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A414 Financial Statement Analysis, Syllabus Spring 2016

Section 19790 MW 1:15 2:30 PM HH 102
Professor:

Jeff Byrne, Lecturer and Professor in Accounting

Office Location:

Hillside Hall 011A

Office Hours:

Mon/Wed 2:35-4:10pm and by appointment. No Office Hours on Exams

Days/Finals Week due to early/late added time that I give for these exams. Grades,
homework problems, quizzes, exams, etc. cant be discussed via e-mail.

Contact Information:

jefbyrne@ius.edu or 812-941-2869.

Textbook:

Financial Reporting and Analysis by Charles Gibson, 13th Edition by South Western Cengage Learning. Bring textbook to class each day

Prerequisite:

BUS-A310 or BUS-A311 Intermediate Financial Accounting and working knowledge

of EXCEL

Course Description: The main objective of this course is critical understanding of accounting and economic
concepts as these concepts apply to a companys performance and financial position. To thoroughly
understand a companys financial position, the analyst must have some accounting forensic skills useful in
critically analyzing financial reports. The course is application-based where students will use financial
statements to identify value-creating opportunities and risks from the viewpoints of different stakeholders
(e.g. creditors, owners, suppliers, customers). Some of the analysis tools discussed in the course include
ratios, common size financial statements, vertical analysis and trends. Students will then compare
companies with competitors and the industry.
Course Format: This a hybrid class taught in a responsive participation seminar-style format where
students are expected to read and complete assignments on their own, work in small groups to conduct
further research and prepare a written report on the assignments, bring the results of their research to
class and actively discuss and debate their ideas with their peers. Throughout the semester, different
student groups will facilitate and lead the assigned discussion. The quality of a good seminar depends on
healthy responsive participation.
Student Groups: Throughout the semester, students will be divided into small groups. Students are
expected to work cohesively in their group and groups are expected to self-solve conflicts. Students
neglecting their responsibilities to their group may be asked to leave the group and complete assignments
on their own. At the end of the semester, each student will vote on how to award a portion of class
participation points to members of the group. If you are asked to leave a group and work by yourself, you
will not be eligible for the portion of these class participation points. In both groups and throughout class, it
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is necessary to be respectful and not to be caustic or derisive. People hold differing opinions and a strong
seminar respects the voice of all views.
Individual Pre-class Assignments: Before both the class meeting and your small group meeting, (1)
complete the assigned readings, (2) complete the assigned problem sets and (3) thoroughly study/research
the group project. Students must come thoroughly prepared to their group meetings to discuss and work
on their case. Bring all assignments to class until we have completely covered the topic/chapter.
Written Mini Cases: Throughout the semester, students will research and prepare 8 short written case
assignments. Two mini cases will be done individually and 6 in a group. Mini Cases will give students an
opportunity to further discuss, research, and explore their individual assignment. (For group cases, all
students must actively participate. Points will be deducted for the entire group if I can conclude that all
group members were not actively involved.) Each written case must be typed following MLA style (12 point
Times New Roman, double spaced, 1" margins, no cover or binding, etc.). The body of the written case
assignments should be prepared in outline form and 3-4 pages in length (see MLA Sample - Outline
Modified Body under Resources tab of OnCourse). All tables, graphs, spreadsheets, etc. should be attached
and are not included in the min/max length. Points will be deducted for cases outside of these required
lengths and not in MLA form. Be concise, to the point, yet thorough. Also provide convincing/relevant
support for statements you make.
An electronic copy must be submitted to www.turnitin.com (for group cases, just 1 per group using
first alphabetical last name in your group) at least 2 hours prior to the start of class. Only
attachments prepared in WORD need to be submitted with the electronic copy.
A complete printed copy with all necessary attachments must be turned in (only one per group) at
the start of class.
Mini Case Lead/Facilitators: For the six group cases, each group will have the opportunity to lead and
facilitate 2 class mini written case discussions. Your group's job is to make an innovative presentation that
will facilitate discussion, debate, and lead to a richer understanding of the assignment. Find the essence of
the case, follow the steps for the case, tie it back into the textbook and course discussions, and relate it to
effective financial statement analysis. Groups can choose from a wide variety of formats including: in-class
skits; talk shows; mock board rooms; Prezi, PowerPoint, flip charts, handouts, story boards, etc. Be creative
and draw the class into the conversation. If you use PowerPoint, check out the Pitfalls of PowerPoint
Presentations under Resources of OnCourse. Groups will have 20 minutes for each mini case. This is a
group facilitation project. Points will be deducted for the entire group if I can conclude that all group
members were not thoroughly prepared and/or did not play an equal role in the mini case presentation and
facilitation.
Attendance and Participation: Being in class on the assigned dates is essential to obtaining a good grade
and understanding of the material therefore attendance on these dates is mandatory. Feel free to ask
questions, as this will provide evidence of your preparation and interest in the course. Lively class
discussion and varied participation enriches the classroom environment for everyone. Four absences is
considered excessive and students will automatically receive a letter grade of "F" for the class. Illness is
only acceptable excuse for absence and you must bring a doctor's note in order to not miss any attendance
points. No missed assignments may be made up for any absence. No participation points will be awarded
for missed assigned class dates.
Canvas Quizzes: There are 8 Canvas quizzes, one per chapter (chapter 2/3/4 are combined) and worth 5
points each. Since all exams are heavily based on Canvas quizzes, my best advice is to take all quizzes.
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Typically about 1/2 of the exam questions are based on or pulled directly from Canvas quizzes (either with
different values or different slant on the same concept). If you miss a Canvas quiz you will not be able to
retake it, you will not have it available to you as a study tool for exams, and I will not be able to send you a
copy for study purposes. Quizzes are generally made available to students at 10:00 a.m. on the morning of
the first lecture for that chapter and due by 10:00 p.m. three days after the last lecture for that chapter.
See schedule on Canvas for exact times.
Quizzes become RETRACTED and are no longer available for review for the balance of the semester once an
exam over that material is given. Be sure to print out copies of completed quizzes as study guides for the
final exam. Prior to taking a chapter quiz, be sure you have mastered the homework problems plus any
class handouts. Most quizzes consist of 10 question (multiple choice, fill-in the blank, numeric response, or
short answer), have a 45 minute time-limit, and are closed book/closed notes.. Many of the math oriented
questions have detailed solutions. For all other questions, you will need to research the correct answer. If
you still can't find the correct solution, bring your research to me during office hours and I'll review it with
you. Quizzes must be completed on an individual basis. No points will be awarded to students who work
together to complete a quiz. I recommend using Canvas via a hard-wired computer on campus. Technology
problems will not be an excuse for missing a Canvas assignment. There are no make-ups or time extensions
under any circumstances.
Final: The final exam will be in the computer lab via Canvas. The exam is timed, closed book, and closed
notes. You may not seek assistance from anyone and are subject to the University's Code of Student
Conduct and the School of Business Honor Code. Any violation of either of these codes will result in an "F"
for the course/actions for disenrollment. Theory as well as problem-solving techniques will be tested,
requiring critical thinking skills. To prepare for the exam, review your lecture notes, homework exercises
and problems, the textbook, and quizzes including practice quizzes provided at the textbook publisher's
website).
Before the exam, all personal items must be brought to the front of the classroom. Do not bring items of
value to the exam since they will be in the front of the room and not in your possession during the exam.
All cell phones and PDAs must be turned off and left at the front of the room during exams. Any student
having a cell phone at his/her desk will immediately forfeit the exam. Any cell phone that rings or vibrates
during the exam will be removed from the exam room. For online exams, you should take these exams on
a hard wired university computer. Technical and computer problems are not an excuse for missing an
exam. You should arrive at a quiet IUS computer station and sign on/verify that the computer is properly
working 20 minutes before your scheduled exam time. You will not be able to see your exam results but
can check the grade book for the grade. If you wish to see your exam, you must see me during office
hours.
If an exam is to be missed, I must receive notification, with a specific documented reason, before the
scheduled day of the exam. Prior consent of the instructor is required for a make-up exam. No exceptions.
If I receive prior notification as to an event that precludes a student from taking the exam at the regularly
scheduled time and I approve the event, a make-up exam time will be scheduled but I will deduct 10 points
for every day the exam is taken late to offset the advantage of additional study time. In the event that the
University officially closes when an examination is scheduled, the points from that exam will be shifted to
the cumulative final exam.
Turnitin.com: All papers will be submitted using Turnitin.com, a tool that confirms that you have used and
cited sources accurately in your paper. By taking this course, you agree that all written assignments may be
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submitted to Turnitin.com for an originality report and that, upon request from your instructor, you must
provide an electronic version of your paper. Instances of plagiarism, or failure to supply your instructor with
an electronic version of your paper, will be handled according to the Student Disciplinary Procedures that
accompany the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct
[http://ius.edu/studentaffairs/codeprocedures.cfm] and may result in an academic sanction, up to and
including failure of the course. Even when not required, students are encouraged to use Turnitin.com as a
personal resource to help ensure outside works are cited appropriately. All papers submitted to
Turnitin.com will remain in the private, Indiana University database. To create an account visit
www.turnitin.com. You will need CLASS ID: 11414581 and ENROLLMENT PASSWORD: analysis. You will
only need to create 1 account per group.
Course Assignments:
ITEM
Mini Cases
Mini Case Facilitation
Canvas Quizzes
Final
Participation
TOTAL

Grading Scale:
POINTS

DETAILS

GRADE

Min %

GRADE

Min %

160
40
40
100
40
380

8 @ 20 pts each
2 @ 20 pts
8 @ 5 pts each

A+
A
AB+
B
B-

97
93
90
87
83
80

C+
C
CD+
D
D-

77
73
70
67
63
60

School of Business Honor Code: In accordance with the Indiana University Southeast Code of Student
Conduct, the School of Business has adopted the following honor code: On my honor, I hereby pledge to
neither give nor receive instructor unauthorized aid on this [exam/test/paper]. The mechanism for
enforcement will be the established channels provided through the Office of Student Affairs regarding
academic misconduct. The purpose of the honor code is to reinforce for School of Business students the
importance that our school places on ethical conduct as well as the increasing emphasis being placed on
ethical behavior within the business community.
Assurance of Learning: School of Business graduates are knowledgeable professionals who are capable
decision-makers, effective communicators, and technologically adept. The School of Business at Indiana
University Southeast is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
(AASCB). Less than 5% of the world's business schools have achieved this elite distinction. To maintain this
accreditation and to seek continuous improvement, we assess our program through an assurance of
learning plan. As a part of this plan, undergraduate students are evaluated in the following five areas:
knowledge of business, decision making, communication, technology and professionalism.
Academic Honesty: I strongly endorse and will diligently follow the academic honesty policy as published
by the University. Students and faculty must be fully aware of what constitutes academic dishonesty;
claims of ignorance cannot be used to justify or rationalize dishonest acts. Academic dishonesty can take a
number of forms, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, aiding and abetting, multiple
submissions, obtaining unfair advantage, and unauthorized access to academic or administrative systems or
information. Definitions of each of these forms of academic dishonesty are provided in the Student
Handbook. Please see the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct
(http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index1.html) for additional information and prohibitions on Academic
Misconduct

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Students with Disabilities: If you have specific physical, psychological or learning disabilities and require
accommodations, please let me know prior or on your first day of class so that your learning needs may be
appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Office of Disability
Services, located in the University Center South (US), Room 207, 941-2243. Additional information about
the Office of Disability Services may be obtained at: http://www.ius.edu/ASC/DisabilityServices/
Religious Holidays: Any student who is unable to attend classes or participate in any examination, study,
or work requirement on a particular day because of his or her religious beliefs is excused from any such
activity. The student will be given the opportunity to make up the work that was missed, provided that the
makeup work does not create an unreasonable burden upon Indiana University. Notification to the
instructor must be given within the first two weeks of the semester and the appropriate paper work must
be completed within the same time frame.
Classroom Etiquette: Because you are not required to take this class and out of respect to your classmates
and the professor, please do not arrive late, leave early, or leave class for extended periods of time, other
than for emergencies. Also, please no side conversations during class. All laptops, cell phones, graphing and
programmable calculators, electronic and digital devices must be turned off and stored during class. Only
an approved calculator may be used during class and exams.
OnCourse: You will receive regular communication from me via OnCourse. You are responsible to make
sure you have proper OnCourse access for this course and for any messages/ assignments/announcements
sent through OnCourse. Please check your OnCourse Announcements and Resources tab on a regular basis.
Calculators: The Texas Instruments BAII Plus (shown here) or BAII Plus Pro calculator is recommended for
this class. Absolutely no calculator functions on any cell phone, laptop, or PDA of any kind will be allowed in
use or at your seat during the examination. Be sure that your calculator is charged and in working order.
Additional time or extra credit will not be granted in the event of calculator failure, nor will you be allowed
to share calculators during examinations. If you have any questions, see me before a scheduled exam.

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Class Schedule, Subject to Revision

DAY
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed
Mon
Wed

DATE
11-Jan
13-Jan
18-Jan
20-Jan
25-Jan
27-Jan
1-Feb
3-Feb
8-Feb
10-Feb
15-Feb
17-Feb
22-Feb
24-Feb
29-Feb
2-Mar
7-Mar
9-Mar
14-Mar
16-Mar
21-Mar
23-Mar
28-Mar
30-Mar
4-Apr
6-Apr
11-Apr
13-Apr
18-Apr
20-Apr
25-Apr
27-Apr

ITEM
CH 2 Review
CH 3/4 Review
MLK Holiday
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 2/3/4 Mini Case
CH 5 Lecture
CH 5 Lecture
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 5 Mini Case
CH 6 Lecture
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 6 Mini Case
CH 7 Lecture
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 7 Mini Case
CH 8 Lecture
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 8 Mini Case
CH 9 Lecture
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 9 Mini Case
CH 10 Lecture
Spring Break
Spring Break
No Class - Groups Meet
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 10 Mini Case
CH 11 Lecture
No Class - Groups Meet
CH 11 Mini Case
No Class
FINAL EXAM 1:15-3:05PM

PRECLASS READING
CH 2
CH 3/4

PRECLASS HW ASSIGNMENT
P2-1, P2-3
P3-2, P3-5, P4-1, P4-9, P3-8, P3-9, P3-13

CH 5
CH 5

P4-11, P4-15
Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy
P5-1, P5-2, P5-5, P5-7

CH 6

P6-1, P6-2, P6-6, P6-13, P6-17, P6-19, P6-25A, P6-26

CH 7

P7-7, P7-10, C7-10

CH 8

P8-5, P8-10, P8-14, C8-7, C8-8

Ch 9

P9-1, P9-3, P9-13, C9-6

CH 10

CH 11

P10-4, P10-7, P10-13, C10-9

P11-4, P11-5, P11-6, P11-9, P11-11, P11-12, P11-14

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FACILITATOR

Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 1
Group 2

Group 3