COURSE TITLE: Advanced Financial Accounting

UNITS OF CREDIT: 4 credit units

INSTRUCTOR: Vic Stanton

E-MAIL ADDRESS:  vstanton@haas.berkeley.edu

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION (HTTP URL):  http://catalyst.haas.berkeley.edu/

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION (HTTP URL): 

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: see schedule

PREREQUISITE(S): UGBA 102B

CLASS FORMAT: Class format is lecture (lecture, student participation, exercise and problem solving) three hours per week and discussion session two hours per week.  Homework assignments are turned in weekly and there is a team project involving the analysis of a company's financial report. 

REQUIRED READINGS: We will use Intermediate Accounting, second edition, by Spiceland, Sepe, Tomassini and Advanced Accounting, sixth edition textbooks and weekly readings via the internet and or library.

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE:  Grades will be calculated using two tests, a final exam, weekly readings with a summary short paper, a team project, and class attendance and participation.

2 tests 15%@                  30% 
Homework                      20%
Team Project                  10% 
Attendance/participation  10%
Final Exam                      30% 

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
The objective of the course is to provide you with an advanced perspective of financial accounting and reporting.  The course, coupled with your hard work, is intended to teach you to read, understand, and analyze financial statements.  The course assumes you have a basic knowledge of accounting.  Although the course focuses on becoming users rather than producers of financial statements, you must develop a thorough understanding of the mechanics and procedures of the accounting process.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding the role of accounting information and in evaluating corporate financial performance.  In addition, you will gain an understanding of the limitations of financial reports and the need for alternative information sources. 


The primary goal of this course is to help you develop your ability to read and interpret complex financial statements and understand the underlying system that produces them. We will study corporate investments, mergers and acquisitions, segmental reporting, legal reorganizations and liquidations, and accounting for governmental and not-for-profit organizations. The course is designed for future managers who will interpret and use financial statement information in making business decisions. The course also, helps you understand business operations from a manger perspective. 
 
MODIFICATIONS TO COURSE FROM ITS MOST RECENT OFFERING

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: