ACADEMY OF FINANCE
"Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders"
Laurel Highlands
Suggested Course Sequence
Grade 9
* Foundations of Investing
Grade 10
* Foundations of Investing
* Financial Accounting I
Grade 11
* Foundations of Investing
* Entrepreneurship
* Financial Accounting I
* Honors Accounting II
* Honors Accounting II (College Credit/Dual Enrollment)
* Internship – Summer between 11th and 12th grade
Grade 12
* Foundations of Investing
* Entrepreneurship
* Financial Accounting I
* Honnors Accounting II
* Honors Accounting II (College Credit/Dual Enrollment)
May be substituted for senior Math credit by members of the Academy of Finance
Course Descriptions
Foundations of Investing (1 Credit)
Open to all grade levels, this year-long course introduces the student to finance concepts needed to succeed in various financial careers. The course is taught using a ‘hands-on’ approach. Concepts are presented using activities and group exploration. Financial services such as banking, budgets, the world of business, types of businesses, credit, accounting, entrepreneurship, insurance, and economics will be covered. Classroom presentations from academy business partners and projects will enhance the topics covered. Students will also receive Strategies for Success topics to prepare them for college and the job market. Students may be required to attend social gatherings sponsored by academy business partners after school. Relevant field trips will provide an opportunity to experience their acquired knowledge.
Financial Accounting I (1 Credit)
Accounting is the study of how to plan, record, analyze, and interpret financial information. This first-year accounting course will give you a thorough background in the basic accounting procedures used to operate a proprietorship and corporation. This includes analyzing transactions, journalizing, posting, cash control, worksheets and financial statements, purchases and sales transactions, and payroll accounting including checking accounts and taxes. This class is not only a NAF requirement but also is an excellent elective for those who plan to attend college. The course also includes a “reallife” accounting business simulation. I
Entrepreneurship (1 Credit)
This course is for students enrolled in the National Academy of Finance or those interested in the class as an elective. Topics will include the importance and features of banks, history of U.S. banking, types of banks, including commercial and thrift banks, the impact of technology I banking, the Federal Reserve System and monetary policy, retail daily banking operations, and careers in the banking field. The Financial Planning segment of the course will cover life stages and financial goals, creating budgets, saving and borrowing for college, choosing the right credit card, consumer credit rights, insurance (life, auto, property, health, and disability), investment choices such as bonds, stocks, mutual funds, renting versus owning a home, and retirement and estate planning. Speakers and field trips will supplement the content material. Upon completion of this class, students with the required grade average will be eligible for a paid summer internship with a local Academy business partner.
Honors Accounting II (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Final grade of a “C” in Accounting I
The advanced course in accounting expands on topics learned in the first-year accounting course to include the accounting for a corporation. Topics include accounting for uncollectible accounts, plant assets and depreciation, inventory, notes and interest, and end-of-fiscal period work for corporations. Accounting II also includes partnership accounting. A simulation will be used to gain practical accounting experience as well.
(Dual Enrollment/College Credit Option)
(May be substituted for senior Math credit by members of Academy of Finance)