Instructor: Jack Hall
Office - GH 519
Office Telephone: 745-3896
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 -9:30; 2:00-2:30
Webpage (402) http://people.wku.edu/jack.hall/acct402.html

Email - jack.hall@wku.edu

Contemporary Accounting Issues is designed to provide a comprehensive study of the evolution of accounting concepts and standards that comprise generally accepted accounting principles. Official pronouncements are studied and critically analyzed and evaluated.

Learning Outcomes for Accounting 402

After completing this course, students should be able to demonstrate understanding and  knowledge of:

•  Functions and contents of Financial Statements

•  FASB Accounting Standards Codification--the single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

•  Accrual versus Cash Basis of Accounting

•  Income Determination Vs. Cash Flows

• Come to class prepared!
• Do not come in late. or leave early.
  
• Applicable FASB codification sections assigned for the class meeting  are to have been read prior to coming to class.
• Web material is to be read prior to coming to class.
• Each student has the responsibility to have read sufficiently on each topic to contribute to class discussions.
• Materials pertinent to the class topic are to be on your desk and readily available without you having to rummage through your notes to find it.
• Any problem illustrations that are  not completed are to be attempted and completed by you prior to their discussion in class.
• Respond to questions when asked.
• You may not use a personal computer during the class period. If you bring a PC to class, leave it in your backpack. Any computer assignments  are to be done outside of class.
• It is extremely important not to fall behind because it is difficult to catch up.
• Students are not to wear caps or hats during class or during examinations.
• Do not bring a beeping watch or calculator to class. Turn off these features on your items.
• If you have a cell phone or any other electronic device, it may not be visible during class.  You may not use your cell phone as a calculator for class or for an examination. Leave your cell phone ringer off during the class period.
• You may not use or have visible an i-pod , i-pad, or similar device while in class.
• University policies will be adhered to in all academic matters. The following dates are provided for your information:

January 30-- Last day to drop a course without a grade. 

March 16-- Last day to drop a course with a "W". 

No exceptions will be made to these drop dates. If you wish to drop, you must do so by the established date.

Intermediate Financial Accounting I & II with grades of C or better and senior standing. (non-negotiable-don't ask!)

Students are expected to be familiar with accessing and using the internet for assignments, papers, and other course requirements.

• Regular attendance is required but no points or other credit are given. Consistent attendance offers the most effective opportunity for students to gain a command of the concepts and material for their course of study.  However, attendance is not in and of itself a criterion for the evaluation of the student's degree of success or failure.  Furthermore, absences  do not alter what is expected of the student. Students are responsible for all material covered and announcements made during any classes missed. Absences usually contribute to lower examination grades. The instructor reserves the right to deduct up to 10 points for each absence in excess of three. Excessive absences will be considered in border-line grade situations, and may lead to dismissal from the class. Each student is expected to take full responsibility for her or his academic work and progress. 

• All assignments are to be submitted on the established due dates. Late assignments regardless of the reason, will be penalized. The penalty may vary. Any late assignment must be turned in no later than the time that the graded assignment is returned to the class.

No assignment shall be turned in by placing it in the instructor's mailbox or under the instructor's door. Assignments must be turned in during the class period it is due unless the student has obtained permission of the instructor to turn the assignment in late.

Upper division accounting courses may be attempted only twice, including attempts with a grade of "W."

If you are covered by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) or believe you may be covered by ADA, please notify the instructor of this course during the first week of the semester. You should also register with the Office for Student Disability Services at the Student Success Center, DUC A200, (270) 745-5004. A letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services must accompany any request for accommodations. By communicating early in the semester, there will be a better opportunity to develop an appropriate accommodation suitable to your needs.

Required Materials: (Note: No textbook is required to be purchased)

1. Access to the FASB Codification database.  Access code will be given at the first class meeting.  The log-in link is  http://aaahq.org/ascLogin.cfm. Students are expected to consult this database for topics discussed in class. On occasion, questions on quizzes and exams may be based on the database content.

 pro quest accounting and tax  with standards

WKU students can access this database off-campus via an EZproxy server using only the username (e.g. john.doe) and password of their WKU issued email account.

off campus log-in
once logged in, you will need to select the appropriate database from the drop down menu.  Choose pro quest accounting and tax with standards.

3. Materials to be downloaded from the Internet.  Web pages are best viewed with Netscape -- Explorer will work but formatting may be a problem at times.

4. Intermediate Accounting textbook.

1. Subscription to the Journal of Accountancy and Wall Street Journal. 

2. Delaney, et.al, GAAP, Interpretation and Application, most recent edition. 

A case assignment involving knowledge of spreadsheet applications program for the personal computer. More detailed information available here. 

Examinations:
Examinations will cover any material in the assigned readings, classroom lectures, internet material, or other material referenced in class or via the internet. 
 

Term Examinations: The two term exams will be a combination of essay and/or multiple choice questions. Questions will not be answered by the instructor while the examination is being conducted.  Exam grades will be posted on Blackboard. Students may review their exams in the instructor's office within two weeks after the exam is administered. Exams cannot be reviewed after that period, nor can exams be reviewed prior to the final exam. The term exams normally are given during the late afternoon/evening. Please consider this fact in your schedule for this semester.

Final Examination: The final examination will consist of a series of essay and/or multiple choice questions. Any essay questions will pertain only to material covered since the last exam. Multiple choice questions will cover any area of accounting pertinent to the course (i.e., comprehensive).  Questions will not be answered by the instructor while the examination is being conducted. The final exam will be given according to the published University schedule. 

click here to view sample questions for Accounting 402

While not a grading factor this semester, you are encouraged to keep a Financial Reporting Notebook

Click on this link for information concerning the notebook.

During the course of the semester, you will be required to successfully complete the following items to receive a passing grade in this course (all items must be completed satisfactorily to pass the course): 

• Term Examinations. (250 points)
• Final Examination. (200 points)
• On-line quizzes, (100 points)
• Case Assignment. (50 points)
• Total points (600 points)

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

Do not  inquire about grades via e-mail!