Are There Differences in Student Perceptions for Accounting Majors and Finance Majors Using a Self-Managed-Learning Case for Intermediate Accounting I?

• In Event: Teaching, Etc.

Abstract

The impact of the students’ major (accounting vs. finance) related to a self-managed learning financial statement analysis case project for an Intermediate Accounting I course was investigated along with student perceptions. This case incorporated many of the Pathways Commission’s Common Body of Knowledge Learning Objectives (2015) and the AICPA Core Competency Framework elements (1999). The effectiveness of this case was determined with a pre/post test [Exam II (pre-test) and Final Exam (post-test)]. For the accounting major and finance major classes, there were significant differences between the mean scores (p = .01) with FE > EII. No significant difference was found between the percentage of students whose exam scores improved or remained the same (improve/same) on the Final Exam compared to Exam II (FE ≥ EII) for the accounting majors’ class and the finance majors’ class. In fact, more than 75% of both of the accounting majors and finance majors’ exam scores improved/same after the completion of the case project. On a questionnaire the students ranked 94% of the learning objectives/core competencies that the researchers expected to be accomplished as either “strongly agree” or “agree.” This case project gave the students an opportunity to integrate learning objectives/core competencies that may not normally be accomplished in an Intermediate Accounting I course (e.g., professional foundational/personal competencies). Also, in the preparation of this case project the students were active participants in the learning process as suggested by Schulman (2005) and the AECC (1990). Further, as recommended by both the Pathways Commission (2015) and the AECC (1990), the students were required to locate, obtain, and organize/analyze financial and nonfinancial information. It appears that this case project can be successfully used as a teaching method for financial statement analysis topics in separate Intermediate Accounting I courses for accounting majors and for finance majors.

Authors

• Judith A Sage, Sage & Sage

• Lloyd G Sage, Sage & Sage