IDS 390W: Reporting Techniques for Accountants

Professors: Gretchen Vik and Carol Venable

Prerequisites: Completed or being completed 60 units, completed GE Communication and Analytical Reasoning requirement in Written Communication (generally this includes English 100 and 200 and sometimes Speech, depending on the catalog you entered under), and completed Writing Competency Requirement. (Check with Evaluations or the Advising Center if you're not sure, since courses taken out of sequence do not earn the W required for graduation). IDS 390W must be taken before or concurrently with ACCT 322.
Course Objective: Since accountants spend a great deal of time communicating in written reports and oral presentations, this course is designed to improve your communication skills so you can present financial and business information more effectively. Both content (analysis of business risk, use of relevant and current sources, etc.) and execution (audience analysis, format, layout, style, clarity, diction, and proofreading mechanics) are part of your grade, but since this is a graduation writing requirement, in-class writing must attain an acceptable level for you to get a C in the course. Learning to work effectively in teams forms part of the course work. Another important part of the course is learning how to find and evaluate research sources, both print and on-line.