Tutorial Page

ACC 2310 INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I SMITH-BIRNEY TUTORIAL INFORMATION SHEET

What is the software we are to use?
	The software is called "The Interactive Accounting Lab and was developed by Smith and Birney at Arizona State University and published by Irwin McGraw-Hill.
What is it?
	It is a Windows-based interactive tutorial to introduce you to the fundamentals of financial accounting and give you practice using basic accounting principles and procedures. In the computer tutorial, you are placed in an office environment as if you are working for an accounting firm and its fictitious clients. As you complete the different modules, you will be promoted and will "receive" salary adjustments based on your performance.
Why am I doing it?
	To make sure that you fully understand the inputs (source documents), processing (steps in the accounting cycle), and outputs (financial statements) of the accounting process well. To a large extent, the intermediate accounting course sequence takes the perspective of the preparer of accounting information. This is different from the user perspective typically embraced by the introductory accounting courses. As a future accountant or financial services provider, a good understanding of the accounting cycle is important. A number of accounting courses from now on will assume a solid understanding of the accounting cycle. Use of the software is our attempt to insure that you fully grasp bookkeeping and accounting fundamentals. Finally, we want you to experience for yourselves that computerized accounting can be a fun thing to learn.
How do I use the user's manual and the CD Rom that came with it?
	The software itself is quite user-friendly. Chapters One and Two of the user manual titled "The Interactive Accounting Lab, Student Package" explain to you the computer basics and provides instructions on how to install the software on your laptop computer. Chapter Four lists the learning modules that you will be asked to complete during the semester. Ignore Chapters Three and Five of the manual as they relate primarily to software use in a computer lab setting.

What are the topical contents of the software?

The lab is organized into the following 12 modules:

Review of financial statements and the accounting equation.
Analyzing business transactions.
Transaction analysis using debit/credit rules.
Recording transactions in the general journal and posting to the general
ledger.
Accrual basis and cash basis method of accounting.
Preparing adjusting entries.
Preparing a worksheet and completion of the accounting cycle for a
service firm.
Alternative methods of recording deferrals and preparing reversing entries.
Accounting for merchandising operations - perpetual inventory system.
Accounting for merchandising operations - periodic inventory system.
Subsidiary ledgers and special journals.
Inventory cost flows.
Extension topics: Cash and receivables, investments in equity securities,
operating assets, current liabilities, bonds payable, stockholders' equity,
statement of cash flows, and analysis of financial statements.

What are the assignments in each module?

In each module, you will find the following assignments:

Computer training exercises - These contain a tutorial and a set of exercises.
Client exercises - In these, you will be preparing information for the accounting firm's clients using accounting forms similar to those used in real life.
Quiz - The quiz allows you to test understanding of the accounting concepts and procedures. You are required to print these out in hard copy to turn in to your instructor on the scheduled date. Your salary adjustments depend on your performance on the quizzes.
Practice examination - The practice examination is not available in your version of the materials.

Do I have some flexibility in doing the assignments?

Yes and no. You can complete the assigned modules in one sitting or over several days. You can also work ahead and complete modules before they are due. However, you must have completed the assignments BEFORE the date listed on the syllabus.

Another source of flexibility is the number of assignments to be done. It is strongly advised that you go over the orientation module completely. For the remaining modules, however, the only required and graded assignments are the quizzes. All other activities are optional. Depending on your individual needs, you may decide to complete all tutorial exercises or selectively skip some given your knowledge of the subject matter. Again, ALL QUIZZES must be completed as assigned.

How will I be graded?

Successful and timely completion of the quizzes in the assigned modules will influence the assignment of about 10% of your course grade. Your quiz grade will depend on the percentage of questions you answer correctly in the practice session. While this percent seems low, remember that this tutorial is intended to insure that you are fully familiar with bookkeeping fundamentals. Your failure to master this material before the sixth week of the semester will negatively impact your ability to successfully complete class assignments during the remainder of the semester.

This is exciting. How do I get into the program?

First, install the software on you laptop computer. Refer to Chapter One of the Student Package manual for instructions. Here are a couple of extra tips that will make your installation run smoothly.

Do not lose or throw away the software registration card. Put it in a very safe place as you will need the serial number on it to install or reinstall the software. Make a xerox copy of the registration card and give it to your instructor for safekeeping.
Next, change the font size on your laptop from large to small. Go to START, SETTINGS, and CONTROL PANEL. Double click on DISPLAY, click on the SETTINGS tab, click on ADVANCED, and select SMALL FONTS for FONT SIZE. This tutorial software will not work with large fonts size selected.
Step 6 on page 2 of the manual refers to three options for the installation. Select "Full Installation" and insure that the software is loaded to c:\accFin2.
Once the software has been installed (see page 3) you will notice that a new group called McGraw Hill Interactive Courseware has been added to the program manager and it contains an icon. Move the icon to your desktop by left clicking on it and dragging it to the desktop.

After loading the software on you laptop, simply click on the "Enter Building" icon and enter your ID and password. Remember to hit TAB in order to get from your ID number to the password entry. Follow the directions that accompany the software.

What prior computer background do I need?
	The software does not assume any background. However, familiarity with Windows and the ability to use a mouse is desirable. The orientation module goes over these computer basics also.

Whom do I contact should I need assistance?
	The instructions that accompany the software are well written and have been tested at numerous universities, so you should have little or no problem getting started. However, if you do, first, ask a fellow student for assistance. If this does not solve your problem, then simply email your instructor for assistance.