Accounting 400: Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-profit Organizations Syllabus: Spring 2004 Section 01: 12:30-1:45 PM TTH, Garrett 78

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1 Accounting 400: Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-profit Organizations Syllabus: Spring 2004 Section 01: 12:30-1:45 PM TTH, Garrett 78 Professor: Dean DiGregorio Office: Garrett 63 Office hours: Tuesday: 9:20-11:30 A.M.; 1:50-3:15 P.M., 5:45-5:55 P.M. Wednesday: 10:20-11:30 A.M.; 12:30-2:45 P.M. Thursday: 9:20-11:30 A.M.; 1:50-2:30 P.M.; And by appointment Phone: (985) Required Texts: 1. Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Entities, 13 th Edition, Wilson, Kattelus 2. Chapter outlines and other handouts for each chapter should be downloaded from Blackboard and brought to class. Course description: Credit 3 hours. Prerequisites: C or better in Accounting 312, and Senior standing. This course covers the specialized accounting, reporting and auditing requirements applicable to governmental and not-for-profit, performance evaluation, and related ethical issues. Course Objectives: 1. To prepare students for entry into either the governmental or not-for-profit accounting sectors 2. To help students that plan to enter public accounting understand the accounting and reporting requirements of their governmental and not-for-profit clients. 3. To prepare students for the governmental and not-for-profit questions in the Financial Accounting & Reporting Section of the CPA exam. 4. To create awareness of ethical issues that may arise in the governmental and not-for-profit sectors. Topics covered include: Fund accounting, accounting for not-for-profit entities, and changes in current reporting requirements as required under GASB 34. Course Grading Policy: Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 100 points Exam 2: Chapters 7, 8, 9, Final exam: Chapters 12, 16, 17, 18, CAFR project 60 Total 360 Grading (based on the above total points): A= 90% and above; B= 80-89%, C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F= Less than 60% policy: As per University policy, only Southeastern s system will be used for correspondence with students. Missed Exams: May only be made-up if due to an excused absence. Under no circumstances may a student make-up more than one missed exam. Make-ups will be given immediately after the final exam. Withdrawals: 1. Last day to withdraw or resign from the University: Friday, March 19, If a student wishes to drop, it is their responsibility to do so. Academic honesty: Students should note that repercussions of academic dishonesty are discussed in the university catalogue (pages 57-58). Collaborative learning/peer learning/buzz groups: Throughout the course students will be asked to form groups to discuss, solve, and present their answers to selected problems and assignments. The purpose of this approach is to help students continue to improve their technical skills, their ability to work with others, and their written and verbal communication skills. Homework: (Solutions to the problems are available in the Accounting lab) Homework problems are suggested for each chapter. The suggested problems are solely for the student s benefit. The problems will not be collected nor assigned additional points. However, all students are strongly recommended to do the problems. CAFR project: Each student is expected to obtain a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) from a state or local government (available from the state, city, etc.; many CAFRs are also posted on the internet). If a CAFR is obtained on the internet, it must be printed (diskettes will not be accepted). A project (using the CAFR to answer a series of questions) will be due on the last day of class. (Note: Not all towns prepare CAFRs)

2 The questions are designed to walk the student through a CAFR from start to finish. Upon completion the student should be able to read and understand the CAFR, and be aware of the types of information that must be collected in order to prepare a CAFR. Attendance: The University policy on attendance as outlined in the General Catalogue (page 59) will be strictly followed. Roll will be taken daily. Students are responsible for all assignments and material covered in class during an absence. Instructor s comments: Going to class and doing the suggested assignments on a timely basis are critical to a student s success in accounting classes. If you skip classes, don t do your homework, or try to cram the night before, it is highly unlikely that you will do well in this class. Class participation Much of the class will be conducted in an interactive manner. During lectures and while working problems, I will ask students questions regarding conceptual, technical, and ethical issues. All students are expected to participate in the discussions. By participating, students will improve their understanding of the material and their verbal communication skills. Disabilities: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self identify with the Office of Disability Services, Room 203, Student Union. No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability Services.(this must be done at the start of the semester) Professional behavior: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. This includes: being on time and prepared for class, participating in classroom discussions, appropriate classroom conduct, maintaining the highest degree of academic honesty, and treating the instructor and your classmates with appropriate respect. Classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor s ability to conduct the class, or the ability of students to benefit from the instruction, is not acceptable. Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate and can not be resolved by the student and faculty may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student Conduct which may be found at Also, per University policy the classroom is not a place for children and should not be used for day care or babysitting. Examples of unacceptable situations include: Routinely entering class late or departing early; the use of beepers, cellular telephones, or other electronic devices during class; repeatedly talking while the instructor or others are speaking; arguing in a way that is perceived as crossing the line of civility. In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular phone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required. Date Chapter Demonstration and Suggested Homework 1-20, 22 1: Financial reporting for governmental and not-for-profit entities 1-27, 29 2: Principles of accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments E2-2, E , , 12 3: Governmental operating statement accounts: Budgetary accounting 4: Accounting for governmental operating activities-illustrative transactions and financial statements (plus ethics issues ) E3-2, E3-3, E3-4 E4-2, E4-7, E , 19 5: Accounting for general capital assets and capital projects E5-2, E5-3, E No class: Mardi gras , 4 6: Accounting for general long-term liabilities and debt service E6-2, E6-3, E6-5, E6-7, E Exam 1: Chapters 1-6 CAFR to be used for project due at time of exam

3 3-11 7: Accounting for business type activities of state and local governments E7-2, E7-5, E , 18 8: Accounting for fiduciary activities: Agency and trust funds E8-2, E8-3, E8-5, E8-6, E Last day to withdraw 3-23, 25 9: Financial reporting of state and local governments E9-2, E9-3, E9-4, E9-5, E : Analysis of governmental financial performance E10-2, E Exam 2: Chapters : Auditing of governmental and not-forprofit E11-2, E , 15 No class: Spring Break : Auditing of governmental and not-forprofit : Accounting for not-for-profit E14-1, E14-2, E , 29 15: Not-for-profit : Regulatory, taxation, and performance issues E15-1, E15-2, E15-5, E : Accounting for colleges and universities E16-1, E16-2, E16-5, E , 6 17: Accounting for health care E17-1, E17-2, E CAFR project due Tuesday, 5-11 Graduating Seniors only: Final Exam: 12:30-2:30 PM Thursday, 5-13 Final exam: 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM

4 Accounting 500: Accounting for Governmental and Not-for-profit Organizations Syllabus: Spring 2004 Section 01: 12:30-1:45 PM TTH, Garrett 78 Professor: Dean DiGregorio Office: Garrett 63 Office hours: Tuesday: 9:20-11:30 A.M.; 1:50-3:15 P.M., 5:45-5:55 P.M. Wednesday: 10:20-11:30 A.M.; 12:30-2:45 P.M. Thursday: 9:20-11:30 A.M.; 1:50-2:30 P.M.; And by appointment Phone: (985) Required Texts: 1. Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Entities, 13 th Edition, Wilson, Kattelus 2. Chapter outlines and other handouts for each chapter should be downloaded from Blackboard and brought to class. Course description: Credit 3 hours. Prerequisites: C or better in Accounting 312, and Graduate standing. This course covers the specialized accounting, reporting and auditing requirements applicable to governmental and not-for-profit, performance evaluation, and related ethical issues. Course Objectives: 1. To prepare students for entry into either the governmental or not-for-profit accounting sectors 2. To help students that plan to enter public accounting understand the accounting and reporting requirements of their governmental and not-for-profit clients. 3. To prepare students for the governmental and not-for-profit questions in the Financial Accounting & Reporting Section of the CPA exam. 4. To create awareness of ethical issues that may arise in the governmental and not-for-profit sectors. Topics covered include: Fund accounting, accounting for not-for-profit entities, and changes in current reporting requirements as required under GASB 34. Course Grading Policy: Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 100 points Exam 2: Chapters 7, 8, 9, Final exam: Chapters 12, 16, 17, 18, CAFR project 50 Management discussion and analysis paper 50 Total 400 Grading (based on the above total points): A= 90% and above; B= 80-89%, C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F= Less than 60% policy: As per University policy, only Southeastern s system will be used for correspondence with students. Missed Exams: May only be made-up if due to an excused absence. Under no circumstances may a student make-up more than one missed exam. Make-ups will be given immediately after the final exam. Withdrawals: 1. Last day to withdraw or resign from the University: Friday, March 19, If a student wishes to drop, it is their responsibility to do so. Academic honesty: Students should note that repercussions of academic dishonesty are discussed in the university catalogue (pages 57-58). Collaborative learning/peer learning/buzz groups: Throughout the course students will be asked to form groups to discuss, solve, and present their answers to selected problems and assignments. The purpose of this approach is to help students continue to improve their technical skills, their ability to work with others, and their written and verbal communication skills. Homework: (Solutions to the problems are available in the Accounting lab) Homework problems are suggested for each chapter. The suggested problems are solely for the student s benefit. The problems will not be collected nor assigned additional points. However, all students are strongly recommended to do the problems. CAFR project:

5 Each student is expected to obtain a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) from a state or local government (available from the state, city, etc.; many CAFRs are also posted on the internet). If a CAFR is obtained on the internet, it must be printed (diskettes will not be accepted). A project (using the CAFR to answer a series of questions) will be due on the last day of class. (Note: Not all towns prepare CAFRs) The questions are designed to walk the student through a CAFR from start to finish. Upon completion the student should be able to read and understand the CAFR, and be aware of the types of information that must be collected in order to prepare a CAFR. Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) paper: Each student will be required to prepare a 5-10 page (double-spaced) Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the CAFR used in the above CAFR project above. This exercise is intended to help students develop analytical skills and the ability to communicate with upper level administrators and readers of the financial statements. Attendance: The University policy on attendance as outlined in the General Catalogue (page 59) will be strictly followed. Roll will be taken daily. Students are responsible for all assignments and material covered in class during an absence. Instructor s comments: Going to class and doing the suggested assignments on a timely basis are critical to a student s success in accounting classes. If you skip classes, don t do your homework, or try to cram the night before, it is highly unlikely that you will do well in this class. Class participation Much of the class will be conducted in an interactive manner. During lectures and while working problems, I will ask students questions regarding conceptual, technical, and ethical issues. All students are expected to participate in the discussions. By participating, students will improve their understanding of the material and their verbal communication skills. Disabilities: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self identify with the Office of Disability Services, Room 203, Student Union. No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability Services.(this must be done at the start of the semester) Professional behavior: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. This includes: being on time and prepared for class, participating in classroom discussions, appropriate classroom conduct, maintaining the highest degree of academic honesty, and treating the instructor and your classmates with appropriate respect. Classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor s ability to conduct the class, or the ability of students to benefit from the instruction, is not acceptable. Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate and can not be resolved by the student and faculty may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student Conduct which may be found at Also, per University policy the classroom is not a place for children and should not be used for day care or babysitting. Examples of unacceptable situations include: Routinely entering class late or departing early; the use of beepers, cellular telephones, or other electronic devices during class; repeatedly talking while the instructor or others are speaking; arguing in a way that is perceived as crossing the line of civility. In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular phone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required. Date Chapter Demonstration and Suggested Homework 1-20, 22 1: Financial reporting for governmental and notfor-profit entities 1-27, 29 2: Principles of accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments E2-2, E , , 12 3: Governmental operating statement accounts: Budgetary accounting 4: Accounting for governmental operating activities-illustrative transactions and financial statements (plus ethics issues ) E3-2, E3-3, E3-4 E4-2, E4-7, E , 19 5: Accounting for general capital assets and capital projects E5-2, E5-3, E5-8

6 2-24 No class: Mardi gras , 4 6: Accounting for general long-term liabilities and debt service E6-2, E6-3, E6-5, E6-7, E Exam 1: Chapters 1-6 CAFR to be used for project due at time of exam : Accounting for business type activities of state and local governments E7-2, E7-5, E , 18 8: Accounting for fiduciary activities: Agency and trust funds E8-2, E8-3, E8-5, E8-6, E Last day to withdraw 3-23, 25 9: Financial reporting of state and local governments E9-2, E9-3, E9-4, E9-5, E : Analysis of governmental financial performance E10-2, E Exam 2: Chapters : Auditing of governmental and not-for-profit E11-2, E , 15 No class: Spring Break : Auditing of governmental and not-for-profit : Accounting for not-for-profit E14-1, E14-2, E , 29 15: Not-for-profit : Regulatory, taxation, and performance issues E15-1, E15-2, E15-5, E : Accounting for colleges and universities E16-1, E16-2, E16-5, E , 6 17: Accounting for health care E17-1, E17-2, E CAFR project due Tuesday, 5-11 Thursday, 5-13 Graduating students only: Final Exam: 12:30-2:30 PM Final exam: 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM