This course focuses on both the technical as well as the conceptual aspects of accounting, providing a necessary foundation for students to address legal questions in a business/accounting environment. For example, the course will enable students to better understand issues concerning the use of accounting and financial terms in a legal document, calculation of damages in a breach of contract case, valuation of a business organization in a purchase/sale transaction, setting prices of products and charging costs under a government contract, and public corporations assessing compliance with federal securities laws. The course will also cover several timely and important accounting issues that are relevant to today's practice of law, such as accurate presentation of financial statements; auditors' responsibility and liability; financial fraud; internal compliance audits and investigations; legal requirements and implications of strong (vs. weak) internal controls; and reporting on pending litigation and claims. Relevant requirements and restrictions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 will also be discussed. The course is designed for students who are unfamiliar with accounting, and prior study or training in accounting, business, or finance is not a prerequisite.

Upper-level course for:
IV. Business Organizations
XXVIII. Securities Regulation