The First Course in Accounting: An Innovative Approach.

Abstract In June 1992, the Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) issued The First Course in Accounting: Position Statement No. Two. In it the AECC emphasized the tremendous importance of the first course in accounting and made several recommendations related to objectives, pedagogy and faculty. This paper describes an Introduction to Accounting course that incorporates most of the AECC's recommendations. The major objective of this course is to provide students with a broad-based introduction to accounting rather than the narrow bookkeeping perspective offered under the traditional approach. Through a variety of pedagogical tools, the course attempts to develop judgment, emphasizes the need to learn on one's own, and addresses improvement of written and oral communication skills. It uses cases to de-emphasize the single solution approach and stresses the need to deal with uncertainty in accounting. It provides certain basic tools that can be used in making personal or professional economic decisions. Other important objectives are to create an awareness of the international dimensions of accounting and of the role of public accounting. The course also aims to correct the misconception in most students' minds that accounting and bookkeeping are synonymous. By providing a comprehensive overview of accounting, it shows students that there is more to a career in accounting than just bookkeeping.