Concept Review Throughout each chapter, there are periodic pauses for the student to stop and think through the answers to basic questions covering the previously explained material. This helps comprehension and focus! If you have trouble finding the correct response to the concept review questions, the answers can be found in the Study Guide and on the book’s website.

Summary of Key Points At the end of each chapter, a summary of key points lists the key ideas explained in the chapter. This is meant to reinforce the chapter material.

Key Terms and the Glossary At the end of each chapter there is a list of new terms used in the chapter. These terms are all explained in the chapter, and are also defined in the glossary, which is available on the Online Learning Centre.

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Most chapters include a review of international accounting policies, and differences that are found both internationally and in different countries. While the U.S. position is very important to us here in Canada, and is discussed when appropriate, there are many other countries around the world worth keeping an eye on! Discussions of international issues are highlighted by a special icon in the page margin.

Integration of Cash Flow Material Throughout the Text The Cash Flow Statement (CFS) is reviewed in chapter 5, following coverage of the income statement and balance sheet. Students can thus learn how to do the statement early in the course. Following this chapter, though, the cash flow implications of various complex transactions are reviewed in each relevant chapter. There are cash flow problems in most chapters of the book. For those instructors who like to emphasize cash flow material at the end of the course, an appendix has been added to the final chapter that summarizes cash flow statement issues, and provides a comprehensive example. This is reinforced with assignment material in the last chapter.

Cases Over 80 cases are included in the book, and there is at least one new case in every chapter in the third edition. The cases typically are not single-subject, paragraph-long “think pieces” but rather are meant to portray circumstances evocative of real life. Students have to put themselves into the situation and grapple with the facts and real users and uses, to arrive at appropriate accounting policies for the circumstances. A blend of professional judgement and technical skills is needed to respond to a case. Case coverage is not limited to “one chapter” bites, but integrates material learned to date. For those trying to build a base of professionalism, the use of cases consistently over the term is highly recommended. Cases can be assigned for class debriefing, class presentations, or as written assignments.

Assignment Material There is an extensive range of assignment material at the end of each chapter. The assignments give students the opportunity to learn by doing.

We have selected a few assignments from each chapter and have put their solutions in the Study Guide and on the book’s website; students can practice on their own. These selected assignments are highlighted by an icon in the margin. Excel templates for selected assignments have been developed; these assignments are marked with an icon in the margin.

Integrative Problems From time to time in the book, there are integrative problems that formally deal with accounting topics covered in five or six chapters. These problems are a great pre-test review!

Ethics Material Ethics material has been incorporated into case material. Essentially, when an accountant makes a recommendation on a contentious choice of accounting policy, ethics are tested. We decided against putting in smaller ethics “vignettes,” as it is always painfully obvious that the accountant is meant to take the high path and demonstrate good ethics. We feel that our students learn more true-to-life ethics decisions when they have to make a tough judgement call and recommend an accounting policy that is “good” for one group but “bad” for another. Ethical overtones are highlighted in the case solutions, to help instructors draw them out in discussion and evaluation.

The Accounting Cycle The basic debit and credit of the accounting world is hardly a topic for an intermediate accounting course. It represents the baby steps, and we’re trying to learn how to run, or at least jog. For many students, this material was covered in a high school course or an introductory accounting course. Others, who avoided the course in high school and/or who took a conceptually-oriented introductory course in college or university, may need grounding in this area. Therefore, we decided to include the accounting cycle as an appendix to Volume 1, to allow maximum flexibility to instructors. Some courses may formally devote time to this Appendix, and others may use it as a reference only.