For Educators

Objectives

Communicating directly with first-year accounting instructors through hundreds of college visits and offering conferences, workshops, and presentations, Bel Needles and Marian Powers continue the dialogue of more 30 years by launching the First-Year Accounting Educator Blog. Browse the resources below devoted to the improvement of first-year accounting education: Accounting Instructors' Report, Blog, textbooks, instructional software, and research.


Accounting Instructors' Report

Accounting Instructors' Report (AIR) (ISSN 2325-0267) is a refereed, on-line journal edited by Belverd E. Needles, Jr., Ph.D., CPA of DePaul University, that seeks to:

  • Identify trends that impact accounting education and the beginning accounting course.
  • Advance the teaching of accounting, especially in the beginning accounting course, at the college level.
  • Provide a dissemination vehicle for information and research about teaching techniques and technology, student characteristics, and assessment in accounting education.

For issues from the last two years, please clink the links below. Other previous articles can be found on the First-Year Accounting Educator Blog.

For guidelines on submitting a manuscript for publication in AIR click here.

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First-Year Accounting Educator Blog




First-Year Accounting Educator Blog by Bel Needles & Marian Powers is devoted solely to serving you as a first-year accounting educator. Try it out for great ideas on teaching first-year accounting. We are devoted to providing you with support that will help meet the significant challenges of teaching first-year accounting education. Our blog is one way we accomplish this goal. The plan is to update it weekly with new ideas to help you better understand the:

  • Students you teach,
  • Environment in which you teach,
  • Content you teach,
  • Techniques you use to teach, and
  • Technology to support both teaching and learning
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Textbooks

Needles & Powers use their extensive understanding of the first-year accounting students to write textbooks that facilitate both learning and teaching beginning accounting. With the development of the "Learning by Objectives" approach introduced more than thirty years ago, it quickly became the most successful new book to enter the marketplace in more than 40 years. Understanding how students have changed since the first edition, Needles & Powers continue to innovate most recently introducing the CONCEPTS FIRST approach. Simply put each chapter has a three part structure:

CONCEPTS > ACCOUNTING > BUSINESS

CONCEPTS FIRST is a logical approach that focuses first on the basic underlying accounting concepts relevant to the topics in the chapter, then applies those concepts to accounting applications and finally shows the business applications.

  • The CONCEPTS section focuses on the overarching accounting concepts that explain "the why"
    behind the accounting and business applications. Relevant accounting concepts are consistently
    reiterated as new topics/chapters are introduced.

  • The ACCOUNTING APPLICATIONS section illustrates the how of accounting with a new transaction
    analysis model and checks students understanding with features like "Apply It!".

  • The BUSINESS APPLICATIONS section illustrates how concepts and procedures impact real
    business decisions.

The assignments mirror the "Concepts First pedagogy" in each chapter.

Each of the 2014 editions follows this innovative "Concepts First" approach.



Principles of Accounting, 12th Edition, 2014
Needles/Powers/Crosson

1,216 Pages, 25 Chapters, 2 Supplements, 2 Appendices
Sole Proprietorship Approach

Financial Accounting: Chapters 1-16
Managerial Accounting: Chapters 17-25

Designed for a full-year (two semesters or three quarters) of beginning accounting, Needles/Powers/Crosson's Principles of Accounting continuously evolves to meet the needs of today's learner using the CONCEPTS FIRST pedagogy. Using the sole proprietorship approach, examples, exercises, and problems used in Principles of Accounting use small businesses that students will be familiar with and often will be working in part-time or full-time jobs.



International Financial Reporting Standards: An Introduction, 3rd Edition, 2013
Needles/Powers

80 Pages, 6 Chapters, 5 Appendices

In today's global economy, it is essential that both accounting and business students and business have a fundamental understanding of IFRS. Designed in a compact format and ideal as a supplement for any first-year accounting course, Needles & Powers' International Financial Reporting Standards: An Introduction, covers the basics of IFRS that every business student should know.



Principles of Financial Accounting, 12th Edition, 2014
Needles/Powers
848 pages, 17 Chapters, 2 Supplements, 2 Appendices
Sole Proprietorship Approach

Using the Concepts First approach and a more patient sole proprietorship approach than most financial accounting texts, Needles & Powers' Principles of Financial Accounting is ideal for ether a one-semester, two-quarter or two-semester financial accounting learning experience.



Financial and Managerial Accounting, 10th Edition, 2013
Needles/Powers/Crosson

1,392 Pages, 26 Chapters, 2 Supplements, 2 Appendices
Corporate Approach

Designed for a full-year (two semesters or three quarters) of beginning accounting, Needles/Powers/Crosson's Financial and Managerial Accounting continuously evolves to meet the needs of today's students using the CONCEPTS FIRST pedagogy. Using a corporate approach and introducing each chapter with brand-name companies easily recognizable by students, this textbook continues a distinguished tradition of strong pedagogy. Illustrative applications, exercises, and problems used in Financial and Managerial Accounting also use small businesses familiar to students working in part-time or full-time jobs.

In addition, financial chapters also integrate International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) preparing students for the global economy. Managerial chapters focus on managing a business enterprise using management accounting tools essential to business decision making.



Financial Accounting, 11th Edition, 2012
Needles/Powers

736 pages, 14 Chapters, 3 Supplements, 2 Appendices
Corporate Approach

Using real brand name companies easily recognizable by students, Needles & Powers' Financial Accounting continues a distinguished tradition. Combining academic needs with professional thought, the content and strong learning-by-objective pedagogy prepares students for a dynamic business world. Illustrative applications, exercises, and problems in Financial Accounting use small businesses that students will be familiar with and often will be working in part-time or full-time jobs. Through market-leading integration of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) coverage and real-world data, trusted pedagogy, and a clear writing style, Financial Accounting, helps student develop the judgment and critical-thinking skills for success. Financial Accounting is ideal for one-term first-year accounting courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.


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Managerial Accounting, 10th Edition, 2014
Crosson/Needles

656 Pages, 13 Chapters, 1 Appendix

Managing a business enterprise well requires knowledge of key managerial accounting tools useful for making business decisions. Crosson/Needles, Managerial Accounting, 10th Edition recognizes that business students regardless of major will benefits from a knowledge these decision-making tools and skills to interpret management reports based on these tools. Managerial Accounting uses the new CONCEPTS-FIRST approach to provide a consistent approach to the most contemporary approaches to managerial decision-making. Managerial Accounting is ideal for one-term first-year accounting courses.

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Financial Performance Scorecard

The Financial Performance Scorecard 2.0 (FPS) is a financial analysis tool developed from more than 10 years experience researching the financial characteristics of high performance companies for the period of 1989 through 2010. More than 20,000 companies were studied over this period.

Each FPS starts with an analysis of the 6 key numbers and 4 key ratios that provide insight as to whether a firm has created value for its owners.

All FPS versions provide:
  • A 4-year trend analysis
  • Graphic and numerical reporting
  • Multi-step template for analysis of income statement
In addition:
  • Short version focuses on 4 key ratios and the related performance measures and one template for multistep income analysis.
  • Service firm version includes everything in short version plus analysis of
    accounts receivables
  • Full version includes everything in short version plus cash conversion cycle ratios and a second template for multistep income analysis.

To learn more about the research related to High Performance Companies click here

To order any version Financial Performance Scorecard 2.0 or get more information click here.

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Introduction to Financial Accounting: The language of business

Whether you're a beginner at accounting or just need a refresher, this product will help you understand fundamental accounting concepts and how they are applied in business situations. The program puts you in the driver's seat as you record a series of business transactions, get tutored by your "coach" and receive evaluation of your work.

Here's the setting. Your friend, Bob, has managed to land you the job as accountant for a new startup venture. You actually take part as the accountant. Video clips, accounting glossary, 'frequently asked questions' list, the Financial Consequences® Model, all serve to help you successfully complete the program. Allow 1-2 hours to complete.

The Financial Consequences® Model is unique and provides users with a practical, intuitive approach for recording business transactions. It demonstrates how business decisions affect a firm's financial position and how the three financial statements interrelate. The model is included in this interactive multimedia software program and may be launched as an Excel spreadsheet for customized use by selecting 'Financial Consequences® Model' from the menu bar. The option is only available after you complete the 10 to-do items in the Introduction to Financial Accounting.


For questions regarding the Introduction to Financial Accounting click here.

To login and access the downloadable version with your access code click here.

To order a downloadable version of the Introduction to Financial Accounting click the button below.

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High Performance Research

With the first research study published in 2002, we launched a series of studies investigating the financial characteristics of high performing companies in most industries except insurance and financial services. The research, which is published in referred journals, is written with an academic audience in mind, but the results have implications useful to executives. Bel and Marian often incorporates these implications in their textbooks, teaching, and presentations.

Operating Characteristics Of High Performance Companies: Strategic Direction for Management, 2014

The Operating Performance of High Performance Companies During a Period of Financial Crisis:
Risks and Opportunities, Global Studies Journal, 2013

Financial Characteristics of High Performance Companies in Turkey: A Comparative Analysis Of Stable Economy in the Financial Crisis Era, Accounting and Management Information Systems, 2012

Strategy and Integrated Financial Ratio Performance Measures: A Longitudinal Multi-Country Study of High Performance Companies, Performance Measurement and Management Control: Measuring and Rewarding Performance Studies in Managerial and Financial Accounting, 2010

Financial Characteristics Of High Performance Companies in Australia, 2010

Performance Measurement and Executive Compensation: Practices of High Performance Companies, Performance Measurement and Management Control: Measuring and Rewarding Performance Studies in Managerial and Financial Accounting, 2010

Corporate Governance in India: Issues and Practices of High-Performance Companies, 2009

Performance Measurement and Management Control: Measuring and Rewarding Performance, Studies in Managerial and Financial Accounting, 2008

High-Performance Companies in Developing and Developed Countries: The Case of India and The United States, 2007

Strategy and Integrated Financial Ratio Performance Measures: Further Evidence of the Financial Performance Scorecard and High-Performance Companies, Performance Measurement and Management Control: Improving Organizations and Society Studies in Managerial and Financial Accounting, 2006

Strategy and Integrated Financial Ratio Performance Measures: Empirical Evidence of the Financial Performance Scorecard and High Performance Companies, Performance Measurement and Management Controls, 2004

Strategy and Financial Ratio Performance Measures, Studies in Financial and Managerial Accounting, 2002



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