The objectives listed in the syllabus are my goals for the course itself. While they help me in preparing the course, they aren't specific enough to help you with your studying.
These topic-specific objectives, on the other hand, are intended to let you know exactly what I expect from you by the end of the semester. Your test for this class and your comp question from this class will come from these topics.
The Nature of
Accounting
1.
Describe in detail the history of the accounting
profession
2.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses in the current
status of the accounting profession
3.
Compare and contrast accounting as a science with
accounting as an art
4.
Describe the ‘ideal conditions’ of accounting
5.
Describe the actual conditions of accounting
6.
Compare and contrast accounting methods under ideal
conditions vs. actual conditions
Academic Research in Accounting
1.
Explain the basics of the scientific
method
2.
Describe the importance of academic
research in accounting
3.
Assess the validity of an academic
paper
4.
Discuss the validity of the efficient
market theory
5.
Apply the concepts agency theory to
managerial compensation and earnings management
6.
Discuss and evaluate academic
literature on each of the following topics:
a.
Earnings Relevance
b.
Earnings Management
c.
Voluntary Disclosure
d.
Tax
e.
Auditing
f.
Managerial Accounting
7. Identify a research
hypothesis that would provide positive input in the accounting profession and
discuss a basic method for testing that hypothesis
Accounting
Standard Setting
1.
Describe the process of setting accounting standards
2.
Evaluate the role of standard setting in the current accounting
environment
3.
Evaluate the current standard setting process in the
4.
Describe the political issues surrounding standard setting and evaluate
how those conditions affect the standard setting process
5.
Discuss how accounting fits in to the current
6.
Compare and contrast U.S. GAAP with IASB GAAP, German GAAP, and the
other GAAPs discussed in class (you will choose the countries you wish to
discuss, so this will change each semester)
7.
Explain the pros and cons to international harmonization from the
perspective of auditors, private accountant, investors, and regulators
8.
Describe the future of the accounting profession and
your place in it