N/A N/A. Students are expected to review and understand all areas of the course outline.

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1 Course Outline School: Department: Course Title: Business Legal and Administrative Studies Legal Accounting Course Code: PRLG 735 Course Hours/Credits: 28 Prerequisites: PRLG 702 Co-requisites: Eligible for Prior Learning, Assessment and Recognition: Originated by: N/A N/A Daniel Foster Current Semester: Summer 2015 Approved by: Chairperson/Dean Students are expected to review and understand all areas of the course outline. Retain this course outline for future transfer credit applications. A fee may be charged for additional copies. This course outline is available in alternative formats upon request.

2 Course Description Students will learn how legal accounting helps manage most aspects of a firm s business. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the proper use of PCLaw and Clio. This course explores some of the core features of PCLaw and Clio using simple, typical scenarios, and basic exercises. There are also exercises for those who plan to work with trust accounts or use PCLaw or Clio for general ledger accounting. The exercises will take you through typical procedures for handling a client s matters. Each of the basic exercises will take approximately two to three hours to complete. Students will work with an Experimental Set of Books. Program Outcomes Successful completion of this and other courses in the program culminates in the achievement of the Vocational Learning Outcomes (program outcomes) set by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in the Program Standard. The VLOs express the learning a student must reliably demonstrate before graduation. To ensure a meaningful learning experience and to better understand how this course and program prepare graduates for success, students are encouraged to review the Program Standard by visiting For apprenticeship-based programs, visit Course Learning Outcomes The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to: Convey an understanding of basic accounting terminology, and apply them to general accounting principles (e.g., meets financial and record keeping obligations, understands benefit of employing accountant or bookkeeper to assist). Execute proper analysis and recording of legal transactions and calculate basic ledger accounts to demonstrate an understanding of the accounting equation. Describe the use of of debits and credits in an accounting system. Apply an understanding of the difference between a general account and a trust account. Apply an understanding of the Law Society s by-laws and requirements for books, record keeping, ledgers, and accounting journals (e.g., maintenance of appropriate trust and general books and records). Apply an understanding of the obligations related to trust accounts (e.g., preservation of client property, types of monies to be deposited, withdrawal of trust monies). Describe the significance and the various components of financial statements and adjust entries for accuracy. Apply an understanding of bank reconciliations, and calculate and prepare a trial balance. Describe the significance and the various components of financial statements. Apply an understanding of calculating HST for fees and disbursements. Assess the efficiency, protection of confidentiality, and the practicality of various accounting systems and evaluate its usefulness for practice. Essential Employability Skills (EES) The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to*: 1. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 2

3 2. Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. 3. Execute mathematical operations accurately. 4. Apply a systematic approach to solve problems. 5. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. 6. Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems. 7. Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. 8. Show respect for diverse opinions, values belief systems, and contributions of others. 9. Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals. 10. Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects. 11. Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences. *There are 11 Essential Employability Skills outcomes as per the Ministry Program Standard. Of these 11 outcomes, the following will be assessed in this course. Global Citizenship and Equity (GC&E) Outcomes The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to*: 5. Identify and challenge unjust practices in local and global systems. 6. Support personal and social responsibility initiatives at the local, national or global level. *There are 6 institutional Global Citizenship & Equity outcomes. Of these 6 outcomes, the following will be assessed in this course. Text and other Instructional/Learning Materials Text Book(s): n/a Online Resource(s): LSUC PCLaw Billing and User, Version 10 Evaluation Scheme Billable Hour Quiz: This quiz evaluates students' ability to convert time to billable hours, including the appropriate use rounding and decimal placement. The quiz should also include some exposure to a bill or invoice, and how billable hours are used in this context. In-class s: Instructor will use a variety of hands-on in-class assignments using the legal accounting software platforms to ensure students grasp basic functions and application of course content. Tests (3): Tests will be used periodically throughout the course to ensure students can understand and apply course content. THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 3

4 Evaluation Name CLO(s) EES GCE Outcome(s) Outcome(s) Weight/100 Billable Hour Quiz 1, 3, 4 15 In-class s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, Tests (3) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 5, 6 60 Total 100% If students are unable to write a test they should immediately contact their professor or program Chair for advice. In exceptional and well documented circumstances (e.g. unforeseen family problems, serious illness, or death of a close family member), students may be able to write a make-up test. All submitted work may be reviewed for authenticity and originality utilizing Turnitin. Students who do not wish to have their work submitted to Turnitin must, by the end of the second week of class, communicate this in writing to the instructor and make mutually agreeable alternate arrangements. When writing tests, students must be able to produce official College photo identification or they may be refused the right to take the test or test results will be void. Student Accommodation It is College Policy to provide accommodation based on grounds defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accommodation may include modifications to standard practices. Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations must register with the Centre for Students with Disabilities. Students requiring accommodation based on other human rights grounds should talk with their professors as early as possible. Please see the Student Accommodation Policy. Use of Dictionaries Dictionaries may be used in tests and examinations, or in portions of tests and examinations, as long as they are non-electronic (not capable of storing information) and hard copy (reviewed by the invigilator to ensure notes are not incorporated that would affect test or examination integrity). Program or School Policies N/A Course Policies n/a College Policies Students should familiarize themselves with all College Policies that cover academic matters and student conduct. All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and promotes respect and equity. Centennial policies ensure all incidents THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 4

5 of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence will be addressed and responded to accordingly. Academic honesty is integral to the learning process and a necessary ingredient of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and impersonation. All of these occur when the work of others is presented by a student as their own and/or without citing sources of information. Breaches of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment/course, suspension or expulsion from the college. For more information on these and other policies, please visit Students enrolled in a joint or collaborative program are subject to the partner institution's academic policies. PLAR Process Law society requirement to take this course, and content is practice-specific. This course outline and its associated weekly topical(s) may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the prior permission of Centennial College. THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 5

6 Topical Outline (subject to change): Week Topics Readings/Materials Weekly Learning Outcome(s) Instructional Strategies Evaluation Name 1 Bookkeeping Outline reasons for keeping books and Practices I records 2 Bookkeeping Practices II Supplementary Materials Supplementary Materials Review accounting principles and terminology Review how to bill by the hour Identify types of accounting systems and bank accounts Determine how to maintain financial records, disburse trust funds and create a final bill Generate credit and debit card payments Class discussion Billable Hour Quiz (15%) Evaluation Date 3 General Accounts and Trust Reconciliations 4 Introduction to the Virtual Legal Office Supplementary Materials Supplementary Materials Identify law society accounting requirements and bookkeeping principles Understand how funds are transferred from general accounts to trust accounts Conduct account reconciliations according to law society requirements Understand cloud computing and the virtual legal office Identify the confidentiality risks involved with online storage Class discussion Class discussion Recognize the benefits in work/life balance and cost savings from a virtual office 5 Test 1 n/a Review and evaluate learning of material thus far. 6 Introduction to legal accounting software PCLaw Billing and User Familiarize Orientation around legal accounting software and how to use basic features Recognize the basic features and function of legal accounting software used in the course and their basic features and differentiation Test Test 1 (20%) Class discussion Identify resources for reviewing features and learn how to develop independent assistance when trouble shooting problems THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 6

7 Week Topics Readings/Materials Weekly Learning Outcome(s) Instructional Strategies Evaluation Name 7 Creating a Matter for a PCLaw Billing and Creating a new client and matter New Client Adding Another Matter User Opening and correcting a matter for a New Client 8 Receiving a General Retainer Recording Time and Fees 9 Billing a Client Processing a Payment from a Client PCLaw Billing and User - Chapter PCLaw Billing and User - Chapter Creating a second matter and third matter Verifying your work Understand record receiving and a general retainer Review general account principles Review of statements and reports Record billable hours onto a time slip Create and enter data for dockets Produce a pre-bill and final bill Review billing principles Produce receipt for a payments Review of statements and reports account In-Class on creating a new client and matter (5%) In-Class on creating a bill and recording time (5%) Evaluation Date 10 Test 2 n/a Review and evaluate learning of material thus far. 11 Using Quick Timer PCLaw Billing and Create time sheets using quick timers Create and edit financial statements User - Chapter Test Test 2 (20%) In-Class on creating a time sheet (5%) 12 Handling Trust Funds PCLaw Billing and Review trust account principles In-Class THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 7

8 Week Topics Readings/Materials Weekly Learning Outcome(s) Instructional Strategies Evaluation Name User - Chapter Understand how to receive trust funds Review withdrawing funds from trust account on withdrawing trust funds (5%) Evaluation Date 13 Working with the General Ledger PCLaw Billing and User - Chapter Understand how to produce general ledger statement Accounting ledgers, banking reconciliations and journals In-Class on creating a ledger (5%) Review month end procedures and reports 14 Test 3 n/a Review and evaluate learning of material thus far. Test Test 3 (20%) THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 8