CHS Accounting 1

Business-related fields are very important to the way that the world runs. Through making transactions to knowing how to own a business, there is a lot to learn about accounting and business in general. Accounting is a business class taught at Norwin, and can be very helpful in learning to prepare to go into any business-related field.

Students from any grade can take the semester class at any point in their high school career. There is a AP/CHS weight of 10% and 3 CHS credits can be earned for Seton Hill University when taken as a College in High School course.

An average day in the Accounting classroom is hands-on and filled with practice of ideas and implementation of concepts. The Accounting teacher, Mrs. Ott, tries to make the average day be a thorough learning experience for the students.

“I want my students to have a basic understanding of accounting principles but for those who plan on going into business or to become a business owner, I want them to not only have a mastery of the concepts but to be able to put them into practice,” Ott said.

Recently the week before Thanksgiving, the Accounting classes played Monopoly to apply knowledge of concepts such as the journaling and balancing of transactions. Students were to play together and do their calculations individually, a fun way to test their understanding of accounting. They played with modified rules and tasks, and were able to better their understanding of the class through the activity. This counted towards their grade as a midterm type activity.

Students played in groups of 3 or 4, and each taking an individual role. All students were expected to record all transactions affecting their company, journalize transactions, post to the ledger, and prepare a trial balance. The purpose of playing was to provide realistic business transactions for a newly formed real estate company.

The game had some modifications, but overall served as an activity that was not only educational and realistic, but fun and rewarding.

“What I like most about accounting is that it is pretty straightforward,” said senior Accounting student Julianne Kellar. “The Monopoly game was my favorite activity because we got to collaborate and have a choice of what to do. We learned how other people’s transactions affect your own.”

Overall, all members involved in Accounting at Norwin have different outlets of education and enjoyment through the class.

“My favorite part of teaching accounting is helping students further their understanding as well as problem-solving,” Ott said. “Helping students develop their critical thinking and analytical skills is rewarding.”

Accounting is not only an engaging class, where students can do projects such as play games, but an informative class, where they learn how to solve real life problems. Through activities and lessons, student gauge an understanding that is needed for any business field, which is crucial for people to understand in the current world. Accounting gives students a step ahead of others, and if a student would want to schedule accounting for their school year, they should sign up for CHS Accounting 1 through their guidance counselor or Skyward.