Elon University - Department of Accounting and Finance

ACOUNTING COURSES

ACC 150. PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING 4 sh

This course provides basic tools and understanding to manage one’s personal finances. Topics include cash vs. credit cards, leasing vs. buying a car, renting vs. buying a home, the role of insurance in financial planning, retirement planning and much more. No prerequisite. Offered winter term.

ACC 201. PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 4 sh

In this introduction to the financial reporting process, study emphasizes the accrual basis of accounting. Students learn to prepare and interpret income statements and balance sheets, analyze business transactions and determine the effects of transactions on assets and equities. Offered fall and spring.

ACC 212. PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING 4 sh

Students gain an overview of the ways accounting information helps managers as they plan, develop control procedures and make decisions for their organizations. The course also covers the concepts of cost behavior, cost-volume-profit analysis and the preparation of budgets. Prerequisite: ACC 201. Offered fall and spring.

ACC 331. INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I 4 sh

Intermediate Accounting begins an in-depth study of generally accepted accounting principles and their theoretical basis. Students explore the contents of and interrelationships among the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows, along with techniques for analyzing and correcting errors. Some of the more important accounting standards of the Financial Accounting Standards Board are included. Prerequisites: ACC 212 and BUS 202. Offered fall and spring.

ACC 332. INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II 4 sh

This continuation of the in-depth study of financial accounting (begun in ACC 331) emphasizes intangible assets, acquisition of property, current and long-term liabilities and stockholders’ equity. Prerequisite: ACC 331. Offered fall and spring.

ACC 336. COST ACCOUNTING 4 sh

In cost accounting, students examine methods for gathering and analyzing production cost data, which managers use to plan, budget and set prices for their products, with emphasis on the job order costing, process costing and standard costing methods and the interpretation of data produced by each system. Prerequisites: ACC 201 and 212. Offered fall and spring.

ACC 341. FUNDAMENTALS OF INCOME TAXATION 4 sh

This introduction to the structure of the federal income tax system emphasizes the theories, procedures and rationale associated with the taxation of individuals. Prerequisite: ACC 331. Offered fall and spring.

ACC 365. COMPUTERIZED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 4 sh

In this interesting and practical course, students will assume the role of owner of a simulated small business. Up-to-date accounting software will be used to keep the financial records. This hands-on experience will enhance the understanding of accounting and its essential role in the business world and, at the same time, provide a practical instruction in the use of modern Windows-based accounting software. Prerequisite: ACC 201. Offered winter.

ACC 442. ADVANCED TAXATION 4 sh

This course continues the study of special topics including corporations, capital gains and losses, estate and gift taxation, tax administration and tax research. Students will learn to locate relevant information in regulations, revenue rulings and court cases. They will report their findings in the form of written reports and memoranda. Prerequisite: ACC 341.

ACC 451. ADVANCED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 4 sh

Continuing the in-depth study of financial accounting that began in Intermediate Accounting, this course includes accounting for business combinations, with special emphasis on preparing consolidated financial statements for parent and subsidiary corporations. Accounting for governmental units and other not-for-profit organizations is also introduced. Prerequisites: ACC 331 and 332, or ACC 331 and concurrent enrollment in ACC 332.

ACC 456. AUDITING 4 sh

Study of auditing covers both theory and practice, including ethics, generally accepted auditing standards, internal accounting controls, auditors’ working papers, the components of audit risk, compliance testing and substantive testing. Prerequisite: ACC 332 and senior standing. Offered spring.

ACC 471. SEMINAR: SPECIAL TOPICS 1-4 sh

This upper level seminar, an advanced study requiring active participation by students, consists of readings, problems, reports, discussions of current topics or preparation for professional examinations. May be conducted by departmental faculty or other resource persons. Prerequisite: permission of instructor, may vary with topic.

ACC 481. INTERNSHIP IN ACCOUNTING 1-8 sh

An internship offers the student valuable experience in the field of accounting. Appropriate placement must be arranged by the student with the help and support of the faculty and other appropriate resources. Prerequisites: ACC 331 and junior standing.

ACC 482. BUSINESS LAW AND ACCOUNTING ETHICS 2 sh

This course is a study of selected topics from the Uniform Commercial Code and specifically addresses issues concerning accountants’ legal liability and ethical issues in accounting and financial reporting. Prerequisites: ACC 331 and BUS 221.

ACC 491. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 sh

ACC 499. RESEARCH 1-4 sh

Students can engage in an undergraduate research study in collaboration with a faculty sponsor.

FINANCE COURSES

FIN 303. INTRODUCTION TO FINANCE 4 sh

For nonmajors and business administration minors, this introductory course offers a balanced, survey approach to the three major areas of finance — investments, financial markets and corporate or business finance. It is designed to provide students a foundation with regard to the key concepts from each of these areas so that they will better understand the functions of the financial system and the role it has in their lives. Sophomore standing required. No credit for both FIN 343 and FIN 303. Offered fall and spring.

FIN 343. PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE 4 sh

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of finance and might be subtitled “what every business major needs to know about finance.” It is designed to provide students a foundation with regard to the key concepts from each of three major areas of finance — investments, financial markets and corporate or managerial finance. In the class, we will discuss issues relating to the financial markets, the time value of money, financing, valuation, investments and other topics. Prerequisites: ACC 201, 212, ECO 201 and 203. Offered fall and spring.

FIN 413. ADVANCED MANAGERIAL FINANCE 4 sh

The in-depth study of financial management from the perspective of valuative theory involves discussions of topics such as security evaluation and capital budgeting within the framework of the Capital Asset Pricing Model. Study relates cost of capital, capital structure and leverage to valuation concepts. Examination of long-term financing includes studies of leasing as well as warrants, convertibles and options. Valuation impacts of mergers and reorganizations are also covered. Prerequisite: FIN 343.

FIN 416. FUNDAMENTALS OF INSURANCE 4 sh

This course provides a study of the basic principles of insurance contracts and the scope of coverage under the several divisions of insurance, including life, fire, casualty, marine, bond and automobile insurance. Prerequisite: FIN 343.

FIN 419. FINANCIAL SERVICES 4 sh

This course is designed to introduce students to the U.S. financial services sector and to show how the industries within the sector relate to the financial planning process. Broad topics include retirement and estate planning and the functions of the banking, insurance and mutual fund industries. Under each of the broader topics, many of the products and services offered by the industries will be discussed and linked to the financial planning process. The prerequisite for the course is FIN 343. Offered spring.

FIN 421. INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES 4 sh

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of investments and investment management. It is designed to develop a framework within which to view the investment process and an understanding of the institutional setting in which investment decisions are made. Topics covered include: financial markets, risk and return analysis, fundamental and technical analysis, derivatives, and asset allocation. Finally, global, ethical, legal, regulatory and financial planning issues will be discussed throughout the course. Prerequisites: FIN 343. Offered fall.

FIN 445. SECURITY ANALYSIS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT 4 sh

This course teaches the application of tools and techniques for appraising the economy, specific industries and companies, emphasizing securities markets from the perspectives of institutional portfolio managers or personal investors. Prerequisite: FIN 343.

FIN 471. SEMINAR: SPECIAL TOPICS 1-4 sh

FIN 481. INTERNSHIP IN FINANCE 1-8 sh

An internship offers the student valuable experience in the field of finance. Appropriate placement must be arranged by the student with the aid and support of the faculty and other appropriate resources.