Syllabus Management Accounting (ACCT 251) New Mexico State University Spring, 2011 Professor: Dr. Kevin. McNelis, Ph.D., CPA Guthrie Hall 217 646-2485, [email protected] Office Hours: Mon & Wed 9:00 – 9:30 Mon & Wed 12:00 – 1:00 Other times by appointment Class Meetings: M01 MWF 9:30 – 10:20 BC102 M02 MWF 10:30 – 11:20 BC102 Required Texts: Cornerstones of Managerial Accounting Mowen, Hansen, and Heigter, 3rd Edition, Cengage. ISBN 0324823916. Instant Access Code for CengageNow for Mowen, Hansen, and Heighter, 3rd Edition. Cengage. ISBN 0-324-82687-7. This includes the homework manager and ebook. You may purchase direct from CengageBrain.com for $79.99 at http://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/978-0-324-82687-6 This option is by far the least expensive, and gives you access to everything that is required for the course. To gain access to the course content and homework manager, you must purchase an access code. Some versions of the printed text include an access code. If you prefer to use an ebook, you need only purchase the access code.After acquiring an access code, see the CengageNow New Registration document posted on Blackboard to register. The course key depends on your section. BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT KEY FOR YOUR SECTION! M01: E-YM99JACH2ZPQG M02: E-YD3PD8SQAKNUF M70: E-3GNMWERMWDV53 Also Required: You must have access to Blackboard. Course materials and assignments that will not be distributed in class will be posted to the course website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the materials required for class and that all assignments are completed by the due date. Blackboard is accessed through WWW.learn.nmsu.edu. Words to the Wise: This is not a high school class. In high school, many of you were able to earn “A”s by memorizing facts and regurgitating them on tests. You will fail this course if you approach it in that manner. This is very much an applications course. You will have to learn facts and formulae, but the crucial part of this class is knowing how to apply those facts and formulae to a given set of data. You will have to analyze and interpret, which is a higher order of learning than is memorization. This class consists almost entirely of “story problems” that you have been working (and hating) since the first grade. Students at NMSU are fortunate. Nearly all of the instructors you will have during your time here have “terminal degrees”, that is, a Doctorate. You should respect that amount of education. In my case, I have completed 12 years of college (4 year bachelor degree, 2 year Master’s degree, and 6 years for the PhD). You should make it a habit to address your instructors as “Dr. Lastname”. If you are unsure of whether your instructor has a doctorate, it is always proper to address your instructors as “Professor Lastname”. It is never OK to address your professor by his or her first name UNLESS the professor has specifically told you that it is acceptable. Course Overview and Objectives: To introduce you to the basic concepts of managerial accounting. Managerial accounting reports are prepared mainly for internal users. At the end of the course you should be able to:1. Understand and appreciate why managers need accounting information. 2. Understand the problem of cost assignment, the different cast assignment methods, and know when each is appropriate. 3. Understand how accounting information is used for planning, control, evaluation, and continuous improvement. 4. Understand how accounting information is used by managers to make various operational and strategic decisions. Accounting 251 is a time-consuming course. It requires in-depth study and analysis and should not be undertaken casually. You are spending two and a half hours each week in class, you should be prepared to spend AT LEAST 2 additional hours every single day outside class (yes, Saturday and Sunday also) studying the material and working homework problems. Several steps may be taken to avoid the "I understand the material, but I just can't do it on the exam" syndrome: 1. Do not take this course in conjunction with a full class load, full time work and an extensive social life. 2. Avoid too many similarly demanding courses. 3. Stay up to date on all assignments. 4. Consult me BEFORE YOU ARE IN SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES Grading: There will be a total of 675 points possible, allocated as follows: Pretests & Quizzes 110 points Homework 65 Three regular examinations (100 each) 300 Final comprehensive examination 200 Total 675 points Grades will be assigned as follows: % of Points Earned A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F Below 60 The two regular examinations will be equally weighted and comprise 200 points of your final grade. The final examination will be worth 200 points and is comprehensive. A grade of zero will be assigned to anyone who misses an examination. The final examination is comprehensive. It will count as the final, and will replace the single lowest other test score. If you miss an exam, your final exam score will replace the zero you get on that exam. Makeup exams will be allowed for students on official NMSU business ONLY if you have notified mein advance; such notification will include the letter from your coach/faculty sponsor. Many of the assigned problems will be worked in class, but it is essential for your success that you have at least attempted the problems prior to our working them in class. When I do the problems, they will appear to be deceptively simple. Remember, I have been practicing this stuff for 30 years! Of course it is easy to me. They will seem much more difficult when you attempt them on you own. Quizzes will usually be given at the conclusion of each chapter. Quiz grades cannot be made up if missed. January 14 is the first day of class. I expect all my students to be there and ready to go. The first due date is January 19. You will meet that due date. Late enrollment, delayed ski trips and the like are not acceptable excuses for not meeting that due date. Missed Cengage work may not be made up. Period. Don’t even ask. Wireless Communications: The use of cellular phones, pagers, etc. during class is distracting and disrespectful to the instructor and your classmates. Remember to turn off all forms of wireless communications before