University of Alberta
Alberta School of Business
Department of Accounting and Business Analytics
ACCOUNTING 300 – INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING
Syllabus
Winter 2023
|
Instructor: |
Yaping Zheng, PhD |
Office Hours: |
T 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
|
Office: |
BUS 3-20F |
B-01: |
TR 09:30 am – 10:50 pm (T LB-002) |
|
Email: |
[email protected] |
B-02: |
TR 12:30 pm – 13:50 pm (T B-105) |
1. Course Description and Objectives
Accounting 300 is an introductory course in financial accounting intended for non-business students. In this class, you will be introduced to the basic concepts of financial reporting and managerial accounting. We will spend time analyzing how accountants prepare financial reports and how to become a better user of the data. An understanding of accountancy is important because accounting is the language of business. As future stakeholders in the private and public sectors, it is useful to speak, read, and understand the language.
Specific skills developed in this course include the ability to:
- Read & understand financial statements.- Use accounting data to gauge the performance of an organization.- Understand how different accounting policies affect the financial statements.- Contrast and compare an organization’s net income and cash flows.- Distinguish between financial and managerial accounting.- Utilize basic concepts of cost accounting.
2. Academic Integrity
Absolute and complete academic honesty is expected of you in this course. It is important for you as a student to behave in an ethical manner. The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
3. Course Materials and Activities
3.1 Textbook
Introduction to Accounting, Fourth Canadian Edition by Kimmel, Weygandt, Kieso, Trenholm, Irvine, Burnley, and Aly.
The textbook is available at the University of Alberta Bookstore:
This is a custom textbook, made up of specific chapters from the following textbooks: Physical textbook with WileyPLUS: ISBN 9781119811305 or 9781119767732 eBook with WileyPLUS: ISBN 9781119752554 or 2810000225581
Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Eighth Canadian Edition by Paul D. Kimmel, ,Jerry J. Weygandt, Donald E. Kieso, Barbara Trenholm, Wayne Irvine, and Christopher D. Burnley. Copyright © 2020.
Managerial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision-Making, Fifth Canadian Edition by Jerry J. Weygandt, Paul D. Kimmel, Donald E. Kieso, and Ibrahim M. Aly. Copyright © 2018.
3.2 eClass
You will be able to obtain course materials from eClass. Other than in class, eClass will be where
announcements and other information regarding the course will be made. Please plan to check this site
regularly and/or make sure your settings in eClass will send you emails when there are updates.
3.3 Tutorial
Two teaching assistants (Hanna Lemire [email protected] and Aditi Singh [email protected]) will hold office hours via zoom each week. You may join in the zoom link and ask for help with specific issues. The dates, times and zoom links of these tutorials will be posted on eClass.
3.4 In-class Activities
Our classes will be a combination of lectures and discussions of problems. Most of the concepts and techniques taught in this course are best illustrated and learned through problem solving. Therefore, we will analyze many problems in class.
3.5 Out-of-class Activities
Following the lectures on a particular topic, you should review/read applicable sections of the textbook and work on the recommended questions from the textbook. The recommended questions for each chapter are identified in the attached tentative class schedule. You can check your answers against the solutions posted on eClass.
3.6 Class attendance
Class attendance itself does not affect your grade, and actually I will not check your attendance. However, presence at lectures, participation in classroom discussions, and the completion of assignments are important components of this course, and students will serve their interests best by regular attendance. Those who choose not to attend must assume whatever risks are involved.
3.7 Calculator
You are only permitted to use a non-programmable calculator in the exams. Please ensure you have a non programmable calculator that you are comfortable with (note: there is only a requirement for basic calculations – adding, subtracting, multiplication & division).
4. Evaluation
Your grade in this course will be based on the marks you obtain on five (5) in class assignments, one eighty (80) minute midterm exam, and a (2) two-hour comprehensive final exam. The marks will be weighted as follows to determine your percentage mark in the course:
|
In-class Assignments |
20% |
|
Midterm Exam |
35% |
|
Final Exam |
45% |
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Total |
100% |
Letter grades will be determined in accordance with the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University’s Academic Regulations. Grades in this course will be based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance. These grades represent the only marks available to students. No additional work or extra credit is available.
4.1 In-class Assignments
Five (5) scheduled in-class assignments will be administered in this course. The marks for your best two (2) of these assignments will count toward your final mark in the course. These in-class assignments will be assigned, completed and collected in class. In-class assignments may include multiple choice, true/false, short problem, and long questions. You will have 40-50 minutes to complete each assignment. Please see eClass and the attached tentative class schedule for the dates of the in-class assignments.
In-class assignments will be open book and are to be completed individually, without the assistance of another individual. Each in-class assignment will cover material from the current or previous lecture(s) and chapter recommended questions assigned. The purpose of in-class assignments is to help the students participate in this course.
4.2 Exams
All exams in this course will be closed book. You will have eighty (80) minutes to write the midterm exam and two (2) hours to write the final exam. The final exam will be comprehensive.
Midterm Exam – Thursday, February 29, 2024 (In class)Final Exam – B-01: Friday, April 19, 2024, 2:00–4:00 p.m. (location TBA)
B-02: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 9:00–11:00 a.m. (location TBA)
The Examinations section of the University’s Academic Regulations provides guidance for the conduct of exams. Students must be able to present their student ID cards or other acceptable photo identification. Cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices must be turned off and put away prior to the exam. Also, you are only permitted to use a non-programmable calculator in the exams.
The answer booklets of your midterm exams will be returned and you will be allowed to keep them. Final exams will not be returned. No answer key will be posted for the midterm or final exam.
4.3 Remarking Policy for Assignments and Midterm Exam
After marked in-class assignments have been returned, the answer keys will be posted on eClass. For in class assignments and the midterm exam, students should review the marking carefully and bring to my attention any questions about their marks as soon as possible. No remarking requests will be accepted more than one week after the results have been made available.
All appeals must be in writing and the original copy of the exam or assignment (unless available online) must be attached. Items submitted for appeal may be subject to an entire review. This may result in your grade being lower.
4.4 Absence from Term Work or Examinations
Occasionally life events occur that require a student to miss term work, term examinations, or final examinations. However, excused absences are not granted automatically and will be considered only for acceptable reasons such as incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction, or religious convictions.
Unacceptable reasons include, but are not limited to, personal events such as vacations, weddings, or travel arrangements. When a student is absent without acceptable excuse, a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for the work missed. Any student who applies for or obtains an excused absence by making false statements will be liable under the Code of Student Behaviour.
4.4.1 Absence from Midterm Examination
If you are absent from the midterm exam for a legitimate reason, please email me within two (2) days (or as soon as possible). If the midterm is missed for an acceptable reason, the weight of the midterm will be reallocated to the final exam. There will be no deferred midterm exam in this course.
4.4.2 Absence from Final Examination
The Attendance section and the Examinations section of the University’s Academic Regulations provide guidance regarding procedures in the case of a missed final examination. If a deferred final exam is required for this course, it will tentatively be held on Friday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m.
4.4.3 Final Exam Reappraisals
For information regarding applying for a reappraisal of your final exam please see the Examinations section of the University’s Academic Regulations.
5. Others
Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University’s Academic Regulations.
6. Useful Links
The University’s Academic Regulations: https://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=6&navoid=806
Code of Student Behaviour: https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/resources/policies-standards-and-codes-of-conduct/code-of-student-behaviour
eClass: https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/portal/.
The University’s Bookstore URL: https://bookstore.ualberta.ca/booklist.aspx
COURSE SCHEDULE
|
Class# |
Dates |
IC |
Topics |
Readings |
Recommended Questions |
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1 |
T Jan 9 |
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Introduction to the course |
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2 |
R Jan 11 |
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The Purpose and Use of Financial Statements |
Chapter 1 |
P1.1A, P1.2A, P1.4A, P1.5A, P1.7A, P1.9A |
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3 |
T Jan 16
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R Jan 18 |
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Class Cancelled (conference reason) |
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4 |
T Jan 23 |
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A Further Look at Financial Statements |
Chapter 2 |
E2.9, P2.2A, P2.3A, P2.4A, P2.5A |
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5 |
R Jan 25
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A#1
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| 6 |
T Jan 30
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The Accounting Information System
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Chapter 3
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P3.4A, P3.5A, P3.6A, P3.9A, P3.10A, P3.11A
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| 7 |
R Feb 1
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| 8 |
T Feb 6
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Accrual Accounting Concepts | Chapter 4 | E4.1, P4.2A (ignore transaction 2), P4.12A |
| 9 |
R Feb 8
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A#2
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| 10 |
T Feb 13
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Reporting and Analyzing Inventory | Chapter 5 | P5.1A, P5.4A, P5.5A, P5.9A, P5.11A, P5.13A |
| 11 |
R Feb 15
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A#3
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Feb 19-23
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Reading Week - No Classes
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| 12 |
T Feb 27
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Chapters 1-5 |
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R Feb 29
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Midterm exam
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| 13 |
T Mar 5
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Internal Control and Cash | Chapter 6 | P6.5A, P6.7A, P6.9A |
| 14 |
R Mar 7
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| 15 |
T Mar 12
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Reporting and Analyzing Receivables | Chapter 7 |
P7.2A, P7.3A, P7.5A, P7.6A (ignore perpetual inventory), P7.7A, P7.10A
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| 16 |
R Mar 14
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A#4
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| 17 |
T Mar 19
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Reporting and Analyzing Long-Lived Assets | Chapter 9 |
P9.2A, P9.3A, P9.4A, P9.7A, P9.8A, P9.10A, P9.12A
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| 18 |
R Mar 21
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| 19 |
T Mar 26
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Reporting and Analyzing Liabilities | Chapter 8 | BE8.4, BE8.8, E8.12, P8.1A, P8.4A, P8.6A, P8.8A |
| 20 |
R Mar 28
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A#5
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| 21 |
T Apr 2
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Managerial Cost Concepts and Cost Behaviour | Chapter 12 | P12.40A, P12.42A, P12.45A, P12.46A, P12.48A |
| 22 |
R Apr 4
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| 23 |
T Apr 9
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Final review
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Chapter 1-9, 12
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R Apr 11
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Class Cancelled
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Apr 19/23
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Final exam
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