Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Graduate student standing. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of financial accounting, including a basic chart of accounts as well as financial statement layout and interaction. Additionally, the course will heavily rely on the use of Microsoft Excel and will require a basic understanding of present value concepts. The "Start Here" module includes resources to review these topics.
Course Materials
- Financial Statement Analysis & Valuation, 6th edition, by Easton, McAnally, and Sommers
- myBusinessCourse access code (includes an electronic version of the entire book)
- Additional Resources (within myBusinessCourse)
- Microsoft Excel (Office 365 is free for OU students; click for installation instructions for Windows or Mac)
On the "Start Here" module, you will see the myBusinessCourse link. By selecting that link, you will be taken to myBusinessCourse to register and purchase access at that time. If you do not register through Canvas, your account may not be linked with our course. Do not try to register outside of this course. Additional details are provided in the "Start Here" module, on the "Course Materials" page.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Homework | 5 highest scores of 6 assigned @ 50 pts. each | 250 |
| Financial Statement Analysis Project | Ongoing group assignment divided into 7 milestones; points vary | 250 |
| Exams | 2 exams @ 250 pts. each | 500 |
| Total | 1,000 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89.99% | B |
| 70–79.99% | C |
| 60–69.99% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Homework
Homework provides feedback on students’ mastery of learning objectives. Homework assignments will be administered weekly and are to be completed individually. Each assignment is worth up to 50 points. At the end of the semester, the one lowest homework score will be dropped.
Financial Statement Analysis (FSA) Project
The ongoing group project is designed to be a capstone in that it allows students to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the duration of this course. The project is divided into several milestones (one per week/module) and due dates are staggered throughout the semester. Additional details regarding each week's deliverable will be provided in that week's module. All group members will receive the same grade for each project deliverable. By the end of Week 1, each group should choose a group leader who will be responsible for submitting project deliverables on Canvas. After selecting a group leader and group responsibilities, submit the Work Agreement. The FSA Project will culminate with an FSA Reflection Paper. Additional information on project expectations and collaboration is provided in the "Start Here" module, on the "Group Work" page.
Exams
In this course, you will have 1 midterm exam and 1 comprehensive final exam. Exam 1 will cover material from Weeks 1-4. Exam 2 will cover material from all modules (Weeks 1-8). Exams will be administered on Canvas. Exams must be taken during the scheduled exam window (2 days). Additional information regarding allotted time and exam format will be provided closer to the exam dates.
Late Policy
All graded assignments must be completed by the assigned due date. No late work will be accepted.
Live Sessions
Join the weekly Live Session and take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and interact with fellow students in real-time. If you have a scheduling conflict that prohibits you from attending the Live Session on Mondays at 7:00 pm (Central), you have the opportunity to view the recording of our virtual meeting. The link to the Live Session recording will be posted on that week's Live Session page within 48 hours after the virtual meeting.
Course Policies
Communication
- If you have technical issues using myBusinessCourse, visit their FAQ section or contact their technical support team.
- If you have general questions about the class (assignments, class logistics, due dates, etc.), post a question in the Course Help Board in the “Start Here” module. You can post questions about the course here throughout the semester.
- If you have a personal question (grades, feedback, requests for special accommodation, etc.) please send me an email (anewton@ou.edu). In some cases, it might be helpful if you could send a screenshot of the issue. During the work week (Monday-Friday), you can expect a response from me within 24 hours. During weekends (Saturday-Sunday), you can expect a response from me within 48 hours.
- 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.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
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.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
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.
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.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|