Principles of Financial Accounting (ACCT 2301) – Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

Introduction to Financial Accounting

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts and procedures of financial accounting, focusing on the application of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to business transactions and events. Students will learn to accumulate, analyze, measure, and record financial transactions, and to prepare and interpret key financial statements for external users.

• Course Code: ACCT 2301_0004

• Instructor: Jessica Hazel, CPA

• Semester: Spring 2026

• Textbook: Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting: The Financial Chapters, 8th Edition, Miller-Nobels, Mattison (Pearson)

Course Objectives and Competencies

Learning Outcomes

• Use basic accounting terminology and understand the assumptions, principles, and constraints of the accounting environment.

• Identify the differences between accrual and cash basis accounting.

• Analyze and record business events in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

• Prepare adjusting entries and close the general ledger.

• Prepare financial statements in U.S. GAAP format, including the income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, and statement of shareholders’ equity.

• Analyze and interpret financial statements using financial analysis techniques.

• Describe conceptual differences between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and U.S. GAAP.

Course Structure and Schedule

Weekly Topics and Chapters

The course covers approximately 13 of 15 textbook chapters, with one chapter addressed most weeks. The following chapters align with the standard financial accounting curriculum:

• Ch. 1: Accounting and the Business Environment

• Ch. 2: Recording Business Transactions

• Ch. 3: The Adjusting Process

• Ch. 4: Completing the Accounting Cycle

• Ch. 5: Merchandising Operations

• Ch. 6: Merchandise Inventory

• Ch. 7: Internal Control and Cash

• Ch. 8: Receivables

• Ch. 9: Plant Assets, Natural Resources, and Intangibles

• Ch. 10: Investments (may be omitted)

• Ch. 11: Current Liabilities and Payroll

• Ch. 12: Long-Term Liabilities

• Ch. 13: Stockholders' Equity

• Ch. 14: The Statement of Cash Flows

• Ch. 15: Financial Statement Analysis (may be omitted)

Refer to the course schedule for specific due dates and topics covered each week.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Digital access included; physical copy optional.

• Excel: Office 365 Education provided free to students.

• Calculator: Simple or graphing calculator (no phones/tablets during tests).

• Binder: For organizing notes (paper notes allowed during exams).

Assessment and Grading

Grading Breakdown

Component	Weight
Homework (drop 1)	25%
Quizzes (drop 1)	25%
Midterm Exam	20%
Projects	10%
Class Exercises	5%
Comprehensive Final Exam	15%
Total	100%

• Homework and quizzes: Lowest grade dropped in each category.

• Quizzes: Timed, two attempts allowed.

• Projects: Integrate and apply accounting concepts.

• Exams: Paper notes only; no electronic devices.

Grading Scale

Grade	Percentage
A	89.5% – 100%
B	79.5% – 89.4%
C	69.5% – 79.4%
D	59.5% – 69.4%
F	< 59.5%

Course Policies

Attendance and Participation

• Attendance is required and tracked; missing two consecutive weeks without notification may result in withdrawal.

• Completing assignments does not count as attendance.

• Students are responsible for all material, whether present or absent.

Late Work

• Assignments may be submitted up to one week late with a 20% penalty.

• No extra credit or make-up assignments.

Academic Integrity

• Cheating results in a zero for the assignment, loss of grade drop privilege, and possible course failure and disciplinary action.

Study and Success Recommendations

Effective Study Strategies

1. Read the textbook and take notes before lectures.

2. Engage in lectures, complete provided notes, and ask questions.

3. Practice problems regularly, including those at the end of each chapter.

4. Review notes and textbook explanations as needed.

5. Seek help from free tutoring, supplemental instructors, or the instructor as needed.

Course Schedule (Sample Weeks)

Week	Day	Date	Assignments Due	Class Discussion
1	Tuesday	13-Jan	Orientation/Ch 1	Ch 1
2	Tuesday	20-Jan	HW Ch 1	Ch 2
3	Tuesday	27-Jan	HW Ch 2	Ch 2
4	Tuesday	3-Feb	Ch 2 Project	Ch 3
5	Tuesday	10-Feb	HW Ch 3	Ch 4
6	Tuesday	17-Feb	HW Ch 4 & Quiz (Ch 3&4)	Ch 5
8	Tuesday	3-Mar	HW Ch 6 & Quiz (Ch 5&6)	Review
8	Thursday	5-Mar	Midterm Ch 1-6
14	Tuesday	14-Apr	HW Ch 11 & Quiz (Ch 9&11)	Ch 12/13
16	Tuesday	28-Apr	HW Ch 14 & Quiz (Ch 12-14)	Review
17	Thursday	7-May	Final Exam	11:10 am - 1:10 pm

Additional info: The course schedule covers all major topics in a standard financial accounting curriculum, including the accounting cycle, merchandising operations, internal controls, receivables, plant assets, liabilities, equity, and cash flows.

Contact and Support

• Instructor Email: [e-mail]

• Office Location: BT #204

• Office Hours: Multiple times weekly; see syllabus for details.

• Zoom: Available by appointment.

• Tutoring: Free online and in-person options available.

Summary

This syllabus outlines the structure, expectations, and resources for success in Principles of Financial Accounting. Students are encouraged to engage actively, practice consistently, and utilize available support to master the foundational concepts of financial accounting.