communicate, in any form, with any other person while taking a quiz or exam. You are allowed to use a basic, fourfunction calculator and scratch paper.
Should you encounter technology issues during a graded assignment, provide as much detail/evidence as possible when making any request for accommodations.
Make-up Policy
If you have a justifiable conflict with taking a quiz or exam on a scheduled date, contact your professor in advance to schedule a make-up test. Quizzes and exams must be taken within a reasonable time (no more than 3 business days after the scheduled date). It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for alternative test dates in advance
If an emergency arises that will prevent you from taking a scheduled quiz or exam, contact your professor as soon as possible and be prepared to provide acceptable, official documentation supporting your case. An unapproved absence will result in a grade of zero.
Homework Assignments
There will be homework assignments throughout the class that are intended to give students feedback on their understanding of the material prior to exams. The assignments and due dates will be announced in advance in-class and on Blackboard; the tentative dates are included in the schedule at the end of this syllabus.
The nature and number of homework assignments will depend on our course progress. We typically have the following assignments:
- Case study assignment - graded on written communication skills and content
- Real-world application assignment - taking a concept from our class and applying it to a public company’s financial statements
- Other homework - to give students experience with applying their knowledge to the types of questions that will be on the exams
Late Submission Policy
Assignments are always accepted before their due date. If you have a justifiable conflict with an assignment due date, contact your professor in advance to receive an approved extension. If you do not have an approved extension, you may still turn in an assignment after the due date, at a penalty of 25% each day late.
Class Engagement
Engagement = Preparation + Participation Participation in class is extremely important for several reasons. As your careers proceed, I believe that it will be necessary for you to have the ability and courage to express yourselves verbally. In addition, learning is enhanced by hearing, thinking about, and being challenged by different perspectives.
In this course, students are expected to be present, prepared, and proactive in class discussions. Your class engagement score will reflect both the quantity and quality of your contributions. Attendance is the bare minimum and will not receive full credit. Only students with consistent and high-quality contributions to class discussion will receive full credit. Certain behaviors will detract from your class engagement grade (e.g. excessive unexcused absences or lateness, prolonged chattering, or other disruptive behavior).
Guest Speakers
I try to arrange for a guest speaker in our class. Students are expected to be present, actively engaged, and respectful of the professionals who visit the class. Being absent from a guest lecture will detract from your class engagement grade.
Other Policies
College of Business Standards of Behavior
The mission of the Costello College of Business at George Mason University is to create and deliver high-quality educational programs and research. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni who participate in these educational programs contribute to the well-being of society. High-quality educational programs require an environment of trust and mutual respect, free expression and inquiry, and a commitment to truth, excellence, and lifelong learning. Students, program participants, faculty, staff, and alumni accept these principles when they join the Costello College of Business community. In doing so, they agree to abide by the following standards of behavior:
- Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others
- Honesty and integrity in dealing with all members of the community
- Accountability for personal behavior
Integrity is an essential ingredient of a successful learning community. Ethical standards of behavior help promote a safe and productive community environment and ensure every member the opportunity to pursue excellence. The Costello College of Business can and should be a living model of these behavioral standards. To this end, community members have a personal responsibility to integrate these standards into every aspect of their experience at the Costello College of Business. Through our personal commitment to these Community Standards of Behavior, we can create an environment in which all can achieve their full potential.
Academic Integrity
By enrolling in this course, you agree to uphold the George Mason University Honor Code. Faculty are obligated, without exception, to submit any Honor Code violations or suspected violations to the Honor Committee. Please refer to the Academic Standards website for a full description of the code and the honor committee process.
George Mason University Honor Code: 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.
Keep in mind that you may not present as your own the words, work, or the opinions of someone else without proper acknowledgement. You also may not borrow the sequence of ideas, the arrangement of material, or the pattern of thought of someone else without proper acknowledgement. If you are uncertain about the ground rules on a particular assignment, please ask for clarification.
Use of Generative AI Tools: Any student use of Generative-AI tools should follow the fundamental principles of the Honor Code. You may use AI programs (e.g. ChatGPT) to help generate ideas and brainstorm; however, you may not submit any work generated by an AI program as your own. You should also note that the material generated by AI may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. The use of Generative AI to complete the graded coursework in this class is a violation of the university honor code. Student work may be analyzed using an originality detection tool focused on Generative AI tools.
Use of Tutors and Online Study Websites: Any student use of other online resources should follow the fundamental principles of the Honor Code. You may not use providers of tutoring services to complete your coursework for you. This prohibits the use of “study” websites on homework, quizzes, exams, case studies, or any other graded assignments. The use of online study sites or tutors to complete the graded coursework in this class is a violation of the university honor code.
Additionally, you may not upload course material to any website. Sharing these materials outside the normal course of your studies is a violation of the university honor code and my copyright as creator of these course materials. This policy is part of my obligation to you to ensure that you have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education in my course.
See the attached “Recommendations for Honor Code Violations” documents, which I follow, without exception, when reporting any suspected violations to the OAI. If you have any questions about what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please ask.
Inclement Weather and Campus Emergencies
Information regarding weather-related or other changes in the University’s schedule will be provided on the GMU website and via MasonAlert. Students can sign up for the Mason Alert system and learn about emergency procedures at https://ready.gmu.edu/ If the campus closes, or if a class meeting needs to be canceled or adjusted due to weather or other concern, students should check Blackboard and their email for updates on how to continue learning and for information about any changes to assignments.
Privacy
Student Privacy: Student privacy is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and is an essential aspect of any course.
Email Communication: 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 me or fellow students. I will not respond to messages sent from or send messages to a non-Mason email address.
Recordings: Students must obtain prior consent from the instructor before recording (voice and/or video) any part of the class lecture or activities.
Disability Services
Disability Services at George Mason University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students by upholding the laws that ensure equal treatment of people with disabilities. If you are seeking accommodations for this class, please first visit https://ds.gmu.edu/ for detailed information about the Disability Services registration process. Then please discuss your approved accommodations with me. Accommodation requests should be completed during the first two weeks of the semester. More information about ODS is available at https://ds.gmu.edu/.
Respect for Diversity
This course seeks to promote and maintain an equitable and just learning environment. Diversity is broadly defined to include such characteristics as, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Diversity also entails different viewpoints, philosophies, and perspectives. Attention to these aspects of diversity will help promote a culture of inclusion and belonging, and an environment where diverse opinions, backgrounds, and practices have the opportunity to be voiced, heard and respected.
George Mason’s Diversity Statement and George Mason’s Non-Discrimination Policy affirm our belief that student diversity is an invaluable asset for enriching the learning that happens in our courses.
Religion: Students who will miss class for religious reasons should inform the instructor of their anticipated absences during the first two weeks of the semester. Faculty will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that student success in the course is not penalized.
Gender Identity and Pronouns: If you wish, please share your name and gender pronouns with me and how best to address you in class and via email. I use she/her/hers for myself.
Anti-Racism: As a member of the George Mason University community, I will work to create an educational environment that is committed to anti-racism and inclusive excellence. I affirm that in this class I will cultivate a more equitable, inclusive, and just learning environment for all participants, regardless of racial background.
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Interpersonal Violence
George Mason University is committed to a campus that is free of sexual misconduct and incidents of interpersonal violence in order to promote community well-being and student success. As a faculty member, I am required to report all disclosures of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, complicity, and retaliation to Mason’s Title IX Coordinator. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact one of the student support resources below.
Student Support Resources
Student Support and Advocacy Center: Provides comprehensive services for students in an effort to foster the safety and well-being of the Mason community. Services include assisting students who are encountering barriers to their academic success or personal growth, interpersonal violence prevention, alcohol and drug education, health promotion/healthy relationships, student crisis intervention, and connecting students with appropriate campus and off-campus resources. https://ssac.gmu.edu/.
Counseling and Psychological Services: George Mason University has a counseling center that can provide assistance if you find yourself overwhelmed by life, want training in academic or life skills, or the like. https://caps.gmu.edu/.
Student Health Services: Provides high quality health care, counseling, education, and prevention services in support of student learning and retention. https://shs.gmu.edu/.
George Mason’s Title IX Coordinator: Incidents of sexual and gender-based harassment and violence have a domino effect, affecting not only the people involved but their families, friends, and communities, as well. Mason provides the resources you need to deal with what has happened, as well as access to both state and national resources for further support. https://diversity.gmu.edu/title-ix/who-can-i-call.
Writing Center: George Mason University has a writing center that can help you improve your writing skills. More information is available at http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/.
Business Library Liaison: The Fenwick Library has a librarian dedicated to Business and Economics. The librarian has prepared a list of scholarly resources for study and research in Business. http://infoguides.gmu.edu/business.
Comprehensive List of Student Support Resources: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/knowing-mason-students/studentsupport-resources-on-campus/.