Aim, Goals and Foundational Objectives

The aim of Accounting is to provide the opportunity for students in Grades 10, 11, and 12 to develop a basic understanding of the accounting cycle and to develop the problem-solving and decision-making skills used to interpret accounting and financial information.

Goals

Awareness: To develop an awareness and understanding of how accounting concepts interpret and influence our economy.

Employment Skills: To understand accounting by using, interpreting, and analyzing source documents, summary documents, and financial statements.

Business Environment: To realize the importance of, and to be able to adapt to, changes in support techniques in accounting such as cash control, technology, source documents, and formats of documents.

Student-Image and Business Attitudes: To understand the ethical and moral responsibilities of an employee when in a position of responsibility and trust in accounting for a business.

Personal-Use Skills: To be able to apply basic accounting concepts to personal-use situations whether for self, school, outside agencies, or business.

Communications: To develop the vocabulary and ability to communicate with peers, teachers, and community in the contemporary accounting sense.

Foundational Objectives

The student will be able to:

• examine the concepts of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAPs) and utilize these concepts within accounting activities.
• organize and process basic financial data using the accounting equation and ledger accounts.
• understand the basic operation of a business and the role of accounting in the business.
• develop an understanding of profit planning and how it may be used as a tool in management decisions.
• analyze and use financial statements effectively when making management decisions.
• utilize basic banking functions effectively for business or personal banking decisions.
• recognize the importance of payroll functions within the business environment.
• develop an understanding of personal and business taxation.
• develop shortcuts that may make the recording of traditional accounting more efficient.
• perform basic business calculations with speed and accuracy.
• understand the organizational and legal differences of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations (including cooperatives) and their applicable systems.
• develop and utilize accounting procedures that suit the needs of the agricultural sector.
• recognize technology as a tool to aid in the accounting process.
• become accustomed to and adept at the use of accounting software and understand its strengths and limitations.
• become aware of the careers and opportunities in the field of accounting that exist in Saskatchewan and other provinces.
• become aware of the post-secondary programs offered in the province that are related to the field of accounting.
• demonstrate accounting procedures for a business.
• integrate classroom learning with work-related learning.
• increase awareness of employability skills as they relate to the work environment.
• develop accounting skills that may lead to successful employment.

Common Essential Learnings Foundational Objectives

The incorporation of the Common Essential Learnings (CELs) into the instruction of Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) curricula offers students many opportunities to develop the concepts, skills, knowledge, abilities and attitudes necessary to make the transition to work and adult life. The CELs establish a link between the Transition-to-Work dimensions and PAA curriculum content.

Throughout the PAA curricula, the CELs Foundational Objectives are stated explicitly at the beginning of each module and are coded in this document, as follows:

COM = Communication
NUM = Numeracy
CCT = Critical and Creative Thinking
TL = Technological Literacy
PSVS = Personal and Social Values and Skills
IL = Independent Learning

Although certain CELs are to be emphasized in each module, as indicated by the CELs Foundational Objectives, other interrelated CELs may be addressed at the teacher’s discretion.