Accounting I David R. Swarts; Spring Semester, 2010
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Syllabus

Instructor: Mr. Swarts
Office: Room #543
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:  9:00 - 10:00; Tuesday:  3:00 - 4:00.  Other office hours upon request.
Contact Hours Four (4)  
Credit Hours: Four (4)
Semester, Year: Spring, 2010
Telephone: (518) 562-4174 
E-Mail: david.swarts@clinton.edu

I. Course Description

This course introduces the basic principles of accounting theory and practice, emphasizing the sole-proprietorship form of business. Primary areas of study include the theory of debit and credit, accounts, and special journals, the accounting cycle, notes and interest, accruals and deferrals, receivables, inventory, plant assets, and the preparation of financial statements.

II. Course Prerequisite: None.

ENG094 and MAT100.

III. Textbook and Other Required Materials:

Accounting; Warren, Reeve, and Duchac; Custom Edition.  Good news! The same book is used for Accounting II.

Working Papers Plus, Custom Edition.  No assignments will be accepted unless prepared on these forms.  Please retain papers remaining for use in accounting II.

This material may come shrinkwrapped as a package. Once the package is opened, it will not be accepted at the bookstore for a refund.

A basic calculator (nothing extra-special).

The following are not required for this course, but are recommended as valuable educational tools:

A Study Guide.
A spiral-bound notebook for taking notes.

IV. Objectives:

The purpose of this course is to give the student a basic understanding of the theories, principles, and applications of accounting. Students may refer to the individual "Chapter Objectives" at the beginning of each chapter for specific goals. A list of "Course Objectives" is also furnished below:

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

List and use the basic accounting equation and the rules of debits and credits;

Utilize the seven basic steps of the accounting cycle for a sole proprietorship and a merchandising business using subsidiary ledgers and special journals;

Describe and summarize internal control procedures for cash including bank reconciliations and petty cash;

Journalize entries for uncollectible receivables including the direct write-off method and the allowance method;

Describe and compute the cost of inventory using three methods for both the perpetual and the periodic methods and compute valuation of inventory at other than cost;

Compute depreciation, using three different methods and journalize entries for the disposal of fixed assets, depletion; and intangible assets; and

Journalize entries for notes receivable, notes payable, and product warranties and determine employer liabilities for payroll.

    General Education Objectives: N/A

V. Methods of Instruction

The instructor will utilize the following methods of instruction: lecture, student responses to the end-of-chapter activities, self-evaluation by students of their assignments, and accounting DVD's and videos (obtained through your Learning Resources Center).

Students are encouraged to seek assistance outside class from the instructor, through group tutoring, and through the utilization of tutors available at the College in the Tutoring Center. Studying in groups is also encouraged.

It is strongly recommended that students visit and use the author's website: http://warren.swlearning.com.

Differently-abled students: If you have, or suspect you may have, any type of disability or learning problem that may require extra assistance or special accommodations, please speak to your instructor privately after class or during scheduled office hours as soon as possible to help you obtain any assistance you may need to successfully complete this course. You should also contact Laurie Bethka, Room 419M, in the Accommodative Services Office, for further assistance.

VI. Attendance Procedure

Attendance, promptness, and participation in all accounting classes are prerequisites to success both in relation to a student's grade and to a student's ultimate success in the business world. Poor attendance, arriving late consistently, and lack of participation can  affect a student's grade.  If you come to class late, make sure you notify your instructor after class that you attended class; otherwise, you will be marked absent.

In addition, the instructor will utilize the College's policy for attendance and make-up work as stated in the College's current catalog.

Note:  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to go to your instructor's office, e-mail your instructor or leave a phone message to find out what was covered in class and to find out your assignments for the following class.  You also need to state how you will make up the missed work.  If no contact is made, late assignments will not be accepted.

You will be withdrawn from class after you miss nine (9)) day classes or five (5) evening classes.  Note:  Two "lates" equal one absence.

VII. Methods of Evaluation

The final grade is computed as follows:

Tests: 80% 
Chapter Assignments and Comprehensive Problems:  20% 

Tests. Four (4)  tests will be administered. Tests may not be made up; a "zero" will be given on a missed test, unless prior arrangements have been made. If a test is missed, the score on the next test will be doubled.  

Chapter Assignments. Assignments include reading of text materials, questions, exercises, problems, and other supplementary materials and must be completed on forms from Working Papers Plus.  Assignments are to be prepared in pencil.  Assignments are not to be left in the instructor's mailbox; they will not be accepted.  All chapter assignments must be submitted no later than the due dates as provided by the instructor.  In most cases, this is the commencement of coverage of the next chapter. It is recommended that you prepare most, if not all, of your homework while on campus--this is particularly recommended for summer students.

Comprehensive Problems.  Three (3) Comprehensive Problems will be assigned.  They appear after Chapters 4, 6, and 11.  They represent an evaluation of the cumulative material learned and represent composite, real-life situations applicable to the accounting cycle.

Assistance and Incentives:

You can sharpen your skills and improve your grades by visiting the Tutoring Center located on the Fourth Floor of our Main Building.  A computer lab is available, as well as an Online Tutoring Center.  Want to access the library through the Internet?  Access it from home—or anywhere.  For links to these areas, please refer to the college's website at:  www.clinton.edu or talk with your instructor. 

Reward for Good Attendance:

If you have perfect attendance, your final grade will be increased one grade level.

VIII. Course Outline:

Chapter Topic

1 Introduction to Accounting and Business     

2 Analyzing Transactions

TEST #1

3 The Adjusting Process     

4 Completing the Accounting Cycle

5 Accounting Systems

TEST #2

6 Accounting for Merchandising Businesses 

7  Inventories

8  Sarbanes-Oxley, Internal Control, and Cash   

TEST #3

9   Receivables    

10 Fixed Assets and Intangible Assets

11 Current Liabilities and Payroll

TEST #4

Grading Scale Including Quality Points):

95 - 100   A     4.0
90 - 94     A-    3.7
87 - 89     B+   3.3
83 - 86     B     3.0
80 - 82     B-    2.7
77 - 79     C+   2.3
73 - 76     C     2.0
70 - 72     C-    1.7
65 - 69     D+   1.3
60 - 64     D     1.0
0   - 59     F      0

WY    =    Involuntary Withdrawal  (No Credit; No Quality Points)  

Student Conduct.  Students should read the section of the college catalog entitled "Code of Student Conduct," as well as other documents, policies, and the student handbook.  Students are reminded that they should not disrupt or obstruct teaching and learning.

Academic Integrity. All students are expected to behave with academic honesty. It is not academically honest to misrepresent another person's work as your own, to take credit for someone else's words or ideas, to accept help on a test or assignment when you are expected to work independently, to obtain advanced information on confidential test materials, or to act in a way that might harm another student's chance for academic success. Please check the college catalog for more information.

Course Continuity Plan.  In the case that the college officially closes because of an emergency which causes a short-term disruption of this course, we will utilize e-mail to continue this course in the short term (1-3 weeks).  All students need to utilize their campus e-mail to receive course-related information.  

Cell Phones.  Please turn off cell phones during class.

Attire:  It is suggested that, if you wear a hat, you wear it in the usual manner.  Please keep hoods down and wear sunglasses outdoors.

ASSIGNMENTS

(Submit to Periodic Changes)

Graded Assignments and Tests in Bold

(10 Assignments, 3 Comprehensive Problems, and 4 Tests)

DAYTIME COURSE

*NOTE THE CHANGE IN DAYS AND TIMES!  (Same classroom)

EVENING COURSE--FALL, 2009

This page last modified on 03/16/2010 .

For more information about this site, please contact David R. Swarts.