ACCT 242 - Principles of Accounting II - Syllabus - Spring 2010

Instructor: William P. Brown Office: Hiner 106-3
web: http://www.longwood.edu/staff/brownwp/index.htm Office telephone: 434.395.2365
Office Hours email: brownwp@longwood.edu

Last updated: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 04:44 PM

OBJECTIVES

This course continues the study of principles of accounting. Topics include use of accounting information by internal decision making, standard costs and budgeting, cost-volume-profit analysis, and analysis of financial data.

ADDITIONAL READINGS

To better meet these objectives students are expected to regularly read The Wall Street Journal and other business publications. Students will also regularly access and read related files and publications available on the Internet.

TEXTS

Edmonds, Tsay, and Olds, Fundamental Managerial Accounting Concepts, 5th edition (McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2009).

GRADES 


        Each student's grade will be computed using the following weights:


                        Homework & Quizzes                            15%
                        Participation                                 10
                        Tests(4)                                      50
                        Final Exam                                    25 
                                                                     100%

Homework

Written homework consists of problems on the text book publisher's Homework Manager web site. These problems are to be completed not later than 1:00 PM on the date specified in the assignment schedule.

The textbook publisher also provides online quizzes for each chapter. Each quiz should be completed with results emailed to me prior to the first class on that chapter. (Exception: Chapter 1's quiz is due before the second class meeting.)

The In Class Exercises and Decision Problems on the assignment schedule should be reviewed prior to class for discussion in class. These exercises and problems are not to be handed in.

Quizzes

Up to 7 to 10 unannounced quizzes will be given during the session. Quizzes will be given near the end of the class meeting and will be of approximately 10 minutes duration. These short quizzes cannot be made up but a valid excuse (see below) may eliminate a quiz entirely from computation of the final grade. The weight assigned to the quiz average may be reduced if, in the instructor's judgement, too few quizzes have been administered to justify the weight shown above. This option may be exercised for the entire class or for any individual with too many EXCUSED absences. This option is not available for students with unexcused absences unless the instructor reduces the quiz weight for the entire class. Lack of active participation will increase the frequency of quizzes.

Participation

Each student will begin with a participation grade of 85 (middle B). By the end of the semester, that grade will be adjusted in the range of -15 to +15 points. Both asking and answering questions can increase the discussion component of this grade. Perfect attendance with no involvement in class discussion will result in a participation grade in the upper 70s.

Tests

Three tests will be given during the session on the dates indicated in the class schedule. Tests may be rescheduled on an individual basis if a valid excuse is approved by the Dean of the School of Business & Economics. Generally, hangovers, heavy dates, upcoming parties, and/or several tests on the same day will NOT be considered as valid excuses by the Dean or anyone else.

Final Exam

A comprehensive exam of 2.5 hours duration will be given at date and time specified in the university exam schedule.

Attendance

Attendance is expected but not mandatory. However, as noted above, quizzes cannot be made up and attendance determines the larger portion of the participation grade. Also, experience indicates that those who regularly cut class (1) do not turn in homework on time (if at all) and (2) usually do poorly on tests.

COMMENTS

Students can expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours working on accounting outside of class for each classroom hour. This equals about 9 hours per day plus 3 hours of classroom time. Each of you must decide upon a set of priorities for allocating time among this and other courses, job, family, recreation, etc. This is a personal decision that you will have to make for yourself. Whatever choice is made, each person will have to abide by the consequences of the decision.

As with most college courses, an individual student will get no more out of this course than he or she puts into it. It is important that each of you come to class prepared for the day's assigned topics. To be prepared (1) read the assigned chapter(s) including the examples and (2) review the In-class questions and problems and determine the answer, if possible. Be ready to both answer questions in class and to ask questions about aspects of the material not understood.

OTHER ISSUES

Honor Code: All students are expected to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the Longwood College Honor Code.

The faculty of the School of Business and Economics authorized including this statement in course syllabi.

Academic Dishonesty Policy: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated in the College of Business and Economics. If the instructor determines that a student has cheated on an assignment, the grade of "F" may be assigned for the assignment or the entire course. "Cheating" is the provision and/or use of unauthorized resources and/or the work of another, including but not limited to, homework, tests, papers, presentations and exams. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, students are to assume that all course work is to be the work of the individual student alone. If a student is unsure as to whether collaboration is permitted, the professor should be contacted in advance of performing the work.

Bad Weather: Students should become familiar with the College's policy on bad weather. In a nutshell, if the college is open students residing on campus are expected to attend class. Students residing off campus are expected not to take undue risks in attempting to get to School.

Computer Usage: Students will make use of computer resources in the library and on the Internet. Sessions outside of class meeting time will be scheduled for those students who need to learn use of web-browsers, search engines and other resources to locate and exploit information on the Internet. All students must have an active email address.

Disability access: Students wishing to resquest accomodation for a disability should begin that process by contacting
 
 Mike Rentschler, Accomodations Coordinator, Disability Support Services
 rentschlermg@longwood.edu
 804 395-2391(voice)
 711(TT relay).

Office hours

Assignment schedule

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If you have any questions, please e-mail me at brownwp@longwood.longwood.edu.