Before enrolling in Spring 2024 courses, students will need to make sure that they have the technology and equipment necessary for an online classroom (asynchronous) and online testing. 

TESTING: Please use this LINK to find out more information about the technology and equipment requirements (you will need a webcam and a microphone) for this course and taking online exams.  

For a more detailed syllabus, please review the syllabus posted in Blackboard. This syllabus is intended to be a brief overview of the course and is subject to change. The final syllabus will be posted in Blackboard at the beginning of the Spring 2024 semester.

Course enrollment and registration is handled through the office of Larry Stephens, Department Chair, Department of Accounting at ACC. Please contact his administrative assistant at 512-223-4115 for specific details on registration requirements, course approval and deadlines. The instructor does not control the registration for this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the process of evaluating financial statements and reporting. In addition to analytic techniques, topics include prospective analysis of the enterprise, current reporting trends and issues, data visualization and interpretation, SEC reporting and full disclosure.

• Credit Hours: 3
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 0

NOTE FROM THE INSTRUCTOR:

This is a 3 credit hour course over the course of a 16 week semester; the lab portion of the course is dedicated to facilitate the group work requirements of this course.  Prospective students should be aware that this course is offered in a format similar to that of a graduate-level course. As such, students are expected to spend approximately 9 - 12 hours per week on course activities (reading the text, researching case studies, completing quizzes, studying for exams, and completing group assignments). Time management will be essential for students. Some students may need to spend more or less time than this based on personal circumstances.

Assignment deadlines are established on the first day of class and are strictly enforced unless there are extenuating circumstances as determined by the instructor. Extenuating circumstances are those involving the entire class.

Before enrolling in ACNT 2336, you must have completed ACNT 2304 Intermediate Accounting II or an equivalent course with a “C” or better grade.  Students who have not completed the prerequisite courses or who cannot document completion will be withdrawn from the class.

Basic computer skills utilizing internet, word processing, spreadsheet (Excel), and presentation (Power Point) software are recommended for all accounting courses. Generally, all assignments are to be prepared on the computer and presented in a format that would be acceptable in a professional, business environment.  Access to computers is available at the college. Wi-Fi access is available in the parking lots at selected campuses.

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Plagiarism is taken very seriously in this class. Plagiarism is considered to be the copying of another’s work including another student’s work, internet sources, or other research source. Any phrase, sentence, paragraph, etc. that is take from another’s work must be cited appropriately.  This means any cutting and pasting from any source, without appropriate citation, is considered plagiarism and is unacceptable. All written assignments submitted in this course are run through a comprehensive plagiarism checker. The first instance of plagiarism will result in a required student/faculty meeting and a grade of zero on that assignment.  Refer to the above paragraph for further information on penalties.

Textbook specifics: Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation, 6th edition; Easton, McAnally, and Sommers. Cambridge Business Publishers. Digital version including MyBusinessCourse. 

The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to the class schedule as necessary in order to enhance achievement of Student Learning Outcomes.

Course Requirements:

• Active, meaningful participation in class discussion and activities.

• Completing assigned homework assignments.

• Successfully completing exams and quizzes.

• Completing a comprehensive financial analysis for a publicly traded company.

The final course grade, based on points accumulated throughout the course, will be determined by a combination of individual activities (75%) and group activities (25%). Students are required to participate in group activities. The following table describes the major performance activities for this course and expected weightings for each activity:

Your final course grade will be determined by an assessment of your success in engaging the subject matter as evidenced by the total points accumulated during the course.  The following point scale is used to determine the student’s final course grade:

Grade Change Policies: Click on this link to view the policy. See Student Handbook: www.austincc.edu/handbook/policies2.htm

ABSOLUTELY NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

UNIT A: ACCOUNTING QUALITY, FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, FORECASTING

UNIT B: FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK, PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS, RISK ANALYSIS

Instructional Methodology:

The objectives of this course will be met by incorporating a variety of instructional methods.  These may include exams and quizzes, group activities, student presentations, written analysis, and research.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to analyze and interpret the financial statements and related footnotes for publicly traded companies through:

1. The evaluation of the quality of the financial information.

2. Vertical and horizontal analysis.

3. Ratio analysis of liquidity, solvency, risk and profitability.

4. Strategic analysis.

5. Prospective analysis.

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

If you would like additional information regarding the ACC concealed handgun policy, please see the complete policy online at Campus Carry.

Austin Community College has received the designation of Qualifying Educational Credit for the Uniform CPA Examination by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (Board).  This course meets the requirement for an Accounting Ethics course as required by the Board.  Please review the information on our website. It is the student’s responsibility to understand and comply with the requirements of the Board.

To become a CPA in Texas, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree that includes 150 hours of college credit, including 36 hours of accounting, an approved 3 credit hour accounting ethics course and 24 credit hours of business courses.  Passage of the Uniform CPA Exam and appropriate supervision by a CPA are also required.

H.B. 1508 Disclosure:  To become a CPA in Texas, the Board has a statutory obligation (The Public Accountancy Act, Chapter 901 of the Occupations Code, Section 901.253) to determine that any person awarded a Texas CPA certificate is of good moral character.  Good moral character is demonstrated by the lack of a history of dishonest or felonious acts. The Board considers several areas in evaluating an applicant's moral character. These include

·         Responses to questions on the application relating to arrests, charges, convictions, probations and/or deferred adjudications of a felony or misdemeanor other than misdemeanor driving offenses such as moving violations (NOTE: DWIs are not considered misdemeanor driving offenses).

·         The Board will access the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Division files using an established fingerprint process for each person who submits an Application of Intent. The fingerprint process allows the Board to receive information on all arrests, charges, convictions, probations and deferred adjudications of misdemeanor and felony offenses that occur in any U.S. state or territory. Records of these activities are reported to the Board for further investigation. If an applicant was 17 years of age or older at the time of the arrest, it should be reported to the Board. You are not required to report criminal records that have been expunged or sealed by an order of the court. You are required to report criminal records subject to a non-disclosure order.  Any subsequent arrest will automatically be reported to the Board for further investigation.

For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the criminal background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas.  If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

COLLEGE POLICIES

LINK: Master Syllabus – College Policies | Institutional Effectiveness and Grant Development | Austin Community College District (austincc.edu)