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REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:

• Stice and Stice, Intermediate Accounting, 16th ed.
• FASB Financial Accounting Research System (FARS) (CD Rom) 2006 edition
• Lundblad Web Materials

Office Hours:

1. Juniper Hall, room 3218: T: 9-9:30 am; Th: 12:30 - 1:00 pm; 9:00 pm as needed in BB 1119; and by appointment.
2. E-mail/HyperNews "office hours": S, W: 8-9 pm (or next morning early!).

Concurrent enrollment in Accounting 351Com is required (unless you have already passed the course)

Acct. 351Com is an integral part of Accounting 351. Take it just as seriously as Accounting 351! If you fail to successfully complete Accounting 351com you will not be able to enroll in any further accounting courses just as if you fail to successfully complete Accounting 351.

 DESCRIPTION OF COURSE CONTENT, REQUIREMENTS AND BASIC RULES

Accounting 351 is the second course in the Intermediate Accounting sequence. It examines the following topics: Financial statements; revenue recognition; issues related to alternative asset valuation methods; current and non-current assets; current liabilities; and investments.

 WARNING: You must know the concepts, methods and terminology covered in Principles of Accounting and in Accounting 350. If you have forgotten the basics, review them before we examine the more advanced issues.

 Course Objective and Course Format: 1. Provide an in-depth understanding of the technical rules governing financial reporting and the rationale behind them. 2. Provide an opportunity to practice research; critical reasoning; and analysis skills. 3. Practice communication skills In conjunction with Accounting 351Com. To accomplish the course objective, the format consists primarily of class discussion (including problem solving), supplemented by lectures as needed. The assigned readings and cases form the basis for discussion; consequently you must complete all readings and assignments before the corresponding class period. Additional materials may be provided periodically on the web page, they are an integral part of the course and you will be held responsible for their content. Check the web page regularly for update information.

Required Assignments and Grading

	Points
3 Exams: (2 @ 135 points; 1 @ 180 points) Exams consist of problems; essays; and multiple choice questions. You may use one (1) page of notes per chapter.	450
8 Quizzes (on webCT) 8 multiple choice quizzes (see course schedule for dates) are given on webCT Each quiz is available from 1am on a Saturday to 11pm on the following Sunday. Each quiz has 20 questions and a maximum value of 10 points. The 6 (six) best quizzes are counted 3 in class quizzes -see schedule for dates	60     30
Communication Assignments - Joint Assignments with Accounting 351com
1 group report (Joint Assignments with Acct. 351Com!): Each group must prepare a complete written report on an assigned topic.	20
4 Individual assignments (research questions and 3 cases (see course schedule for cases and dates)	130
Note: The group report and the individual cases are graded for technical content in Acct 351 and for communication skills in Acct 351Com.
Homework and participation
Double-entry journals (5 points each, see details below) count the six best	30
Participation (includes participation in HyperNews discussion)	80
Total	800

Individual cases - The cases are joint assignments (they will be graded in Accounting 351 for technical content and in Accounting 351com for communication) The purpose of these cases is to provide you with training and practice in the following skills: Research of accounting issues (FASB: SEC; other sources); analysis of unstructured problems (multiple "correct" answers may be possible; alternatives must be identified and you must be able to justify your answer); and communication of accounting information in a professional manner. Although the last item (communication) is primarily evaluated by the communication instructor, be aware of the fact that egregious violation of proper communication rules (i.e., plagiarism) or inability to communicate accounting information comprehensively will also result in a failing grade in Accounting 351. The cases will be graded according to the standards shown in the grading rubric . Download the file and make sure you are familiar with the expectations explained in the file.

Homework: Double-entry journals - I have developed them to help you study the material in this course. You find them on the course schedule and the chapter resource pages, Use the journals as follows:

1. Read the book and the information provided in the chapter resource page on the web
2. Answer the questions and try to complete the practice problems BEFORE THE CLASS MEETING ON THIS SUBJECT
3. Add any questions (areas of confusion, uncertainty, etc.) Enter answers (questions) in the first column (insert needed spaces).
4. Leave the other column blank
5. Bring the journal to class
6. Write answers to YOUR questions, revisions to your answers or any additional information relating to the questions and answers you recorded in the blank second column.

Included in the double entry journals are also recommended exercises and problems from the appropriate chapters in the textbook. Their purpose is to provide you with the practice necessary to master essential technical accounting skills. They will not be graded. I may, however, discuss some of them in class. Do not expect to receive a passing grade if you have not completed the recommended assignments. Accounting is a subject that requires practice. The assigned problems are the minimum amount of practice required, if you expect to receive an average grade. Solutions are available online, after we have completed the respective chapter. Remember, the more you practice, the more you will improve your technical skills. You may work any cases, exercises or problems. I have merely suggested a minimum set of assignments.

Participation You can earn participation points through a variety of means:

General Participation: Be active - ask questions; present opinions; solutions; respond to questions by your colleagues and me.

Respond to question in class: During each class session I will call on several persons (using a randomly generated number). Your preparation or lack thereof will become a significant component of your participation grade.

HyperNews Participation: The HyperNews pages should be used to post questions and answers to questions regarding the material in the book, cases, and class discussion. You receive points based on the frequency and quality of your participation.

Policy on Missed Exams: I do not give make-up exams. If you miss a midterm exam due to unavoidable circumstances, the final exam will be weighed proportionately higher, provided: Either: Arrangements were made with me prior to the date of the missed exam OR.written corroborating evidence must be presented, i.e. a medical certificate.

Final Exam: . I do not give make-up a exam. If you are unable to take the final exam for unavoidable reasons, you will be assigned an incomplete.

 All assignments are due on the indicated dates, no late assignments will be accepted.Plus/Minus Grading. In accordance with University grading policy, grading in Accounting 351 will incorporate plus/minus designations.Policy on Academic Dishonesty. Academic dishonesty including cheating, fabrication, facilitation of academic dishonesty, and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any evidence of cheating will be referred to the appropriate University office for adjudication. Make sure you read and are familiar with the section of the current schedule of classes regarding definitions and penalties. During the first week of class: Download; read; sign and hand in a copy of: Core Value Statement and Ethical conduct Pledge and the Professional conduct statement Starting fall 2005, students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in each upper division business and accounting course in order to graduate with a BS in Accountancy. Students who earn less than a “C” will be permitted to repeat the course only once and only if/when a seat becomes available. There is no guarantee that a student will be able to repeat a class in the semester desired. State and local fire codes prevent classes from exceeding room capacity. Students must have an assigned seat with desk space (i.e., students will not be permitted to sit on the floor or in an empty chair in order to repeat a course.)

Students with Disabilities

All points not specifically discussed are governed by CSUN and COBAE policies: Accounting 351 is a rigorous and time-consuming course. It requires in-depth study and analysis and should not be undertaken casually. Several steps may be taken to avoid the "I understand the material, but I just can't do it on the exam" syndrome:

1. Do not take this course in conjunction with a full class load, full time work and an extensive social life. One or more of them will have to go. Accounting 351, requires a minimum of 15 hours per week of study/work time. This is in addition to the 3 hours of scheduled class meetings.Avoid too many similarly demanding courses.Stay up to date in all assignments.Carefully read and follow the "Student Success Guide"
2. Consult me BEFORE YOU ARE IN SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES

   Success in this course and in your chosen profession requires an "intentional learning" approach, as described below:

Source: Francis, M. C, Mulder, T. C., and Stark, J. S., Intentional Learning: A Process for Learning to Learn in the Accounting Curriculum. American Accounting Association: Accounting Education Series, Volume No. 12. 1995, Ch. 2.1. online: http://raw.rutgers.edu/raw/aaa/market/aeseries.htm

 

 

 All points not specifically discussed are governed by CSUN and COBAE policies