Not-For-Profit and Public Sector Accounting
Curriculum guideline
Lecture and/or Seminar: 1 X 3 hours per week OR 2 X 2hrs per week
Methods of instruction wil include some or all of the following:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Online instruction
Not-For-Profit Sector
1. Governance and oversight
2. Financial statement concepts
3. Fund accounting
4. Deferral method, restricted funds and endowments
5. Registered charities
Public/Government Sector
1. Governance and decision-making process
2. The planning and budgeting process
3. Operating and capital budgets
4. Public sector accounting and reporting
5. Decision support
6. Auditing
At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
Not-For-Profit Sector
1. Explain the process of setting up a not-for-profit organization and obtaining appropriate governmental approval;
2. Describe the basics of charitable and not-for-profit organizations;
3. Analyze the major financial reporting issues in not-for-profit organizations;
4. Explain and apply the basics of accounting for and reporting of contributions, restricted funds, deferred contributions and endowments;
5. Analyze and compare the process of measuring value and performance in not-for-profit organizations to for-profit organizations.
Public/Government Sector
1. Explain governance and decision making, including stakeholders at all levels;
2. Explain the planning and budgeting process and their components such as operating and capital budgets;
3. Produce appropriate financial statements, notes and schedules applicable to a governmental body including consolidations;
4. Analyze performance results by using both financial and non-financial performance measurement techniques appropriate for various public sector organizations;
5. Describe the concept of public sector auditing and accountability to stakeholders;
6. Apply internal controls and external audit techniques to public sector organizations with a concern for value for money;
7. Use the CPA Canada Handbook and governmental regulations applicable to the appropriate sector.
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.
| Quizzes and/or Assignment(s) and/or Project(s) AND Case Analysis | 30% |
| Midterm examination | 35% |
| Final examination | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
Students must write both the midterm and the final examinations in order to pass the course.
To pass this course, students must obtain a minimum of 50% on invigilated assessments, with 50% calculated on a weighted average basis. Invigilated assessments include, in-class quizzes, midterm examination and final examination.
Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
Access to the CPA Handbook via the library
Textbook(s) and/or materials as approved by the department.