AIM 3192: PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION II

SPRING 2005

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

Office: SOM 4.419 Office hours: Mon/Wed 3:30–5:00pm 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 6 th 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. Mentor Memo Assignment
Due: 4/6/04

a) Choose a member of the professional community that you would like to be your mentor. It can be
a professional that you’ve met in recruiting or perhaps in your work experiences. It should be
someone whose professional career path you would like to emulate. Your mentor should
preferably hold a position in the accounting field.
b) Perform an interview of your mentor. The questions you ask are up to you, but can include: a)
Tell me about your career path, b) What would you recommend to a student like me to get to
where you are, c) What skills do you think are most important in your position, d) What skills do
you think that a student like me should focus on in my academic career. Again, you should make
up your own questions to learn more about your mentor.
c) Write a two-page memo to your instructor, using correct memo format, describing your experience
with your mentor. You must also provide contact information for your mentor.

The weights for evaluation are:

Class Participation 70%
Mentor Memo 30%

1
 Course Outline for AIM 3192 Spring 2005
DATE DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT DUE
• Introduction to the Course
1/12
• Information about the CPA Exam
• Job Fair Skills and Tips
1/19 • Guest speaker- Judy Guyer, SOM Professional
Programs Director
• No Class Today! • Attend Internship Forum on 1/27 from 4-6pm
1/26
• Chapter 9- Memo and
2/2 E-mail Writing in a Professional Setting
• Mentor Memo discussion
• Future of the CPA Profession
2/9 • Professional Designations
• No Class Today!
2/16
• Guest Speaker, TBA • Business Casual Attire!
2/23
• Guest Speaker, TBA • Business Casual Attire!
3/2
• Guest Speaker, TBA • Business Casual Attire!
3/16
• Plain English Rules
3/23
• No Class Today! • Work on Mentor Memos
3/30
• Mentor Memo Discussion and presentations
• Mentor Memos Due
4/6 • Course Evaluations
• Legal Liability of Accountants: Charles Solcher • Business Casual Attire NOT Required!
4/13
• Study for Finals • No class today!
4/20
NOTE: Guest speaker dates are subject to change due to work obligations. I will inform you of changes as soon as they occur
so that you can dress appropriately.

2
3