Syllabus, ACC 425  - Term 1, 2006
 

Microcomputer Applications in Accounting

Conant Home

ACC 425 Home

Syllabus

Schedule

Notes

INSTRUCTOR:  Donald D. Conant

Class Time and Location: T – Th, 7:50 – 10:20, Fort Lewis

Phone: work: (360) 754-4877, home: (360) 556-7359

E-mail:   Provided in class

Web site: http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/dconant

OFFICE HOURS:  By appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS:  To order at Prentice Hall select Accounting Information Systems

	Romney, Marshall B. and Steinbart, Paul John, Accounting Information Systems, 10th Edition, ISBN: 0-13-147591-6 Publisher: Prentice Hall Copyright: 2006 Format: Cloth; 832 pp Published: 03/29/2005

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

As stated in the Saint Martin's University catalog, this course “introduces accounting, auditing and federal taxation software currently available in the accounting profession."

In this course I will provide an overview of Accounting Information Systems including E-business and the five major accounting cycles that form the core of an Accounting Information System. I will also introduce the student to the Peachtree Accounting package. I will also introduce the student to applications of Microsoft Excel and Access for accounting. This will include worksheet and database construction and design, and built in accounting functions.

OBJECTIVES:  

At course completion, students should have:

Developed an understanding of the core elements of an Accounting Information System.

Learned to setup and manage company accounts using PeachTree Accounting.

Learned to utilize Microsoft Excel to process and analyze accounting information.

Learned to utilize Microsoft Access to process and analyze accounting information.

Gained an understanding of the terms and concepts related to Accounting Information Systems and the related software that will allow the student to pursue further study and to apply their knowledge in practical settings.

TEACHING STRATEGY: 

The class sessions will be a combination of lectures, interactive exercises, and project work. Course content will come primarily from the assigned textbook, supplemental texts and software. Additional content will be incorporated where appropriate.

Students are responsible for reviewing the class schedule and completing assigned readings, lab problems and other assignments.

The primary focus of the class will be the completion of the lab assignments and the completion and in class review of assigned reading. In this way the student will develop a hands on understanding of the software applications. I have chosen exercises that provide the student with sample data designed to develop this understanding.

BRIEF COURSE OUTLINE:

Week (Extension 1, Main 1, 2):
Course overview and Microsoft Excel

Week (Extension 2, Main 3, 4):
Microsoft Excel, Foundations of Accounting Information Systems, and an Overview of Business Processes

Week (Extension 3, Main 5, 6):
Access, Relational Databases, and Computer Fraud and Abuse

Week (Extension 4, Main 7, 8):
Access, Auditing Computer-Based Systems

Week (Extension 5, Main 9, 10):
Access, Mid-Term Exam, and the Revenue Cycle

Week (Extension 6, Main 11, 12):
Peachtree, the Expenditure Cycle

Weeks (Extension 7, Main 13, 14):
Peachtree, the Production Cycle

Week (Extension 8, Main 15, 16):
Peachtree, the Human Resource and Payroll Cycle

Week (Extension 9, Main 17, 18):
Final Exam

GRADING:

Grade category and points:

Grade Scale:

REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance: (30 points) Attendance and participation in the classroom session is critical. This is a computer lab. Because each student may or may not have access to the software covered in this course, much of the computer instruction is completed in the lab. There is almost no way to make up for missed material. The material covered in class will have a direct bearing on the student's performance on the exams. Attendance will be taken and considered at the end of the term. The benefits of regular attendance will be seen in and exam scores. Attendance will be taken during the closing minutes of each class. If you have an excused absence or if you need to leave class early submit your name, the reason for your absence/early departure, and the date of your absence/early departure in writing to your instructor (email is OK) before the absence/early departure.

Exams: (70 points) Each exam will consist of a software portion and a multiple choice portion. The software portion will consist of a practical problem involving Excel or Access. The multiple choice portion will cover the reading assignments and lecture material from the assigned chapters from the textbook. Each exam is worth thirty-five (35) points. Missed exams and unexcused late exams will be scored as zero (0).

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: The Learning Center offers individual learning consultations, study group assistance, handouts and books on study skills, and free peer tutoring in the following subject areas:  math, chemistry, physics, economics, accounting, Spanish, French, and Japanese.  The tutoring schedules are posted outside the door in Old Main, room 212. To learn more about resources available through the Learning Center you are encouraged to drop by room 208 or visit their website:  www.stmartin.edu/academic/learning_center/index.htm.

SPecial needs:  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical and/or safety concerns to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Contact Information:

Phone:
work: 360.754.4877
home: 360.556.7359