Introduction and General

Course Information

 

ACC 210    Accounting Fundamentals I    (5 Credits) ACC )210 - Accounting Fundamentals I - 5 Credits

Course Description

Accounting 210 is a beginning Accounting course that is transferable to most four-year programs in business administration, and is the first course in the accounting sequence (ACC 210, ACC 220, ACC 230).  Accounting 210 deals with topics in financial accounting, a process which involves analyzing, recording, classifying, summarizing, and reporting the results of business activities.  In addition to learning the process of accounting, students will examine specific topics including cash, receivables, and inventory.

 

Course Objectives

A student successfully completing ACC 210 should be able to do the following:

 

a.  Describe and perform the steps of the accounting cycle, including analysis, journalizing, posting, adjustments, worksheets, and financial statements;

 

b.  Analyze situations in which fragmentary information is given and reach appropriate conclusions, both at a detailed level and higher levels;

 

c.  State the purpose and application of selected accounting assumptions, principles and exceptions underlying modern accrual accounting;

 

d.  Solve basic accounting problems in written or oral form, using accounting models--arriving at correct conclusions regarding process and results.

 

Textbook and Supplies

The textbook for this class is:

 

Weygandt, Kieso & Kell, Accounting Principles, Sixth  Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2002.

 

All homework submissions should be appropriately labeled.  The text presents Questions, Brief Exercises, Exercises, and Problems at the end of each chapter.  Pay particular attention therefore, to the assignment schedule, and be sure to distinguish among Q's, BE's, E's, or P's. 

 

The instructor recommends use of a four-function calculator, for use on both the homework and on the examinations.

 

 

 

Instructional Methodology

The subject of Accounting is one which demands good reading skills, the ability to analyze, and some skill with numeric calculations.  As the course progresses, the accounting model will emerge, as well as the process by which businesses use this model to determine resource valuation and  periodic income. 

 

The instructor suggests that the following activities are critical to successful learning of accounting:  1) reading of Study Guide material;  2) persistent reading and rereading of the textbook;   3) your time and best effort in doing every question, exercise and problem assigned;  4) critical appraisal of your performance on the homework.  The instructor is confident that if the items listed above are carried out assiduously, the examinations will be successful experiences, and you may even decide that the Accounting field might be a career interest.

 

Please Note:  This Study Guide is divided into Lessons.  There are a total of nine lessons, numbered 1-9.  Lesson 1 corresponds to Chapter 1, Lesson 2 corresponds to Chapter 2, and so on.

 

Each person brings his/her own learning skills and experiences when learning a new subject.  In a correspondence course, much of your learning will consist of working with the textbook.  My advice:  consider your goal to be successful completion of the homework in each chapter.  I am confident that successful homework completion results in  learning the subject and successful performance on the examinations.  This idea is so important that I would further recommend that you scan the homework before you begin reading the chapter.  The textbook we are using is very detailed, and there is a tendency to get lost in all the detail.  If you read with your goal in mind, you will be more efficient in your study.  Ideally, you will understand each Question, Exercise and Problem assigned in a chapter, before moving on to the next one.

 

The instructor stands ready to support you, consult with you, provide guidance, and assist you in making this course a successful venture.  Please do not hesitate to ask questions!  An Internet address and telephone number (with voice mail) are provided, and the instructor observes daily office hours.

 

At any time during the quarter, you are invited to communicate the effectiveness of any of the instructional methods utilized, recognizing that the instructor must be the final judge of the instructional methodology.

 

Grading

Your grade will be based upon a number of different criteria and will be determined according to the following weights:

 

Examination I                                        100 points

Examination II                          100 points

Final Examination                                  100 points

Homework                                           100 points

                                                            -----

                                                            400  points possible

 

The subject matter covered in each of the three Examinations is as follows:

Examination I will cover Chapters 1-4 of the textbook;

Examination II will cover Chapters 5-7 of the textbook;

The Final Examination covers Chapters 1-9 and is inclusive of all material in the course.

 

A student achieving 95% of the possible points would receive an A grade (3.5 to 4.0).

A student achieving 90-95% of the possible points would receive a B+/A- grade (3.1-3.5)

A student achieving 80% of the possible points would receive a B grade (2.6 to 3.0).

A student achieving 70% of the possible points would receive a C grade (1.6 to 2.5).

A student achieving 60% of the possible points would receive a D grade (1.0 to 1.5).

A student achieving under 60% of the possible points should confer with the instructor to determine if an NC grade or Withdrawal might be appropriate.

 

Please recognize that grading is a judgment process.  While it is somewhat easy to distinguish between a 2.5 and a 3.5, it is not so easy to say with certainty that a person should receive a 2.9 rather than a 2.8.  The instructor will not likely entertain discussions regarding grade changes of one or two tenths unless there are documented clerical or other errors.

 

The examinations will include problems, definitions, what-ifs, multiple choice, and other challenges.  I have enclosed a sample for each of the three examinations in the Study Guide, to give you an idea of how and what to study.   Previous experience suggests that the sample examinations have led to higher student performance.   Hint:  the homework problems provide much of the material and inspiration for examination questions.  The tests are "closed book", but you will likely be well prepared if you have completed and understand the homework.

 

Overview of Assignments

In an effort to reduce the paperwork confusion regarding homework, the instructor proposes the following procedures:

1.      Hold on to your homework until the current lesson has been completed.

2.      Please organize your homework (Q's, E's, P's, etc.) in the same order as the textbook;

3.      Prominently label your homework (which Q's, E's, P's, etc.) and include your name and return address in a conspicuous place.

4.      You are encouraged to keep disk copies or photocopies of your homework to insure against loss of the original in transit.

5.      For Correspondence homework:  be sure to staple your bar code sheet to the top of your homework; this facilitates checkin and checkout of the homework.

 

If you follow these procedures, it will be very much appreciated by instructor.  In return, he will try to do a competent and timely job in judging your work and providing guidance.

 

Instructor Information

Michael P. O'Neill earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Washington in Sociology in 1970, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1974 from Pacific Lutheran University.  He has taught at a number of community and four year colleges in the Seattle-King County area, and in a wide variety of subject areas, including Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Computer Programming, Economics, and Statistics.   Additionally, he has significant management experience.  Mr. O'Neill completed the Uniform CPA Examination in 1982, and currently teaches on a full-time basis at Seattle Central Community College.

 

Instructor's Office Location and Phone Number

The instructor's office is located at 801 East Pine, room 301, which is located at the corner of Harvard and Pine Streets.  The instructor's telephone number is (206) 344-4336.  Additionally, a mailbox exists in Room BE 3210, and the Office Secretary's number is (206) 344-4347.

 

The instructor’s email address is :  moneil@sccd.ctc.edu

 

Students with Special Needs

Students with special needs are invited to confer with the instructor and/or the appropriate SCCC counselor to address such needs.