BUS201: Introduction to Accounting

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and how to best communicate with him or her. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total  in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

Introduction to Accounting is the introductory accounting course that teaches the “language of business.” Understanding the terms and concepts related to financial accounting will help students better understand financial statements and provide insight into business performance and potential. During this class students will develop an understanding of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. They will also learn how to classify and record business transactions, prepare financial statements, and analyze financial performance.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify key elements in financial statement reports under US GAAP.
2. Distinguish between the accrual basis for accounting and the cash basis for accounting.
3. Record basic economic transactions for assets, liabilities, and stock holder's equity.
4. Explain the accounting equation.
5. Prepare basic financial statements - balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow .
6. Integrate a Christian worldview into the study of accounting.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply traditional theories and concepts of business management and the ability to do this in depth in one area of specialty: nonprofit management, accounting, technology or general management.
2. Understand their vocation in business and their unique identity and role within their field in a way that maximizes their calling and enables 24/7 Christian ministry.
3. To be able to develop and grow businesses and nonprofit organizations in a way that is socially responsible and that reflects God’s love and purposes for the world.
4. Communicate effectively and professionally in business situations through physical or virtual presence, writing, speaking, listening, and electronic media.
5. Interpret and analyze accounting information for internal control, planning, performance evaluation, and coordination to continuously improve business processes.
6. Integrate and apply Biblical, ethical, legal, economic and business principles into effective managerial decision-making.
7. Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply traditional theories and concepts of a Christian liberal arts education, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to facilitate intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth, pursue their advanced studies, and improve the world in which they live.

This course supports degree outcome 5.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• Edmonds, T. (2021). Introductory financial accounting for business (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

  • Connect Access must be purchased for this course. You will need a valid access code to complete many of the assignments.

Note - Connect includes a digital copy of the book which means a paper copy is optional.

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: July 24, 2023