Instructor: Neil Higgins

Contact information

Email Address: nhiggins@cuesta.edu

Phone Number: 805-772-3008

Office Location/ Hours: Virtually Zoom Office Hours will be announced at the start of the semester.

Welcome to Distance Education (DE) at Cuesta College and ACCT 252B, Computerized Accounting with QuickBooks Online. My name is Neil Higgins and I will be your instructor for this course. This letter is to inform you of some of the important details prior to the start of this Spring 2024 DE Course. This class will be asynchronous, meaning that there is not a required ZOOM meeting time each week.  This course runs 8-weeks, you are required to have taken and passed ACCT 252A in order to take this course.

Instructor Contact Expectations: 

The best and fastest way to contact me is email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. 

Course Environment:

This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including lecture material, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

Class opens / Accessing Canvas:

You will see your course in Canvas on the first day of class. You can access Canvas by clicking on Canvas from the top bar of the Cuesta homepage (www.cuesta.edu), or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar.

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after [Enter Date] and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address support@my.cuesta.edu.   

Online Learning: 

If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings.  Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU? 

• First, go to the Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self-paced)Links to an external site.,  there are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)

Regular Effective Contact policy:

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

[add any additional contact policy, maybe include response time for questions, and how often student need to log in to class]

Course Description

Expands upon the knowledge of using Quickbooks for more advanced reporting, including inventory management, payroll, and financial reports.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Prepare transactions, inventory, and payroll in a computerized accounting application. 2. Create and analyze financial reports in a computerized accounting application. 

TextBook and Materials

• Computer Accounting with QuickBooks Online: A Cloud Based Approach, 4e. You can continue using the Connect software from ACCT 252A
• Supplemental Materials necessary for the class:
  • Additional software QuickBooks Online (This is FREE and I will explain how to sign up for it)
  • Technology tools outside the LMS
    • McGraw Hill Connect (included with Textbook)
    • MS Office
    • Adobe readerLinks to an external site.

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, or email support@instructure.com.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.  

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome.  This may solve your problem!  Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site..

Accommodations:

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. or at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy: [Identify your course specific academic honesty policy]. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site..

Add / Drop Policy: [Identify your course-specific add/drop policy] In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops

• Add PolicyLinks to an external site.
• Drop PolicyLinks to an external site.

Waitlist Policy: [Identify your course-specific waitlist procedures]. In addition to my course specific procedures, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site..