Accounting 163 Using QuickBooks

Instructor: Cheryl Furbee
Spring 2012
Revised (1/4/12)

WELCOME
Welcome to Using QuickBooks. This is an "online" class, designed to be presented entirely via the internet. There will be no on-campus meetings, no orientation. Quizzes, assignments, etc. will all be done online. Please watch the Welcome Video and read the Online Orientation on the instructor's homepage.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to the use of QuickBooks from the accounting practitioner's perspective. Course includes setting up new businesses, entering data, locating information, and analyzing financial statements for service, merchandising, and manufacturing companies.

Prerequisite - ACCT 151A - it is assumed you have taken Acct 151A or have experience in basic bookkeeping.

TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Text - Learning Quickbooks 2010: A Practical Approach w/ software pack, 3rd edition, Brunsdon, Pearson Prentice Hall, ISBN: 9780132166584. The text will be available at the Cabrillo Bookstore approximately two weeks before the semester starts or you can purchase it online. BEWARE, however, that online purchases can take several weeks so order EARLY! The lack of the textbook is not a valid excuse for late assignments. There is a textbook on reserve in the library for emergencies but it will be problematic to complete all the assignments on time using this text.

Software -

• The text is based on QuickBooks Pro 2010, PC version. It comes with a CD that is a trial version of the software that lasts 140 days. The trial version will satisfy all the requirements of the class. The Student Files do NOT come with the textbook but can be downloaded from the publisher at no charge - you will be instructed to do this in week 2. If preferred, a CD with these files can be purchased from the Cabrillo Bookstore; Student CD to Accompany Learning Quickbooks 2010, Brunsdon, ISBN 9780132166591.
  • USED TEXT WARNING: Due to the time limitation on the software, purchasing a used text is problematic unless you have other access to the program or want to use the computer labs.
  • Using a license that has already been used may prevent you from installing the software.
  • If you will be using the software in the future, you might consider purchasing the QuickBooks Accountant Version of the 2011 software at the Cabrillo Bookstore for an excellent price of $99.99 (Windows version) or the full version of QuickBooks Pro, 2012 is also available at CostCo for approximately $180. You can purchase a used text AND have the software that doesn't expire. There might be some minor differences between the 2010, 2011, and 2012 versions so be certain you can "deal" with these..
  • You might also be able to find the software online since we are using an "older" version. Be sure you obtain the registration information from the seller.
    
• The company files we will be using were created with the 2010 version; generally you cannot open newer files with older versions = most likely you cannot open the company files with 09 or older programs but should be able to open them in 2011 and 2012 versions.
  
• If you are currently using a different version of the software, it is recommended that you install the trial version in a DIFFERENT location.
• If you prefer to use a campus computer, enrolled students will have access to the software via the Cabrillo Computer Technology Center on both the Aptos and Watsonville campus.
• WARNING to Mac users - the company files and trial version of the software are in PC format. Using a Mac has been problematic in the past unless you partition your system to accommodate PC software. You can purchase this software for approximately $200. Also, the PC version of Quickbooks is MUCH better than the Mac version.. Alternatively, you can use the computer lab or some other source to complete the assignments. The instructor has only the 2010 Windows version.
• Excel will be used to electronically submit assignments and projects. You may use either the 2003, 2007, or 2010 versions but be sure that when you save the file you use either the .xls or .xlsx extension.
  

Storage Disk - If you will be doing the textbook work in one of the Cabrillo computer labs and/or on a public computer, you will need adequate storage for the company files. It is suggested that you purchase a USB flash drive; they are reasonably priced, easy to carry, and should hold enough information for all the files to be generated. You can also save your files in the "clouds" at the labs.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES
Objectives:

• Compare and contrast the needs of a service company with the needs of a merchandising business.
• Justify the use of the various modules for General Journal, Revenue, Purchases, Cash Receipts and Cash Disbursement.
• Analyze, interpret, edit, void, and delete data.
• Apply generally accepted accounting principles to analyze accounting transactions.
• Customize and interpret financial statements.
• Justify account balances by preparing account reconciliations.
• Identify and locate information needed to correct errors.

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyze and enter common accounting transactions using QuickBooks Pro software.
• Create various reports.
• Interpret reports and make suggestions.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
Week - For purposes of this class, the week begins on Tuesday, ends on Monday. Therefore, all assignments are due by Monday, 11:59 p.m. for credit, even if Monday is a holiday (Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc.). Late assignments will not be accepted and there will be no make-up for late work. Moral of the story, start the assignments early enough to provide enough time to complete them by the due date; the assignment and discussion tools are date-driven; they will "close" at midnight of the due date. Any changes will be announced via Blackboard.

Attendance - It is vital to communicate with the rest of the class. This will be done using Blackboard, an online class management system maintained by the Teaching Learning Center at Cabrillo. This system provides tools for discussions, emails, quizzes, assignments, etc. All communication will be completed using this system. It is required that you log into this class at least 2-4 times/week.

Homework - It is assumed that you will complete all the steps in the textbook. This is the way you learn to use the program. Don't short-change yourself by skipping the instructions. You will be required to submit the results of two continuing practice sets and three projects. You must submit these by exporting your financial statements to Excel and attaching the file via the assignment tool in Blackboard. If you do not have access to Excel, you should backup your company and go to the computer lab where you can restore the company and use Excel. Files created in Works are not acceptable because they cannot be opened by your instructor..

Quizzes - No Quizzes.

Research and Discussion - Internet research and discussion topics will be assigned. Detailed information will be available via Blackboard. Points will be awarded for most activities throughout the semester.

Grading Scale

Official withdrawal from this course is YOUR responsibility if you want to avoid a letter grade. However, excessive absences and/or failure to accurately complete five or more weekly assignments throughout the semester may result in being denied access to Blackboard. This denial may be followed by a drop from the course at the instructor's discretion. However, if the instructor does not initiate a drop, it is your responsibility to withdraw or receive an F grade. Pass/No Pass (P/NP) is also an option if you inform the instructor.