Overview

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This course is the fourth course in a five-course Financial Reporting Specialization. This course focuses on the recognition, measurement, and subsequent accounting for equity, pensions, share-based compensation, and cash flows utilizing the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and other resources.

Syllabus

Course Introduction

In this module, you will become familiar with the course, your instructor and your classmates, and our learning environment. This orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required to navigate and be successful in this course.

Module 1: Deferred Taxes Part 1

In this module, you will be introduced to the accounting by employers for employee postretirement benefits. We will explore the basic features of accounting for defined benefit plans, including benefit obligations, plan assets, and the components of net periodic benefit cost. The discussion includes accounting for changes in net pension asset or liability that are recognized in other comprehensive income.

Module 2: Deferred Taxes Part 2

In this module, you will continue your study of the employer's accounting for employee retirement benefits, including health care plans, multi-employer plans, and defined contribution plans. We will learn the definitions of curtailment and settlement and the impact of each on the financial statements. The module also describes defined contribution plans and multi-employer plans. The module will wrap up with a brief discussion of some of the major differences between US GAAP and IFRS.

Module 3: Equity

In this module, the conversation changes from liabilities to equity. You will learn how to account for the issuance of common stock and basic transactions such as cash dividends, stock dividends, stock splits, and the purchase and reissuance of treasury stock. The module also includes a discussion of preferred stock and accumulated other comprehensive income.

Module 4: Share-Based Payments

In this module, you will be introduced to share-based payments, such as stock options. We will learn the different models used in valuing equity instruments. This module will begin with a simple example for the accounting of employee stock options, and will then build on that to include forfeitures and graded vesting. The module will conclude with a discussion of stock appreciation rights and restricted shares.

Module 5: Earnings Per Share

In this module, you will be introduced to the concept of earnings per share (EPS). You will learn how to account for basic EPS and diluted EPS. The module includes discussion of how preferred stock, options, and conversion features affect the numerator and denominator when calculating basic and diluted EPS. The module continues with the discussion of the mechanics of the if-converted and treasury stock methods, and the accounting for antidilutive securities.

Module 6: Accounting Changes

In this module, you will be introduced to the accounting for changes in accounting principles, changes in accounting estimates, and correction of errors from a previous period. The module will discuss the three techniques used when a new standard is adopted: retrospective, modified retrospective, and prospective.

Module 7: Statement of Cash Flows

In this module, you will be introduced to the statement of cash flows. We will learn how to classify cash flows as investing, financing, or operating activities. The module will conclude with a comparison of the statement of cash flows prepared using the direct and indirect methods.