Competency: Accounts Concepts, Principles, Terminology 1. Identify and apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 2. Apply the steps in the Accounting cycle. 3. Post and analyze transactions using ledgers and journals. 4. Prepare a bank reconciliation and a proof of cash. 5. Explain the purpose of the sales journal and the accounts receivable ledger and post entries to both. 6. Explain the purpose of and prepare entries for the purchase order journal and accounts payable ledger. 7. Identify the fundamental principles of an accounting information system. 8. Discuss the development of accounting standards. 9. Journalize entries for cash and accounts receivable. 10. Apply the concepts of the time value of money. 11. Identify the components of the current asset cash. 12. Prepare journal entries for unearned revenue. 13. Define and discuss key account and business terms such as bonds, audits, depreciation, amortization, and fixed assets, etc. 14. Define the accrual basis of accounting and compare it to the cash basis of accounting. 1. Define auditing standards and procedures. 2. Explain internal control practices. Competency: Audit Controls, Evidence, Procedures, and Reporting 3. Describe the techniques for investigating, interpreting, and appraising accounting records and assertions. 4. List and describe the general types of audit procedures for gathering evidence. 5. Apply internal design and evaluation strategies. 6. Describe the content and purpose of an audit plan. 7. Define and explain the differences among several types of frauds, errors, and illegal acts that might occur in an organization. 8. Explain auditors responsibilities with respect to detecting and reporting fraud. 9. Describe generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) and explain how GAAS affect the audit team s responsibilities. 10. Define the principle of reporting and identify the basic contents of the auditors report. 11. Define information risk and explain how auditing and assurance services play a role in reducing this business risk. 12. Provide an overview of the types of reports that accompany an entity s financial statements. 13. Describe how the audit examination is affected by the fundamental principles of responsibilities and performance. 14. Explain the differences between internal and external auditors. Page 1
1. Demonstrate the standard cost accounting cycle. 2. Identify the key features of a standard costing system. Competency: Cost Accounting 3. Describe how cost accounting fits into an organization s structure. 4. Illustrate the process of determining and setting standard costs. 5. Define standard cost variances for a variety of applications. 6. Prepare journal entries for standard cost application. 7. Define cost behavior. 8. Define and illustrate a cost object. 9. Distinguish between direct costs and indirect costs. 10. Distinguish between fixed and variable overhead costs. 11. Define cost volume profit analysis. 12. Compute break-even point. 13. Define margin of safety. 14. Explain why different ways of computing product costs are appropriate for different purposes. 1. Identify objectives of financial accounting. Competency: Financial Accounting & Federal Income Tax 2. Discuss the conceptual framework underlying financial accounting. 3. Explain the difference between financial and managerial accounting. 4. Identify and properly classify the different taxpayers and types of taxes. 5. Define components of gross income. 6. Determine income adjustments and compute adjusted gross income. 7. Identify and complete the appropriate schedule for a given income item. 8. Identify, account for, and report properly capital gains and losses. 9. Identify and prepare the appropriate schedule for a given deduction item. 10. Identify and prepare schedules for miscellaneous tax items such as tax credits. 11. Compute and file personal income tax returns by identifying the tax base; determining personal exemptions, choosing whether to itemize deductions or elect the standard deduction; choosing whether to use the tax tables or the tax rate schedules; and deciding when to file, how to file, and how to minimize tax. 12. Establish the amount of taxes owed or the refund due based on payments already made to the governing institution. 13. Demonstrate the ability to determine appropriate use and proper computation of credit for the elderly, minimum and maximum taxes; earned income credit; child tax credit; Hope credit for educational expenses; and Lifetime learning credit for educational expenses. 14. Properly determine appropriate withholding for federal income tax. 15. File declarations of estimate tax properly. 16. Account for and report social security and self-employment tax. Page 2
1. Explain the generation and limitations of data. Competency: Financial Statements and Worksheets 2. Describe techniques for analyzing the flow of a business s funds. 3. Identify the various methods of selecting and interpreting financial ratios. 4. Analyze financial reports including income statements, the statement of cash flows, and the balance sheet. 5. Explain the basic elements of financial statements. 6. Define a budget and its major objectives. 7. Describe in general terms the budgeting process and key advantages. 8. Prepare the operating budget and its supporting schedules. 9. List the major components and items within each component of the income statement. 10. Prepare an income statement. 11. Classify economic resources as current, long-term investments, property, plant, or equipment, intangibles or other assets on the balance sheet. 12. Prepare a classified balance sheet. 13. Prepare a statement of cash flows. 14. Use financial statements to analyze the operations of a company and make business decisions. 15. Prepare supporting worksheets. Page 3
Competency: Measurement and Presentation of Income and Expense Items 1. Distinguish between the direct write-off method and the allowance method for accounting for uncollectible accounts. 2. Compute bad debt expense using the income statement approach and the balance sheet approach. 3. Prepare journal entries for the estimation of bad debts, the write-off of an account, and the recovery of a previously written off account. 4. Prepare journal entries to record a discounted note, the collection of a discounted note, and a dishonored note. 5. Apply the modified accrual basis of accounting the recording of typical transaction of a General or special revenue fund. 6. Describe the physical elements, controls, and costs that make up inventory valuation. 7. Distinguish between a periodic and a perpetual inventory system. 8. Compare inventory costing methods. 9. Calculate turnover ratios. 10. Analyze obsolete, damaged, and slow-moving inventory. 11. Define and illustrate capital expenditures vs. revenue expenditures. 12. Analyze and journalize transactions of merchandise sold for cash, on account, or by credit card; post to proper ledger accounts; and prove subsidiary ledger by preparing a schedule of accounts receivable. 13. Analyze and journalize purchases of merchandise on account; demonstrate knowledge of net purchases; post to proper ledger accounts; and prove subsidiary ledger by preparing a schedule of accounts payable. 14. Prepare adjustments using aging accounts receivable, percentage of sales, and percentage of accounts receivable methods. 15. Explain the purpose of notes payable and notes receivable and calculate, record transactions, and journalize interest and payment of notes payable and receivable. 16. Record transaction journal entries related to accruals and deferrals. 17. Process sales orders and invoices for payment. 18. Process accounts payable checks. 19. Process sales returns and allowances. 20. Illustrate the preparation of a loan amortization table. Page 4
Competency: Measurement, Valuation, Realization/Recognition 1. Measure inventory valuation based on alternative valuation methods. 2. Apply the concept of present value to market value of bonds. 3. Define the future and present value of money. 4. Compute the present value and future value for a series of future cash flows. 5. Compute the premium or discount associated with a bond issue. 6. Evaluate alternatives related to a capital investment situation. 7. Determine relevant cash inflows and outflows in applying discounted cash flow methods. 8. Evaluate investments using the payback methods, the discounted rate of return, and the net present value method. 9. Explain the realization concept. 10. Assign values to a transaction and/or event. 11. Summarize the value for a specific transaction in a given time period. 12. Calculate financial strength analysis by determining current ratio of assets to liabilities, acid-test ratio, debt ratio, working capital, equity ratio, and equity and earnings per share. 13. Apply differential analysis to make decisions such as buying or making a product; leasing or buying an asset; discontinuing a department, plant, or product; replacing or repairing equipment; or offering discounted prices on special orders. 14. Use other financial analysis tools, such as trend analysis, common-size statements, etc. 15. Calculate business profitability. 16. Explain and illustrate various depreciation issues including partial year depreciation, extraordinary repairs, fully depreciated assets, and switching depreciation methods. Page 5
Competency: Not-for-profit and Governmental Accounting 1. Explain the difference between accounting principles of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. 2. Give an overview of financial reporting for nonbusiness entities. 3. Distinguish between private and public sector organizations. 4. Identify the sources of authoritative accounting standards for various public and private sector organizations. 5. Illustrate the basic financial statements for a state and local government. 6. Describe the basic accounts used by governmental funds. 7. Prepare journal entries for the expenditures cycle using both budgetary and activity accounts. 8. Prepare closing entries and classify fund balances within the framework of GASB Statement 54. 9. Prepare the fund basis financial statements for governmental and proprietary funds. 10. Contrast statements of cash flow prepared under GASB guidelines with those prepared under FASB guidelines. 11. Describe characteristics of private not-for-profit organizations and the accounting for contributors. 12. Apply the accrual basis of accounting in the recording of typical transactions of private not-for-profit organizations. 13. Define appropriations and encumbrances and contrast them to business financial statements. 14. Prepare the financial statements for private not-for-profit organizations. 15. Distinguish interfund transfers and transactions. 16. Describe the unique characteristics of audits of governmental and not-for-profit entities. 17. Describe the process of applying for tax exempt status and reporting requirements of the Form 990. Competency: Ownership Structure and Valuation of Equity Accounts 1. Summarize the various forms of conducting a business. 2. Determine stockholder s equity and earnings per share. 3. Describe the purposes of the revenue, expense, and drawing accounts and illustrate the effects on capital/owners or stockholder s equity. 4. Differentiate between stock splits and stock dividends and explain how each affects equity. 5. Discuss business organization structure and different types of corporations such as PC, LLC, and Subchapter S. 6. Explain the accounting implications for each type of business ownership. 7. Identify the business reporting and information flow required for each type of ownership. Page 6
Competency: Presentation of Assets and Liabilities 1. Analyze complex transactions affecting asset accounts. 2. Journalize transactions affecting asset accounts. 3. Journalize entries for cash and accounts receivable. 4. Prepare plant asset records. 5. Explain depreciation, depletion, and amortization. 6. Calculate and compare depreciation of property, plant, and equipment using various methods. 7. Calculate and record the costs associated with the acquisition of property, plant, and equipment. 8. Account for subsequent improvements of property, plant, and equipment. 9. Record the appropriate entries for the disposal of plant, property, and equipment for a realized gain or loss. 10. Explain the procedures for acquiring and accounting for natural resources. 11. Calculate depletion of natural resources. 12. Distinguish between tangible and intangible assets. 13. Identify the procedures for acquiring and accounting for intangible assets. 14. Discuss factors that must be considered in estimating the useful life of an intangible asset. 15. Estimate and record the value of purchased goodwill. 16. Illustrate the straight line, units of production, and double the declining balance methods of depreciation. Competency: Professional Standards and Ethics 1. Explain how professional ethics are important in accounting. 2. Identify the different entities that make ethics rules for CPAs and public accounting firms. 3. Analyze factual situations and decide whether an accountant s conduct does or does not conform to rules of conduct established by the various professional accounting boards/offices. 4. Describe the general principles of the code of ethics for the AICPA, IMA, CIA, and ACAT. 5. Explain the importance of ethical business decisions. 6. Describe professional ethics for accountants in other areas including management accounting, internal auditing, and notfor-profit accounting. 7. Understand legal liability issues that accountants face and the impact that such issues have on professional ethics. 8. Recognize organizational structure and use chain of command. (could include the role of audit committees) 9. Exhibit knowledge of basic principles of supervision and leadership. 10. Set priorities and manage time efficiently in accordance with priorities. 11. Follow organizational policies and procedures. Page 7
References: Career Cluster Resources for Business, Management and Administration. 2008 National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium. Washington, DC. Career Cluster Resources for Finance. 2008. National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium. Washington, DC. Business Education Standards. National Business Education Association. Reston, VA. Financial Accounting Syllabus. Michael P. Licata. Villanova School of Business, Villanova Univ. Villanova, PA. Individual Tax Accounting, Technical College System of George, Atlanta, GA. Financial Accounting I and II Course Competencies, Technical College System of George, Atlanta, GA. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk Skills, Skills Net. Business and Professional Ethics for Accountants Syllabus, Baylor University, School of Business, Waco, TX. Principles of Accounting II, Government and Non Profit Accounting, and Audit I Course Descriptions, Virginia Community College System, Richmond, VA. Federal Income Tax Accounting Course Syllabus, 2011. Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK. Internal Control and Auditing, Cost Accounting, and Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting Course Syllabuses, Austin Community College, Austin, TX. Financial Accounting e-learning Course Outline, www.kesdee.com. Page 8