ACCT 230-200 Course Syllabus

Spring 2011

Professor:  Dr. Annie McGowan

Office Phone:  845-2055

E-mail:  AMcGowan@mays.tamu.edu

Home Page:  http://acct.tamu.edu/McGowan

Office Hours: T-TH 1:30 p.m.-3:00

Teaching Assistant:   Amanda Torres

Teaching Assistant E-mail:     amt42@tamu.edu

Teaching Assistant’s Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:30 and Thursday 1:00-2:00

Course Description

This course will examine the internal organizational uses of financial and non-financial information in planning, controlling, and decision making. Broadly, the course materials are geared towards the accomplishment of three basic objectives. These are to gain a fundamental understanding of and the ability to communicate to others:

  • the technical and conceptual aspects of management accounting
  • the role of accounting in organizations
  • the behavioral implications of accounting information

Recently the accounting profession called for major changes in the way universities teach accounting at all levels, placing less emphasis on technical skills and more emphasis on communication and critical thinking skills. The report titled What Corporate America Wants in an Accountant details the areas in which deficiencies are perceived. For professors, these changes mean that we must reduce the amount of time that we spend in a traditional lecture format, and instead encourage students to discuss issues and concepts in class in both large and small groups. Particular emphasis will be placed on the use of accounting data for strategic decision making and control. For students, these changes will require a new way of thinking about strategies for success in the course. Emphasis will be placed on application rather than memorization. Additionally, the traditional lecture format will be replaced with facilitated class discussion and group workshops.

Course Materials

Required Text:  Managerial Accounting by Garrison,Noreen, and Brewer (13th edition)

Optional Materials:  Business Plan Pro Software

Grading

The course grade will be determined as follows:

2 exams @ 100 points each

200

Homework

50

Semester Project

100

Final Exam

100

Total Points

450

 Grade assignment will be based on the normal university grading scale unless otherwise indicated. Students will be guaranteed a letter grade by earning the following number of total points for the semester:

A= 90% B= 80% C= 70% D= 60%

Examinations:

All exams will be based on the material in the textbook, the supplementary materials assigned, class discussions, and lectures. The format of the exams will be announced prior to the exam. All exams are comprehensive, but will emphasize the new material.

Absence from a scheduled exam will result in a grade of zero, unless the student has prior approval from the professor and the absence is in accordance with University regulations. Make-ups for missed exams must be scheduled immediately (within 24 hours of missed exam).


Class Discussion

Instead of the traditional lecture format, we will use a question and answer format to explore the varied cost accounting concepts and techniques. Discussion guides including demo problems for each major chapter are available. (Click here to view discussion outlines). Specific groups will be called upon to answer these questions during class. I will act as the facilitator, guiding the discussion, and the recorder, documenting the correct response. Class participation points are based in large part on performance during these discussions. (Remember, it is not necessary that your answer always be correct, however, a reasonable effort is expected).

Homework:
To provide me with a measure of your understanding of the materials covered, I have assigned homework problems that will be graded for accuracy. A total of 60 homework points will be assigned, of which a maximum of 50 points will count towards your final grade. These assignments are accepted only at the beginning of the class period in which they are due.. No late assignments will be accepted without an official excuse. Other problems that are assigned from your textbook are for your benefit only. I will be happy to solve these problems on an as needed basis (by request).  Click to view homework assignments.

Peer Review:
Early in the semester students will be assigned to permanent groups. These groups will meet in class to work and discuss homework problems and concepts. You will also work in this team to complete the semester project. During the semester each student will evaluate the performance of all other students in the group, based on effort, participation, cooperation, and other relevant criteria. The individual student's grade will be the average of his/her peer evaluations. I reserve the right to submit an evaluation of my own to the average.

Semester Project:

During the semester, students will apply the concepts and techniques covered in the course to develop a mini business plan for a business of your choice.  Students will work in groups of 4 to develop a plan that describes the management, marketing, and financial details of an enterprise. The project is broken into sections with due dates provided for each.  Each group is expected to present their work during the final weeks of the semester. (See the schedule for details).

 

Policies:

·         Dishonesty: I believe in the Aggie honor code and I expect strict adherence to it, without my having to guard you like a prisoner. It is never in your interest to allow cheating in this class, since some of your grade is competitive.  

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal,

or do they tolerate those who do.”

Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System.

For additional information please visit: www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/

 

·         Eating/drinking:  The Mays Business School policy prohibits eating and drinking in Wehner classrooms.

·         Disabilities: If you need any special accommodation for test taking or any other activity, please make the appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Accommodations. Click here for more details: Disabilities

·         Attendance: Although I do not specifically give a grade for attendance, it will definitely be a factor in your success in this course. Click this link for more details: Active Learning

·         Quality of Work: The materials that you turn in to me must be of the same quality that you would want your supervisor to see. That means I count off for misspellings, grammatical errors, incomplete sentences, and "messiness." Clarity and quality of written documents is an essential skill of an accountant. Click this link to go to a list of on-line writing labs: Writing Help


 

ACCT 230 HONORS

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

Spring 2011

 

Date

Chapter

Topic

Assignment

1/18

Ch 1

Managerial Accounting and the Business Environment

Read on your own.

1/20

 

Transaction Analysis

See Handout

1/25

Ch 2

Cost Classification

E2-2, E2-4, E2-5, E2-6, E2-10,

P2-18, P2-24, P2-26, P2-27,

1/27

Ch 2

Cost Classification

Product/ Service Description Due

2/1

Ch 3

Job Order Costing/

Unit Cost Computations

E3-1, E3-5, E3-7, E3-10, E3-15, P3-18, P3-20, P3-25, P3-29,P3-32

Assignment 1 Due

2/3

Ch 3

Job Order Costing

Overhead

2/8

Ch 5

Cost Behavior

E5-2, E5-4, E5-6, P5-13, P5-14, P5-16, P5-24, C5-27

Assignment 2 Due

2/10

 

Business Plan

Research Tools

West Campus Librarian

2/15

Ch 8

Activity-Based Costing

E8-3, E8-5, E8-6, E8-9, E8-11, E8-14, P8-24,

P8-28

Company Overview & Operating Plan Due

2/17

Ch 8

Activity-Based Costing

2/22

Ch 8

REVIEW

Assignment 3 Due

2/24

 

EXAM 1

 

3/1

Ch 6

CVP Analysis

E6-3,E6-5, E6-7, E6-9,P6-10, E6-13, E6-15, E 6-16, E6-17, P6-21, P6-28

 

3/3

Ch 6/

Ch 9

CVP/

PROFIT PLANNING

 

3/8

Ch 9

Profit Planning

Assignment 4 Due

E7-1, E7-3, E7-10, E7-7, P7-16, P7-17

3/10

Ch 9

 

 

Profit Planning for

Business Plan

 

E9-1 E9-2, E9-3, E9-4, P9-9, P9-11, P9-13, P9-15 P9-19

II. Market and Competition

3/14-3/18

 

SPRING BREAK

 

3/22

Ch 16

Financial Statement

Analysis

 

3/24

Ch 7

Variable Costing

E7-3, E7-6, E7-7, P7-9, P710

3/29

Ch 7

Variable Costing

3/31

Ch 10

Standard Costing

E10-2, E10-3, E10-7, E10-9, E10-10, E10-15

P10-24

Assignment 5 Due

4/5

Ch 10

Standard Costing

Financial Projections and Analysis Due

4/7

 

Standard Costing

Assignment 6 Due

4/12

 

EXAM 2

 

4/14

Ch 13

Relevant Costing

E13-2, E 13-3, E13-4, E13-5, E13-8, E13-10, E13-11, P13-16, P13-17, P13-18, P13-19, P13-23, 13-24

 

4/19

Ch 13

Relevant Costing

Complete Business Plan Due

4/21

 

Presentations

Groups 1 & 2

4/26

 

Presentations

Groups 3&4

4/28

 

Presentations

Group 5& 6

5/3

 

Redefined Day

Attend Friday Classes

Friday

May 6

12:30-2:30

 

FINAL EXAM

9:35 Section

 

Friday

May 6

3:00-5:00

 

FINAL EXAM

11:10 Section