Page 1 of 9Cohort MBA Fall 2005

AIM6201: Financial Accounting

Course Syllabus

Course Information
Course Number/Section AIM 6201 MBC
Course Title Financial Accounting

Term Fall 2006

Days & Times Tuesday & Thursdays, 9AM to 11AM, 8/22 to 10/5, 2006

Professor Contact Information

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan
Office Phone 972 883 4438
Other Phone
Email Address sradhakr@utdallas.edu
Office Location SM 4.426
Office Hours Tuesdays 3PM to 4PM OR by appointment
Other Information

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

Admission into the Cohort MBA Program
Course Description
Accounting reports are an important means of communication with investors and a basis for
writing contracts both within and outside the firm. This course is designed to provide an
understanding of what these reports contain, what assumptions and concepts accountants use
to prepare them, and why they use those assumptions and concepts. The course will provide a
disciplined way of thinking about and managing a business and reporting its financial status and
performance. It will provide basic institutional setting and discuss some of the controversial
accounting issues.

We will use simple examples to illustrate the basic concepts. We will stress the application of
the basic concepts to real world cases. For this purpose, we will use the financial reports of U.
S. Corporations and articles from newspapers and business journals to critically examine the
accounting concepts and practices.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

1. Be able to summarize the information provided by the balance sheet, income statement and
statement of cash flows and interpret individual amounts (assets, liabilities, equities, revenues
and expenses, cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities).
2. Be able to compute financial ratios and use financial ratios and other information to compare
companies competing in an industry in terms of profitability and liquidity (short and long term).
3. Be able to recognize ethical issues in reporting financial results and assess the impact of those
issues on shareholders and external users of the information.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Required Texts
Required Text: Financial Accounting: A Business Process Approach, Jane L. Reimers, 1st
edition, Prentice Hall.

Required Materials
Solutions Manual for the Reimers text will be posted on WebCt.

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 1

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting
Suggested Course Materials
Suggested Readings/Texts
Reference Self Study Material: Financial Accounting Tutor, Version 8.0, by D. Gode and R.
Gode, Wiley (NOT REQUIRED)
Suggested Materials
Read the business press from any leading newspaper

Assignments & Academic Calendar

Topics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam Dates

SEE ATTACHMENT A FOR TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE AND DUE DATES

Grading Policy
There are three parts to the evaluation.
1. Three Quizzes (Individual): The Quizzes are designed to test your understanding of the
basic accounting concepts. All quizzes will be cumulative. Each quiz will contain about 60%
to 75% of the questions taken directly from the text material, the practice problems and the
problems we go over in class. The rest will be some challenge problem/questions, which will
be based upon the materials that we cover. All quizzes will be closed book and closed
notes. No make-up quizzes will be given. The two best scores will be weighted about
40% each and the worst score will be weighted about 20% for the final evaluation [see table
below].
2. Annual report project (Group): Each group will select one company of their choice/interest
and obtain their three or four recent annual reports. You will need to perform a ratio analysis
and provide a brief prognosis of their beliefs on the firm’s future performance. I strongly
recommend that you choose and obtain the annual reports of the firms for the project as
early as possible. [SEE ATTACHMENT B FOR PROJECT GUIDELINES &
REQUIREMENTS]
3. Group peer evaluation: Each group member will evaluate the other group members. A peer
evaluation form is provided at the end of this handout.
You are expected to work in your assigned group. Only one copy of the report per group
needs to be turned in. At the end of the course you will be asked to evaluate the contribution
of each of the individuals in the group. [SEE ATTACHMENT C FOR DIMENSIONS OF
EVALUATION]
The grades will be based on relative performance. The weights for evaluation are:
Quiz [worst 10%, other two 25% each] 60%
Annual report project (group) 20%
Peer evaluation - Individual contribution to the group 20%

The target grade distribution is

A 40%
B 40%
C or lower 20%

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 2

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting
Course Policies
Make-up exams
As a policy no make-up exams will be given. I will consider each student’s request for a make-up made
before the exam date in writing to me, and will decide on the merit of giving a make-up purely at my
discretion. As such, there is bound to be considerable subjective judgement on my part. Therefore, to
decrease ex post disappointment, assume that no make-up exams will be given.

Extra Credit
No extra credit will be awarded.

Late Work
Late submission of project will be given a grade of zero.

Special Assignments
The annual report project guidelines are included at the end of this outline.

Class Attendance
No grades are awarded for class attendance.

Classroom Citizenship
Accounting is the language of business. As with learning any new language, you will need to
practice the language at two levels. First, you will need practice with the basic grammar, which
is the mechanics and concepts of accounting /mechanics. Second, you will need practice with
interpreting and understanding the language, as it is used in the real world.

To help you with the first level, we will introduce the concepts and mechanics in-class with
simple examples. We will also be going over some select problems, so that you become
comfortable with the mechanics of accounting. From time to time, depending on the need I may
convert some of the class session into tutorials where a teaching facilitator would take you
through some of the practice problems.

To help you with the second level, I have designed the project where you perform a ratio
analysis.
You will be responsible for going over the relevant chapters and do the practice problems. I will
make the solutions to the practice problems and some additional problems also made available
to you. I strongly urge you to go over the materials before class. This will help you grasp the
important aspects and internalize them when we go over them in class. It will be your
responsibility to let us know if you are having difficulties with the materials. I will attempt to help
each and every one of you.

I will use a mix of lecture and discussion modes. You are strongly urged to participate in the
class discussions. Please feel free to share any report or article that you may read in the
popular press about the language. In fact, I strongly urge you to read the business section of the
New York Times and/or the Wall Street Journal.

Overall, let us try to help each other make it a nice experience.

Field Trip Policies / Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Not applicable

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 3

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the
orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student
organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and
activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to
Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of
Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and
regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she
is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and
administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such
conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such
conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the
value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that
degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her
scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for
enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s
own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,
collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is
unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for
details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism
and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning
security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official
student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and
staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the
university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the
security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be
used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T.
Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 4

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting
Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These
dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be
followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other
words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will
not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of
academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter
with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter
called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and
evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the
respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written
response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the
grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean
of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals
Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process
will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where
staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the
semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be
resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to
complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the
incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 5

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting
Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to
those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office
hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to
eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom
prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind.
Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral
presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments
may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special
services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation.
Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student
has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact
the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel
to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property
tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the
absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the
exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of
the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed
exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or
assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a
religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a
reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor
may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student
and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University
policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and
regulations may be found at the website address given below. Additional information is available from the
office of the school dean. (http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 6

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting

ATTACHMENT A: Tentative Course Outline

S# Date (2006) Time Topic Practice Problems Class problems
Pre- 8/14, 8/15 & [SEE LEAD CAMP ¾ Introduction, Basic concepts, Mechanics of • P3-7B • P3-7A
term 8/17 SCHEDULE] Accounting (Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4 of Reimers) • Exercises in notes
1, 2 8/22, 8/24 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Purchase and Use of Assets (Chapter 5) • P5-1B, P5- • P5-1A, P5-9A, P5-
¾ Inventory and Liabilities (Chapter 6) 2B, P5-8B, P5-10B 8A, P5-10A
• P6-6A, E6- • P6-6A, P6-13A,
14, P6-6B, P6-7B E6-15
• Exercises in notes
3 8/29 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Quiz I : Chapters 1 through 4 (Lead camp
portions)
4, 5 8/31, 9/5 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Acquisition and Payment: Inventory and • E7-8, E7-11, • E7-7, E7-15, P7-6A
Liabilities (Chapter 6) E7-13, P7-6B
¾ Sales and Collections (Chapter 7)
6, 7 9/7, 9/12 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Debt (Chapter 8) • P8-4B, P8- • P8-4A, P8-8A, P8-
8B, P8-5B 5A
8 9/14 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Equity capital (Chapter 9) • P9-1B, P9- • E9-5, P9-1A, P9-
5B 5A
9 9/19 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Quiz II: Chapters 1 through 9
10 to 9/21, 9/26, 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Statement of cash flows (Chapter 10) • P10-1B, • P10-1A, P10-8A
13 9/28, 10/3 ¾ Financial Statement Analysis (Chapter 11) P10-8B
• P11-4A,
P11-4B
14 10/5 9:00AM to 11:00AM ¾ Quiz III: Chapters 1 through 11
10/19 12 Noon ¾ Project and Peer Evaluations Due

Professor Suresh Radhakrishnan 7

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting

ATTACHMENT B: Final Project Guidelines & Requirements (Group)

Financial Statement Analysis
Objective: The objective is to apply the ratio analysis framework to U. S. companies, so
as to give you a hands-on experience in interpreting and using data.
Suggested Approach:
¾ Choose a U.S. firm that is traded in the stock market. The companies that you
choose could be ones that you had or want to work for.
¾ Obtain at least the three or four most recent annual reports for the firm. That is, at
least have four years of income statement data and four years of balance sheet data
for the firm.
¾ Perform ratio analyses to provide you to understand the economic environment.
¾ Collect information from the press releases, news reports and the MD&A.
¾ Provide logical inference on whether the firm is going in the direction in which the
press releases indicate.
¾ Given the future expectations, how would you expect the ratios to trend in the future.
Source:
¾ Annual reports: You may find the SEC’s database of company filings useful [the
internet site is http://www.freeedgar.com/. Use 10-Ks (the annual reports) for a
company. You may order the annual report from the company directly, or find copies
of the annual report on the company’s home page. Please do not use databases
such as the COMPUSTAT, VALUELINE etc.
¾ Press releases may be obtained from the company’s homepage or Lexis-Nexis at
the UTD library.
Note that the above is a list of suggested sources. You will need to show some enterprise in
obtaining data. Please document the source and provide a copy of the annual report (the relevant
sections and footnotes) in the appendix with the final report.
Write-up: The main report should be not more than 10 pages not including the
appendix [typewritten, 1.5 or double-spaced]. Please put the details of the computations
and the data in the appendix. Please don’t send me excel spread sheets by email as
part of the report. I want only hard copies of everything, similar to a professional
consultant’s report.
Clarity of final report will be rewarded.
DUE DATE: The report is due on or before 10/19 in my room SM4.426 or my mail
box in room SM.

Page 8 of 9Course Syllabus Page 8

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AIM6201: Financial Accounting

ATTACHMENT C: Evaluation of Individual Contribution to Group

NAME OF EVALUATOR:

NOTE: Please do not evaluate yourself !

Dimensions of evaluation
A. Distribution of work
B. Helpful in explaining difficult topics
C. Helpful with ideas, questions and discussion
D. Quality and timeliness of work performance
E. Leadership and overall collegiality

A B C D E Total
NAME OF GROUP MEMBER (0-4) (0-4) (0-4) (0-4) (0-4) (0-20)

Each dimension is to be evaluated on a scale of 0-4 with 0 the minimum and 4 the
maximum. For example, if you perceive that you did more work, and the rest was
distributed evenly across other group members, you might want to give a 2 to all the
group members.

Page 9 of 9Course Syllabus Page 9