Welcome to distance education at Cuesta College! My name is Mrs. Cynthia R. Wilshusen, and I will be your instructor for the online version of Financial Accounting (ACCT 201A CRN 34324). This letter is to inform you of some important details prior to the start of the Spring online class. Please read this page very carefully! This course will start on January 21, 2025, and you will gain access to your course on the first day of classes! This class is fully online with proctored exams, but no mandatory meetings, .

Contact Information:

Instructor: Mrs. Cynthia Wilshusen
E-mail: cwilshus@cuesta.edu
Voice Mail: (805) 592-9389

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU? 

• First of all, go to the Online Readiness Resources Links to an external site.and take the "self assessment survey" then read "Your Results".  (If that survey does 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.

Computer and Class Requirements:

• You must have access to a computer
• Email account

• Reliable Internet connection. You will also need to have a backup plan in case your internet provider or computer goes down. All of practical assignments and tests will be submitted to me via the assignment dropbox. We will also be using a link directly to the publishers website where you will complete the ten key assignments.
• It is also essential that you understand the basic concepts of email, web navigation and online communication to succeed in this course.
• You will obtain access to the following textbooks on the first day of class.

Required textbooks / materials:

Wild Financial and Managerial Accounting National LL 8/E with Connect Access Code
You will be provided access to your textbook on day one and materials fees will be charged at registration.

 

Technology tools outside the LMS:
o McGraw Hill Account (established through Canvas)
o ConferVoom (for instructor conference requests - do not need an account)
o Adobe readerLinks to an external site.
o Mandatory Online Orientation  

You must complete the mandatory online orientation to say enrolled in this course:

1. You will log into Canvas on the first day of the course, and complete the required orientation exercise which will include: watching an orientation video, composing an email, posting in the forum, locating your homework site and submitting your first assignment. Failure to complete these exercises will result in confusion and inability to find the necessary course links for a successful semester, and immediately dropped from the course. You can get a head start now by completing the campus online orientation in this Cuesta Canvas Online Orientation

   You should also Review the Canvas Quick Reference for Students Online.Links to an external site.

   Mandatory Comprehensive Problem & Final Exam

   The following items are required to pass the course. These requirements are necessary for the course to be eligible to transfer to CSU's.
   

   Comprehensive Problem: The Comprehensive Problem is mandatory ; and worth 15% of your grade. It will be similar to the homework, but one large continuation problem that covers multiple topics from throughout the course.

   Final exam: The final exam is mandatory ; and worth 20% of your course grade. It will be Multiple Choice, 50 questions, and cumulative, electronic exam similar to the quizzes. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam and some questions will require you to make small calculations, etc.

   Important Notes

   Given the fact that this class has a tendency to fill quickly, and there are several students that need take this class it is imperative that you send me an email prior to the first day to confirm your enrollment if you do not plan on taking the class. Failure to comply with all orientation assignments by the deadline, you will receive an immediate drop from the class.

   Note that once class starts all communication will take place within the campus learning management environment. Additionally, if you are using a web access email account or any email account with high spam settings, it is likely that you might not receive some initial emails that detail important class information.

   My suggestion is to add my name (Cynthia Wilshusen) and email address cwilshus@cuesta.edu to your contact list to ensure that my emails are not blocked, and you are able to continue in the class without missed deadlines or being dropped. Once you add me to your contact list, please do not forward me any of your fun or junk mail, as this is my email for work, and I can not or do not want to be bombarded with junk email, managing this class,  other traditional classes, and a full time job  will be more than enough. At the completion of the course, please remove me from your contact list. Thank you

   Student Learning Outcomes

   What's This Class About?   This class is a 4 unit college level financial accounting course. By the end of the semester you will have a practical approach to understanding basic accounting concepts and processes. You will have practiced the concepts and processes and be ready to apply them in business and industry. More specifically you will be able to:
   • Demonstrate understanding of accounting terminology, principles and procedures.
   • Prepare accounting information following generally accepted accounting principles.
   • Analyze accounting information.
   • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication. This includes demonstrating professional and ethical behaviors and using technology effectively.

   
   

   Course Policies

   Participation

   Online classes are available and make your education experience more convenient. However, this is not a self pace, learn on your own class. This is a 4 unit college level course which translate to roughly 10 - 12 hours a week in lecture and homework. I have structured weeks with material for you to read, watch and interact with. I ask my students to find time in their busy schedules to log into the classroom three out of seven days a week to discuss topics related to the material being learned. This helps to answer questions, clear up confusion, and we have a chance to learn form other students experiences. The days in which you log on are up to the students and can be weekdays or weekends whichever works best for your situation.

   You should also print out a copy of this letter and keep it handy for reference.

   Drop Policy

   The quality of your contributions determines your grade for this portion of the class. Contribution of quality thoughts and analysis are imperative to succeed in this portion of grading. As stated in the Class Schedule: “Normal progress and successful completion of scholastic work depends upon regular attendance. Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratories for which they are registered. Instructors set an attendance policy for each class and it is the student’s responsibility to know and comply with each one.”

   If you cannot participate in class, my expectation is you will communicate with me via e-mail, complete with reason for missing class. This may not excuse an absence but it does provide a context for your absence when I complete the evaluation of this portion of the course. In addition to points earned for contribution in class discussion, any absence from the course with failure to notification the instructor by email will be dropped from the class after two weeks of absence / non participation.

   In addition students that fail to complete the required orientation exercises will be dropped by the orientation deadline in the first week of class.

   Please review the campus add/drop policyLinks to an external site.!

   Academic Honesty:

   You are expected to complete your own assignments and exams. If you are caught cheating, both you and the other students involved will receive an F.

   What do we mean by “cheating?”

   • Sharing answers with another student to complete assignments or exams
   • Submitting someone else files as your own
   • Submitting either your assignments or another student’s files from a previous semester
   • Helping someone or receiving help on an exam
   • Getting someone else to take your exams

   What happens if you cheat?

   Both you and the other students involved will receive an F on the assignment, exam, and/or for the entire course.

   For more information, see the Student Code of ConductLinks to an external site. in the General College Catalog.

   
   

   Accommodations

   STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS SHOULD USE THE FOLLOWING CUESTA PROCEDURE:

   1. Contact the DSPS officeLinks to an external site. Building N3000, Room N3024
   Fall/Spring hours: M-F 8 a.m.-12 noon, 1-5 p.m, (805) 591-6215, (805) 591-6216 TDD dspsinfo@cuesta.edu
   2. Present documentation of disability for review by a disabilities specialist
   3. Discuss options for support through DSPS
   4. Present a signed DSPS authorization for accommodation to your instructor