McIvers - An Accounting Simulation

While the shift in the teaching of accounting is to use technology, many of us still believe the best way for our students to have a solid understanding of accounting concepts is to have them apply what they've learned by working with a real set of books. That said, I'd like to take this opportunity to inform everyone about a manual practice set (McIvers ‑ An Accounting Simulation) of which the author, Ian Simpson, and myself, the publisher are members of the accounting faculty at Fanshawe College. McIvers is currently used at Fanshawe as well as several other colleges across Canada; the latest to adopt McIvers is Durham College. It provides an excellent application of topics at the introductory accounting level.  CGA Canada recently reviewed and considered adopting it for their FA1 course. While they feel it is an excellent package, because of the on‑line/distance education nature of their program of studies, they felt it would be too difficult to implement. However, they suggested I contact the provincial affiliates to see if any would be interested in adopting it as a supplement. Marg Forbes, who has also reviewed McIvers and agrees that it is an excellent teaching tool, has suggested I present it at next year's conference in Halifax. I am awaiting word as to whether or not my proposal has been accepted. If any are interested, I'd be happy to send a complimentary copy for your review. Please see the following detailed description:

McIvers ‑ An Accounting Simulation provides a unique yet PRACTICAL and REALISTIC APPLICATIONS APPROACH that will enhance your introductory accounting class as your students gain a better understanding the ACCOUNTING CYCLE in a manual accounting environment

*    The set has been written exclusively for the Canadian market, by an experienced Canadian accounting professor.

*    The records and documents incorporate the federal goods and services tax and the provincial retail sales tax.

*    The set contains 2005 Canadian payroll rules and tables.

*    The vast majority of transactions are generated from source documents which are in a loose format, as opposed to being bound in a book.

*    The set contains separate books, as opposed to being bound in one or two books.

*    The set includes subsidiary ledgers for both accounts receivable and accounts payable.

*    Detailed instructions and sample entries are included for each major type of source document with cross references provided for subsequent similar documents.

*    There is a wide variety of transactions to be recorded, but enough repetition to reinforce the student's understanding of recording common transactions.

*    The year end financial statements must be completed in full, that is, they are not set up as a form to be filled in.

*    There are a number of different versions (four to‑date) available so that they can be rotated from semester to semester or year to year.

I look forward to seeing all of you again next year in Halifax!

Penny Parker
Fanshawe College
Pparker@fanshawec.ca

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