Description
**NOTE: You should complete the Accounting Analysis I: The Role of Accounting as an Information System course or be familiar with the concepts taught there before beginning this course.**
This course is the second course in a five-course Financial Reporting Specialization that covers the collection, processing, and communication of accounting information (via financial reports) about economic entities to interested parties (i.e., managers and external stakeholders such as stockholders and creditors). To gain the most relevant knowledge from these courses, learners should have taken a basic accounting course prior to this Specialization (which can be done through Coursera courses, such as any accounting course from the Fundamentals of Accounting Specialization: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/accounting-fundamentals). This Specialization focuses on accounting concepts, principles and theory with an emphasis on problems that arise in applying these concepts for external reporting purposes. Specific emphasis is placed on measurement of assets, liabilities, equities and income, as well as disclosure of additional information that may assist users understand the financial reports.
In this course, we will begin our review of key asset categories underlying the Balance Sheet concepts that were introduced in the previous course. We will begin our trek down the Balance Sheet by reviewing cash and receivables, which are normally the two assets listed first. We will continue our trek down the Balance Sheet by looking at inventory and long-Lived Assets, which are normally two of the largest asset values. We will review the measurement and reporting issues involving Inventories and the corresponding cost of goods sold expense in the Income Statement. In the latter half of this course we will conclude our review of key asset categories by looking at both tangible and intangible long-lived assets that are so vital to the production of goods and services. This will entail discussion of both acquisition and disposition of property, plant and equipment as well as cost allocation. Next, we will discuss possible impairment of these assets as well as the proper treatment of expenditures made after acquisition. Lastly, we will review how to identify and account for Investments.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top three accounting programs, now offers a master’s in accounting at a very affordable tuition rate and is completely online. The iMSA is a full Master of Accountancy program and students graduate with an MS that is highly recognized. Try an open course or two, then apply for admission into the credit-bearing version as you may be eligible to take credit-bearing courses during the application process. If you are missing any prerequisites for the full degree, you can complete Coursera courses to demonstrate readiness and strengthen your application for the iMSA. For more information on this exciting iMSA online program, refer to this link: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/imsa
What you will learn
Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
Module 1: Cash & Accounts Receivable
We will learn about internal controls, including rank reconciliations, as well as restrictions over cash. Next, we will introduce the two approaches to estimating bad debt expense related to accounts receivable. Lastly, we will discuss notes receivable and various methods of financing with receivables.
Module 2: Inventory – Measurement
We will learn about the types of inventory systems, as well as the costs that should be included in inventory. Next, we will understand the various inventory costing methods, as well as key factors on choice of these methods. Lastly, we will discuss inventory ratio analysis, as well as methods of simplifying LIFO.
Module 3: Inventory – Additional Issues
We will learn about the subsequent measures of inventory such as LCNRV. Next, we will understand the various inventory estimation methods when we are unable to take a physical count. Then, we will discuss the various types of inventory cost flow methods. Lastly, we will discuss how to handle changes in inventory methods as well as inventory errors.
Module 4: PP&E – Acquisition & Disposition
We will learn about the types of long-lived assets, as well as the basic costs to be capitalized. Next, we will understand the various complex issues of determining capitalized costs as well as discuss asset dispositions and exchanges. Lastly, we will learn about the costs associated with self-constructed assets.
