• The outcomes and core competencies you see are derived from the Accounting Education Change Commission’s Position Statement Number Two entitled The First Course in Accounting. We strongly recommend that you study this document as background preparation before you view our model.

• Like the AECC, our task force defines the first course in accounting to mean the full introductory accounting sequence commonly taught over two semesters or three quarters.

• Do not interpret the user orientation of our financial accounting outcomes and competencies to mean that students should no longer prepare statements. Although we do not include the traditional detailed treatment of debits and credits in the core competencies, we do want students to develop the skills needed to intelligently use such financial reports as are found in an annual report. Accordingly, students must be able to prepare simple financial statements.

• Our model contains twelve outcomes divided into three categories of competencies: financial accounting (31 competencies), managerial accounting (29 competencies), and active learning (9 competencies). The active learning skills are intended to facilitate accounting content. That is, whenever possible, instructors should require their students to use active learning skills to master both financial and managerial outcomes. For example, a student should be able to identify the assumptions and possible positions underlying an ethical issue for any of the financial and managerial outcomes. Also, these active learning competencies are not designed to be mutually exclusive. That is, when a student analyzes a case study in a group setting, the assignment may also involve one or more communication skills and problem solving skills.

• The model is a "living document." It will be re-evaluated periodically to consider the evolving content and pedagogy of the first course in accounting. Thus, if you wish to comment on any aspect of the model, please contact Paul Solomon at:

The primary objective of this course is to help students learn how accounting meets the information needs of various users by developing and communicating information that is useful for decision-making. This objective will be achieved by requiring the following outcomes and core competencies.

THE CORE COMPETENCY MODEL

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING OUTCOMES WITH CORE COMPETENCIES

MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING OUTCOMES WITH CORE COMPETENCIES

ACTIVE LEARNING OUTCOMES WITH CORE COMPETENCIES

APPENDIX B
DEFINITIONS: OUTCOMES AND COMPETENCIES

APPENDIX C
CHARACTERISTICS OF WELL CONSTRUCTED COMPETENCIES

RETURN TO THE COLLOQUIUM

TRAVEL INFORMATION

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This fall, daylight savings time will revert to standard time at 2:00 A.M. on Sunday, November 4, which occurs about four weeks after the Colloquium.   Thus, when setting up your travel plans, remember that during the Colloquium, Scottsdale, Arizona will be three hours earlier than (behind) Eastern Daylight Time.  This means that when it is 3:00 P.M. in Scottsdale, it is 6:00 P.M. in New York City (EDT), 5:00 P.M. in Chicago (CDT), and 4:00 PM in Denver (MDT).

AIRPORTS

To help you in your trip planning, the airport closest to the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale is Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport which is serviced by most U.S. airlines.

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TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

For travel between the airport and the hotel, you can take a taxicab for $20 to $25 or a shuttle service.

Shuttle Service 

One service is SuperShuttle which will transport you between Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and the Hotel Valley Ho for a $15.00 one-way fare.  If you plan to use their service, you are encouraged to take advantage of their reduced one-way fare of $14.00 for Colloquium attendees which can be accessed in one of two ways:

1.  Print out the special reduced fare coupons available to you by clicking on the link below:

        http://www.supershuttle.com/Coupons/PHX/TheColloquium.pdf   

        In this case, no coupon is necessary.

Another option is to call their reservations department at (602) 244-9000 in advance to arrange your transportation.

In this case, phone agents CANNOT view your group discount information but will confirm your reservation at the

standard rate.  You MUST then present your discount coupon to your driver to receive the discount.

NOTE:  For return reservations, 24 Hour advance reservations ARE required.

Parking

The Hotel's covered parking rate is $12 per night.  However, it is quite easy to find free parking on the street or in the Trader Vic's parking lot adjacent to the hotel.