Introduction to Accounting I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ACNT-1303-001 Introduction to Accounting I

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of analyzing, classifying and recording business transactions in a manual and computerized environment. Emphasis on understanding the complete accounting cycle and preparing financial statements, bank reconciliations and payroll.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

In this course, you are expected to read all assigned materials and agree to abide by the rules and guidelines presented in the department academic integrity policy; by submitting an assignment, you acknowledge this policy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VG1NSpxZzc8HDz_ElcnwYALIMYy-tCSl/view?usp=drive_link

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Although you have outside buying options available, speak with your instructor before buying from a source other than the AC Bookstore. We want to ensure you have the correct product.
 

BUNDLE:  Accounting Essentials (by Eric A. Weinstein)
includes a printed textbook (256 pages) and eLab online learning system access (from Labyrinth Learning) for completing homework and quizzes.

$106 @ AC Bookstore

ISBN: 164061513X

 

Supplies

Notebook/paper and pencils/pens for notetaking and in-class assignments

Calculator (simple, inexpensive, dollar-store type). You will not be able to use your cell phone or an online calculator during in-class quizzes/exams.

Access to a computer with webcam and high-speed internet connection. This technology is used to complete homework and online quizzes, to access and upload Blackboard and eLab assignments, and to attend help sessions via Zoom. Computer labs are available on the Amarillo College campuses if you need internet access, a webcam, or a computer.

Access to a printer to print, or ability to come to campus to pick up, learning materials, assignments, and exam materials.
 

Student Performance

Accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting the financial transactions of a business.

The objective of the accounting process is to understand the impact of prior and existing business management decisions, as well as to make informed judgments and decisions regarding future activities.

The purpose of our course is to introduce you to the fundamental principles of accounting. The skills and knowledge acquired in the course can be applied across many different industries and utilized at many different levels in an organization.

The expected outcomes for the course include the ability to:

• define accounting terminology.

• analyze and record business transactions in a manual and computerized environment.

• complete the accounting cycle.

• prepare financial statements.

• apply accounting concepts related to cash and payroll.

• prepare bank reconciliations.

• correct accounting errors

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work. Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may receive a 0 on an assignment; may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College. The Faculty of the Business Technology Program reserve the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test or assignment by reproducing any specific section or the entire test/assignment in question. Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking, can result in a grade of "F" in this course and possible further disciplinary action. Mandatory Tutoring Policy Any time a student's overall course grade drops below a 75, or two or more assignments have not been completed by the due date, that student is required to attend a 1-hour tutoring session. This session can be scheduled directly with the instructor or with AC's Tutoring Center.

Grading Criteria

Grade Calculations
Course grades will be assigned based upon the following criteria:

Grades scored between
89.5% and 100% = A
79.5% and less than 89.5% = B
69.5% and less than 79.5% = C
59.5% and less than 69.5% = D
0% and less than 59.5% = F 
 

Student evaluation is based upon the following assignments and assignment weights:

 Attendance (16 class sessions)  -  5%
 Practice (6 in-class assignments)  -  15%
 Homework (8 eLab assignments)  -  15%
 Quizzes (8 eLab tests)  -  5%
 Midterm Exam (in class)  -  30%
 Final Exam (in class)  -  30%
 

Assignment Checklist
An assignment checklist is posted in the Blackboard course identifying when each chapter is covered, when assignments are due, and when the midterm and final exams will be administered.

Please take a few minutes and record all due dates on your calendar.

Late Penalty
A 10% penalty will be applied to all late work. For example, if a homework assigned would have earned a grade of 93, but is turned in late, the grade reported will be an 83.7 (93.0 – 9.3 = 83.7).

Attendance
Attendance will be taken at each class session. If you arrive after attendance has been taken, please ensure you have been counted as present before you leave for the afternoon. Attendance will be taken for 16 class sessions, worth 100 points each, for a weighted percentage of 5% of your final course grade.

Practice Assignments
After an introduction to the chapter material, the remainder of our class period is set aside for practicing the chapter concepts on paper and pencil assignments. This will provide hands-on experience, collaboration with your peers, and an opportunity to get questions answered and misunderstandings cleared up before you leave the classroom. A total of 6 practice assignments will be completed in class, at 100 points each, for a weighted percentage of 15% of your final course grade. If class is missed you may still download and complete the problems independently; however, this submission is only eligible for a maximum 75 points out of 100. Practice assignments are preferably completed in class, because of the value of collaboration with others.

Homework Assignments
Homework assignments provide an opportunity to learn and practice basic accounting principles. Homework tasks are problem-solving in nature and will be completed in the eLab learning system. There are 8 homework assignments, each worth 100 points, for a weighted percentage of 15% of your final course grade.

Quizzes
Each week students will complete a quiz to test understanding of chapter concepts and terminology. Two attempts are permitted on each quiz and you may refer to the textbook if you need to refresh your understanding. Quizzes are short, 15-20 questions, using true/false, multiple choice, or matching question formats. A total of 8 quizzes will be completed, at 100 points each, for a weighted percentage of 10% of your final course grade. Quizzes are completed in the eLab learning system.

Midterm Exam
A midterm exam will be administered in Week 4 of the course. The midterm exam is a paper and pencil exam and problem-solving in nature, where students will be required to provide definitions, analyze business transactions, and prepare financial statements on provided worksheets. A hand-held calculator is required to complete the midterm--phone or computer apps will not be permitted. The midterm exam will be completed in class, in a proctored environment. The midterm exam is worth 100 points, for a weighted percentage of 30% of your final course grade.

Final Exam
A final exam will be administered in Week 8 of the course. The final exam is a comprehensive paper and pencil exam and problem-solving in nature, where students will be required to provide definitions, analyze business transactions, prepare payroll, and prepare financial statements on provided worksheets. A hand-held calculator is required to complete the final exam--phone or computer apps will not be permitted. The final exam will be completed in class, in a proctored environment. The final exam is worth 100 points, for a weighted percentage of 30% of your final course grade.

Attendance

All Week 1 assignments must be completed by Tuesday, 1/23 @ 10pm, in order to be considered PRESENT in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date may lead to an administrative drop from the course.

Check your email, Blackboard messages, and Remind texting app daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email address issued to each AC student. Remind is a texting app that provides another quick communication path with your instructor. Your instructor will communicate important course updates, guidance, and hints via email and Remind.

Establish the habit of reading/reviewing the textbook chapter(s) BEFORE you come to class on Tuesday each week. You don't have to know the material or fully understand what you have read, but you will be laying an important foundation. When we review the material in class, it will make more sense and both the in-class assignment and your homework will progress more efficiently. Promise!!

Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time. The more effort you put into keeping on top of the assignments, the more you will learn, the more you will enjoy the course, and the more likely the workload will not feel burdensome.

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have been counted as present--before you leave class that afternoon. Excessive absence or lack of participation may result in failure of the course.

Students should plan on spending a minimum of 6-10 hours per week on this course--outside of the classroom. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignment reqirements and topic complexity.

Your instructor, Lynne Kenney, may be contacted by email through the course in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email lkenney@actx.edu. You may also utilize the Remind app to reach out to your instructor.

Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information

MPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 15:                 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (AC Closed)
January 16:                 Spring-1 Classes Begin
January 23:                 Census Day (Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance)
February 2:                 General Assembly (AC Closed @ 11:00 am)
February 27:               Last Day to Withdraw
March 7:                      Last Day of Course
March 8-17:                 Spring Break - Students & Faculty
March 14-17:               Spring Break - All (AC Closed)
March 18:                    Spring-2 Classes Begin

• Student Help Resources:
  • Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
  • Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
  • Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
  • AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
  • Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
  • Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
  • Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
  • Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/
  • Counseling Center Home Page - www.actx.edu/counseling/
  • Legal Clinic Home Page - www.actx.edu/legal_clinic/