Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Accounting Principles (Face-to-Face)

ACCT 2010-02

Course: ACCT 2010-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ACFN
CRN: 30063

Course Description

This course provides a thorough study of basic accounting principles. The accounting cycle is introduced using an appropriate mix of conceptual and procedural problems. A real-world problem using computer applications is also covered. This is a basic course, which aids in building a foundation for financial analysis and decision-making. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

  • Spiceland, Thomas, Herrmann, 6th Edition, McGraw Hill.  ISBN: 978-1-26-093884-5  
  • McGraw Hill Connect Access Card for the Text: This is already included in your tuition & fees for the course and will be accessible at the beginning of the semester through Canvas. The Connect online access card is required for each student since Connect is the publishers’ online platform where all LearnSmart/SmartBook, homework, and exams are located and graded.  A paper copy of the text is optional. 
  • Non-programmable calculator for quizzes and exams.

 

Learning Outcomes

Accounting is referred to as the language of business.  The purpose of accounting is to provide meaningful financial information to individuals and institutions that have an interest in business.  Most Americans today invest in business through the stock market.  Intelligent investors seek out financial information on companies to make more informed investment decisions.  It is a company’s accounting system which creates and provides the information used by investors.  Business managers likewise need information produced through accounting in making the day-to-day operational decisions that improve a company’s performance and profitability.   If you hope to become a successful investor or manager or simply want a better understanding of your own financial situation, you will need to understand accounting information to improve your decision-making ability. 

University Goals | Assessment
1.       Inquiry & Analysis | Completion of & Participation in In-Class Assignments
2.       Critical Thinking | Completion of Homework and In-Class Assignments
3.       Communication  | Participation in Class
4.       Quantitative Literacy  | Completion of Homework and Exams
5.       Digital Literacy | Completion of Homework Assignments
6.       Information Literacy | Completion of In-Class Assignments and Exams
7.       Teamwork | Participation in In-Class Assignments
8.       Problem Solving | Completion of Homework and Exams
School of Business Goals | Assessment
1.        Communication | Completion of In-Class Assignments
2.        Ethical Literacy  | Completion of In-Class Assignments
3.        Technical & Analytical Skills  | Completion of Homework Assignments
4.        Knowledge of business | Completion of Homework and Exams
5.        Critical Thinking  | Completion of Homework
Course Knowledge Area Goals | Objectives | Assessment
1.        Understand the purpose and structure of fin. stmts.  | Prepare and interpret financial statements.  |  Performance on Assignments  
2.        Understand the accounting cycle and double-entry.  | Record accounting transactions using the double-entry system and prepare financial statements. 
3.        Understand accrual accounting concepts.  | Make adjustments to various assets, liability, and equity accounts consistent with accrual accounting.

Course Requirements

LearnSmart/ SmartBook: “LearnSmart or SmartBook is an interactive study tool that adaptively assesses students’ skill and knowledge levels to track which topics students have mastered and which require further instruction and practice. Based upon student progress, it then adjusts the learning content based on their knowledge strengths and weaknesses, as well as their confidence level around that knowledge” (McGraw Hill connect website).  Essentially it is an electronic personal accounting tutor. Each chapter has a short LearnSmart homework assignment to introduce the student to the key principles and concepts from the chapter.  LearnSmart activities are designed to be completed before chapter discussion begins in class or chapter videos are watched online for improved class discussions and advanced preparation for homework and quizzes.

 Chapter Homework:  Assignments for each chapter will be completed online through use of the “Connect” Accounting software and is due as noted in Canvas.

 Quizzes: Regular quizzes will be administered.  All quiz dates are provided in the syllabus – there are no surprises. There are no makeups for quizzes, but the two lowest quiz scores will be dropped from the calculation of the course grade. Students will be able to correct missed points on the quizzes for half credit. Quizzes are designed to take about 10-15 minutes of class time and always begin at the start of the lecture.  Students are permitted to bring one 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper, double sided, into the quiz.  Students keep their quizzes once they are returned.  Graded quizzes are distributed in an open manner in class. Any missed quizzes as a result of sickness, other obligations, etc. will not be made up. These quizzes will be dropped as one of the two lowest quiz scores. 

Online courses: Quizzes will be administered online through Proctorio. Please ensure that Proctorio and your internet connection are working properly. Students who wait until the last minute and have internet/makeup problems will not be able to make up the quiz. The missed quiz will be dropped as one of the two lowest quiz scores.

Public Company Analysis Research Project:  This project requires you to apply the key principles learned in each chapter to analyze current financial data from real companies currently traded on the New York Stock exchange to learn how these principles apply to real‐life.  This project can be started and completed any time before the due date indicated in Canvas. 

Exams:  The exams will be closed-book and individual effort. You should take a calculator, a blank scratch paper to work out problems, and a pen/pencil into each exam.  Students will be able to correct missed points on the exams for half credit. ***No late exams! All exams will be taken in the testing center during the times outlined in the syllabus. The online portion of the exams will be located in Connect and will be multiple choice. The paper portion of the exams will be given to you in the testing center and will be workout problems similar to the quizzes and in class problems.  Class will not be held the day of the exam in order to ensure sufficient availability in the testing center and to allow students sufficient time to take the exam.  

COURSE GRADING

 | 0-59% | 60-62% | 63-66% | 67-69% | 70-72% | 73-76% | 77-79% | 80-82% | 83-86% | 87-89% | 90-92% | 93-100%
 | F         |      D-    |     D      |     D+     |     C-     |     C       |    C+     |    B-      |     B       |     B+     |     A-     |      A
 
Graded Item 
Intro Items:  2 @ 5 points 
Chapter HW:  2@10 points  
LearnSmart: 12@5 points 
Quizzes: 6@10 points (lowest two dropped) 
Financial Analysis Project: 40 points 
Exams: 3 @ 100 pts, Final 110 
Total Points Possible: 700
 

Course Outline

| 1 | Accounting Info & Decision Making
| 2 | The Accounting Information System 
| 3 | The Financial Reporting Process 
| 4 | Cash & Internal Controls
| 5 | Receivables and Sales 
| 6 | Inventory and Cost of Goods Sold  
| 7 | Long Term Assets 
| 8 | Current Liabilities 
| 9 | Long Term Liabilities 
| 10 | Stockholders’ Equity
| 11 | Statement of Cash Flows
| 12 | Financial Statement Analysis

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments will not be accepted under any circumstances. Exams may be taken early for valid personal reasons, but only when absolutely necessary. Quizzes cannot be made up; however, the two lowest quiz scores will be dropped to accommodate illness or other emergencies. 

Attendance Policy

 Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged. Quizzes must be completed during scheduled class sessions and cannot be taken outside of class time. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.