High School Business Courses
Accounting I provides students with the basic knowledge of accounting procedures, including analyzing and journalizing business transactions; constructing worksheets; calculating and recording adjusting entries; preparing financial statements; and finalizing the accounting cycle through closing entries. Special journals, subsidiary accounts and payroll reports and taxes will also be introduced. Emphasis is placed on service and merchandising businesses in a sole proprietorship or corporate setting. All students, regardless of the career they choose, can benefit from accounting instruction in their own personal business affairs. This course is highly recommended for students in grades 10 through 12, who are considering any advanced business course in high school or at the collegiate level. Advanced Studies Course - SUNY College Credit available through ECC.
This is an option as the capstone course for the CTE endorsement in Accounting.
SUPA: ACC 151 Introduction to Financial Accounting (40 weeks)
An accelerated introduction to accounting, SUPA Accounting is a college-level accounting course offered as a partnership between Williamsville and Syracuse University. Students paying the (discounted) fee for SU credit will receive a Syracuse University transcript. Students who pass the course earn 4 credits from Syracuse University.
ACC 151 is an introductory course offered through the Syracuse University Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Students taking this course should have an average grade of “B” or better in high school math courses and be recommended by their high school math or business instructor.
ACC 151 introduces the student to financial accounting concepts that aid entrepreneurs, managers, investors, and creditors in planning, operating, and analyzing a business. Emphasis in this course is on the interpretation of financial statements.
In addition to the use of a traditional textbook, lectures, quizzes, and exams to deliver basic accounting skills, students are required to complete a comprehensive project that demonstrates their ability to analyze the financial statements of publicly traded companies and make an informed investment decision based on the analysis.
By the end of the course, students will understand the basic accounting information system, have the ability to read and understand a set of basic financial statements, have an awareness of the current issues in financial accounting and the impact of these issues on organizational stakeholders, and understand career opportunities available to accounting graduates. If you plan to major in any area of Business, this first level Accounting course will be required so you can get ready for your major by taking it in high school for less and getting the foundational knowledge you need. This could also serve as a great exploration of the growing accounting and financial services field!
PREREQUISITE: None, but Accounting I is recommended.
This is an option as the capstone course for the CTE endorsement in Accounting.
Accounting II (40 weeks)Accounting II is based on the fundamentals of Accounting I - the procedures and systems necessary to record transactions and to prepare reports such as the balance sheet and income statement. This course will give students a strong foundation in advanced accounting theory and procedures. An in-depth approach to inventory and asset valuation will be explored as well as the recording of complex business transactions relating to publicly held corporations. Students will be introduced to computer software applications that can be used to expedite the accounting process. This course is highly recommended for students who are considering any business or accounting major at the collegiate level, and concludes with a final project analyzing financial statements of publicly traded companies.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Accounting I.
Advertising and Media Relations (40 weeks)Advertising and Media Relations is a hands-on computer course that will expand students’ computer and advertising knowledge. Students will develop their creative writing and graphic design skills, ad industry knowledge, in addition to working on multi-media presentations. This course will also focus on creating ad campaigns for school, local businesses and other situations. Students completing this course successfully integrate digital media into a larger media strategy. Students will be well versed in creating new types of media plans that incorporate digital media into the traditional media mix.
Students will analyze current advertising trends, create original advertisements and other advertising topics, including the creative process, careers, sports marketing, trade show advertising, web page design and creating ads for various media such as TV, radio, newspaper, magazines, and more. Students will build an advertising and public relations portfolio throughout the year. The course will cover the role of advertising in a free economy and its place in the media of mass communications. It will provide an introduction to visual communication theory and methodology, along with topics such as design principles, illustration types, visual perception, conceptualization, layout stages, and print production. Students will create vector and raster graphics, as well as produce video commercials and web animations infused with advertising appeals and motivations. Students will use digital and video cameras, sound equipment and design software programs.
This is a capstone course for the CTE endorsement in Marketing.
Business and Personal Law (40 weeks)
This exciting full-year course is filled with practical content that can be applied in the daily life of a student. It will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business and personal law. Topics include constitutional, statutory, case and administrative laws, laws for minors, civil and criminal law, court jurisdictions, and trial procedures. Contract, consumer, employment, family, property, and cyber laws are also covered. Legal knowledge is applied in a fun and meaningful way through debate, guest speakers, Internet research and the mock trial process. Controversial issues and current legal events are highlighted within each unit. Students also have an opportunity to participate in a field trip to the holding center and/or courts. This course provides useful information for every person, regardless of their career aspirations. Advanced Studies Course - SUNY College Credit available through ECC.
College and Career Communications (20 weeks)
This half-year course will prepare students for College and Career readiness. Topics include: Finding a major/degree/career path for undergraduate and graduate studies, college search, applying to college, the common application, college essays, financing college costs/loans, tuition, room and board, fees, books, scholarships, comparing college and university programs/costs, obtaining letters of recommendation, resume strategies, communication skills, writing and formatting papers, reading skill development, study strategies, the communication model, presentation skills, applying advanced computer software skills, weekly budgets, time management/scheduling, individual college and career prospects, college life, committing and preparing for college. Advanced Studies Course - SUNY College Credit available through ECC.
Recommended for Seniors, Fall Semester and Juniors, Spring Semester
Entrepreneurship (40 weeks)
The Entrepreneurship course is designed to introduce students to the world of small business ownership and management. This course builds students' skills in the knowledge of types of business ownership, legal issues, business finance/start-up costs, business trends, site selection, marketing, pricing strategies and the development of a business plan on the students' product/service of choice. The Entrepreneurship class will develop and/or operate a class business in which they will realistically perform duties in areas such as product planning, financing, human resources, marketing/advertising, selling, and management of product(s). This hands-on course involved students in a variety of activities that will provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in a constantly changing workplace.
This is a capstone course for the CTE endorsement in Business Administration.
International Business (20 weeks)
International Business is what’s happening now. Not only are businesses going international, but countries are linked through economic and political world events. This course will provide students with the foundation necessary to understand International Business and the various aspects of conducting business in a global economy. Students will learn the foundational concepts of international business and finance while developing practical personal skills. Emphasis is on the effect of socio-cultural, demographic, economic, technological, and political-legal factors in the foreign trade environment. Cross-cultural approach to international business will be emphasized. Students will study the technological advances of the Internet and e-commerce to provide goods and services worldwide. In addition to exploring international careers and opportunities. This course gives students the knowledge to conduct business in a global environment.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Business
This full-year course introduces students to the world of business and sets a solid foundation for high school, college, and career. The study skills aspect of the course covers organization, time management, improving reading for comprehension, note-taking skills, and more. The business units help students acquire sound values and acceptable attitudes regarding their personal lives and on-the-job success. Students will be engaged in teamwork, presentations, computer-related activities, and current events while learning the following topics: today’s economy, business ownership, career exploration, getting and keeping a job, how to be a wise consumer, managing money, understanding banking and credit, and types of insurance. The knowledge obtained in this class is practiced and reinforced throughout the course and is transferable to other courses as well as everyday life.
This is a required course for all CTE diploma endorsements through the Williamsville Business Department.
Microsoft Office Computer Applications / Keyboarding (40 weeks)
This course places emphasis on the use of computer applications: Word processing, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, multimedia presentations, and online collaboration (e.g. Google tools) to prepare for college and careers. Students will build on existing skills in computer applications and technology. Students will become proficient in the use of the computer and the preparation and proper formatting of documents such as letters, research papers, tables, envelopes, labels, and résumés in Microsoft Word. In Microsoft Excel, students will be learning cells, formulas, functions and charts. Image editing (utilizing and manipulating graphics) will be used with Microsoft Publisher templates and in Microsoft Word. Entering, sorting, and retrieving information will be employed in Microsoft Access. Student hands-on multimedia presentation strategies and techniques will be performed using Microsoft PowerPoint. Students will be using proper keyboarding skills to enter and manipulate text, graphics, and data. Students should achieve the industry standard of 40 words per minute by the end of the course. They will also develop skills in file management (creating new folders, saving, deleting, storage, etc.), Internet research strategies, and the many uses of WITS.
This is a required course for all CTE diploma endorsements through the Williamsville Business Department.
Advanced Microsoft Office Computer Applications (40 weeks)This advanced course will expand upon skills learned in Microsoft Office Computer Applications and Keyboarding. Students will increase their working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher using Microsoft Office to become industry-proficient. Specialized applications include the Internet, desktop publishing, multimedia presentation software, video/sound editing, and online collaboration (e.g. Google tools). Students will use digital cameras along with graphic, video, and audio files. There are no structured keyboarding lessons (timings, etc.) in this course. Advanced Studies Course - SUNY College Credit available through ECC.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Microsoft Office Computer Applications and Keyboarding.
This is the capstone course for the CTE endorsement in Computer & Information Sciences.
Personal Finance (20 weeks)Financial literacy is critical for students as they progress through their lives. The importance of being financially literate is crucial to success and stability. In this course students will learn to manage money to build wealth, in order to financially attain the lifestyle they desire. Students will attain the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the financial services industry and begin the financial planning process. Topics include: earning and managing money, completing tax returns, budgeting, strategies of saving and investing, online banking, how to use credit, major purchasing decisions, and ways to protect against risk and financial loss. Advanced Studies Course - SUNY College Credit available through ECC.
This is a required course for all CTE diploma endorsements through the Williamsville Business Department.
Principles of Marketing (40 weeks)A Google search results in over 70 different definitions for marketing. However it is defined, marketing provides the bridge between business and consumers. One goal of the course is to open the student's eyes to the world of marketing that is all around and to become educated decision-makers. Students will study consumer behavior in order to understand and apply marketing, management, and entrepreneurial principles to make rational economic decisions and to exhibit social responsibility in a global economy.
Marketing is a process that involves a variety of activities focused on customers and the profitable execution of those activities, including but not limited to market segmentation, target marketing, market research, promotion, pricing, product/service management, distribution, and selling. Instructional activities include case studies, current event analysis, research and discussion, demonstrations, guided notes and guest speakers. A district final assessment will be given and count as one-fifth of the student’s final grade.
Marketing is a course for anyone to take who is and will continue to be a consumer. Advanced Studies Course - SUNY College Credit available through ECC.
This is a required course for the CTE endorsement in Marketing.
Sports & Entertainment Marketing (20 weeks)
Sports and Entertainment Marketing (SEM) will serve as an extension of the Principles of Marketing pathway and course of study. SEM focuses on marketing and management functions/tasks that can be applied to all levels of sports and entertainment industries. The impact that sports and entertainment marketing has on the economy, tourism, local business, national brands, consumer behavior will be examined. There will be a focus on marketing management including, but not limited to: brand development, promotions, ticket sales, fan engagement, merchandising, events planning and community involvement. Throughout the course, students will gain an understanding of how sports and entertainment events and professionals are used to develop and sell merchandise and other services.
PREREQUISITE: At least one of the following: Principles of Marketing, Advertising & Media Relations, or Entrepreneurship
This course is designed to promote civic and personal responsibility, as well as assertive leadership, through activities that give the students the opportunity to apply and refine those skills. Practical experiences are offered in public speaking, communication skills, group dynamics, organizational skills, time management, social/community involvement, leadership styles decision-making, and committee management. Activities include professional meetings, service to social/civic groups, and school projects that require responsible planning, organization and management. Students will develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime and prepare them for college and careers.
This is a capstone course for the CTE endorsement in Business Administration.