This document outlines the weekly discussion topics and assignments for a course on accounting. In week 1, students are asked to demonstrate the accounting equation using personal transactions and to define accounts and debits and credits. Week 2 discusses differences in accounting cycles for various companies and the purpose of bank reconciliations. Week 3 covers the differences between LIFO and FIFO inventory methods and depreciation. Week 4 defines current liabilities and discusses entity types. Week 5 analyzes ratios and profit margins. The final paper involves a financial statement analysis of a public company to make an investment recommendation.

1. Week1 D1: As you have learned in this week s readings the Accounting Equation
is + Owners  Equity. Is the accounting equation true in all instances?
Provide sample transactions from your own experiences to demonstrate the
validity of the Accounting Equation. D2: What does the term account mean? What
are the different classifications of accounts? How do the rules for debits and
credits impact accounts? Please provide an example of how debits and credits
impact accounts.Assignment: (see attached file)Week2 D1: Financial statements
are a product of the accounting cycle. Think about two different companies: a
manufacturing company, and a retail company. Why would different companies have
different accounting cycles? Would you expect the steps of the accounting cycle
to be the same for each company? Why or why not?D2:What is the purpose of a
bank reconciliation? What are the reasons for differences between the cash
reported in the accounting records and the cash balance in the bank statements?
Assignment: See attached fileWeek3 D1:The controller of Sagehen Enterprises
believes that the company should switch from the LIFO method to the FIFO method.
The controller s bonus is based on the next income. It is the controller s
belief that the switch in inventory methods would increase the net income of the
company. What are the differences between the LIFO and FIFO methods? D2: A
variety of depreciation methods are used to allocate the cost of an asset to all
of the accounting periods benefited by the use of the asset. Your client has
just purchased a piece of equipment for $100,000. Explain the concept of
depreciation. Which of the following depreciation methods would you recommend:
straight-line depreciation, double declining balance method, or an alternative
method? Assignment: see attached filesWeek4 D1: What is a current liability?
From the perspective of a user of financial statements, why do you believe
current liabilities are separated from long-term liabilities? Based on your
current experience as well as any additional research you may have done provide
two examples of situations where businesses collect monies from customers and
employees and reports these amounts as a current liability.D2: A client comes to
you thinking about starting a consulting business. Your client is specifically
interested in what type of entity should be created for this new business.
Based on your readings or any additional research you may have done, discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of the following: sole proprietorship, partnership,
and corporation. Based on these advantages and disadvantages provide a clear
recommendation to your client. Assignment: see attached fileWeek5 D1: Ratios
provide the users of financial statements with a great deal of information about
the entity. Do ratios tell the whole story? How could liquidity ratios be used
by investors to determine whether or not to invest in a company? D2:Year Ending
December 2012Year Ending December 2011Year Ending December
2010Revenues40,00035,00033,000Operating
ExpensesSalaries15,00010,0009,000Maintenance and Repairs6,0009,00010,000Rental
Expense2,5002,5002,500Depreciation2,0002,0002,000Fuel4,0003,5002,500Total
Operating Expenses29,50027,00026,000Operating Income10,5008,0007,000Sales and
Administrative Expenses6,0004,0003,000Interest Expense2,5002,0001,000Net
Income2,0002,0003,000Above is a comparative income statement for Cecil, Inc. for
the years 2010, 2011, and 2012. Calculate the profit margin for each of these
years. Comment on the profit margin trend.Assignment: see attached fileFinal
Paper:Focus of the Final PaperWrite a five-to seven-page financial statement
analysis of a public company, formatted according to APA style as outlined in
the Ashford Writing Center. In this analysis you will discuss the financial
health of this company with the ultimate goal of making a recommendation to
other investors. Your paper should consist of the following sections:
introduction, company overview, horizontal analysis, ratio analysis, final
recommendation, and conclusions. Here is a breakdown of the sections within the
body of the assignment: Company OverviewProvide a brief overview of your
company (one to two paragraphs at most). What industry is it in? What are its
main products or services? Who are its competitors? Horizontal Analysis of
Income Statement and Balance SheetPrepare a three-year horizontal analysis of
the income statement and balance sheet of your selected company. Discuss the
importance and meaning of horizontal analysis. Discuss both the positive and
negative trends presented in your company. Ratio AnalysisCalculate the current
ratio, quick ratio, cash to current liabilities ratio, over a two-year period.
Discuss and interpret the ratios that you calculated. Discuss potential
liquidity issues based on your calculations of the current and quick ratios.

2. Are there any factors that could be erroneously influencing the results of the
ratios? Discuss liquidity issues of competitive companies within the same
industry. RecommendationBased on your analysis would you recommend an
individual invest in this company? What strengths do you see? What risks do
you see? It is perfectly acceptable to state that you would recommend avoiding
this company as long as you provide support for your position. Writing the Final
Paper1. Must be five to seven double-spaced pages in length, and formatted
according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.2. Must include
a title page with the following:a. Title of paperb. Student s namec. Course
name and numberd. Instructor s namee. Date submitted3. Must begin with an
introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.4. Must address the
topic of the paper with critical thought.5. Must end with a conclusion that
reaffirms your thesis.6. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in
the Ashford Writing Center.7. Must include a separate reference page, formatted
according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.