This course provides an introduction to financial statements and the financial reporting process from a user's perspective. The focus of the course is on fundamental accounting concepts and principles. Students learn how the economic transactions of a firm are reported in the financial statements and related disclosures. The objective of the course is to provide students with basic skills necessary to read and analyze financial statements as well as to prepare students for more advanced financial statement analysis courses.
Classes combine interactive lectures and discussions about financial accounting concepts and practice. Short cases involving corporate financial statements are used to illustrate accounting concepts and to explore disclosure strategies of companies. Students are expected to complete assigned problems and readings in preparation for each class.