AIM 3191: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION I

FALL 2005

Instructor: Amy Troutman E-mail: Use WebCT or amybass@utdallas.edu

Office: SOM 4.419 Office hours: Mondays 4:00-5:00pm or by appt
Phone: (972) 883-6719

I. COURSE OVERVIEW

Professional accountants are the information managers of the 21st century. In order to meet the demands
of this strategic business position, professional accountants must be able to effectively communicate to
their clients, their employers, and to the public. The purpose of this course is to teach the future
information managers, accountants, how to obtain and communicate information. Information managers
must be able to identify their clients’ needs and meet those needs in a timely manner. You will have the
opportunity to develop the oral and written communication skills that are required in a client-service
environment.

II. COURSE MATERIALS

♦ Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants 7th Edition by Claire and Gordon May

III. COURSE EVALUATION

There are three parts to the evaluation.

1. Class Participation: This course is a combination of discussions, lectures, and guest speakers. Class
participation is expected. In order to maximize your benefits in this course, you must attend class.
Attendance will be taken in every session, and you must dress in business casual attire for guest
speaker sessions. You are allowed ONE absence for emergencies. More than one absence may
result in a reduction of one letter for the final grade.
2. Individual Assignments: Throughout the course, you will be required to turn in short written
assignments.
3. Group Project: For the group project, you will form groups of 5 individuals. Each group will choose
a public accounting firm from a selected list.

Your group will present an INTERESTING, 20-minute professional presentation on your firm.
Each group member needs to participate in the project by speaking and assisting in creating a
concise, cohesive PowerPoint presentation. Your group must email the PowerPoint presentation
to the instructor prior to your presentation date.

Suggested topics to include in your presentation: 1) How is your firm different from other
accounting firms? 2) What are some interesting facts about your firm? 3) Has your firm been in
the media recently and, if so, how?

Basically, your presentation should inform the class about your firm in an interesting way, perhaps
as if you are a recruiter and trying to get your audience to come work for your firm.

The weights for evaluation are:

Class Participation 40%
Individual Assignments 30%
Group Project 30%

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 Course Outline for AIM 3191 FALL 2005
DATE DISCUSSION TOPIC & ASSIGNMENT DUE
• Introduction to the Course
8/22 • Intro to AIM Program
• Information about CPA Exam
8/29 • Chapter 14-Oral Presentations • Form Groups for Presentations

9/5 • No CLASS Today! LABOR DAY

9/12 • Chapter 12-Writing for Employment

• Job Fair Skills and Tips
9/19 • Guest speaker, Judy Guyer, SOM Professional Programs
Director
• Group Presentation #1
9/26 • Resume, Cover Letter, and Thank You Letter Due
• Group Presentation #2
• Group Presentation #3
10/3
• Group Presentation #4
10/10 • Ethics for Professional Accountants
• Group Presentation #5
10/17
• Group Presentation #6
• Group Presentation #7
10/24 • Ethics Assignment Due
• Group Presentation #8
10/31 • No CLASS Today! HAPPY HALLOWEEN
• Group Presentation #9
11/7
• Group Presentation #10
• Introduction to Sarbanes-Oxley and the PCAOB
11/14
• Course Evaluations
11/21 • No CLASS Today!

11/28 • No CLASS Today!

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Amy Troutman 3