Western Governors University

D555: Advanced Financial Accounting II

A guide to WGU's second advanced accounting course on foreign currency, hedging, SEC and segment reporting, and partnerships.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

D555 Advanced Financial Accounting II continues the advanced accounting sequence in WGU's Master of Science in Accounting. WGU says it gives a deeper understanding of foreign currency transactions, hedging, annual and interim reporting and partnership accounting.

The course feels different from Part I because it mixes calculation topics with reporting rules. Students must move between translating statements, recording partnership entries and explaining SEC disclosure requirements.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityWestern Governors University (WGU)
CourseD555 Advanced Financial Accounting II
LevelGraduate (MS Accounting, Financial Reporting and Taxation tracks)
Competency units3, term 3 of the standard path
Builds onAdvanced Financial Accounting I
Typical workCalculation problems and explanatory writing on reporting rules

What D555 Covers

Competency (summarized)In practice
Account for hedging of foreign currency transactions and translate foreign currency statementsRecording hedges and converting a foreign subsidiary's statements
Explain SEC, segment and interim reporting requirementsWhat must be disclosed, when and why
Prepare essential records for partnerships, including formation, operations and liquidationsCapital accounts, profit sharing and winding up

Key Concepts Explained

Foreign Currency Transactions

A sale or purchase in a foreign currency is recorded at the exchange rate on the transaction date. If the rate moves before settlement, the difference is an exchange gain or loss.

Example: A US company buys goods for 10,000 euros when 1 euro is $1.10, recording $11,000 payable. At payment the rate is $1.15, so it pays $11,500, an exchange loss of $500.

Partnership Liquidation

On liquidation, assets are sold, creditors are paid, and any remaining cash goes to partners according to their capital balances after gains and losses are shared.

Example: Partners A and B share profits equally. Assets with a book value of $100,000 sell for $80,000, so the $20,000 loss is split $10,000 each and reduces each capital account before cash is distributed.

Segment and Interim Reporting

Segment disclosures help investors see how different parts of the business perform. Interim reports cover periods shorter than a year and follow specific recognition rules.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

TaskWhat it testsHow to approach it
Translation and hedge problemsCorrect rates and gain or loss treatmentList which rate applies to which item before calculating
Partnership entriesFormation, income sharing, liquidationTrack each partner's capital account in a schedule
Reporting explanationSEC, segment and interim requirementsState the rule, then show why it applies

Planning Your Time Across Three Topics

Because the three competencies are quite different, split your study time rather than finishing one completely. Foreign currency and hedging usually need the most practice problems. Partnership accounting is more mechanical and rewards a clean schedule.

Reporting requirements are best learned by purpose: ask who reads each disclosure and what decision it supports. That turns a list of rules into something you can explain in your own words, which is what written questions tend to reward.

Where D555 Sits in the Program

WGU's standard path places Advanced Financial Accounting II in term 3 with Part I, in both the Financial Reporting and Taxation specializations. Part I deals with combining a parent and subsidiary.

Part II widens the lens to international operations and external reporting, so currency and disclosure questions often assume you can already read a consolidated statement.

Worked Pattern for Translation Questions

A reliable pattern is to state the functional currency, list each statement item with the rate that applies, translate, and then identify the balancing adjustment. Presenting those four steps in order makes it easy for a reviewer to follow, and shows you understand why the adjustment exists.

Example: A foreign subsidiary reports equipment of 200,000 foreign units. If the rate at the balance sheet date is $0.50 per unit, the translated equipment is $100,000. If revenue was earned evenly through the year, an average rate is normally used for it, which is why the statement may not balance until the translation adjustment is included.

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for D555

How We Help with D555

Send the problem set, rubric and previous feedback. A writer with accounting experience prepares a worked model, explains rates and entries, or reviews your own workings. Our accounting assignment help guide covers wider support.

GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. Our work is a study and reference aid; submit only your own work under WGU's academic integrity policy. Free revisions; full refund if late.

Get D555 Explained Clearly

Share the problem and your draft. We prepare a worked model with each step explained, or review your work.

Start My D555 Help

Free revisions · Full refund if late · Written from scratch for your order

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does D555 cover?

Foreign currency and hedging, SEC, segment and interim reporting, and partnership formation, operations and liquidation.

Do I need Part I first?

WGU describes Part II as building on Part I, so yes, in practice.

Which track includes it?

The Financial Reporting and Taxation specializations of the MS Accounting.

Is there a lot of calculation?

Yes, but also explanation of reporting requirements, so prepare for both.

Can you sit the assessment for me?

No. We tutor and provide study models only.

How do I find the current code?

Look at your WGU course page, since codes can be updated.