Accounting (ACCT) 453
Financial Accounting Theory (Revision 7)
Revision 7 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
View previous syllabus.
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study.**
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Applied Studies
(Business and Administrative Studies)
Prerequisites: ACCT 352 and FNCE 370.
Centre: Faculty of Business
ACCT 453 is not available for challenge.
**Note:Students registering in grouped study, or grouped study international mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.
Overview
ACCT 453 explores some of the theoretical issues that underlie the discipline of financial accounting and some of the practical consequences of these issues. The course draws on related fields of study, particularly economics and finance, to examine the efficient markets hypothesis and its implications for financial reporting. Applications of the present value model in accounting, agency theory and its implications for financial reporting, the accounting standard-setting process, and the economic consequences of accounting decisions are also discussed.
Outline
ACCT 453 consists of ten lessons:
Lesson 1: Accounting under Ideal Conditions
Lesson 2: Decision Usefulness Approach to Financial Reporting
Lesson 3: Efficient Securities Markets
Lesson 4: The Information Perspective on Decision Usefulness
Lesson 5: The Measurement Perspective on Decision Usefulness
Lesson 6: Economic Consequences and Positive Accounting Theory
Lesson 7: An Analysis of Conflict
Lesson 8: Conflict Between Contracting Parties
Lesson 9: Standard Setting: Economic Issues
Lesson 10: Standard Setting: Political Issues
Evaluation
To receive credit for ACCT 453, you must complete and submit two written assignments and a research paper; you must also write a midterm and a final examination. Your final grade is determined by a weighted average of the grades you receive on these activities. To receive credit for this course, you must achieve a minimum grade of “D” (50 percent) on the final examination and an overall grade of at least a “D” (50 percent) for the entire course. The weightings for each assignment and the exam are as follows:
| Assign 1 | Assign 2 | Research Paper | Midterm Exam | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5% | 2.5% | 15% | 30% | 50% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Note: Students planning to transfer this course to a Professional Accounting designation (i.e., CMA, CGA, CA) are advised that they will be required to achieve a grade higher than the minimum passing grade. See the Professional Accounting Designation Web site for details.
Course Materials
Textbook
Scott, W. R. (2009). Financial Accounting Theory (5th ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Education Canada
ISBN 9780132072861
Other Materials
All other materials are available online. Students must have access to a computer with Internet Explorer in order to view the CGA Ethics Readings Handbook.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 7, August 24, 2010.
View previous syllabus
Last updated by SAS for gloriaz@athabascau.ca 02/04/2016 08:34:06
