This class is pretty easy, you just have to study. Going to class is not necessary, the textbook is kinda bad too. Getting an A- is pretty easy, but for an A you have to be careful. There is a generous 1-2% curve at the end of the semester, but the class overall is pretty easy. Don't avoid it because you are scared.
Stay away if you're not pre-commerce. Fuck up once in this course and you're done for.
Professor Erickson was definitely the highlight of the course, however for some reason this semester, the grades were much lower this semester than in the past. the average was a B-, so this course is one that definitely takes a lot of time to master. Although she is a great resource, you have to make it a point to sit down to make it click. Overall pretty standard class, though the tests can be kinda tricky.
Erickson made an extremely dry topic quite manageable. If you show up to class and take advantage of office hours, you will pass. To get an A, one must sacrifice more time.
Erickson is an absolutely awesome professor! Unlike the vast, vast majority of people who take this class, I actually took it my first semester fourth year. I am an economics and foreign affairs double major but am working for a strategy consulting firm next year, and thought that having a basic understanding of financial accounting would be beneficial for a business job. I fully recommend that anyone, even if they have no desire to pursue the comm school, take this class if they want to work in business. Yes, it is undoubtedly dry and boring, but Erickson does her best to keep the class engaging. She is extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic on the subject. The homework honestly didn't take very long and is completely unrelated to the questions on the exams. I didn't even read the textbook, study the notes she posts on collab VERY THOROUGHLY and also make sure you can do ALL of her practice problems and you will do very well. Frankly, accounting is a much, much easier subject that any kind of economics, statistics, or calculus class. If you are an econ major (and get good grades) or a math major or anything quant related, then you will find this very easy. It is very straightforward and as long as you remember the rules and don't make silly mistakes on the exams, this class is a total breeze.
Erickson is an amazing professor. She takes an extremely boring topic and makes it interesting. Rather than filling out balance sheets and income statements, she challenges her class to apply the concepts behind each transaction and how it is recorded. By far the hardest tests I have ever taken, but also the most fair. I don't know how she mastered it, but her tests are incredibly fair and straightforward, they just challenge you to really apply what you know. She is an amazing professor and I would absolutely take a class by her again. Unfortunately, she is given a class that is the last weed-out before comm school so she has to make it exceptionally challenging. Overall I learned a lot in the class, however it can weigh on your gpa. If you aren't pre-comm I wouldn't recommend taking it simply because it could hurt your gpa and it might not be a risk worth taking. 2nd test was definitely the hardest. Everyone that takes her class learns, it just isn't reflected in the grades, because she challenges you to apply your knowledge to the next level. Something I really appreciate looking back!
Professor Erickson was the best part of this class. It's an important subject that I think everyone should have some exposure to, but it's certainly not the most interesting subject. Mrs. Erickson was good about keep the students' attention and making the subtleties of financial accounting understandable. She was great at preparing her students for exams too. I would definitely recommend this class IF you get Professor Erickson as your teacher.
If you take a look at my rating, it may not make sense immediately. This class is no doubt difficult. Concepts are abstract and often, they require collecting all known information and building off of prior materials learned. However, the professor is absolutely great. Erickson would be one of the most patient professors you will ever meet who is readily available to answer any of your questions (specific to general) all because she knows her materials that well! Fun factor does not really apply here just because I would not call either Erickson or an accounting course FUN. However, I will definitely recommend this class to anyone who is remotely interested in learning the "language of business". My grades did not speak as much as my actual experience. I walked away with solid, dense, and practical knowledge that is beneficial in every way. It is very worthwhile (your tuition is paying for something substantial for once)! Come in not with prior knowledge but a strong logical reasoning skill. Yes, the class is fast-paced and requires a lot of work outside. But again, it is a course of quality and will be the most applicable prerequisite for McIntire. Be mindful that materials are highly accumulative and consistent studying is necessary.
If you're not a precomm student, then do not take this class. I took this class wanting to learn the skills, and it's obvious that this a weed out class for the comm school. Mary Erickson is a great lecturer, and she does what she can with the class, but I recommend taking this class in the spring semester or not at all if you are not precomm, want to get a good grade, and learn the skills. The homework and the readings are not helpful, and your success in the class seems to be mostly measured on how well you can memorize the practice test questions. The material is not particularly difficult, but it is taught in a round about way to skew the grades downward. Overall, not a fair class for those outside the comm major.
Mary is a fantastic teacher. Accounting has the potential to be a complete snoozer of a course, but she really does her best to make it as interesting as it possibly could be. Class itself is widely variable in difficulty depending on who you talk to. Some people just can't grasp the concepts even after working hard at it and some think the class is a breeze. Overall, a very applicable class to a multitude of professions and worth taking.
