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CUESTA COLLEGE                          

BUSINESS EDUCATION

ACCT 201B – Managerial Accounting

FALL 2020 SYLLABUS – Online 74807

Instructor:       Dr. Grant Trexler, CPA                                 

E-mail: grant_trexler@cuesta.edu (please include BUS 201B in the subject line)

Phone: Cell 805-441-7460 (yes you can call me or text me!)

WELCOME

Welcome to ACCT 201B!  I look forward to guiding you through the Fall Semester of Managerial Accounting.  This is a challenging course and requires a lot of time and effort, but I am here to help you along the way.  This syllabus outlines my expectations, course policies, the course schedule, and information about what you should do in order to be successful in this course.  If you haven’t done so yet, please visit the Canvas page for this course.  Canvas includes information, such as PowerPoints, announcements, problems we’ll work in class, an online discussion board, and more!  Visit Canvas 5-7 days a week.

General Course Information

Course Description

Applications of accounting for making business decisions. Content includes planning and control issues including cost behavior, budget preparation, performance reporting; addresses social responsibility and employee motivational and behavioral considerations. Preparation of spreadsheet applications useful for decision-making. 

Prerequisite: (courses needed before you take this one): Financial Accounting (ACCT 201A here at Cuesta) or equivalent should have been completed prior to taking this course. Students should possess basic knowledge in electronic spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation applications.

Instructor Contact Expectations:

While I understand how important it is to be available for you, it is not realistic for me to be online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am teaching you at a distance, and I am available online through email and during on virtual office hours.

  • The best way to contact me is to use the Canvas Discussions, and Cuesta Email. I check my forums and email every day when possible.
  • I will generally respond within 24 hours. During rare occasions in the semester when things are really busy or in the event of personal/family emergencies the response time could be increased to 48 hours.
  • If you have questions I encourage you to post them in Forums, for more private matters use email. I will respond as quickly as I can, and I try to get you an answer as soon as I am online again. I am generally online Monday through Friday multiple times a day, and usually offline Monday through Friday after 5 pm and I may or may not reply on weekends. I may not check or respond to emails or discussion posts when offline or on the weekends.

Course Description and Course Objectives from COR

Examines how managers use accounting information in decision-making, planning, directing operations and controlling costs. Focuses on cost terms and concepts, cost behavior, cost structure and cost-volume-profit analysis. Examines profit planning, standard costs, operations and capital budgeting, cost control and accounting for costs in manufacturing organizations.

For the official course description and course outline of record please click on: Link to Active Course Outline of Record at http://www.curricunet.com/Cuesta/reports/crs_outline.cfm?courses_id=286Links to an external site.

 Student Learning Outcomes
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, procedures and functions within a business.  
  • Prepare accounting information for internal and external users using various costing models.  
  • Analyze financial data to form business decisions for planning, directing and controlling a business.  
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication.  This includes demonstrating professional and ethical behaviors and using technology effectively.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

This course is part of the Business Administration Program at Cuesta College. Upon completion of this course, students will have accomplished a portion of the objectives of the Business Administration Program, which are to provide opportunities for students to

  1. Recognize Managerial Accounting techniques and be able to prepare financial statements for a manufacturing firm. Identify and illustrate the primary activities and informational needs of managers and explain the role of the managerial accountant as a member of the management team; compare and contrast Financial and Managerial Accounting.
  2. Define and illustrate various cost terms and concepts and evaluate their relevancy for different decision-making purposes. Use Job Order Costing and be able to trace manufacturing costs.
  3. Use Process Costing, account for Equivalent Units and prepare the Production Cost Report. Distinguish between product and period costs; prepare and evaluate a Schedule of Costs of Goods Manufactured, Schedule of Cost of Goods Sold, and the Income Statement.
  4. Apply Activity-Based Costing and compare to traditional methods. Prepare traditional and contribution-margin income statements; define related terms; explain cost-volume-profit analysis; degree of operating leverage and safety margin and employ each as an analytical tool.
  5. Apply Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis and understand Variable Costs and Mixed Costs and the Relevant Range.
  6. Prepare reports using Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis and understand Break-even Sales in Units and Dollars. Discuss the impact of technology on the manufacturing environment and its implications for product costs and the development of activity-based costing and management; prepare activity-based cost reports.
  7. Use Incremental Analysis in decision making for different circumstances such as make or buy and sell or process further. Explain the purpose of budgeting; prepare a master budget and its component schedules and relate the budget to planning and control.
  8. Calculate and price units using cost-plus pricing and time-and-material prices. Explain the development and use of standard costs, prepare and interpret variance analysis reports and relate them to responsibility accounting and control.
  9. Use Budgetary Planning when making decisions pertaining to sales, production, direct materials and direct labor. Explain the nature of and need for segment reporting and relationship with cost, revenue, profit and investment centers; prepare and analyze related segment reports.

Text Book and Materials

College Support Services

Help and Technical Support

Course and College Policies

Netiquette and Online Course Participation

In the online classroom the instructor plays an important role, but this is a different role than most instructors play in the physical classroom. You'll see a shift in the way classes work. However, some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more attention. Here are some guidelines:

  • In the online environment, it's not enough to log in! We need to see and feel your presence, and we especially need your comments to add to the information, the shared learning, and the sense of community in the class.
  • Be persistent. Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send an email immediately to your instructor, call the online help desk, or post on the Discussion Board. Most problems are easily solved, but we have to hear from you before we can help.
  • Share tips, helps, and questions. For many of us, taking online courses is a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it by posting it on the Discussion Board or other communication tools.
  • Think before you push the "Send" button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it.
  • Be Clear! Remember that we can't see the grin on your face when you make a sarcastic comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say a couple of words, and we can't read your mind and fill in the gaps if you abbreviate your comments. We can’t understand where you are stuck and what you have tried. So: help us "see" you by explaining your ideas fully, explain the place you are stuck (including the problem number, step and what you have tried.
  • Ask for feedback! If you're not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken, ask! Remember there's a person on the other side. If you disagree with what someone has said, practice all your communication skills as you express that disagreement.
  • Don't be inappropriate. "Flaming," or flying off the handle and ranting at someone else is unacceptable; it's the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us wouldn't do in an onsite, face to face classroom. Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to the same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occurred in the physical classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.
  • Be Honest. Plagiarism, cheating and other violations of ethical student behavior are serious actions in a learning community.

Student Expectations

  • The number of hours spent on this course will vary depending on your comfort level with the technology and business background. The average student will spend a minimum of between 4 – 6 hours each week working with the resources available.
  • This is a college level 4-unit course, and it is important that you recognize that your success depends by the amount of effort you put into the class. There are lots of resources available to you, and this course will require a great deal of reading (lectures, weekly assignments, textbook, forums and other online links). You need to commit to logging into this class regularly (3 out of 7 days a week), and working with your Wiley Software every day. In order to pass this course, you must not only complete the homework assignments and exams; you must participate in the online discussions and complete the written assignments.
  • To be successful in this course you will want to log in multiple times a week. Successful students in the past would log in at least 3 out of 7 days every week. I strongly suggest you find a schedule that works for you and stick with it - be consistent. Setting yourself up for 3 or 4 days makes it easier to log in and get answer to questions you might have, see what other classmates might be saying in the form of a question or response, and digest all the material in manageable quantities.
  • A new topic/chapter will begin every seven to ten days. The chapters will typically start on a Monday and close on Sunday; you are responsible to ensure you know when all assignments are due. Please note that the discussion and introduction of the topics will occur during the week, and assignments are only given a grace period to be turned in to allow you an opportunity to work on a weekend and provide plenty of opportunities for questions during the week. As stated above I may not respond to discussion or email on the weekends, so make sure you plan your study hours in a manner that will allow you to reach out when you are stuck. Additionally, if you have a question over the weekend know that I probably will not respond until Monday, and asking questions on the next before the due date are likely to go unanswered. You may want to add a topic to the Discussion board to see if your classmates can assist you. 
  • Part of your success in this class will be determined by your ability to participate effectively in the class discussions. Each student is tasked with coming to the online class (Canvas), multiple times a week and prepared to discuss the text material, and prepared to demonstrate skills learned. Each student should seek to build on the ideas of others and contribute to the overall learning ability of the class. The ability of the class to elevate their analysis through the contribution of others is a key part to our success.
  • The quality of your contributions determines your grade for this portion of the class. Do not be surprised if you are asked during a discussion for additional input. Login in and posting is not sufficient in and of itself. 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 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 log into 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.
  • My suggestion is to set aside time that you can work on accessing your course materials. Each week it is important that you recognize there is a weekly Assignment list detailing what is due and the Due Date. If you work through the links you will be successful.
  • It is your responsibility to drop the class if you are no longer attending. Do not rely on the instructor to process your withdrawal from the class.  If you do not officially withdraw from the class in a timely manner, a grade of “F” may be issued.

Discussion Forum Requirements

For each Chapter, I will post a Discussion Topic that you must post a response. The points awarded for the discussion question responses are part of your course participation. You will only earn points if you respond to the question posted by your instructor and within the time period the topic is covered. When responding please make sure you use the following criteria.

  1. Answer the prompt with justification and reasoning from your research, reading or personal experiences.
  2. Use complete sentences with correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, and punctuation
  3. Refrain from using profane or obscene language
  4. Extend courtesy to your fellow students
  5. Refer to Netiquette Guide above

You should respond first to the prompt provided by your instructor no later than three days after the Chapter is started, and then to a minimum of two different classmates before the last day for the Chapter. You should have a minimum of three posts on three non-consecutive days. Your response should be detailed and use current business language. Your original response should be at minimum two paragraphs, and your response to classmates should be a minimum of 50 words. When responding to a classmate you should identify why you agree or disagree, and then provide additional insight or comparisons.

You will be awarded 6-8 points for your initial timely response if it meets the requirement (see rubric in Canvas) and provides insight into your understanding of the topic and reasoning to your response. You will be awarded 2 point for each different student response if posted by the last day for the Chapter, meets the word count, provides additional comparisons, reasoning for agreement/disagreement, and is on non-consecutive days. The points awarded will be a maximum of 10 participation points per Chapter.

Grading Policy and Assignment Expectations

The following are the different types assignment with in the course

Non-Graded: There are opportunities for you to learn the material through interactive presentations that will allow you to see and explore the material. These assignments are for your personal gain and are not graded. However, they are highly encouraged.

Graded

  • McGraw Hill Connect Homework: All of your homework will be submitted in Connect. There are two parts to your homework.
    • To work through the Learn Smart, study and practice. There will be a series of questions as assessment, where you refer to the reading.  The Learn Smart is an individual learning module and allows you to work on areas that you know the least about to increase your knowledge. Then you will complete additional questions based on your individual learning needs. You must answer all of the questions to earn points for this part of your homework.
    • Homework Problems which allow you to apply the concepts and use the accounting process to complete journal entries, perform computations on concepts presented, develop financial statements, etc. You will have THREE attempts to do each question in the homework problem in McGraw Hill Connect, however each attempt you start over.  Links will be enabled so you can go back and forth with the text.  You will have 10 opportunities to check your work through each attempt in the problem; the correct answers can be accessed with the button after your last attempt so that you will know you have the correct answers before you move on to the next part.  You may complete your homework assignments up to one week late for a 10% reduction of credit for each day you are late. After one week you will not earn points for the assignment.
  • Quizzes: All quizzes are multiple choice (similar to the Learn Smart and Homework questions). The questions are pulled from a pool of questions from the chapter. Each student will receive a random selection of the questions.  These same chapter pools of questions are used to pull questions for the midterms and the final exam (see below). You are given one quiz attempt and quizzes are timed. You may enter the quiz only once and it must be completed during that access. At the end of 75 minutes the quiz will close and you will not be able to access it. Quizzes open on the first day of the course and end on the last day of the Chapter, this allows you to take the quiz when it is most convenient for you. Your grade will show up in the grade book in Canvas after you have completed the quiz, you may review the quiz after the quiz closes.
  • Exams: There are two timed 130 minute exams within Connect. Exams are given following the completion of four Chapters (e.g., Exam One covers Chapters 14-17 and Exam Two covers Chapters 18-21). You may enter the exam only once and it must be completed during that access.  At the end of 130 minutes the exam will close and you will not be able to access it.  The questions are project based (similar to your Connect Homework) and remember your time is limited.  This is not the time to try to learn the material.  Exams are open for seven days, this allows you to take the exam on a day that is most convenient for you. Your grade will show up in the grade book after you have completed the exam, you may review the exam after it has closed.
  • Submission Policy: Assignments will be completed within the Connect online software by linking to them through Canvas or by directly accessing Connect. Your scores will be automatically imported into the Canvas Grade book after the Chapter closes. You can view your scores on the Connect Homework in the Connect site at any time.
  • Forum posts: This class will have required postings for each week.  The postings will be done in the forum and required to be responded to (see Discussion Forum Requirements above for due dates and requirements) The forums will be based on news articles, topics of interest, and resources related to accounting. This class will be much more enjoyable if you engage in the discussions and participate in our online learning environment. You are awarded points based on your critical response and answering the prompt. You are also awarded points for your contribution to the discussion and responses to your classmates (see above). Forum posts are part of your participation and attendance in the course.
  • Final exam: The final exam is mandatory and will be taken online through Proctorio. There will be a module on Proctorio. The final will be Multiple Choice True/False (50 questions) and 4-6 free response questions. The final exam is a cumulative, electronic exam similar to the midterms. YOU MUST HAVE A COMPUTER WITH A CAMERA TO TAKE THE FINAL. You will be required to show a picture ID, calculator (no Cell Phones or internet accessible devices), note card (1 sheet of paper, both sides), and perform a scan of the room including your working area prior to beginning the final.
  • Timeline for assignment feedback: Connect assignments are automatically graded and you are provided instant feedback, grades from Connect will be transferred into Canvas Grade book and available for viewing within 48 hours following the assignment late submission due date.  Quizzes and Exams are automatically graded and valuable for viewing in Canvas the Monday after they close. Writing assignments and participation are graded manually by your instructor and will be completed within 48 hours after the submission deadline. Each week and your final course grade will be posted in Canvas, after grades from Connect have been imported. It is advised that you periodically check your grade and report any missing points or questions as soon as possible to ensure you earn proper credit.

EVALUATION: 
Your final grade in this course will be based on the following:

 Class Participation (10 points each Discussion Assignment) 

12%

Homework in Connect (drop lowest Homework & LearnSmart)

20%

Unit Exams (100 pts each)

26%

Quizzes (30 pts each, drop two lowest)

27%

Final (Mandatory Cumulative and Comprehensive)

15%

Total 

100%

After your numerical grade has been calculated based on the above, your letter grade will be assigned as follows:

Grade Distribution

Percentage

Grade Distribution

Percentage

A

>92

C+

77-79

A-

90-92

C

70-76

B+

87-89

D+

67-69

B

83-86

D

63-66

B-

80-82

F

<62

 You can see your grade at any point in time within Canvas. Assignments not completed will be given a zero.

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