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Enterprise Hall 4400 University Drive, MS 1B1
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: (703) 993-1880
Fax: (703) 993-1867
Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting – ACCT 472
(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 Website: https://canvas.gmu.edu/ (Canvas)
Course Description
This course examines accounting and reporting concepts and issues for governmental and not-for-profit organizations.
Course Objectives
Accounting issues that are unique to these entities are emphasized (such as non-exchange transactions and lack of ownership interests). Accounting and reporting for state and local governments (determined by the GASB), charitable organizations (determined by the FASB) and the Federal Government (determined by the FASAB) are included.
Learning Goals
At the end of the semester, you should be able to:
- Differentiate the accounting and reporting environments of for-profit, governmental, and nonprofit organizations.
- Identify key terminology used in governmental and nonprofit accounting and reporting.
- Explain the fundamentals of budgetary accounting and reporting.
- Apply fund accounting principles and related reporting requirements.
- Analyze the financial reporting requirements for state and local governments.
- Evaluate the financial reporting requirements for non-governmental not-for-profit organizations.
Required Materials
- Accounting for Governmental & Nonprofit Organizations (Cambridge Business Pub.), 2e. ISBN # 978-1-61853-421-7 •
- Access to MyBusinessCourse website
Approach to Learning
The course utilizes a mixture of lecture, and exercises intended to reinforce the learning objectives. Students are expected to read the assigned chapters in advance of class.
Technology Requirements
Activities and assignments in this course will require access to websites, including the Canvas learning system and the MyBusinessCourse platform. Access to other websites and online resources will also be required. Students are required to have regular, reliable access to a computer. Students can read about the Costello College of Business’ Undergraduate Laptop Requirements for the Academic Year in more detail here.
Canvas
Canvas will be utilized for this course. Please ensure that your settings on Canvas are configured to notify you promptly whenever new course material is posted. Postings to Canvas will include the syllabus, resources (e.g., videos), Powerpoint slides, announcements, guides, etc. Please be mindful of upcoming due dates by referring to the course calendar on Canvas.
Student Responsibilities
You are expected to watch all the recorded lectures. Reading and homework assignments should be completed before the due dates. You are responsible for all material covered in both the lectures and assigned textbook chapters. You are required to regularly check the course website for updates and read all announcements on a daily basis.
Exams
Exams will be delivered online but must be taken at the time scheduled in advance. All exams or quizzes will be given online using Honorlock (or other virtual proctoring service) and will consist of multiple-choice questions and/or problems that require a written response. Please refer to the “Calculators” section of this syllabus for information regarding acceptable usage of calculators.
Lockdown Browser and Video Proctoring
This course requires the use of Honorlock and/or similar virtual proctoring platforms when taking online exams or quizzes. These services provide remote proctoring that works in conjunction with Lockdown Browser to monitor and record your exam or quiz session. Please review the instructions for install and using Lockdown Browser, or watch this short video to get a basic understanding of Lockdown Browser and the webcam feature. To use Honorlock, you must have a functioning webcam and microphone. You cannot use an iPad.
Honorlock requirements include the following:
- Google Chrome version 110 or higher
- Honorlock Chrome Extension
- Windows: 11, 10
- Mac: OS X 10.14 or higher
- Reliable internet with minimum speeds of 1.5 Mbps download, 750 Kbps upload
- Web camera (internal or external). Important: Amcrest, Logitech C920 and Logitech C270, and Walmart branded cameras (Onn) do not work.
- Microphone (internal or external)
Sharing Exam Material
Sharing exam content or making it available to others in any form is considered an act of academic dishonesty and a violation of the Honor Code. Engaging in such behavior will result in a grade of “zero” being awarded for the exam and the student being reported to the Honor Code Committee.
Communications
Remember to maintain a professional tone in all communications.
Homework
Homework is a required component of the course and will be submitted online through the MyBusinessCourse portal. You can attempt each homework assignment three times. The average of all (maximum 3) attempts will be computed and recorded as your grade for the assignment
Extra Credit
There are no opportunities to earn extra credit in this course.
Course Evaluation
Grades for ACCT 472 will be assigned according to the following weights:
| Exam 1 | 18% |
| Exam 2 | 18% |
| Exam 3 | 18% |
| Homework (MBC) | 23% |
| CTA’s | 3% |
| Discussion Board | 5% |
| Project | 10% |
| Video Quizzes | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
Grade Ranges
Letter grades and grade points will be given on the following standard grading scale:
| Letter Grade | Description | Performance |
| A+ | Exemplary performance | 98% to 100.0% |
| A | Excellent performance | 93% to 97.99% |
| A- | Excellent performance | 90% to 92.99% |
| B+ | Good performance | 87% to 89.99% |
| B | Good performance | 83% to 86.99% |
| B- | Good performance | 80% to 82.99% |
| C+ | Average work | 77% to 79.99% |
| C | Average work | 70% to 76.99% |
| D | Unsatisfactory | 60% to 69.99% |
| F | Failure without credit | 0% to 59.99% |
There is no rounding up.
Examinations
Refer to the grading policy above for individual exam weights. Exams are designed to assess your understanding of the material covered. I do not drop any exam scores. Please refer to the “Calculators” section of this syllabus for information regarding acceptable usage of calculators.
Unexcused absences from an exam will result in an automatic grade of zero. Exam absences will not result in an automatic grade of zero if 1) the absence is caused by observance of a religious holiday, medical concern, or family emergency, and 2) documentary evidence is provided to support the absence. As a general rule, there are no make-up tests, although under unique circumstances make-up exams may be offered at my discretion.
Calculators
This is not a computationally intensive class. However, when explicitly stated in the instructions, you may use a basic non-memory calculator during exams or quizzes. Any device that has data storage capabilities or possess wireless communication capabilities is prohibited even if it is in airplane mode. Phones are never permitted during exams or quizzes and calculators cannot be shared with another student.
Costello College of Business Standards of Behavior
The mission of the Costello College of Business at George Mason University is to create and deliver 5 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.
Honor Code Statement
By choosing to take this course, you agree to uphold the George Mason University Honor Code. Please refer to the Office of Academic Integrity for further details.
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. In your work on all written assignments, 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.
Some kinds of participation in online study sites violate the Mason Honor code: these include accessing exam or quiz questions for this class; accessing exam, quiz, or assignment answers for this class; uploading of any of the instructor’s materials or exams; and uploading any of your own answers or finished work. Always consult with me before using these sites.
Academic Dishonesty
The accounting profession is based on the foundation of sound honest and ethical principles. Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated. Even small acts of dishonesty will be fully punished. Students caught cheating will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity.
Violations of Academic Standards are sanctioned according to a common matrix. Sanctions include both educational and administrative components. Student violations of Academic Standards are sanctioned according to following matrix:
| Finding | Sanction |
| Level 1 |
|
| Level 2 |
|
Refer to the Academic Standards Code and Sanctions Matrix (Updated Fall 2024) for greater detail, including definitions of Level 1 and Level 2 findings.
Generative AI
All work submitted in this course must be your own original work; use of AI writing tools, such as ChatGPT, are prohibited in this course and will be considered a violation of academic integrity. All academic integrity violations will be reported to the office of Academic Integrity. Student work may be analyzed using tools which are designed to detect the use of Generative AI.
Sharing Exam or Quiz Material
Sharing exam or quiz content or making it available to others in any form is considered an act of academic dishonesty and a violation of the Honor Code. Engaging in such behavior will result in an immediate grade of “zero” for the exam or quiz. The incident will also be reported to the academic Honor Committee where I will recommend, at a minimum, a grade of “F” in the course.
Copyright
Any audio or visual recording of lectures, reuse or remix of course materials, or further dissemination of course content is not permitted without prior written consent from me and George Mason University unless the recording is part of an approved accommodation plan.
Disclaimer
Any changes to assignments or course schedule will be announced on Canvas and/or via e-mail. Inability to access the course webpage or failure to read e-mails cannot be an excuse for late submissions or non-completion of assignments.
Student Accommodations and Diversity
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who require special accommodation should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (http://www.gmu.edu/student/drc/ or (703) 993-2474) and should inform me of their needs so it can be taken into consideration. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the DRC. Please take care of this during the first week of the module. Mason offers counseling and psychological services that can provide assistance if students find themselves overwhelmed by life and/or want training in academic or life skills.
Diversity
George Mason University promotes a living and learning environment for outstanding growth and productivity among its students, faculty and staff. Through its curriculum, programs, policies, procedures, services and resources, Mason strives to maintain a quality environment for work, study and personal growth. These goals apply to online learning at George Mason University equally as it does to classroom learning.
An emphasis upon diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community is essential to achieve these goals. 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.
Gender identity and Pronouns Use
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.
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct (Title IX)
As a faculty member, I am designated as a “Responsible Employee,” and must report all disclosures of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and stalking to Mason’s Title IX Coordinator per University Policy 1202. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact the Student Support and Advocacy Center ((703) 380- 1434) or Counseling and Psychological Services ((703) 993-2380). You may also seek assistance from George Mason’s Title IX Coordinator ((703) 993-8730; titleix@gmu.edu).
Privacy
Mason Student privacy is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and is an essential aspect of this course. Students must use their MasonLive email account to receive important University information, including communications related to this class. I will not respond to messages sent from or send messages to a non-Mason email address.
Privacy Related to Video Recordings
All course materials posted to Canvas or other course site are private to this class; by federal law, any materials that identify specific students (via their name, voice, or image) must not be shared with anyone not enrolled in this class.
- Videorecordings — whether made by instructors or students — of class meetings that include audio, visual, or textual information from other students are private and must not be shared outside the class
- Live video conference meetings (e.g. Collaborate or Zoom) that include audio, textual, or visual information from other students must be viewed privately and not shared with others in your household or recorded and shared outside the class
Anti-Racism Statement
As a member of the George Mason University community, the Costello College of Business plays an integral role in building an educational environment that is committed to anti-racism and inclusive excellence. An anti-racist approach to higher education acknowledges the ways that individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural manifestations of racism against Black individuals and other people of color contribute to inequality and injustice in our classrooms, on our campuses, and in our communities, and it strives to provide our community members with resources to interrupt cycles of racism so as to cultivate a more equitable, inclusive, and just environment for all of our students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends, regardless of racial background
To be anti-racist means:
- To make constant, conscious decisions to interrupt racism and cultivate equity, inclusion, and justice for people of all racial backgrounds, and in particular those from Black communities and other communities of color, who are most likely to bear the direct and indirect costs of systems of white supremacy;
- To interrogate histories of white supremacy and white-dominant culture, and to examine the ways in which these histories have impacted our individual beliefs, our interpersonal relationships, our institutional and structural policies and processes, and our entire society;
- To make a commitment to being responsible for our own relationships to, and actions within, systems of white supremacy; and
- To cultivate a practice of self-awareness and self-reflection that allows us to critically evaluate our own role in upholding white supremacy and identify the ways we can interrupt cycles of racism at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels. We believe that the work of anti-racism starts with each individual, and that in cultivating an anti-racist approach to research, scholarship, and practice, our students will build a skillset rooted in principles of equity, inclusion, and justice that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Common Policies Affecting All Courses at George Mason University: Updated August 2024 These four policies affect students in all courses at George Mason University. This Course Policy Addendum must be made available to students in all courses (see Catalog Policy AP.2.5).
1. Academic Standards
Academic Standards exist to promote authentic scholarship, support the institution’s goal of maintaining high standards of academic excellence, and encourage continued ethical behavior of faculty and students to cultivate an educational community which values integrity and produces graduates who carry this commitment forward into professional practice. As members of the George Mason University community, we are committed to fostering an environment of trust, respect, and scholarly excellence. Our academic standards are the foundation of this commitment, guiding our behavior and interactions within this academic community. The practices for implementing these standards adapt to modern practices, disciplinary contexts, and technological advancements. Our standards are embodied in our courses, policies, and scholarship, and are upheld in the following principles:
- Honesty: Providing accurate information in all academic endeavors, including communications, assignments, and examinations.
- Acknowledgement: Giving proper credit for all contributions to one’s work. This involves the use of accurate citations and references for any ideas, words, or materials created by others in the style appropriate to the discipline. It also includes acknowledging shared authorship in group projects, co-authored pieces, and project reports.
- Uniqueness of Work: Ensuring that all submitted work is the result of one’s own effort and is original, including free from self-plagiarism. This principle extends to written assignments, code, presentations, exams, and all other forms of academic work
Violations of these standards—including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication, and cheating— are taken seriously and will be addressed in accordance with university policies. The process for reporting, investigating, and adjudicating violations is outlined in the university’s procedures. Consequences of violations may include academic sanctions, disciplinary actions, and other measures necessary to uphold the integrity of our academic community.
The principles outlined in these academic standards reflect our collective commitment to upholding the highest standards of honesty, acknowledgement, and uniqueness of work. By adhering to these principles, we ensure the continued excellence and integrity of George Mason University’s academic community.
Student responsibility: Students are responsible for understanding how these general expectations regarding academic standards apply to each course, assignment, or exam they participate in; students should ask their instructor for clarification on any aspect that is not clear to them.
2. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Disability Services at George Mason University is committed to upholding the letter and spirit of the laws that ensure equal treatment of people with disabilities. Under the administration of University Life, Disability Services implements and coordinates reasonable accommodations and disability-related services that afford equal access to university programs and activities. Students can begin the registration process with Disability Services at any time during their enrollment at George Mason University. If you are seeking accommodations, please visit http://ds.gmu.edu/ for detailed information about the Disability Services registration process. Disability Services is located in Student Union Building I (SUB I), Suite 2500. Email: ods@gmu.edu. Phone: (703) 993- 2474.
Student responsibility: Students are responsible for registering with Disability Services and communicating about their approved accommodations with their instructor in advance of any relevant class meeting, assignment, or exam.
3. FERPA and Use of GMU Email Addresses for Course Communication
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) governs the disclosure of education records for eligible students and is an essential aspect of any course. Students must use their GMU email account to receive important University information, including communications related to this class. Instructors will not respond to messages sent from or send messages regarding course content to a non-GMU email address.
Student responsibility: Students are responsible for checking their GMU email regularly for course-related information, and/or ensuring that GMU email messages are forwarded to an account they do check.
4. Title IX Resources and Required Reporting
As a part of George Mason University’s commitment to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environments for all members of the University community, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities. Accordingly, all non-confidential employees, including your faculty member, have a legal requirement to report to the Title IX Coordinator, all relevant details obtained directly or indirectly about any incident of Prohibited Conduct (such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based stalking, dating/domestic violence). Upon notifying the Title IX Coordinator of possible Prohibited Conduct, the Title IX Coordinator will assess the report and determine if outreach is required. If outreach is required, the individual the report is about (the “Complainant”) will receive a communication, likely in the form of an email, offering that person the option to meet with a representative of the Title IX office.
For more information about non-confidential employees, resources, and Prohibited Conduct, please see University Policy 1202: Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence. Questions regarding Title IX can be directed to the Title IX Coordinator via email to TitleIX@gmu.edu, by phone at (703) 993-8730, or in person on the Fairfax campus in Aquia, 373.
Student opportunity: If you prefer to speak to someone confidentially, please contact one of Mason’s confidential employees in Student Support and Advocacy (SSAC), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services (SHS), and/or the Office of the University Ombudsperson.