Fall 2019 Pre-Skills Requirements: BUSI610 DC01 & DC02

"Financial Accounting Online Course - Introductory Section" from Harvard Business School Publishing

Purchasing Instructions

BUSI 610, Introduction to Financial Accounting, is one of the required courses that you will take this Fall. This course is designed to help you become an informed user of financial statements. Given the duration of the term, you will be moving at a fairly rapid pace. The course will begin with a brief overview of the fundamentals of accounting (key accounting concepts, the accounting process, and the principal financial statements) and then move on to study in greater depth the various elements of financial statements. At the end of the course, you will have a good understanding of a company's financial statements -- be familiar with the process of preparing the statements as well as the ability to interpret and analyze financial data for economic decision making.

For more information: Message from Professor Rebecca Hann, Faculty Coordinator for BUSI610

What is FA?

FA is designed as an interactive learning experience to help students understand (i) basic financial accounting terms and concepts, (ii) the principal financial statements - balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows - that firms use to describe their business, (iii) the approach used to construct the financial statements, and (iv) some simple ratios that capture key elements of firm performance. 

The course includes a comprehensive glossary and help section. There are three comprehensive tests: a pre-assessment test (with 50 multiple choice questions) and two post-assessment tests (Final Exam 1 and Final Exam 2, each with 40 multiple-choice questions). During each test, you can go back to the chapters to review the course materials - the program will remember your location in the test when you are ready to continue.

Grading

10% of your grade in BUSI610 is determined by your performance in FA. For example, if your FA final score is 70%, you will get 7 points for the course (out of a maximum of 10 points).

Due Date 

Final Exam 1 is REQUIRED. It must be completed by 6pm the day before your first BUSI610 class. 

Final Exam 2 is Optional. If you complete Final Exam 2 within one week after the first class, the higher of the two scores will count as your FA score. Final Exam 2 must be completed by 6pm the day before your second BUSI610 class.

You only have one chance to take the Final Exams!

Time Requirement

FA requires approximately 10-12 hours to complete for students with limited accounting experience. It is likely to take longer if you have no prior exposure to accounting. 

You are urged to register for FA and begin studying the course material as soon as possible. Do not underestimate the time and effort needed to complete the course. Do not attempt to digest all of the information in one or two sittings, but rather, break it up into smaller pieces.

Academic Integrity

You will take FA under the University of Maryland's Code of Academic Integrity. Any violation of this code, such as receiving help from another individual in taking a test will result in an automatic "XF" on your transcript with the notation "failure due to academic dishonesty."

Purchasing Instructions: HBSP's "Financial Accounting: Introductory Section"

HBSP Product Number: 6002-HTM-ENG

Login Information:

Payment: Individually by student directly to HBSP. Students receive the Smith discounted price of $45.00.

Technical Requirements:
HBS courses are internet-based and cannot be accessed off-line; different computers can be used to for access, as long as each computer satisfies the following requirements:

  • Device -- Computer with minimum 1024x768 screen resolution. FA is iPad compatible.
  • Internet -- High speed internet connection (DSL / cable modem quality)
  • Operating System -- Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 / Mac OS 10.x
  • Web Browser -- Firefox 3.6+ / Safari 4+ / Chrome web browsers with JavaScript and cookies enabled; Internet Explorer is not recommended for students using Online Courses or Tutorials--please use one of the other supported browsers instead.

Technical Difficulty? Please contact the Harvard Business School Publishing Technical Support:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
U.S./Canada: (800) 810-8858
International:+1 617-783-7700
E-mail: techhelp@hbsp.harvard.edu