ACCT 532: Foundations of Financial Reporting II Master Syllabus
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Course Website: Canvas
Course Description
In this course we learn to analyze business transactions, record these events in the accounting system, and use this information to prepare GAAP financial statements. As the third financial course in the accounting concentration, we continue to develop our knowledge and skills to construct and analyze the three primary financial statements (the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows).
We prepare financial statements to provide useful information for external capital providers: creditors (banks), and investors (stockholders). The statements report the operating, investing, and financing activities of a business and help external users make rational economic decisions when they consider whether to lend money or invest money in a corporation. Following on Acct 331, this course examines business transactions affecting the balance sheet liability and stockholders’ equity sections and the related income statement revenues and expenses. We also learn to prepare the statement of cash flows and to report accounting changes.
Course Materials
- Canvas
All important course information and material is located in our course Canvas website.
- Connect with Proctorio Plus for Intermediate Accounting, 10th Edition, by Spiceland et.al, McGraw-Hill publisher. Your Connect registration includes the ebook version of this textbook. Your Acct 331 Connect registration may continue for this Acct 332 course without additional payment.
Connect with Proctorio Plus registration: All students will register for access to Connect using Canvas. Go to the **Chapter Modules** menu item and in Module 1, ch.13 Assignments to Submit folder, click on any link. This will take you to the Connect platform for registration.
If you have recently taken Acct 331 or 531 and used Connect with Proctorio Plus, your George Mason email address may allow you to register for Acct 332 access without additional payment. Students 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 the 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. An optional loose-leaf textbook in paper form is available but is not required.
Students must use only their George Mason email account to access Connect using the Canvas Chapter Modules. Do not directly access Connect outside of our Canvas website.
- Technology Requirements for all Costello College of Business courses
Learning Goals
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 will 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.
Important Dates: Spring 20xx. Acct 532 - DLx Intermediate Accounting II
| January 24, Monday | First day of classes |
| February 7, Monday | Last day to drop with 100% tuition refund |
| February 14, Monday | Last day to drop with 50% tuition refund |
| March 1, Tuesday | End of unrestricted withdrawal period |
| March 3, Thursday | Midterm Exam #1 |
| March 14 to 18 | Spring Recess: No classes |
| April 11, Monday | End of selective withdrawal period |
| April 14, Thursday | Midterm Exam #2 |
| May 7, Saturday | Last day of classes |
| May 12, Thursday | Final Exam |
Any schedule changes necessary will be announced on Canvas.
Email Policy
All email communication must use the George Mason email system and only with George Mason email accounts. Always include your full name and section number (DL1) with any email. Please 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 no later than the following Monday.
Canvas
Course information and all supporting material is available through our Canvas course website, including important Announcements, the Syllabus, and chapter Modules.
The Chapter Modules contain most of our course material, including chapter Lecture Notes, learning Videos, access to your Textbook in eBook format, all Practice material, and Assignments to Submit for points. Canvas also has Office meeting zoom links, Exam information and access, and Other course material.
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 this course. Letter grades will be assigned based on total points earned by students completing all course requirements as follows: A (90 – 100%), B+ (86 – 89%), B (80 – 85%), C+ (76 – 79%), C (70 – 75%), D (60 – 69%), and F (Below 60%). A- and B- grades may be assigned for borderline students.
Grade components for ACCT 532 and their related points are as follows:
| Points | Percentage (rounded) | |
|---|---|---|
| Problems and Simulations to Submit - Connect | 65 | 11% |
| SmartBook Questions to Submit - Connect | 20 | 3% |
| SmartBook Questions to Submit - Connect | 30 | 5% |
| Graduate Acct 532 Assignment to Submit | 30 | 5% |
| Pre-Exam #1, #2, #3 (15 points each) | 45 | 8% |
| Midterm #1 | 120 | 21% |
| Midterm #2 | 120 | 21% |
| Midterm #2 | 150 | 26% |
| Total | 580 | 100% |
All Connect Assignments to Submit are scored by Connect and point scores earned are immediately reported to the student on Connect. Connect Assignments to Submit scores are not reported on Canvas. The student score earned for other grade components (Pre-Exams, Exams, and Case Assignment) will be reported in "My Scores" on Canvas.
Pre-Exams
Pre-Exams are scheduled about one week before each of the 3 examinations and are administered under exam conditions using Connect with Proctorio Plus (see course schedule for dates). The Pre-Exam information document will provide details about each Pre-Exam. The Pre-Exam time limit is one hour.
Pre-Exams have low point value but they provide good practice and help students prepare for examinations because they use the same format (multiple choice and problems) and cover much of the same topic content as tested in the exams (2 chapters are tested on each Pre-Exam). Solutions to Pre-Exams are available for student review.
If an emergency arises which prevents you from taking a Pre-Exam, you must notify your professor by email as soon as possible. Students must provide acceptable, official documentation regarding the emergency and supporting any request for an excused absence. An unapproved absence will result in a grade of zero on the Pre-Exam.
If you have a justifiable conflict with taking a Pre-Exam at a scheduled time, you are required to contact your professor as early as possible before the scheduled Pre-Exam. An excused absence Pre-Exam extension must be completed within 24 hours (1 day) after the scheduled time. Please note it is the student’s responsibility to make required arrangements for a Pre-Exam extension in advance.
Midterms ans Final Exam
There will be two midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam during the semester. Midterm exam #1 is Thursday, March xx, and midterm exam #2 is Thursday, April xx. The comprehensive final exam is scheduled for Thursday, May xx. Detailed exam Information, access to each exam, and topic outlines will be available on Canvas. Any change in an exam date will be announced on Canvas.
Students are required to open and complete the online exam at the date and time specified. The exam #1 and #2 time limit is 2 hours and the comprehensive final exam time limit is 2.5 hours. All exams start at 10:00 am and will automatically submit at the end of the exam time limit.
If an emergency arises and prevents you from taking an exam at the scheduled time, you must notify your professor by email as soon as possible. Students must provide acceptable, official documentation regarding the emergency to support any request for an excused absence. An unapproved absence will result in a grade of zero on the exam. An excused absence midterm exam must be taken within 2 days after the scheduled time. An excused absence final exam must be taken within 1 day after the scheduled time. Note it is a student’s responsibility to make required arrangements for alternative exam dates in advance.
If you have a justifiable conflict with taking an exam at a scheduled time, you are required to contact your professor as early as possible before the scheduled exam. Students must provide acceptable, official documentation regarding the emergency and supporting any request for an excused absence. An excused absence exam extension must be completed within 24 hours (1 day) after the scheduled exam time. Please note it is the student’s responsibility to make required arrangements for exam extensions in advance.
Proctorio Plus - Learning Integrity Resource
Proctorio Plus is a browser-locking and remote camera-based proctoring solution designed to protect academic integrity in this course. Use of Proctorio is required during Pre-Exams and Examinations. We are using Proctorio to ensure accounting education is equal and fair for all students by allowing each student to earn the grades they deserve.
Prior to Pre-Exam #1, a Proctorio Plus Orientation assignment will be available to walk you through the process of using Proctorio.
A Proctorio Plus practice quiz will also be available to allow students to become familiar with the Proctorio pre-check (to be sure your camera and microphone are working properly), and to ensure the Proctorio Chrome browser extension is correctly installed.
Note: the Proctorio video must be enabled and functioning for the entire length of a student’s Pre-Exam or Exam. The student is responsible for ensuring the Proctorio video is functioning properly during the entire time a student is responding to exam questions.
Case Writing Assignment
Each student will submit a written case assignment (30 total points). Further assignment details and due date will be available on Canvas. Students will submit their assignment to the collaborative learning environment at SafeAssign. Late cases will not be accepted.
Scoring of this writing assignment will be based upon both writing and content. The writing and grammar portion (10 points maximum) will be scored by a writing grader. The content portion (20 points maximum) will be scored by the professor. You may revise and resubmit your case memo to improve only your writing score (not content score). If you choose this option, you must (1) visit with the George Mason writing center and include the additional feedback received from the writing advisor in your revised written assignment, and (2) resubmit the revised assignment to SafeAssign with the writing center document which verifies the detail of your appointment.
ACCT 532 – Graduate Assignment to Submit
Each ACCT 532 student will submit a Graduate Assignment. This assignment will consist of assigned Connect problems and will be due for submission during the last week of the semester. Further assignment details and due date will be available on Canvas.
Learning Material within each Module
We have 9 Learning Modules in this course and each module has multiple opportunities for you to learn and understand all chapter topics.
Here is the order of work to follow in each Module, Step 1, 2, 3.
At any point during these steps, students can refer to the chapter Practice Exercises #1, #2, #3.
Step 1. Lecture Notes and Videos.
The chapter Lecture Notes (LN) are the primary learning component in this course and are used for in all chapter learning videos. In Acct 332, visual learning is used to understand chapter topics, to make calculations, and to work exercises on paper. This proven effective and efficient learning system requires all students to print a paper copy of the Lecture Notes to learn topics and solve exercises as you watch videos. When you take notes, make calculations, prepare schedules, and record journal entries (dr = cr) using paper and pencil, you will remember what you are learning.
Before you watch any LN video, read your print copy of the LN to discover new terminology and topic structure in each new chapter. When you read in advance of the LN video, you will learn better and more quickly as you work through the notes and solve exercises with your professor.
Most modules have 2 Lecture Notes videos. In each video you will see the same method of presentation as your professor uses in a normal live instruction classroom setting. A Video can be from 40 to 80 minutes in length (the same amount of time as in a normal class meeting twice a week). If you prefer a shorter viewing session, you can take a break at any time during a video, and then come back to your computer where the video will start again right where you left off.
Step 2. Spiceland textbook in eBook format.
All Lecture Notes have the same topic structure as used in our eBook. The Spiceland textbook is an excellent learning source and you will be using it to answer the SmartBook questions to Submit (described below). In addition to the SmartBook questions, students should frequently use the eBook to help with specific chapter topics which need additional review.
When you have 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 Questions to Submit. All students will respond to multiple choice questions using the SmartBook adaptive learning technology.
SmartBook is your Spiceland textbook (eBook) enhanced with adaptive learning technology requiring students to answer financial accounting questions in multiple choice format. Reference is made to specific sections of the chapter to help you learn topics and answer questions correctly.
Students will access the SmartBook questions using the Assignments to Submit folder. Due dates are on Canvas and on Connect. The assignments are automatically scored and your earned points for each assignment are reported to you on Connect.
You can accumulate up to a maximum of 20 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.
Problems to Submit are exercises from your Spiceland textbook. Some chapters also include Simulations using a higher level application (Excel).
Students will access all Problems to Submit using the Assignments to Submit folder. Due dates are on Canvas and on Connect. Late submission is penalized 25% per day after the due date, and because late submission is allowed, assignments are not automatically submitted on due date. Assignments are scored and earned points for each assignment are reported to the student on Connect.
You can accumulate up to a maximum of 65 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 or Proctorio Plus issues:
If you experience problems with Connect, please contact Connect Technical Support at (800) 331-5094. They are almost always open to receive calls and are very helpful. They can most likely resolve any access issue you may encounter. Your professor cannot answer technical questions about using Connect or Proctorio, so please call this toll-free number for help: Call Connect Technical Support: (800) 331-5094. They should be able to help you.
Chapter Practice: multiple choice, exercises, and textbook videos
Each chapter module includes many practice exercises, multiple choice, and 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 (they are optional), but they can be very helpful to you and are an important component of effective student learning.
Each chapter module has Practice #1, #2, and #3 text videos:
- #1 Practice on Connect: online Exercises and CPA Exam Multiple Choice. They are good exercises to work and learn. Here’s why: many #1 Practice Exercises are the SAME as the Problems to Submit, but with algorithmic adjustment to numbers. Because solutions are immediately available for the practice exercises, you can use the practice solutions to help you complete the Problems to Submit for points.
Student information available with #1 Practice exercises explains how some of the practice exercises are the same as the Problems to Submit, and how you can use the practice solutions as a “cook-book” to help you complete the problems to submit.
You may not have time to work all of the practice material, 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 and time consuming, so wait to work these until after you have completed the #2 Practice Multi’s on paper.
- #2 Practice on Paper. Multiple Choice and Exercises. You can print these questions and attempt to solve using paper before referring to the solutions provided. Highly recommended: work and learn the #2 Practice multiple choice because they are good practice and review for the types of questions which may appear on examinations.
- #3 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 may need additional help.
Responsibility for Online Learning
The freedom and flexibility offered by online learning comes with important responsibilities for the student. Be proactive! We very highly encourage all students to stay organized and avoid procrastination with your coursework. Setting a schedule for yourself and planning a specific time to work on each of your courses can help provide structure and keep you motivated. See this student-focused university resource related to online learning here.
Contact your Professor
You can meet with your professor during office zoom hours, and you can also contact your professor by email. A scheduled date and time for office zoom sessions will be available on Canvas. Students can ask questions or speak with the professor on any course related issue. Any student can attend office time just to listen; you don’t have to ask questions or participate. You can also meet with your professor individually. Contact for appointment using email.
Disclaimer
Any changes to assignments or course schedule will be announced on Canvas 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.
Intermediate Accounting II
Tentative CLASS SCHEDULE
ACCT 332 and 532 - DLx - Online Spring 20xx
| Week | Date Monday |
Module | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 24 |
0 1 |
Introduction to Financial Accounting Ch 13 Current Liabilities and Contingencies |
| 2 | January 31 | 2 | Ch 14 Long-term Bonds Payable and Notes Payable |
| 3 | February 7 | 2 | Ch 14 Bonds Payable - Continued |
| 4 | February 14 | 3 | Ch 15 Leases |
| 5 |
February 21 February 24 |
3 |
Ch 15 Leases - Continued Pre-Exam #1 - Modules 1 and 2 (chapters 13, 14) |
| 6 |
February 28 March 3 |
4 |
Ch 16 Accounting for Income Taxes Midterm Exam #1 (Modules 1, 2, 3, which include Chapters 13, 14, 15). |
| 7 | March 7 | 4 | Ch 16 Accounting for Income Taxes - Continued |
| March 14 to 18 | Spring Recess: No classes | ||
| 8 | March 21 | 5 | Ch 18 Stockholders’ Equity |
| 9 | March 28 | 5 | Ch 18 Stockholders’ Equity - Continued |
| 10 |
April 4 April 7 April 8, Friday |
6 |
Ch. 19-A Share-Based Compensation Pre-Exam #2 - Modules 4 and 5 (chapters 16, 18) Case Writing Assignment - tentative due date |
| 11 |
April 11 April 14 |
6 7 |
Ch 19-A Share-Based Compensation Ch 19-B Earnings Per Share (EPS) Midterm Exam #2 (Modules 4, 5, 6, which include Chapters 16, 18, 19-A). |
| 12 | April 18 |
7 8 |
Ch 19-B Earnings Per Share (EPS) – Continued Ch 21 Statement of Cash Flows |
| 13 |
April 25 April 28 |
8 |
Ch 21 Statement of Cash Flows - Continued Pre-Exam #3 - Modules 7 and 8 (chapters 19-B, 21) |
| 14 | May 2 | 9 | Ch 20 Accounting Changes |
| 15 | May 12 Thursday, 10:00am |
Final Exam (Comprehensive Exam, all chapters are tested). A majority of points are allocated to Modules 7, 8, 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 in-class and on Canvas.
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