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California State University, San Bernardino |
| Department of Accounting and Finance | |
| Accounting 574 - Course Information Page |
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California State University, San Bernardino |
| Department of Accounting and Finance | |
| Accounting 574 - Course Information Page |
Welcome...to Accounting 574. I am Dr. Rick Lillie, the course instructor. Acct 574 is the third course in the "Intermediate Accounting" sequence and covers significant accounting and reporting topics tested on the "Financial" section of the new online CPA Examination. During ACCT 574 we will cover the last eight chapters in the Kieso 12th Edition textbook (i.e., Chapters 17 through 24), and continue solving problems in WileyPlus-Premium, and learning how to use the FARS Online research service.
You need to complete and submit the Pre-Course Survey Questionnaire. Here's the link to the survey form. Provide all requested information and carefully respond to all questions.
Click here to access the Pre-Course Survey Questionnaire
NOTE: It is your responsibility to make sure that you have completed all prerequisite courses before attempting to enroll in A574. Currently, prerequisite courses include A373 with a grade of "C" or better.
Please make sure that the information you provide is current and will be effective with the beginning of the Quarter for which you intend to enroll in the course. If you change any of your "Personal Contact Information," please notify me of such changes.
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Notice to AOL, MSN, and HOTMAIL USERS Students using AOL, MSN, or HOTMAIL email must add my name to their "approved contacts list," otherwise, you may not receive emails that I send to you. Please add Dr. Rick Lillie to the approved contacts list in your email account. I will send you email from one of two email addresses: |
How the Course Works
ACCT 574 will be taught in a "blended" format. "Blended" means that the class will include live-class sessions, as well as, online activities (e.g., study teams, online research projects, and use of audio/video-conferencing). The course will meet "live" at the regular scheduled class time. Course materials will be available online through the Blackboard course website. The course will include a great deal of interaction between you and me and between you and your fellow class members.
The primary textbook for the course will be Intermediate Accounting, 12th Edition, by Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield, published by Wiley & Sons, Inc. Throughout the course, you will use WileyPlus-Premium, which includes simulation-based problem-solving, access to the FARS Online research service, and access to the FARS Tutorials. Textbook information and ISBN numbers for these course resources are listed below.
Required Course Materials
Intermediate Accounting by Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield. ISBN: 0-471-74955-9
Purchase the Kieso textbook through Coyote Bookstore in order to purchase WileyPlus-Premium at a significant discount price.
WileyPlus-Premium: You should have received your registration code for WileyPlus-Premium when you purchased your copy of the Kieso 12th Edition textbook. If you do not have a WileyPlus-Premium registration code, contact the Coyote Bookstore about purchasing a registration code.
Optional Course Materials
Optional: Problem-Solving Survival Guide, Vol. 2, to supplement Intermediate Accounting 12th Edition (Wiley), ISBN: 0-471-74958-3. This volume covers Chapters 15 through 24.
NOTE: The Problem-Solving Survival Guide (Vol. 2) may be purchased from any book seller.
The course is very structured, with the study week beginning on Monday and ending the following Sunday evening at 12 PM (PST). Homework assignments will be accessed through the Class Assignment Schedule.
Throughout the course, I will be available to you through virtual office hours. You will be able to contact me by telephone, email, Skype, Zoho Notebook, and other means. I am available most days and early evening hours.
The course website and course materials are designed to work with PC computers and Microsoft-based software. Students using a MAC computer may need to install MAC software that emulates the PC operating system.
Students using Windows VISTA may encounter difficulties working with some course features. Unfortunately, Windows VISTA is still a work-in-process for Microsoft and is not always compatible with the rest of the computing world.
Most of the software used in the course is available as a "free download" from the Internet. Microsoft Office software can be purchased through the university bookstore at student discount prices.
About Technology Used in the Course
Throughout the course, you will use several very interesting, cutting-edge technologies. I will help you to get you up and running with the technologies BEFORE the course begins.
In preparation for the course, you should determine that your computer includes the following minimum configurations as described in the following table. If your computer is relatively new, you probably have the items listed below. If your computer is more than one to two years old, then you may need to make upgrades to your system as recommended in the following table.
| Component | Description | Download Resources |
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RECOMMENDED COMPUTER SYSTEM SETTINGS |
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Operating System
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Windows XP or VISTA or MAC |
Course materials are
designed to work with Windows-related systems and compatible software.
Many new computers are coming pre-loaded with Microsoft VISTA. I
wish that I could tell you that all course features will work with VISTA.
Unfortunately, VISTA continues to be a work-in-process by Microsoft.
If we encounter an incompatibility with VISTA, we will work together to
find a suitable solution. Most course materials should work with a MAC computer. Contact me if you will be a "MAC" user. |
| Type of Computer | PC-type personal computer (desk top or laptop model) | Course materials are designed to work with a PC-based computer. If you use a "MAC," course materials "should work" provided that you have installed the latest version of the "PC emulator" software onto your MAC machine. |
| RAM Memory | Minimum of 512 MB of RAM Memory. Strongly recommend that you upgrade to at least 1 GB or more of RAM memory. | RAM Memory is cheap. You will need a minimum of 512 MB of RAM memory to run course software. I recommend that you upgrade to a minimum of 1 GB. Contact the store where you purchased your computer about upgrading your RAM Memory. |
| Internet Connection | DSL or Cable |
Online courses work best with a high-speed internet connection
(e.g., DSL or Cable).
When you consider the cost of broadband service, in many cases, it is less than dialup services such as AOL and only slightly more than the cost of dialup services such as NetZero. The cost of high-speed internet service is generally very reasonable. If you are unable to obtain high-speed internet service, please contact me "before" signing up for this course. |
| Browser | Latest version of Internet Explorer 6 | http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.asp |
| Analyze Your Operating System to Determine Compatibility with Course Features | This diagnostic program has been provided by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It is simple and easy to use. |
Click here to run
diagnostic assessment of your operating system. Green check marks = system component is OK. X's = system component needs to be upgraded. Additional Analysis: FlashStats (Click the link) |
| Cookies | Session Cookies and Permanent Cookies must be Enabled | Adjusted through your Internet Explorer Browser |
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SUPPORT SOFTWARE & PLUG-INS [AVAILABLE AS "FREE DOWNLOADS"] |
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| Adobe Acrobat Reader | Latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader | http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html |
| Google Docs and Spreadsheets | Free, hosted service provided by Google. The service includes a hosted open-source version of "Word" and "Excel." |
Click on the link below to access the "Create Your Account" web page for
Google Docs and Spreadsheets. It's free. Great price! Create Your Google Docs & Spreadsheet Account Google Docs and Spreadsheets will enable you to save file in a variety of formats, included Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). Great feature! |
| Flash Player | Latest version |
http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?
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| GoToMeeting Codec | Free, plug-in that enables streaming lecture discussions to play back through your Windows Media Player |
Click on the link below to download the GoToMeeting codec. The codec
works with Windows XP, and should work with Windows VISTA.
NOTE: GoToMeeting works with PC computers. If you are a MAC user, you will need to use a PC, Windows XP type computer to view streaming lecture discussions. |
| JAVA | Be sure to have the latest version of JAVA installed on your computer. | |
Microsoft Office
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Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 |
Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 should be available through the
university bookstore at a student discount price. If not, consider
using one of the "free" Web 2.0, online hosted software services like
Google Docs and Spreadsheets or Zoho Office Suite.
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| Skype | This program will enable
you to talk live over the internet with the instructor and class members. You will need a headset/microphone to use Skype. |
Skype is a telephony program that works through your computer over the Internet. One Skype user can talk to another Skype user anywhere in the world for free. It is easy to download, install and use. Skype works with both PC and MAC computers. Skype works with Windows 2000 and XP operating systems. It does NOT work with Windows 98 or ME. It works with both dialup and high-speed connections. Skype is unique in that it enables up to five (0) Skype users to talk with each other in a conference call. Class members will find that this to be extremely useful when working together on study group projects. Using "Skype" can save you money on long-distance telephone calls. This is one course technology that many class members have found useful for contacting family and friends. To use Skype for audio/video conferencing, you need a headset/microphone (Brand: Logitech) and webcam (Brand: Logitech). Download Skype (latest version): http://www.skype.com |
| Windows Media Player 9 or 10 | Latest version of Windows Media Player 9 or 10 | http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp |
Required Additional Items
Headset/Microphone: Through several different programs, we will be able to "talk live" over the Internet (i.e., PC-2-PC). This feature works best when you use a headset/microphone. You can purchase a headset/microphone from stores like Best Buy, PC Club, or from online websites for about $20 to $25. A good brand name is "Labtec."
WebCam: If you are running Windows XP, have a high-speed Internet connection, and have a WebCam, we can video-conference throughout the course. The cost of a WebCam runs from approximately $30 to $100. A good brand name is "Logitech." If you watch Sunday sale papers, you should be able to find a WebCam on sale at reduced prices or with rebate coupons.
Important Statement Regarding Student Responsibilities
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Important -- Statements Regarding Student Responsibilities |
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Completing Course Requirements and Creating Your Attitude
Toward the Course ACCT 574 is a rigorous course that is going to require you to work very hard. You are going to have to think and demonstrate that you can solve problems. Excuses, failure to complete course requirements, and/or failure to meet course deadlines are not acceptable. You will use cutting-edge technology throughout the course. Technology is not perfect, and at times, the technology may challenge your patience. You understand "up front" that by enrolling in this course you will have accepted the challenge to learn how to use course technology. You clearly understand and accept that "I can't do" is not an acceptable attitude. Throughout the course, you will work with a study group. You understand that you will need to learn how to work with your study group members and that working with others will require "give-and-take" on the part of all study group members. You understand "up front" that by enrolling in this course that you will have accepted this challenge and agree to actively participate in study group activities. To be successful in this course, you must have a positive attitude toward the course and the learning process, and demonstrate a willingness to share and work with your fellow class members. Your success lies in your hands and you agree to accept this responsibility. Asking for "extra time" to complete an assignment will not work! This policy applies to all course requirements. Get the job done on time! Determining that You Have a Computer, Internet Connection, and Computer Skills To Enable You to Meet Course Requirements Making sure that your computer meets the minimum technology standards required by the course and operates properly is your responsibility. Should you encounter technical difficulties (either hardware or software) during the course, you will need to get appropriate "tech support" to resolve such problems. You will need to get tech support in a timely manner. Failure to satisfy a course requirement because "your computer" could not perform is not an acceptable excuse. To the extent possible, the course instructor will help you resolve technology-related problems. However, please be advised that the course instructor is not a hardware/software support technician. The instructor assumes that you possess at least basic computer skills and have a working knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer (or similar web browser), and online services such as Skype (or similar messaging programs). If you do not have a working knowledge of these programs and online services, it will be your responsibility to do whatever is necessary to obtain this knowledge and develop these skills. Dr. Rick Lillie |
In Closing
Technology plays an important role in today's accounting world. As you can see, it plays an important role in the way that I teach ACCT 574. Many of the technologies that I have incorporated into the course design are similar to those that will be used in the new online CPA Exam.
I will do my best to make ACCT 574 an interesting, challenging learning experience for you. Preparation and participation in class activities will be key to your success.
When you need help, ask questions. As with any personal problem arising during a course, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor and ask for help.
Silence on your part does not constitute asking for help. If you need help or simply need to talk, contact me. I will do my best to help you.
I look forward to working with you. If you have questions about ACCT 574, please contact me.
Dr. Rick Lillie
