COURSE INFORMATION

Synonym:  33029

Class Meeting:  M W 10:20 - 11:50 am

Location: NRG4 4233

Credits:  3 Lecture

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

      Office:  NRG4 4233

      E-mail:  claudia.rodriguez@austincc.edu                  

Blackboard:   http://acconline.austincc.edu

      Office Hours:  W 11:50 am – 12:50 pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

Principles of Accounting I – Financial is a 3-credit hour course. The course consists of 3 lecture hours and 1 lab hour per week (during the 8-week semester). This course is an introduction to financial accounting concepts and the communication of financial information to external users. It examines the accounting process, transaction analysis, asset and equity accounting, financial statement preparation and analysis, and related topics.

REQUIRED TEXT  

Horngren’s Financial and Managerial Accounting with MyAccountingLab, 8th ed., Miller-Nobles, Mattison, Matsumura, Pearson.

This course is part of ACC's "First Day Access” program. ACC has partnered with the bookstore and the publisher to provide you with digital course materials on the first day of class at a discounted rate of $105.54. The cost of the course materials will be included as an additional charge when you register.

If you do not wish to participate in the program may "Opt Out". If you "Opt Out" of receiving and paying for your materials via this program, you will be responsible for obtaining those on your own.

If you participate in the "First Day Access" program, you will gain access to the eBook and MAL (MyAccountingLab) through my Blackboard site. Do not go to the publisher website to purchase this text or to join the trial period! Students who participate in the program will have the digital access and will be eligible to purchase a low-cost loose-leaf print upgrade directly through MAL. It will be shipped directly to you from Pearson for approximately $39.99, plus tax. No shipping fees.

You will access the eBook and MAL in Blackboard. To do this:
• Log in to Blackboard and open the ACCT 2301 course
• On the left-hand menu, click on First Day Access Digital Materials
• To access the eBook, click Read Now.
• To access MAL, click Launch Courseware. The first time you access MAL, you will be asked to either create a Pearson MyLab account or log in with an existing account.

COLLEGE POLICIES

These may be viewed by clicking the College Policies and Student Support Services link in the navigation tree, or by clicking here.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

• Before enrolling in ACCT 2301, it is advisable to 1) have taken the equivalent of ACCT 1403 or BUSI 1301; 2) have recently taken high school bookkeeping; or 3) have acquired relevant work experience. Although not required, the equivalent of MATH 1324 provides a good foundation for ACCT 2301.
• Basic computer skills utilizing word processing, spreadsheet (Excel), and presentation (Power Point) software are recommended for all accounting courses. If you have any questions, consult with an accounting advisor.

CPA and transfer credit:

• To become a CPA in Texas, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree that includes 150 hours of college credit, 36 hours of accounting, an approved 3-hour accounting ethics course and 24 hours of business. Passage of the uniform CPA exam and appropriate supervision by a CPA are also required.
• Principles of Accounting I - Financial generally transfers to four-year colleges and universities. The equivalent at UT is ACC 311, TSU it is ACC 2361, and TAMU ACCT 229.

• The second accounting course required for business majors is ACCT 2302 – Principles of Accounting II - Managerial. A grade of C or better in ACCT 2301 is a prerequisite for ACCT 2302.

COURSE RATIONALE

The goals and objectives of this course prepare students to (1) complete degree requirements; (2) obtain or improve job skills; (3) qualify for a business or accounting job; (4) become an entrepreneur; (5) fulfill personal goals; and/or (6) understand financial statements and the basic accounting process.

SCANS COMPETENCIES:

SCANS is the Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. Please go to http://irt.austincc.edu/ids/curriculum/scans.php for complete definitions and explanation of SCANS.  This list summarizes the SCANS competencies addressed in this particular course.

1. Student exhibits responsibility:  Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance toward goal attainment, works hard to become excellent at doing tasks by setting high standards, paying attention to details, working well and displaying a high level of concentration even when assigned an unpleasant task; and displays high standards of attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm, vitality and optimism in approaching and completing tasks. 
2. Student acquires information:  Identifies need for data, obtains them from existing sources or creates them, and evaluates their relevance and accuracy. Competently performing the tasks for acquiring data and evaluating information includes posing analytical questions to determine specific information needs, selecting possible information and evaluating its appropriateness, and determining when new information must be created.     
3. Student communicates information:  Selects and analyzes information and communicates the result to others using oral, written, graphic, pictorial, or multi-media methods. Competently performing the tasks of communicating and interpreting information to others includes determining information to be communicated, identifying the best methods to present information (i.e. overheads, handouts, etc.), and if necessary, converting to desired format and conveying information to others through a variety of means including oral presentation and written communication.

COMMON COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

There are 7 core concepts that students are expected to master. Mastery will be evaluated through the department designed mid-term and end of semester assessments. The core concepts are:

1. Prepare a multiple-step income statement, classified balance sheet and statement of earnings.
2. Analyze and record the effects of common business transactions.
3. Prepare adjusting entries.
4. Describe the role of closing entries.
5. Apply elements of the conceptual framework to accounting issues.
6. Explain the components of the statement of cash flows.
7. Understand the relationship between financial components.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This is a hybrid course, which means approximately 50% of the class will take place face-to-face at Northridge campus, and 50% will be done online through Blackboard. 

In-person activities include: 

1) Explaining and practicing difficult concepts 

2) Getting an overview of major concepts, minor points, and how they fit together 

3) Class exercises applying material covered, practice questions / small groups

4) Completing Labs

5) Asking and answering questions 

Online coursework include: 
1) Pre-recorded lecture videos and/or PowerPoints

2) Weekly Assignments (Pre-class, homework, comprehensive problems)

3) Quizzes, assessments, and exams 

The objectives of this course will be met by incorporating a variety of instructional methods. These may include lecture, class exams and quizzes, group activities and project, student presentations, class problem-solving, written analysis, spreadsheet, word processing and power point activities, the use of accounting software and online activities and research. Students must bring their own computers to all class sessions.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

Students will use the Blackboard learning management and Pearson MyAccountingLab system for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, and collaboration.  Students new to distance education should review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/.

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation: Regular and punctual class meeting attendance is required of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. Students who act in a manner that significantly interferes with teaching may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor's discretion. All assignments and class examinations will be completed online utilizing Blackboard/MyAccountingLab. Completion is required to earn credit for graded assignments.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (weather, pandemic, or other emergencies), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

Withdrawal: It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the class if the student chooses to do so. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student if necessary either for lack of attendance (more than 4 absences) and/or lack of progress as determined by the instructor. If a student decides to withdraw, the student should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date, 13 October 2025. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the withdrawal form.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course. State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes:  An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade Form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

It is the Accounting Department’s policy that incomplete grades are given only on rare occasions and generally, only when a student has completed all examinations and assignments to date, with a satisfactory grade of C or better, and has personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant. The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award. The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually or in person. The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student. The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.     The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.” 

Blackboard:  I maintain a Blackboard site for this class. You will be able to log onto the Blackboard site http://acconline.austincc.edu to gain access to:

• Course announcements
• Syllabus and other course information
• Link to MyAccountingLab (where the interactive homework assignments are located)
• Gradebook

Your username for Blackboard is your ACCeID. This is your 7-digit ACC student ID, preceded by the first initial of your official first name. During the activation of your ACCeID, you will select your password. If you do not know your ACCeID, you may retrieve it via the Blackboard home page.

Exams: Exams, will be taken in MyAccountingLab using LockDown Browser + Webcam. Students must complete the corresponding chapter quizzes before taking an exam. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice and problems. Each exam will have a time limit and there will be a testing window during which the exam must be completed. DO NOT MISS EXAMS.  If you must miss an exam, please contact me BEFORE the end of the testing window by email. Make-up exams can be taken within four days after the exam date except for the final exam (only in emergency cases and at my discretion). If a make-up test is arranged, 5 points will be deducted. Also, students who do not follow the LockDown Browser testing protocols will lose points at the instructor’s discretion.

LockDown Browser + Webcam Requirement
This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be the type that's built into your computer or one that plugs in with a USB cable.

Watch this brief video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature.

https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml

Download Instructions
Download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=999134577 

Once Installed

• Start LockDown Browser
• Log into Blackboard Learn
• Navigate to the test

Note: You won't be able to access tests with a standard web browser. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.

Guidelines
When taking an online test, follow these guidelines:

• Ensure you're in a location where you won't be interrupted
• Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach
• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it
• Clear your desk or workspace of all external materials not permitted - books, papers, other devices
• Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
• If the computer, Wi-Fi, or location is different than what was used previously with the "Webcam Check" and "System & Network Check" in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to the exam
• To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
  • Avoid wearing baseball caps, hoodies, hats with brims, or earphones
  • Ensure your computer or device is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the computer on your lap, a bed, or other surface where the device (or you) is likely to move
  • If using a built-in webcam, avoid readjusting the tilt of the screen after the webcam setup is complete
  • Take the exam in a well-lit room, but avoid backlighting (such as sitting with your back to a window)
• Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted

Getting Help
Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser:

• ACC provides technical support at (512) 223-4636 ext. 8 for students who have issues such as using an iPad with Respondus LockDown Browser.

• The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. If an exam requires you to use a webcam, also run the "Webcam Check" from this area.

• If technical assistance is needed with Respondus Monitor, 24/7 Live Chat support is available to students, right from the application. Alternatively, go to respondus.com/support to open a ticket with Respondus Support.

• Respondus has a Knowledge Base available from support.respondus.com. Select the "Knowledge Base" link and then select "Respondus LockDown Browser" as the product. If your problem is with a webcam, select "Respondus Monitor" as your product.
• If you're still unable to resolve a technical issue with LockDown Browser, go to support.respondus.com and select "Submit a Ticket". Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it.

Departmental Assessments: There will 2 assessments of course concepts, Assessment 1, and Assessment 2. These assessments will be taken in MyAccountingLab using LockDown Browser + Webcam. These assessments have been designed by the Accounting Department for use by all ACCT 2301 sections.

Quizzes: The quizzes will be given through Blackboard/MyAccountingLab using LockDown Browser + Webcam. Each quiz will have a time limit and there will be a testing window during which the quiz must be completed. DO NOT MISS QUIZZES.  If you must miss a quiz, please contact me BEFORE the end of the testing window by email. Please review the schedule of quizzes listed below.

Lab Activities: Attendance at lab is required. Lab consists of graded assignments, worth 80 points which is 10% of your total grade. You should consider the assignments as open book quizzes. This means you must come prepared to work the assigned problems on your own.

Comprehensive Problems:  There are two comprehensive problems assigned that will give an overall understanding of the full accounting cycle.

Pre-class and Homework Assignments: Homework is a critical part of any accounting course. Important accounting concepts cannot be fully understood until you work the problems. Failure to complete homework often affects the grade a student receives.

Pre-class and homework assignments must be completed using MyAccountingLab, an on-line interactive homework system, access to which is paid upon registration for the course. The MyAccountingLab software will grade your homework and provide immediate feedback to you. 

The homework problems and pre-class assignments must be submitted by 11:55 pm on the due date indicated in this syllabus.

The link to MyAccountingLab will be provided in the Blackboard course.

Class Activities: There will be a variety of class activities, including group problem solving which require your participation.

COURSE EVALUATION/GRADING SYSTEM

Basis for Grading:

LAB SCHEDULE. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to the pace of the class.

QUIZ SCHEDULE. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to the pace of the class.

ACCT 2301, Section 032, Synonym 33029

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I - FINANCIAL

Term Fall 2025

** Due to the flow of the class some assignments or dates may change

REQUIRED TEXT  

Horngren’s Financial and Managerial Accounting with MyAccountingLab, 8th ed., Miller-Nobles, Mattison, Matsumura, Pearson.

This course is part of ACC's "First Day Access” program. ACC has partnered with the bookstore and the publisher to provide you with digital course materials on the first day of class at a discounted rate of $105.54. The cost of the course materials will be included as an additional charge when you register.

If you do not wish to participate in the program may "Opt Out". If you "Opt Out" of receiving and paying for your materials via this program, you will be responsible for obtaining those on your own.

If you participate in the "First Day Access" program, you will gain access to the eBook and MAL (MyAccountingLab) through my Blackboard site. Do not go to the publisher website to purchase this text or to join the trial period! Students who participate in the program will have the digital access and will be eligible to purchase a low-cost loose-leaf print upgrade directly through MAL. It will be shipped directly to you from Pearson for approximately $39.99, plus tax. No shipping fees.

You will access the eBook and MAL in Blackboard. To do this:
• Log in to Blackboard and open the ACCT 2301 course
• On the left-hand menu, click on First Day Access Digital Materials
• To access the eBook, click Read Now.
• To access MAL, click Launch Courseware. The first time you access MAL, you will be asked to either create a Pearson MyLab account or log in with an existing account.

ACCT 2301, Section 032, Synonym 33029

PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I - FINANCIAL

Term Fall 2025

** Due to the flow of the class some assignments or dates may change

COMMON COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

There are 7 core concepts that students are expected to master. Mastery will be evaluated through the department designed mid-term and end of semester assessments. The core concepts are:

1. Prepare a multiple-step income statement, classified balance sheet and statement of earnings.
2. Analyze and record the effects of common business transactions.
3. Prepare adjusting entries.
4. Describe the role of closing entries.
5. Apply elements of the conceptual framework to accounting issues.
6. Explain the components of the statement of cash flows.
7. Understand the relationship between financial components.