Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Financial Accounting I (Online)

ACCT 3010-30I

Course: ACCT 3010-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ACFN
CRN: 30077

Course Description

This is the first part of Intermediate Accounting and focuses on the study of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).  The material in this course is tested as part of the FAR portion of the CPA exam and is taught at that level.  Particular attention will be given to underlying principles of GAAP, the financial statements, and assets such as cash, inventory, PP&E, and intangibles.  Some concepts will initially be a review from Accounting Principles, but more depth will be added.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the foundational financial accounting theory, the accounting process, and the Balance Sheet; understand the ethics of financial accounting 
  2. Describe the Income Statement/Comprehensive income and Statement of Cash Flows, demonstrate time value of money calculations, describe application of revenue recognition standards 
  3. Demonstrate accounting for cash and receivables and various inventory accounting methods 
  4. Demonstrate accounting for property, plant & equipment, and intangible assets 

Course Outline

  1. Environment and Theoretical Structure of Financial Accounting
  2. Review of the Accounting Process
  3. The Balance Sheet and Financial Disclosures
  4. The Income Statement, Comprehenseive Income, and the Statement of Cash Flows
  5. Time Value of Money Concepts
  6. Revenue Recognition
  7. Cash and Receivables
  8. Inventories: Measurement
  9. Inventories: Additional Issues
  10. Property, Plant, and Equipment and Intangible Assets: Acquisition
  11. Property, Plant, and Equipment and Intangible Assets: Utilization and Disposal

Required Texts

This course uses McGraw-Hill's Inclusive Access to Intermediate Accounting, 11th ed, Spiceland rather than a traditional textbook.  This means you automatically have access to the book (online), and access to Connect (assignments/exams) just by enrolling in the course.  There is no other action you need to take.  A fee for Inclusive Access will be charged to your student account - this fee is less expensive than buying Connect access directly as we have done in the past. If you desire, you can order a printed copy of the book in Connect.
Additionally, if you move on to Acct 3020 (Intermediate Financial Accounting II), you will retain this same access at no additional charge.  Your access is good for 18 months.

You will also need access to a computer with Excel and a webcam (for exam proctoring)

Course Fees

A fee for Inclusive Access will be charged to your student account - this fee is less expensive than buying Connect access directly as we have done in the past.

Course Requirements

Course Assessment Table
Course AssessmentsCourse OutcomesSmartbook | 1-4
Thunder Inc Project | 1
Ethics Case | 1
Homework | 1-4
Exams | 1-4
Assignment Outline
Smartbook
This is a feature in Connect which tests for understanding of the chapter reading.  When you open this assignment, it will launch Smartbook and you can then select to do the Smartbook reading or questions.  The reading option highlights the most important parts of the textbook to read.  To get points for the assignment, you will need to complete the Smartbook questions.  Here are a few tips:
  • Do your chapter reading in chunks.  Extended reading usually results in reduced retention.  
  • Use Smartbook to test your comprehension and review weak areas.  This will help you prepare for class and understand the concepts before applying them in the homework.    
  • Late work will not be accepted.  
  • Your lowest Smartbook score will be dropped.
Thunder Inc Project
You will be presented with transactional information for a business.  You will use excel to create journal entries, trial balances, and financial statements.  Detailed instructions can be found in Canvas.
Ethics Case
You will be presented with a case and, after doing some research, will respond to several questions which highlight the importance of ethical behavior in managerial accounting.  Detailed instructions can be found in Canvas.
Homework
Homework will be completed through Connect.  Give yourself plenty of time to work through it so you really understand how to apply the concepts.  Here are a few tips:
  • Working in a study group is encouraged but giving solutions to other students so they can complete homework with little/no effort is prohibited.  
  • Don’t procrastinate your homework.  If you do, you are far less likely to learn from it.  
  • If you get stuck on the homework, you can submit it which will then allow you to review the solution.  You can then go back into the homework assignment (without losing anything you submitted) and make any corrections and/or finish the assignment.  You may do this as often as you'd like prior to the due date.  Sometimes Connect can be a little particular about how answers are submitted so submit and then resubmit as needed so you don’t waste your time on small things.
  • Late work will not be accepted.  
  • Your lowest Homework score will be dropped.
Exams
Four exams will be administered online in Connect during the semester. Connect will utilize an online proctor called Proctorio which requires you take the exam on a computer with a webcam. The exams are designed to test your mastery of accounting principles and their applications.  Exams consist of 25 multiple choice questions worth 4 points each.
  • Check out Exam Study Tips for tips and study guides.
  • No make-up exams will be given. 
  • No outside resources (e.g. the book, phone/device, AI, other people) are allowed during the exam except as noted below.
  • Questions will be selected from content in the textbook whether they are covered directly in class or not.
  • There is no time limit.  On average, exams take 60-75 minutes.
  • Practice exam questions will be available and are a great way to prepare.  However, they are not intended to be a comprehensive review or a replica of the actual exam. 
  • You may use a hand written 3x5 note card (front and back) on the test.
  • You may use scratch paper on the exam.
  • You may use a blank Excel file during the exam (Google sheets or Excel online will not work.  You must have Excel downloaded on your computer.  You can contact SUU IT support for assistance getting Excel.)
  • You may use a calculator on the exam but you are strongly encouraged to use Excel.
  • Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated.  Sharing any information about what was on your exam with someone who hasn't taken it is considered cheating.

Use of AI
Using AI is prohibited for writing assignments (e.g. ethics case) and exams.  It may be utilized to help you with the other assignments and to master the learning objectives. 

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

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback
For messages sent to me, I will try to respond within 2 business days. I will try to provide grades and feedback within 5 business days from the due date.
Late Work
  • Late work will not be accepted.  
Due Dates and Individual Adjustments
Due dates for all assignments and exams can be found in the Connect and Canvas. No late work will be accepted. However, if you let me know in advance (or later if there was an emergency) due dates may be adjusted on an individual basis. Check the schedule and plan ahead if you have vacations or holiday plans.  
Make-up Exams
No make-up exams will be given. 
Extra Credit
After each exam, you will have the opportunity to complete exam corrections to help you learn from your mistakes and get some points back.  Detailed instructions can be found here Exam 1 Corrections
No other extra credit will be offered.
If there's something happening in your life that's affecting your ability to succeed in this course, please reach out to me so we can figure out the best path forward.
 

Grade Scheme

Point break downs and grade assignments are shown in the tables below. If you complete all test corrections for each exam, attend regularly, and complete the majority of assignments, your grade will be rounded to the nearest whole percent at the end of the semester.

This only applies if the rounding would move you to a higher grade. For example, if you earn 86.5% of total points, your grade will round up to a B+. However, if you earn 86.49% of total points, your grade will be a B. For policies regarding Incomplete, Withdrawal, or Unofficial Withdrawal please refer to the current university catalog.

GradeRange
A | 100 % to 93.0%
A- | < 93.0 % to 90.0%
B+ | < 90.0 % to 87.0%
B | < 87.0 % to 83.0%
B- | < 83.0 % to 80.0%
C+ | < 80.0 % to 77.0%
C | < 77.0 % to 73.0%
C- | < 73.0 % to 67.0%
D+ | < 67.0 % to 64.0%
D | < 64.0 % to 60.0%
D- | < 60.0 % to 55.0%
F | < 55.0 % to 0.0%


Attendance Policy

There is no attendance requirement.

Financial Security Statement

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.  

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

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.