Course Syllabus

Course Information

AIM 2301 – Introduction to Financial Accounting

Section 003 – Tuesday/Thursday 1pm-2:15pm (SOM 1.212)

Contact Information
Instructor: Xiaohui (Gloria) Liu
Office: SOM 4.802
Phone: 972-883-4187
Email: xiaohui.liu@utdallas.edu or by webct
Office Hours: Monday 1:00pm-2:30pm or by appointment.

Teaching Assistant:
Contact:

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

The course has no formal pre-requisites and no special skills are necessary. The quantitative
aspects of the course will require only elementary computational skills; however a calculator will
be required.

Course Description

The presentation will consist of technical expositions of financial accounting concepts and
material, however, the primary focus will be that of the user, rather than the preparer of accounting
information. Throughout the course we will illustrate applications of accounting principles with
real examples.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

An introduction to business financial reporting designed to create an awareness of the accounting

concepts and principles for preparing the four basic financial statements: the income statement,
balance sheet, statement of retained earnings and statement of cash flows. The course is designed
to benefit all business students who will be future users of accounting information.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Ö Financial Accounting: Tools for Business Decision Making

4th Edition by Kimmel Weygrandt and Kieso
ISBN: 471730513

Course Syllabus Page 1

Assignments & Academic Calendar
Week Tentative Topic Class Assignment
Date
1 8/21 Introduction to Course

2 8/26 Chapter 1 Read Chapter 1

BE1-2 1-4 1-6 E 1-3(a) 1-5 1-8 1-13
P1-3A
8/28 Chapter 2
ƒ Terminology Read page 47-53
ƒ Classifications BE 2-1 E 2-1 2-2 2-7 P2-1A 2-2A 2-3A
ƒ Accounting equation
2 9/2 Chapter 3 Transactions Read page 98-108
BE 3-2 3-3 E3-1 3-2 P3-1A 3-2A 3-3A
9/4 Chapter 3 Read page 109-130
ƒ Dr./Cr. BE 3-4 3-5 3-6 3-8 E3-6 3-8
P3-4A 3-5A 3-8A
3 9/9 Chapter 4
• Revenue recognition Read Chapter 4
9/11 • Matching principle E 4-1 4-5 4-6
P 4-1A
4 9/16 Chapter 4 BE 4-2 4-4 4-5 4-6 4-7 4-8
• Adjusting Entries E 4-9 4-10 4-15
P 4-5A 4-8A
9/18
5 9/23 Chapter 2 Read page 54-64 Read Chapter 13
• Using Financial Statements BE 2-5 2-6 13-4 13-5
Chapter 13 E 2-6 2-8 2-10 13-5 13-6
• Financial Analysis P 2-4A 2-5A 2-6A

9/25 Review for exam

6 9/30 EXAM #1
10/2 Chapter 8 Read Chapter 8
• Accounts Receivable
7 10/7 Chapter 8 BE 8-2 8-3 8-4 8-5
• Accounts Receivable E 8-1 8-2 8-4 8-5 8-6 8-12
cont’d P 8-1A 8-2A 8-3A 8-4A
10/9 Chapter 6
• Inventory Costing Read Chapter 6
SID/LIFO/FIFO/WAVE BE 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-8
E 6-4 6-5 6-8 6-10 P 6-2A 6-5A
8 10/14 Chapter 6
Cont’d

Chapter 9 Read Chapter 9 Section I

10/16 ƒ Depreciation methods BE 9-3 9-6
E 9-4 9-5

Course Syllabus Page 2

 9 10/21 Chapter 9 P 9-7A 9-8A
• Asset Disposals and
Gains/Losses

10/23
Review for exam
10 10/28 EXAM #2 Read page C-1 – C-10
BE C-1 C-2 C-7 C-8 C-11
10/30 Appendix C
• Future Value
• Present Value
• Annuities
• Perpetuities
11 11/4 Chapter 10 Section 2 – Bonds Read page 480-493
• Introduction BE10-6 10-7

11/6 • Interest Expense Read page 501-504

• Gains / Losses BE 10-14
E10-10 10-11
P10-3A 10-4A 10-10A

12 11/11 Chapter 10 Section 2 –Leases

• Classification of Capital Read page 494-497
vs. Operating
11/13
• Lease Calculation

13 11/18
Chapter 11 Read Chapter 11
• Common, Preferred, and BE 11-3 11-5 11-6 11-8
11/20 Treasury Stock E 11-2 11-6 11-7 11-14
• Dividends P 11-1A 11-2A

14 11/25 Chapter 12 Read page 584-612

Constructing Statement of BE 12-2 12-5 12-6 12-7 12-8
Cash Flows E12-2 12-4 12-5 12-6

11/27 HAPPY THANKSGIVING

NO CLASS
15 12/2 Chapter 12 Cont’d P12-7A 12-9A

12/4 Review for the exam

16 12/9 READING DAYS. NO CLASS. OFFICE HOUR 9:30AM-2PM.

12/11
EXAM #3 (11AM!!!!!!!)
Location will be announced

Course Syllabus Page 3

Grading Policy
The overall course grade will be comprised of the following:
Exam #1 ........ 20 %
Exam #2 ........ 30 %
Final Exam ..... 40 %
Quiz ..... 10 %
TOTAL 100 %

Course & Instructor Policies

Course Policy on Attendance:

It is critical to your success that you attend each session. Office hours are not a substitute for
coming to class, therefore, I will not go over material covered in class with you if you have missed
class. More importantly, there will be numerous handouts (sample problems) distributed in class
which you may use on the exams. Unless you have prior approval from the instructor, you must
attend the section for which you are registered.

QUIZZES: There will be a number of quizzes given during lectures. The date and time of quizzes
will NOT be announced. FOUR best grades of your quizzes will be calculated into your final
grade of this course, each count for 2.5%. There is NO makeup for quizzes.

EXAMS:

1. All exams will be open-notes exams. “Open-notes” means that you may utilize any handwritten
notes taken in class as well as out of class materials (such as homework problems) and any
handouts from class. The use of the text or any photocopied materials (including notes and study
guides) will not be permitted on exams. Unless you have prior approval from the instructor, you
must take the exam in the section for which you are registered.

2. You are not permitted to use any electronic communications devices during the exam. This
explicitly includes cell phones and pagers. You are not permitted to use a portable computer on
the exam. You are strongly urged to leave any electronic devices (except calculators) at home or
in a locker on the day of the exam.

3. The first two exams will be taken in the lecture room. The third exam’s location will be
announced.

4. All students are required to present proof of identification at the time of the exam. Acceptable
documentation must be picture identification such as official UTD Comet Card, Passport, or State
approved driver’s license.

Missed Exams:
5a. To receive a passing grade in the course, students MUST take all exams. Under no
circumstances, none, zero, will a student be allowed to “substitute” one exam for a missed exam.

5b. Students missing an exam should contact me prior to the scheduled exam time (unless an
emergency situation arises which makes it impossible). Students with anticipated absences (such
as a documented university sponsored event) should contact me prior to the absence. Failure to
take the make-up exam at the agreed time and place will result in a grade of zero.

Course Syllabus Page 4

 5c. If the makeup exam is not taken within 6 days, the student will receive a grade of zero. If the
students fail to take the makeup exam at the rescheduled time they will receive a grade of zero.

5d. Students are not permitted to attend class until they have taken the make-up exam.

5e. Students are only allowed to take one make-up exam during the semester. A student who
misses a second exam will not be allowed to take a make-up exam and will receive a zero on the
missed exam.

6. Make-up exams will be a different exam than the one given in class and will be closed-book,
closed notes. You will not be allowed to use any class materials on make-up exams.

Disposition of Exams: As per school policy, exams will be retained for one year and then
destroyed.

Use of Computers and Recording Devices: Audio or videotaping of class lectures is prohibited.
Students may use laptops to record their notes subject to the following provisions: (1) the
computer must be silent with speakers muted; (2) the computer cannot be connected to the
internet. Students failing to follow these rules will be asked to leave the classroom. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES WILL STUDENTS BE ALLOWED TO USE THEIR COMPUTERS ON
EXAMS. Students may print one copy of their notes for their exclusive use on the exam if they
desire, but they are prohibited from distributing their notes.

Field Trip Policies

Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities

Not Applicable

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations
for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and
each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern
student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained
in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic
year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and
Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and
in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating
Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Course Syllabus Page 5

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because
the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the
student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual
honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or
material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other
source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see
general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the
web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses.
These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures
must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any
class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork
to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the
class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities,
of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments
of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to
resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the
grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain
primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at
that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the
respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the
respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not
resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic

Course Syllabus Page 6

 Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic
appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at
the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade
must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the
required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the
specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary
to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for
students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example,
a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes
enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities.
The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or
mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members
to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding
the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to
take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period
equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the
instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a
failing grade for that exam or assignment.

Course Syllabus Page 7

 If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or
his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative
intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus Page 8