Course Syllabus
Instructor: Mary Hill, Ph. D.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
There are no course prerequisites.
Course Materials
Textbooks
1. Auditing & Assurance Services: A Systematic Approach (12th edition) by Messier, Glover, and Prawitt, McGraw-Hill-Irwin (US version required). Older editions will not be acceptable. You will need access to the textbook as well as to Connect. You can choose one of these 2 options depending on whether you would like a hard copy loose leaf textbook:
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- Option 1 - Digital Access for Auditing & Assurance Services: A Systematic Approach — ISBN: 9781264468959 . This gives you access to the e-book as well as Connect.
- Option 2 – Combo Loose Leaf Auditing & Assurance Services: A Systematic Approach with Connect Access Card — ISBN: 9781260248579 . This gives you access to the e-book and Connect, and also provides you with a hard copy loose leaf textbook.
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2. Electronic Cloud Version of the Systems Understanding Aid (1st edition) by Arens, Ward, Bay, and Drum; Armond Dalton. This is required. http://www.armonddalton.com/publications/electronic-cloud-version-systems-understanding-aid/
Scanning App
In this course, you will need to submit handwritten forms electronically. To do this, you'll need access to a scanner or download a free scanning app.
- Evernote Scannable (iOS (Links to an external site.))
- Tiny Scan (Android (Links to an external site.) & iOS (Links to an external site.))
- Genius Scan (Android (Links to an external site.) & iOS (Links to an external site.))
For more information about Course Materials, please read the Course Materials section in Module 0.
Grades
Breakdown
| ACTIVITY | DESCRIPTION | POINTS |
| Graded Reading | 8 weeks @ 5 points each | 40 |
| Quizzes | 8 quizzes @ 5 points each | 40 |
| Live Session Participation | 8 weeks @ 10 points each | 80 |
| Projects | 3 projects @ 40 points each | 120 |
| Midterms | 2 tests @ 100 points each | 200 |
| Final Exam | 1 exam @ 120 points each | 120 |
| 600 = Total |
Scale
Grades are assigned based on total points earned during the course. Traditional cutoffs (i.e., 90%, 80%, 70%, and 60%) will be used.
Course Components
Graded Readings
The assigned readings provide a deeper dive into each topic.
LearnSmart is an adaptive learning software, which contains the same content as the print book. You will be asked a series of questions over topics in the chapter. Based on your confidence in your answer and your ability to answer the questions correctly, you will be guided through the assignment until a sufficient level of mastery is achieved. These assignments are due before the Live Session.
Lectures
The purpose of lectures is to learn by discussing (i.e., by elaborating on, and applying course materials). Lectures at the beginning of the course focus on the relationship between accounting and auditing, the demand for assurance, and the value of financial statement audits. During this part of the course, students should develop an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of auditing, and basic knowledge of the auditing environment and auditing jargon. The course then shifts to the audit process (i.e., how to conduct audits). We will first learn how to plan basic financial statement audits. During this part of the course, we will focus on important concepts like materiality, audit risk, risk assessment, and audit strategies. We will then learn more about how to perform audit procedures and audit tests. During this part of the course, we will discuss financial statement assertions, different types of audit tests, evidence, sampling, analytical procedures, and documentation. Finally, we will spend time discussing the audit reporting process.
The lectures are recorded and posted on Canvas. Each of these should be watched prior to the beginning of the related Live Session. Then during the Live Session, we will discuss your questions about the Lectures and the Readings.
Quizzes
Since Live Sessions are more effective when students read the related material and watch the related lectures prior to class, eight online quizzes will be given during the semester. Each of these must be completed prior to the beginning of the related Live Session. Quizzes will assume a modest understanding of the material and will be comprised of multiple-choice questions.
Live Session
You're expected to attend and participate during each Live Session. These Live Sessions will count toward your final grade. There are two ways you can earn points:
- Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. To get credit and track your attendance, you will submit answers for an in-class activity. While some activities may be done as group work, you will need to submit answers individually in order to receive credit for attendance. The advantage of participating "live" is that you will have the benefit of group discussions to complete the In Class Activity.
- Make-Up (Watch Recording-Submit In Class Activity): In the event your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session then submit the in-class activity. Don't worry if the system indicates that your submission is late; I can adjust that manually. You must submit your in-class activity before the next Live Session.
Note: If you join the session > 30 minutes late or leave > 30 minutes early, you will be considered "absent". To receive full points, be sure to utilize option 1 or 2 for each of the Live Sessions to receive full points.
Projects
The purpose of projects is to learn by doing. Projects are designed to give students the chance to apply auditing concepts and develop professional judgment skills. They simulate the work typically performed by accountants and auditors in the real world. Projects are also designed to promote skills/competencies necessary for success as CPAs (e.g., Excel skills, critical thinking skills, etc.[1]). As in the real world, they may often require interaction with “supervisors” and/or “clients.”
There are three class projects during the semester, each requiring several hours to complete—mostly outside of class. As in the real world, projects have deadlines, so don’t procrastinate. Projects are relatively unstructured. This allows students to be creative, and to practice professional judgment. Some students find this frustrating due to the lack of objectively correct answers. Auditing tasks are typically quite unstructured; judgment is of primary importance. In most situations, there is not a single “correct” answer, but only conclusions that are considered “reasonable” because they are supported by evidence or logic. Projects require access to a computer as well as a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Students may seek guidance during the projects by contacting the professor. However, obtaining help from other students (including those from previous semesters) is considered cheating! Project deadlines are indicated in the attached schedule; however, they may be turned in early.
[1] See the AICPA Core Competency Framework at www.aicpa.org.
Exams
The purpose of exams is assessment. Exams include both multiple-choice and essay questions, and require memorization, comprehension, and application. In this course, you will have 2 Exams and 1 Comprehensive Final Exam. You will have 75 minutes to take the Exams and 2 hours to take the Final Exam. Exams must be taken during the scheduled exam window (2 days). Exams will be submitted automatically in Canvas at the due date.
If an exam is missed due to an excused absence, then the percentage score of the Final Exam will be applied to the missed exam. Approval for missing an exam must be obtained before the exam window. No points will be received for a missed exam if you do not obtain approval before the exam.
Exam 1 will be split into two parts: approximately half of the points will cover material discussed in the Live Sessions and approximately half of the points will cover concepts and procedures you learn by completing Project 1 (the Systems Understanding Aid packet). Exam 2 will cover topics discussed in the live sessions and principles you learn through completing Project 2. The final exam will be split between 80 percent new material discussed in the Live Sessions (along with principles you learn from completing Project 3) and 20 percent cumulative.
Course Policies
Communication
- If you have general questions about assignments, class logistics, due dates, etc., please post a question in the 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 a private message via email. In the subject line, write “ACCT 4543" before your subject. For example, if you have a question about a grade, your email subject would read “ACCT 4543 online – grade inquiry”. It's helpful if you could send a screenshot of the issue.
- If you have general tech questions, please contact OU IT at needhelp@ou.edu.
All email sent by your professors will be sent to the email registered in your name at the University of Oklahoma.
Late Policy
I do not accept late work.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
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