ACCT 635 is advanced research for financial reporting in Liberty's MS in Accounting. Its written work is six weekly forums and an individual research project: an outline and annotated bibliography, a 12 to 15-page paper on how new U.S. accounting standards affect a recent 10-K, and a narrated PowerPoint presentation of the findings.
Liberty's catalog lists the course as ACCT 635 Advanced Research for Financial Reporting, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as ACCT635.
What ACCT 635 covers
The catalog description: This course explores current issues within the field of financial reporting by examining recent pronouncements from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and how those pronouncements will affect financial reporting.
The course explores current issues in financial reporting by examining recent pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and how they affect financial reporting. The text is Wolk, Accounting Theory, with FASB pronouncements assigned alongside.
There are no exams: the six forums carry 600 points and the research project 400. The project starts with selecting a U.S. public company that reports under U.S. GAAP in Week 2 (a zero-point step).
Textbook named in the published guide: Wolk, Accounting Theory (2017). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
ACCT 635 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 100 | Thread at least 400 words; replies at least 250 words |
| 2 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 100 | Thread at least 400 words; replies at least 250 words |
| 3 | Discussion Board Forum 3 | 100 | Thread at least 400 words; replies at least 250 words |
| 4 | Discussion Board Forum 4 | 100 | Thread at least 400 words; replies at least 250 words |
| 4 | Individual Research Project Outline and Annotated Bibliography | 50 | An outline and an annotated bibliography |
| 5 | Discussion Board Forum 5 | 100 | Thread at least 400 words; replies at least 250 words |
| 6 | Discussion Board Forum 6 | 100 | Thread at least 400 words; replies at least 250 words |
| 7 | Individual Research Project Paper | 200 | 12 to 15 pages |
| 8 | Individual Research Project Presentation | 150 | Not set in the guide; a narrated presentation of the project |
Week 1: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 400-word thread on the provided prompt and two 250-word replies. How to write ACCT 635 Week 1 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 2: Discussion Board Forum 2
The second forum, with the same rules. How to write ACCT 635 Week 2 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 3: Discussion Board Forum 3
The third forum, with the same rules. How to write ACCT 635 Week 3 Discussion Board Forum 3.
Week 4: Discussion Board Forum 4
The fourth forum, with the same rules. How to write ACCT 635 Week 4 Discussion Board Forum 4.
Week 4: Individual Research Project Outline and Annotated Bibliography
An outline of the research paper and an annotated bibliography for your company and its new standards. How to write ACCT 635 Week 4 Individual Research Project Outline and Annotated Bibliography.
Week 5: Discussion Board Forum 5
The fifth forum, with the same rules. How to write ACCT 635 Week 5 Discussion Board Forum 5.
Week 6: Discussion Board Forum 6
The last forum, with the same rules. How to write ACCT 635 Week 6 Discussion Board Forum 6.
Week 7: Individual Research Project Paper
A 12 to 15-page research paper on how new U.S. accounting standards affect a recent 10-K of a U.S. GAAP public company, with at least 5 references beyond the textbook and the Bible. How to write ACCT 635 Week 7 Individual Research Project Paper.
Week 8: Individual Research Project Presentation
A PowerPoint with voiceover presenting your research project as you would to your instructor and peers. How to write ACCT 635 Week 8 Individual Research Project Presentation.
How ACCT 635 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The six forums are 100 each (600), the research paper 200, the presentation 150, the outline and annotated bibliography 50 and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Board Forums (6) | 600 |
| Individual Research Project Paper | 200 |
| Individual Research Project Presentation | 150 |
| Individual Research Project Outline and Annotated Bibliography | 50 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 940 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course module/week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach ACCT 635
Choose a company whose recent 10-K shows the effects of a new standard clearly. Revenue (ASC 606), leases (ASC 842) and current expected credit losses (ASC 326) all produced visible transition disclosures; banks, retailers and airlines are good candidates.
Read the company's adoption footnote and its "recently issued accounting pronouncements" note before choosing.
Questions students ask
What is the ACCT 635 research paper?
A 12 to 15-page research-based paper in current APA examining the impact of new U.S. accounting standards on a recent 10-K of a U.S. public company that reports under U.S. GAAP, with at least 5 references in addition to the textbook and the Bible.
How long are ACCT 635 forum posts?
Threads at least 400 words and replies to 2 classmates of at least 250 words each.
Working through ACCT 635 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.