Course Master Syllabus – ACNT 2376 -->
AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

COURSE MASTER SYLLABUS

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS - ACNT 2376

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate (Sophomore Level)

COURSE NUMBER: ACNT 2376

COURSE TITLE: Financial Statement Analysis

CREDIT HOURS:  3 (Lecture Hours)

PREREQUISITE: ACCT 2302 - Principles of Managerial Accounting

METHOD OF PRESENTATION:  3 hour lecture

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Financial Statement Analysis is a course designed for business and non business majors.  It  emphasizes the evaluation of financial statements, cash flows, and ratio analysis of individuals and businesses. Additional emphasis is placed on comparative analyses and the evaluation of industry standards. Topics include ratio analysis; interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows; account classifications; income measurements; time value of money; and capital budgeting decisions. Heavy emphasis on analytical interpretation of ratios.

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS: http://www2.austincc.edu/accting/.
 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to analyze and interpret:

  • basic financial statements
  • profitability ratios
  • liquidity ratios
  • solvency ratios
  • Horizontal and vertical analysis
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES:

 
  • The primary methods of instruction include course lecture, periodic exams, project development, and use of business software.
    • Integration of technology - students engage in problem solving and analysis using Internet resources and online databases (Hoovers.com, BizYahoo.com, etc.) Basic business software (Microsoft Excel) is used to manipulate data.
    • Intensive writing - Students analyze financial statements and other financial data and prepare financial statement analyses.
    • Accounting Research - students prepare financial statement analysis projects based on the results of database research.
    COURSE RATIONALE:
    The goals and objectives of this course prepare students to (1) obtain or improving job-related skills, (2) qualify for careers in business or accounting, (3) qualify for accounting or business certification exams (CMA, CFA, CGFM, CIA, etc.), (4) qualify or a masters program, (5) work as an entrepreneur, (6) complete degree requirements and/or (7) fulfill personal goals.

    SCANS COMPETENCIES (SCANS)

    SCANS competencies have been identified that are relevant to the level of instruction in the community college environment.
    These competencies reflect the knowledge and skills employees need to succeed in any occupation.   A complete definition and explanation of SCANS can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/mkt/scans.htm#whatis. The following SCANS
    are specifically addressed in ACNT 2376:
     
      Exhibition of responsibility
     -  Students meet established deadlines as specified by the instructor.
     - Students regularly attend classes and lab meetings as required by the instructor.
     -  Students exhibit reliability and dependability in the performance of group related tasks.
     
      Acquisition of Information
     - Students identify the need for data, obtain it from existing sources, or create it as necessary.
     - Students use computers to process information.
     - Students understand the accounting information systems.
     
      Use of Information Skills
      - Students evaluate the relevance and accuracy of information and its appropriateness for a given academic activity.
      - Students effectively communicate the results of information retrieval and analysis using oral, written, graphical, pictorial, or other methods as appropriate.
  • - Students apply technology to problem solving activities.
  • Demonstration of Writing Proficiency
    •   - Students display the proper use of grammar and appropriate writing skills in annual report project.
      - Student display attention to grammar and writing skills in homework assignments.
      - Student seek writing assistance from instructor or tutors when necessary.
     
    Student Acquire and Appropriately Evaluate Information
     - Students obtain a publicly traded annual report of a company
      -Students search the Internet and/or other sources for articles or press releases relating to annual report project.
      -Students come to correct and logical conclusions as the result of  evaluating a company's financial performance.
     
    SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:
     Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.
     
    STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
    Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester... or as soon as possible.  The Web site for the Office of Students with Disabilities is http://www2.austincc.edu/osd/index.html.