Course Syllabus. These materials are all available directly from Roger CPA Review for an additional charge--see

Transcription

1 Accounting 365D: CPA Exam Review: Business Environment and Concepts (ACCTG 365D) (CYB) School of Accounting Jeffrey H. Karlin, JD, LLM, CPA (inactive) Associate Professor Fall 2011: August 28 December 17, 2011 Course Syllabus The goal of the course is to offer academic credit to those students who want to pass the BEC part of the CPA exam. You should expect to invest a significant number of hours in this self-paced course to prepare for the CPA exam. Please do not enroll in this course unless you are committed to this singular goal. There is no guaranty that you will pass the CPA exam even if you receive a good grade in this course. Required Course Materials: WILEY CPA Exam Review: Business Environment and Concepts, by O. Ray Whittington & Patrick R. Delaney 2. Roger CPA Review: Business Environment and Concepts, by Roger Philipp 3. Recommended: Wiley CPA Exam Review Practice Software. These materials are all available directly from Roger CPA Review for an additional charge--see Course Registration and Access to Course Materials: This course is unique due to the University collaboration with a third party provider. You must register for the course in two ways: First, you must register with Golden Gate University. Shortly thereafter you will receive access codes from Roger CPA

2 Review. You must accept their enrollment conditions. You must separately pay for the Roger and Wiley books and the Wiley software. Course Prerequisites: There are no course prerequisites. However, undergraduate accounting students may only enroll with permission of the department during their final 12 units of study for their degree. Course Description and Key Objectives: This course covers the Business Environment and Concepts portion of the national examination required to become a certified public accountant. Accordingly, the course focuses on the ethical principles and tax and business laws that are required to practice public accountancy. The course is geared to those students who are committed and highly motivated to pass the BEC portion of the CPA exam. Successful students must learn on their own using the required reading materials and the ROGER web site. Subject to University course requirements stated below, student learning is selfpaced. The successful student and CPA examinee must proceed rapidly through the voluminous learning materials to acquire knowledge in the wide variety of subjects that are covered on the BEC portion of the CPA exam. It s not an easy task. Students must achieve stated goals through rigorous studies. Our web-based learning platform and the materials offered on the learning platform called Roger CPA Review make use of the power of online learning through a variety of techniques, including multimedia course delivery and automatic testing geared to maximize each student s potential for passing the CPA exam. Course Topics: Four Learning Modules: The Roger CPA Review learning materials the readings, films and study questions are set up in four separate Business Environment and Concepts learning modules:

3 1. BEC-1: Economic Concepts & Strategy; 2. BEC-2: Decision Making; Corporate Governance, Internal Control & Enterprise Risk Management 3. BEC-3: Financial Management & Capital Budgeting; Information Technology 4. BEC-4: Cost Accounting & Measurement; Planning, Control & Analysis Assigned work is based on this organizational framework. The Wiley Book: The Wiley Book readings are set up in eight separate numbered learning modules that differ in name and order from the Roger Book: 1. Module 41: Corporate Governance, Internal Control & Enterprise Risk Management (CGIC) 2. Module 42: Information Technology (IFTC) 3. Module 43: Economic & Strategy (ECON) 4. Module 44: Financial Risk Management & Capital Budgeting (RMCB) 5. Module 45: Financial Management (FINM) 6. Module 46: Performance Measures (PERM) 7. Module 47: Cost Measurement (COST) 8. Module 48: Planning, Control & Analysis (PLAN) As noted above, assigned work is based on the organizational framework used by Roger Philipp. Your Course Grade is determined by: In order to avoid unnecessary confusion, our course utilizes the same BEC ordering and numbering employed by ROGER. The Roger Questions and other homework referenced in Roger s books or on its web site should not be confused with ACCTG 365D required exams, quizzes homework and postings for your course grade. Grading Paradigm: Participation, the Midterm Exam and the Final Exam:

4 All of your graded work for ACCTG 365D is based on your work on the University website (not the Roger CPA Exam Review website). You ll find class homework assignments, quizzes and scheduled due dates and deadlines on the website. Your final course grade is determined as follows: 1. Participation: 30% 2. Unsupervised open book, online Required Midterm Exam: 30% 3. Supervised (proctored) closed book online Final Exam: 40% Participation: All students must participate on our GGU website. The participation requirement is threefold. Before expiration of stated deadlines, you must participate in three ways for each of the four BEC learning modules. 1. Short Quiz: You must take a short BEC quiz and achieve a minimum 80% passing score. The quiz score is merely considered participation in a forced exam situation. The quizzes can be retaken up to a stated deadline. 2. Homework Discussion: You must post your answers to homework discussion questions that are presented on our web site. You must engage in forum discussions geared to demonstrating your understanding of BEC materials and your ability to effectively communicate your understanding of the materials. 3. Status Report: You must offer an honest status report of your progress as you proceed through each of the four BEC learning modules. The purpose of the status conference is to check on and honestly assess where each student is re: his or her studies. Participation by all students is required for each of the four BEC learning modules. However, our primary purpose of participation is not to address every substantive BEC question. Substantive BEC questions should be asked and discussed on the ROGER site. In essence, our BEC discussions are intended to allow you and the rest of us to assess your work and encourage you to keep on track. We will all proceed module by module together through each of the four BEC modules that correspond to the Roger course. The Midterm Exam and Final Exam: The Midterm Exam is based on the Wiley Book modules that correspond to the Philipp BEC-1 and BEC-2 learning modules. The Final

5 Exam is based on the Wiley Book modules that correspond to the Philipp BEC-3 and BEC-4 learning modules. The Midterm Exam may be taken just once during a designated time period to be announced. The Final Exam will be administered on any one date from December 8 December 17, 2011 (closed book, proctored). The Midterm Exam and the Final Exam are located on the University website. The Midterm Exam and the Final Exam are both performance-based essay-style exams. Students should bear in mind that failure to achieve high scores on the Midterm Exam and the Final Exam may be an indication that a student lacks the commitment necessary to pass the CPA exam. The exams have been constructed to assure that they closely correlate with WILEY Book course materials and based on materials that are anticipated to be tested on the CPA exam. Although best efforts have been undertaken, there is no guaranty or assurance can be given that the CPA exam will cover every topic covered in this course or vice versa. Final Grade: Your final grade will be posted on the GGU4YOU website as soon as possible after the Final Exam period ends. You will receive the following grade depending on your aggregate raw course point score: A: ; A: 90 94; B+: 85 89; B: 80 84; C+: 75 79; C: 70 74; D+: 65-69; F: <650 Note: There is homework discussed on the Roger CPA Review web site. (See One Course, Two Learning Platforms below). Once again, your scores on Roger CPA Review site are not taken into account for purposes of your University course grade. The Final Exam is a Proctored Exam: The Final Exam is a supervised online, noncumulative, closed book exam. Students must arrange for a proctor in accordance with cyber campus instructions. Although the exam is closed-book, you may bring in only a calculator (not capable of electronic communication). It is the student's responsibility to arrange for the proctored exam. Cyber campus can assist you if you need help in finding a proctor.

6 Information re: proctors can be found at: Below are additional links that will help you efficiently arrange to take them. Step By Step Guidance Scheduling a Proctored Exam: FAQs: Forms And Contact Info: Roger CPA Exam Self-Paced Review: Your ROGER CPA study review includes: 1. Reading the (a) four BEC sections of the Roger CPA Review Business Environment and Concepts book ( Roger Book ) and (b) associated learning modules in the WILEY CPA Exam Review: Business Environment and Concepts book (the Wiley Book ). 2. Viewing the online videos at the Roger CPA Exam Review website (the Videos ) (located at 3. Doing homework problems (the Homework ) assigned by Roger at the end of each Roger book BEC module (some of which are discussed by him online). You are not graded on this self-study work. Overview of CPA Exam: A significant aid to understanding the requirements of the new (2011) CPA exam is located at the AICPA s website at: Further, a CPA Examination Tutorial and Sample Tests are located at: /Pages/exam_tutorial_parallel.aspx

7 The Roger CPA Review website also contains an overview of the CPA Exam at: One Course, Two Learning Platforms: The course features substantive materials on the GGU website and the Roger CPA Review learning platform. Students may enter the course through the University learning portal and may link to this platform. Although the online learning materials are primarily provided at the Roger CPA Review website, in order to meet the high standards of the University to enable students to obtain University credit, the course is monitored and supervised by Professor Karlin who will serve as instructor for purposes of handling administrative oversight and grading. As noted above, the exams that count for grading purposes are located at the GGU website. Accessing And Using Roger CPA Review Site To access the portion of the course delivered at the Roger CPA Review site, visit: To login you will need your address and password. To access videos, click "View Online Course" and choose BEC. To access the Message Board on the Roger CPA Review site, (to which all substantive questions about course content should be directed), click "Message Board". IMPORTANT: GGU policies re: adds, drops, withdrawals, incomplete grades are different from Roger CPA Review website access rules: Golden Gate has specific policies regarding time periods to add, drop and withdraw from the course. In addition, there are policies for awarding incomplete grades. Please note: These requirements are separate and distinct from Roger CPA Review policies concerning access to its CPA Review materials, including the number of times films may be viewed on the Roger CPA Review website. It s important to bear in

8 mind that the Roger CPA Review rules are separate and independent from GGU policies and the University is not responsible for application of its rules. Passing the CPA Exam: No guaranty: The primary goal of the course is that you pass the Regulation part of the CPA exam. But there is no guaranty or assurance that students will pass. Ultimately, each student must demonstrate his or her commitment to passing the exam by spending the appropriate time and effort. There is no set formula. Although this course is a two credit unit course, it is likely that students will find it necessary to spend more than the time that would typically be allotted for standard two unit courses. Once again, the primary goal is to pass the CPA exam and to do so requires a significant time commitment. You should expect to invest a significant number of hours in this course to satisfy its rigorous expectations. Course Philosophy: The principal objective of each of the four GGU CPA Exam Review Courses offered by the University in the 365 series of courses is to assess students' readiness to take the challenging CPA exam. Associated with this is the additional objective of developing substantive expertise in topics not covered in students' formal class work. The GGU CPA Exam Review Courses achieve their objectives by allowing students to participate in a successful commercial CPA review course delivered by Roger Philipp. His course is centered on hours of videos in which Philipp reviews the core material identified in each of the 4 CPA exams' official content specifications. The Roger Book and the Wiley Book offer significant learning materials for the Business Environment and Concepts portion of the CPA exam. Philipp's videos are also intended to motivate and pace students through the CPA exam preparation process. The University promotes CPA exam readiness by requiring that students submit University independent tests, including midterm and final exam. Philipp's review course provides ample opportunities for students to develop essential exam-taking skills. Consistent with the goal of testing the knowledge of content GGU

9 grades are not curved, even though the CPA exam is a curved test. Note that only ½ of exam takers pass a given CPA exam in a given sitting. The most critical element for success in GGU's CPA Exam Review Courses is the amount and quality of effort invested by the student. Experts agree that the time needed for most candidates to adequately prepare for the entire CPA exam is at least hours. The scope of exam content coverage is significant, requiring a major focused effort, well paced over the review courses' duration. Last-minute attempts will not yield positive results. Sustained, well-planned, concentrated work is required. Students should carefully plan their preparation program over the weeks to be devoted to the course. The GGU CPA Exam Review Courses provide useful tips and suggested schedules to assist in that planning. Students are strongly advised not to procrastinate, not to allow their pace to slacken or their commitment to weaken. Do not assume that casual preparation immediately before a GGU assessment will suffice. Passing the CPA exam is an achievable goal for serious candidates. GGU's CPA Exam Review Courses will help fully committed individuals achieve the highly regarded CPA license. University Library Resources: There are several databases available through the Golden Gate University Library for students to conduct research on various topics. Remote (off campus) access to the databases requires your last name and student ID# (located on the front of your ID card). Be sure to type in ALL 7 digits, including the starting 0. Example: You may access the library from Academic Standards and Integrity: This course adheres to the University s standards and expectations regarding integrity and academic honesty. Students shall demonstrate the highest levels of

10 integrity and honesty. Consistent with University standards, students shall be required to do all of his or her work alone. Student submissions must be solely prepared by the student and be free from plagiarism and deception. Students should understand that one of the most serious failures can result from the loss of trust when a student engages in a dishonest manner. The University s Policy on Student Academic Integrity is in effect at all of its teaching locations, including regional classroom sites, corporate sites, and distance courses delivered in any medium. This policy applies to all business, taxation, and technology students at Golden Gate University. Academic integrity means doing academic work in a manner that strives to achieve the learning objectives your courses have set out for you. It means that you follow the rules and procedures prescribed by your instructors so that you acquire the skills and knowledge your courses are designed to give you. It means that you engage in ethical practices in taking tests and doing assignments and that you respect intellectual property rights by fully disclosing sources of information that appear in your papers and presentations. Students should read the University s Policy on Student Academic Integrity. Office Hours: The use of The Office on our web site is to provide a virtual discussion room at our GGU cyber-course web site. It is the best way to communicate with Professor Karlin concerning administrative matters. is a preferred method of communication for conveying matters that are related to your personal affairs. Further, Professor Karlin has a University office located in the School of Accounting on the fifth floor, but no designated office hours. On request, he will meet with students at a mutually convenient time. Content and Technical Questions: The Roger CPA Review website offers a Message Board (after logging in) where all substantive questions about the course content are to be directed. Therefore, if you

11 have questions about the BEC topics. please use the Roger CPA Review message board. Instructors Background: Jeffrey H. Karlin is an Associate Professor at Golden Gate University. He is a Martindale-Hubbell AV-1 rated transactional business lawyer. Mr. Karlin's practice primarily focused on negotiating, drafting and structuring complex business transactions. He has significant experience in matters concerning federal income taxation, securities' laws, corporate and partnership laws, investments and mergers and acquisitions. Professor Karlin earned a Juris Doctorate at Hastings College of the Law and a Masters of Law in Taxation (LL.M. Tax) at Golden Gate University School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar and a licensed California CPA (inactive). During his career he has been a tax accountant, a partner in two law firms and an executive corporate officer charged with the responsibility for dozens of publicly traded companies. Since 1982, Professor Karlin has taught over 200 classes at the University on various subjects, including business law and tax matters covered in this CPA Exam Review course.