Accounting Principles: A Business Perspective uses annual reports of real companies to illustrate many of the accounting concepts in use in business today. Gaining an understanding of accounting terminology and concepts, however, is not enough to ensure your success. You also need to be able to find information on the Internet, analyze various business situations, work effectively as a member of a team, and communicate your ideas clearly. This text was developed to help you develop these skills.

In small groups, students will research and obtain information to compare services offered and rates between banks and credit unions. To conclude, students will present their findings and state why one might choose one over the other.  

Students will analyze monthly household expenses, explain the benefits of using a budget, and create a sample budget.

While completing a digital worksheet, students will describe the purpose of a budget, classify expenses as needs and wants, and explain the difference between gross pay and net pay.

This lesson Plan is for Financial Literacy and Budget Planning.  The Standards were not listed in the Resource section so they are as follows:Standard 1Analyze the role of cultural, social, and emotional influences on financial behavior.Evaluate the role of emotions, attitudes and behavior in making financial decisions.Recognize that individuals are responsible for their own financial decisions and for subsequent positive and negative consequences.Standard 2Define a rational decision-making process and the steps of financial planning.Define opportunity cost (tradeoffs) and their role in decision making.Describe a rational decision - making process.Identify short- and long-term financial decisions and the impact they have on financial planning.Define the elements of a financial plan.Standard 1Identify and explain the process of budgeting based on calculated income.Develop a budget.Identify and prioritize fixed, fixed variable and variable budget categories.The Image for this Budget Planner was created by myself, Sharon Pinkerton. 

Students will create a zero-budget from a projected salary for a career of their choice, practicing the PYF principle and learning realistic costs of living.

This is a simulation for students to integrate several concepts on saving and banking into one project.

Financial planning helps you use your money to get the most out of life. It is important to realize that every purchase involves cost. To be truly satisfied with a purchase depends on analyzing its costs and benefits.

Using guided notes, students will explain the pros and cons of leasing a car and  buying a car. Students will also understand the costs of monthly payments and why they differ between buying and leasing.

Students will assess their career aspirations, evaluate and compare career opportunities based on aptitudes and interests, and plan a career while understanding the income potential of that chosen career.

In this mini-unit, students begin by creating a career plan and an education plan. After learning financial aid vocabulary concepts, students will play an online game called “Payback” to apply knowledge learned about paying for college. The activity concludes with students creating a personal resume and taking notes on job interview tips.

Students will research different colleges they would potentially be interested in and then complete a college comparison worksheet.

Using guided notes, students will learn what comparison shopping is, how it can help consumers, and when it makes sense to comparison shop

Students will be able to identify methods used by predatory lenders for prevention, comprehend basic consumer rights, and demonstrate knowledge of filing complaints when these rights are violated. Additionally, students will understand tactics employed by predatory lenders and be equipped with the skills to avoid falling victim to them.

Students will identify key elements to include in a resume, discuss best practices, analyze another person’s resume, and write a first draft resume.

Students will comprehend their paycheck, the voluntary and compulsory withholding of income, basic payroll concepts, and explanations of tax documentation.

Students will be able to identify and explain the differences between different economic systems (Market, Mixed, Command, Communist, Socialist).

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of savings vocabulary and products, the PYF concept, and the importance of preserving principles in the face of inflation.