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BAT4M - Financial Accounting Principles

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Title: Financial Accounting Principles
Course Code: BAT4M
Grade: 12
Course Type: University Preparation
Credit Value: 1
Prerequisite: Financial Accounting Fundamentals, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
Curriculum Policy Document: Business Studies, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12, 2006

Text: Accounting Principles, Third Canadian Edition, John Wiley & Sons Canada © 2009. ISBN-13: 9780470160015

Department: Business
Course Developer: Frank Qin
Development Date: May 2013

Course Description:

This course introduces students to advanced accounting principles that will prepare them for postsecondary studies in business. Students will learn about financial statements for various forms of business ownership and how those statements are interpreted in making business decisions. This course expands students’ knowledge of sources of financing, further develops accounting methods for assets, and introduces accounting for partnerships and corporations.

Overall Expectations: BAT4M

By the end of this course, students will:

The Accounting Cycle

- demonstrate an understanding of accounting principles and practices;

- demonstrate an understanding of the accounting cycle in a computerized environment for a service business and a merchandising business;

- demonstrate an understanding of ethics and issues in accounting.

 

Accounting Practices for Assets

- demonstrate an understanding of accounting procedures for short-term assets;

- analyse accounting procedures for inventories;

- demonstrate an understanding of methods of accounting for capital assets.

 

Partnerships and Corporations

- demonstrate an understanding of accounting in partnerships;

- demonstrate an understanding of accounting in corporations.

 

Financial Analysis and Decision Making

- compare methods of financing;

- explain and interpret a corporation’s annual report;

- use financial analysis techniques to analyse accounting data for decision making purposes.

 

Unit details:

 

Unit	Titles and Descriptions	Time and Sequence
Unit 1	The Accounting Cycle Students demonstrate an understanding of accounting principles and practices; demonstrate an understanding of the accounting cycle for a service company and a merchandising company and analyse the ways in which service, merchandising and manufacturing companies interpret financial statements.	18 hours
Unit 2	Financing, Business Structures, Partnerships and Corporations This unit concentrates on the financing aspects of a business.  Students explore and analyse equity and debt financing and investigate the corporation in detail.  Students compare alternative forms of financing, demonstrate an understanding of partnership financing, demonstrate an understanding of corporation financing and demonstrate an understanding of accounting principles and practices.  In addition, students explore the financing of a partnership in depth.	22 hours
Unit 3	Asset Accounting In this unit students explain accounting procedures for short-term assets, assess methods of accounting for capital assets, explain accounting procedures for inventories, explain the need for internal financial controls in a business, analyse the ways in which service, merchandising and manufacturing companies interpret financial statements, demonstrate the use of accounting techniques to analyse and compare accounting data and demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in accounting.	26 hours
Unit 4	Financial Analysis and Decision Making In this unit students assess the financial strength and weakness of a company on the basis of its annual report, demonstrate the use of accounting techniques in analysing and comparing accounting data, and demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in accounting.  Financial accounting is about how accounting information is used and how it aids in business decision making.	22 hours
Unit 5	Issues in Accounting Students assess the financial strength and weakness of a company on the basis of its annual report, demonstrate the use of accounting techniques to analyse and compare accounting data, demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in accounting and explain the need for internal financial controls in a business.	20 hours
	Final Evaluation The final assessment task is a proctored two hour exam worth 15% of the student's final mark.	2 hours
	Total	110 hours

 

Teaching / Learning Strategies:

Students learn best when they are engaged in a variety of ways of learning. Business studies courses lend themselves to a wide range of approaches in that they require students to discuss issues, solve problems using applications software, participate in business simulations, conduct research, think critically, work cooperatively, and make business decisions. When students are engaged in active and experiential learning strategies, they tend to retain knowledge for longer periods and to develop meaningful skills. Active and experiential learning strategies also enable students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-life issues and situations. Some of the teaching and learning strategies that are suitable to material taught in business studies are the use of case studies and simulations, teamwork, brainstorming, mind mapping, problem solving, decision making, independent research, personal reflection, seminar presentations, direct instruction, portfolios, and hands-on applications. In combination, such approaches promote the acquisition of knowledge, foster positive attitudes towards learning, and encourage students to become lifelong learners.

Since the over-riding aim of this course is to develop an accounting literacy in all students, a wide variety of instructional strategies are used to provide learning opportunities to accommodate a variety of learning styles, interests and ability levels. These include:

Visual presentations	Problem solving	Decision Making
Projects	Direct Instruction	Data Analysis
Case studies	Source document analysis	Reports
Journalizing	Discussion Groups	Multimedia presentations
Excel Work sheets	Guided internet Research	Word processor sheets
Interviews

Assessment and Evaluation Strategies of Student Performance:

Assessment is the process of gathering information that accurately reflects how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a subject or course. The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. Assessment for the purpose of improving student learning is seen as both “assessment for learning” and “assessment as learning”. As part of assessment for learning, teachers provide students with descriptive feedback and coaching for improvement. Teachers engage in assessment as learning by helping all students develop their capacity to be independent, autonomous learners who are able to set individual goals, monitor their own progress, determine next steps, and reflect on their thinking and learning.

 

Teachers will obtain assessment information through a variety of means, which may include formal and informal observations, discussions, learning conversations, questioning, conferences, homework, tasks done in groups, demonstrations, projects, portfolios, developmental continua, performances, peer and self-assessments, self-reflections, essays, and tests.

 

As essential steps in assessment for learning and as learning, teachers need to:

• plan assessment concurrently and integrate it seamlessly with instruction;

• share learning goals and success criteria with students at the outset of learning to ensure that students and teachers have a common and shared understanding of these goals and criteria as learning progresses;

• gather information about student learning before, during, and at or near the end of a period of instruction, using a variety of assessment strategies and tools;

• use assessment to inform instruction, guide next steps, and help students monitor their progress towards achieving their learning goals;

• analyse and interpret evidence of learning;

• give and receive specific and timely descriptive feedback about student learning;

• help students to develop skills of peer and self-assessment.

 

Teachers will also ensure that they assess students’ development of learning skills and work habits, using the assessment approaches described above to gather information and provide feedback to students.

The Final Grade:

The evaluation for this course is based on the student's achievement of curriculum expectations and the demonstrated skills required for effective learning. The percentage grade represents the quality of the student's overall achievement of the expectations for the course and reflects the corresponding level of achievement as described in the achievement chart for the discipline. A credit is granted and recorded for this course if the student's grade is 50% or higher. The final grade for this course will be determined as follows:

• 70% of the grade will be based upon evaluations and assessments of learning conducted throughout the course. This portion of the grade will reflect the student's most consistent level of achievement throughout the course, although special consideration will be given to more recent evidence of achievement. All assessments of learning will be based on evaluations developed from the four categories of the Achievement Chart for the course.

 

• 30% of the grade will be based on a final evaluation administered at the end of the course and may be comprised of one or more strategies including tests and projects.. This final evaluation will be based on an evaluation developed from all four categories of the Achievement Chart for the course and of expectations from all units of the course. The weighting of the four categories of the Achievement Chart for the entire course including the final evaluation will be as follows.

 

Knowledge & Understanding	Thinking, Inquiry & Problem Solving	Application	Communication
30%	20%	30%	20%

 

Evaluation:

Assessment of Learning through the course:

Unit tests 50% + Assignments/Projects 20% = 70 %

Final Evaluation:

Final examination 15% + final assignment/project 15% = 30%

 

The Report Card:

The report card will focus on two distinct but related aspects of student achievement; the achievement of curriculum expectations and the development of learning skills. The report card will contain separate sections for the reporting of these two aspects.

Program Planning Considerations for Business Studies in General and Accounting in Particular:

Teachers who are planning the program in Accounting take into account considerations in a number of important areas. The areas of concern to all teachers that are outlined include the following:

• The Role of Technology in the Curriculum
• English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)
• Antidiscrimination Education in Business Studies in General
• Literacy, Numeracy, and Inquiry/Research Skills
• Career Education

Considerations relating to the areas listed above that have particular relevance for program planning in this accounting course, are noted below.

The Role of Technology in the Curriculum. In this Introduction to Financial Accounting course, information technology is considered a learning tool that must be accessed by the students in many areas. As a result, students will develop transferable skills through their experience with word processing, spreadsheets, journals, flow charts, and telecommunication tools, as would be expected in an accounting environment. Information and communication technologies are integrated into the business studies curriculum in a way that mirrors the dynamic environment in which business is conducted today, creating an authentic and relevant learning environment for students.

English As a Second Language and English Literacy Development (ESL/ELD). All of our Business studies can provide a wide range of options to address the needs of ESL/ELD students. Since business seeks ways to address the needs of diverse markets and communities, students can apply their own experiences and backgrounds to analyze various markets’ needs and business strategies. In addition, since businesses require employees with a wide range of skills and abilities, many students will learn how their backgrounds and language skills can contribute to business success.

Antidiscrimination Education in Business Studies. Antidiscrimination education promotes a school climate and classroom practice that encourage all students to work to high standards, ensure that they are given a variety of opportunities to be successful, affirm their self-worth, and help them strengthen their sense of identity and positive self-image. The business studies curriculum is designed to help students acquire the habits of mind that are essential in a complex democratic society characterized by rapid technological, economic, political, and social change. These include respect and understanding with regard to individuals, groups, and cultures in Canada and the global community, including an appreciation and valuing of the contributions of Aboriginal people to the richness and diversity of Canadian life. They also involve respect and responsibility for the environment and an understanding of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship. Learning the importance of protecting human rights and of taking a stand against racism and other expressions of hatred and discrimination is also part of the foundation for responsible citizenship and ethical business practice. In business studies, students will learn about the changing workplace and the Canadian and global economy. They will learn how business is carried out effectively and equitably in the local and global workplace and how it is affected and enhanced by the diversity of the global marketplace. Learning activities in business studies courses should be inclusive in nature, reflecting diverse points of view and experiences. They should enable students to become more sensitive to the experiences and perceptions of others, to value and show respect for diversity in the school and in the wider society, and to make responsible and equitable decisions in their personal and business relationships. The critical thinking and research skills acquired in business studies courses will enable students to recognize bias and stereotyping in text and images, as well as discriminatory attitudes that create barriers to productive relationships in business and trade.

Literacy, Numeracy, and Inquiry/Research Skills. Success in all their secondary school courses depends in large part on students' literacy skills. The activities and tasks that students undertake in the business studies curriculum involve oral, written, and visual communication skills. Communicating in a business environment and using business software require the use and understanding of specialized terminology. In all business studies courses, students are required to use appropriate and correct terminology, and are encouraged to use language with care and precision, in order to communicate effectively. The business studies curriculum also builds on and reinforces certain aspects of the mathematics curriculum. Students need to learn how to locate relevant information in a variety of print and electronic sources, including books and articles, manuals, newspapers, websites, databases, tables, diagrams, and charts.

Career Education. A course in Accounting can help prepare students for employment in such diverse areas as small-business creation, marketing, management, accounting, government service, and international business. The skills and knowledge that students acquire through this accounting course are essential for a wide range of careers. Students gain an understanding of various aspects of business functions and practices, such as management, marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship. In addition, the personal management, interpersonal, and career development components of career education in the business studies curriculum will prepare students for success in their working lives. Our entire business studies curriculum also helps students to appreciate the variety of types of businesses so that they can begin to determine which types are suited to their backgrounds and interests.

 

Resources:

Accounting Principles, Third Canadian Edition, John Wiley & Sons Canada © 2009. ISBN-13: 9780470160015

Principles of Accounting, Third Edition, Pearson Education Canada © 2002.

ISBN: 0130340901   ISBN-13: 9780130340900

Microsoft Excel, Word

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Simply Accounting, Student Version