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The Importance of Building a Framework
The learning sciences promote an instructional framework to help students build a mental image
of a discipline. As students are presented with each advancing topic, they are able to sort the
material within this framework, and this makes learning not only easier, but more engaging.
Financial Accounting by Spiceland, Thomas, and Herrmann understands the importance of
helping students to build a framework. We establish a framework for financial accounting by
emphasizing three simple components:
(1) Measurement of business activities,
The instructor’s manual for each chapter begins with Authors’ Perspectives on the
organization of the chapter’s topics, important insights, key illustrations, teaching tips, and some
common mistakes to warn students about—all with the purpose of helping you build a
framework of financial accounting for your students.
Chapter Structure
• Chapter 1 – Establish a Framework. The first page of Chapter 1 dispels the misconception
that financial accounting is another math class. Financial accounting is presented as “the
• Chapters 2 and 3 – Develop the Accounting Cycle. In Chapters 2 and 3, the chapter titles,
illustrations, and text discussion emphasize the measurement role of financial accounting
“during the period” versus “end of the period.” This emphasis helps students to understand
• Chapters 4-10 – Continue the Accounting Cycle. Chapters 4-10 are organized in balance
sheet order, allowing systematic coverage of topics. In these chapters, additional accounting
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• Chapter 11 – Statement of Cash Flows. The statement of cash flows is presented as an
extension of the information communicated in the balance sheet and income statement.
• Chapter 12 – Financial Statement Analysis. Chapter 12 provides comparative analysis of
Under Armour and Nike. We show how decision makers use financial accounting
Inside the Framework
• Measurement and Communication are presented as the two primary functions of financial
accounting. Inside the back cover, students can view a one-page illustration that summarizes
the complete measurement role of financial accounting and its communication role through
• Decision Making makes up the third component of the framework. One of the best ways we
can motivate students to learn and enjoy accounting is to see that it has real-world relevance
Assignment Materials
To give instructors the most flexibility as they develop their students’ understanding, the
assignment material is arranged by advancing level of knowledge required—Brief Exercises,
• General Ledger Assignments are accounting software-like assignments that allow students
to enter transactions in the general journal and see how those measurements flow
automatically through the general ledger and trial balance to build the financial statements.
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• Great Adventures Continuing Case is a continuing case that can be assigned in Chapters 1-
12, and it’s available in the General Ledger format. Students will build a comprehensive set
of financial statements with each successive chapter. They will see how to apply the
Video Instruction
In today’s world, many students use visual learning tools, and many instructors teach in hybrid
and online formats. For this reason, we continue to expand our video offerings. Each of the
videos below can be assigned or simply made available to students in Connect.
• Concept Overview Videos include concisely written scripts taken directly from the text.
These videos are developed for each Learning Objective. In addition, knowledge check
questions aligned to each video can be assigned to students. Some instructors find these
useful as pre-class assignments or for use in their online classes.
• Let’s Review Videos are in-chapter demonstration problems that provide an additional
example of a key topic. These videos walk students through each step of the solution.
An Invitation from the Authors
Finally, we (the authors) extend an invitation for you to contact us directly with any questions,
comments, or requests for additional materials. We appreciate the dialogue we have had with
many instructors over the years that have helped us to build a comprehensive set of materials that
can be used to help you and your students.
Sincerely,