Course Syllabus
Contact Information
ACCT 5353_Syllabus-Spring 2024.pdf
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Undergraduate accounting degree or equivalent.
Course Materials
- The text is available in both hard copy and electronic format. The web link to purchase a hard copy of the book directly from the publisher is: https://mybusinesscourse.com/book/financial-statement-analysis-valuation-6e
- You may choose to use a used edition of the text. However, if you do so you still need to purchase access to the 6th edition of MyBusinessCourse (MBC) online activities. This will include the MBC homework as well as required videos and review problems.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Analysis Project (CAP) | Group project on a firm consisting of two group reports. | 200 | 20% |
| Homework — Case Study | Questions and ratio-calculating exercises related to the CAP. |
90/15 per W |
9% |
| Presentation - Practice Sets | Each group needs to present and explain practice questions |
50 per group |
5% |
| Participation | Discussion Board participation, Live Session participation and completion of in-class activities. | 70/10 per W | 7% |
| Quizzes | After-class Quizzes over each class material | 90/15 per W | 9% |
| Mid-Term Exam | Covers material from the first three weeks. | 250 | 25% |
| Final Exam | Covers material from the second three weeks, building on first three weeks. | 250 | 25% |
| Total | 1000 | 100% |
Scale
In assigning grades, I consider the overall class performance in determining the final grade cut-offs. However, the following are minimum cut-offs to earn the grades indicated:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
The course is divided into 7 weeks. Considering the intensive schedule of the course, the course will be delivered with a self-study-lecturing-practice format. During the first three weeks, we will focus on conducting ratio analyses based on information from the financial statements. During the second three weeks, we will conduct deeper analyses by looking into footnote disclosures. The last week is reserved for review, preparing for the final exam and final reports. To prepare for this class, I summarize what you need to do for each week:
Pre-class self-study
Before each class (including the first week), you should prepare yourself to be able to understand the class materials during the lecture and be ready to take the quiz after the class. You can access readings, videos, and activities available through the MyBusinessCourse tab on the left side navigation tab in Canvas for pre-class self-study. I will also provide you with a Textbook Summary to help you understand the main learning objectives.
Quiz
There will be 6 quizzes for the first six weeks of materials (all will be take-home). There are no make-up quizzes, you should complete your quiz in the required time slot defined in the course schedule.
Homework
Starting the second week, you will need to turn in homework before the class. Most of the homework questions will be related to your Comprehensive Analysis Project (CAP). We will use a selected public company and ask you to calculate financial ratios and answer the company-specific questions. The homework questions will be mostly related to the materials that have been covered in the previous week.
Online Tutorial Session
An online tutorial session is conducted weekly on Thursdays from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, the tutorial session will also be recorded (The Zoom Link is listed in the GA table). The purpose of this session is to review class materials, homework, and the CAP project. To ensure you continually work on the CAP project, at least one student from each group is required to attend the tutorial session and report the CAP progress. The TA will also share examples of reports and offer guidance on report writing and the use of worksheets.
Comprehensive Analysis Project (CAP)
The Comprehensive Analysis Project (CAP) is a group project focused on a company selected by your group from the list I provided. There will be two group reports that you need to turn in. The first group report is due after three weeks (during the fourth week) and the second group report is due after six weeks (during the seventh week).
Exams
There will be two exams. The mid-term exam is given during the 4th week (Week 4, April 12-14) and the final exam is given during the final exam week (Week 8, May 6 – 10). The mid-term exam will cover the materials from the first three weeks and the final exam will cover the materials from the second three weeks plus selected material from the mid-term exam.
Practice Question Presentation Assignment
This assignment is designed to improve your presentation skills and understand the course materials. Each group (formed for the CAP project in the first week) is randomly assigned to present the practice set problems for each week. Practice set problems will be provided, you should prepare your own slides. This assignment takes 5% of your total grade, all groups will get the score if you are well-prepared. Each group member will also be evaluated by their peers at the end of the semester, everyone is expected to contribute to the presentation.
Participation
You will get the most out of this class if you actively engage with the course content, your fellow classmates, your TAs, and your instructor. There are various ways you can earn participation points:
- Submit Questions for the Live Session. Each group should submit 1 question per week by Canvas (starting the 2nd week for the following 6 weeks). The question should be related to the course contents. Each week, different group members shall submit so each student has at least one chance to submit. It is expected that the group members will discuss what are the most important questions to submit. The submission of the questions is due by noon of the class. I will reply to your questions before class. In class, the student who submits the questions will explain his/her question and discuss my answer. For course policy questions, each group can also submit but they will not be counted toward the content questions.
- Engage in Live Sessions.
- Sign the class attendance sheet,
- Put up your Name Stand (remember to return your Name Stand to TAs after class),
- In-class excise submission.
- Peer Evaluation (evaluating group members), due at the end of class.
Live Sessions – Earning Participation Points
There are participation points for you to earn.
- Class Participation: When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real time. We will distribute an attendance sheet for you to sign.
- Submit In-Class Exercise: In-class exercises are also counted as participation. Students should submit one in-class exercise in each class. When you miss a class, please request it from the TAs.
- Earning points when you miss a class. If your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, you need to notify your TAs and your instructor with a reason. You can make up your participation in the following ways.
- Class participation credit. You need to write a one-page summary of key takeaways from that week’s materials. You need to email your report to the instructor and the TAs. You also need to click on the "Submit Assignment" button to type (or copy/paste) your paragraph into the text field or upload a document. You will have until midnight of the prior day to the next Live Session to submit your written response. Do not worry if the system indicates that your submission is late; I can adjust that manually.
- Request from, do, and submit your in-class excise to TAs
Note that your participation credit will be prorated based on the time you attended the class. For example, if you only attend the class for 1 hour, then you get 1/3 credit, if you want to get full credit, you need to write your summary on the materials that I covered after the 1-hour class.
Course Policies
Communication Plan
- If you have general questions about assignments, class logistics, due dates, etc., please post a question in the HELP BOARDin the “Start Here” You can post questions about the course here throughout the semester.
- Go to Start Here: click on Course Overview to view the video and understand the course roadmap.
- If you have a personal question (grades, feedback, requests for special accommodation, etc.) please send TAs and me a private message via email. In the subject line, write “ACCT 5353 - Section Number" before your subject. For example, if you have a question about a grade, your email subject would read “ACCT 5353 Section Number – grade inquiry”. It would be helpful if you could send a screenshot of the issue. Please note that TAs and I will not respond to your email if you do not use the correct subject title. Please also note that if you send your inquiry to my email, you are likely to get a response from me within a few hours. If you send me an email using the Canvas course website, I may not be able to respond to your email within a day.
- If you have questions regarding your account at myBusinessCourse, please go to "My Tickets" which can be found in a dropdown box below your name at the top right-hand side of the screen. You can fill out a request for customer support here: mbcsupport@cambridgepub.com
- If you have general tech questions, please contact OU IT at needhelp@ou.edu.
- All emails sent by your professors will be sent to the email registered in your name at the University of Oklahoma.
- If you wish to also receive course emails at another email address, go to your profile in Canvas and you can add 1 or more alternate emails to your account.
Late Policy
Except in extremely rare circumstances (e.g., documented proof of hospitalization etc.) and except as noted below with respect to alternatives to joining a Live Session, no late submissions will be accepted.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
The overall goal of this course is your learning. In order to demonstrate that you have reached this goal, the work you turn in needs to be your own. This includes putting written work into your own words and citing your sources, as appropriate to avoid plagiarism. If you work in a group, seek assistance from a tutor, use a resource on campus, and/or use online resources (including AI software), the work you turn in must be your own, demonstrating your own understanding of the material that you have gained through the learning process.
If you have questions about academic integrity or plagiarism, please ask: my aim is to foster an environment where you can learn and grow, while also maintaining academic honesty and a clear representation of your learning and ideas. Penalties for serious offenses include a zero on the assignment and egregious offenses can even result in expulsion from the university, so it is important to understand expectations. Visit the OU Integrity Office for more information on what constitutes plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|