Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Dr Vicki Baard
Contact via accg828@mq.edu.au
E4A 237
Wednesday 12:00pm to 2:00pm
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit focuses on special topics concerned with the design and operation of Management Control Systems (MCS). Topics range from control techniques and the behavioural implications of those techniques, to contingent influences on MCS design. Topics are chosen to encourage students to explore contemporary facets of MCS, and to develop skills in analysis and investigation that are necessary and that are required to undertake more advanced research. A sound understanding of extant and current MCS research is a requirement for any advanced study of control theory, thus research findings will be used to underpin management control theories.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Turnitin
All text based assessments must be submitted through Turnitin as per instructions provided in the unit guide. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that work is submitted correctly prior to the due date. No hard copies of assessments will be accepted and only Turnitin records will be taken as records of submission.
Multiple submissions may be possible in some units via Turnitin prior to the final due date and time of an assessment task and originality reports may be made available to students to view and check their work. All identified matching text will be reconsidered carefully. Students should note that the system will not immediately produce the similarity score on a second or subsequent submission - it approximately takes 24 hours for the report to be generated. This may be after the due date so students should plan any resubmissions carefully. Please refer to these instructions on how to submit your assignment through Turnitin and access similarity reports and feedback provided by teaching staff. Should you have questions about Turnitin or experience issues submitting through the system, you must inform your unit coordinator immediately. If the issue is technical in nature may also lodge OneHelp Ticket, refer to the IT help page.
It is the responsibility of the student to retain a copy of any work submitted. Students must produce these documents upon request. Copies should be retained until the end of the grade appeal period each term. In the event that a student is asked to produce another copy of work submitted and is unable to do so, they may be awarded zero (0) for that particular assessment.
Name | Weighting | Due |
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1. Case Study | 30% | 26 October 2016 (Week 11) |
2. Assignment | 20% | 2 November 2016 (Week 12) |
3. Final Examination | 50% | University Examination Period |
Due: 26 October 2016 (Week 11)
Weighting: 30%
This assessment requires students to undertake qualitative research in teams, apply synthesised management control system (MCS) knowledge to a real-world organisational context, and design an MCS for a real-life organisation of their choice. Students must write a case study, constituting a written document 6,500 words in length, outlining their detailed analysis and MCS design. The team must consist of students enrolled in ACCG728, where teams mainly consist of four (maximum) team members from your seminar that you are enrolled in. In some exceptional circumstances, and at the Unit Convenors' discretion, a team may consist of three team members. Students may be required to do this assessment individually due to the number of students enrolled in this unit.
56 (Fifty-Six) dedicated hours spread from Week 3 to Week 11 including the mid-session recess from seminars.
Please refer to the detailed grading process for this assessment on the units' website. The written Case Study will be marked in accordance with a grading rubric, available on iLearn, prepared by the Unit Convenor to be discussed with the students to provide a team mark. Using peer assessment (see iLearn for peer assessment form), an individual mark based on the overall team mark is calculated to provide students with an individual mark. Should there be any complaints concerning an individual team members' marks, this must be reported to the Unit Convenor in writing. Following such a report the whole team will meet with the Unit Convenor to discuss the issue and the UC may re-allocate marks appropriately. In the event that any team member does not attend such a meeting then the necessary re-allocation of marks decision will be made on the basis of discussions with those who do attend. Peer Assessment will only be applied if the Case Study is completed by teams; it will not apply if the case study is completed individually.
Individual written and summative verbal feedback in seminars is provided two weeks after the assessment task is submitted.
This assignment must be submitted by no later than 5pm on Wednesday the 26th of October 2016, through Turnitin (see also "General Assessment Information). Please see the 'Case Study Information' document on the unit website for further detailed applicable submission instructions.
No extensions will be granted, except for instances in which an application for disruption to studies is made and approved.
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. In the case of a late submission feedback on the assessment task may not occur within two weeks.
Due: 2 November 2016 (Week 12)
Weighting: 20%
This assessment requires students to individually reflect on the Case Study Assessment undertaken in teams, and document their reflection in writing constituting 1,500. Students are provided with guidelines concerning the content of this assessment on iLearn.
15 (Fifteen) dedicated hours spread from Week 4 to Week 11.
The reflective exercise is marked in accordance with a grading rubric prepared by the Unit Convenor, which will be discussed with students and is available on iLearn.
Individual written feedback is provided two weeks after the assessment task is submitted via email to the students' official Macquarie University email address.
Students must individually submit their assignments, by no later than 5pm on Wednesday the 2nd of November 2016, through Turnitin (see also "General Assessment Information). Detailed applicable submission instructions can be found on iLearn.
Late assignments will not be accepted, except for instances in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission - 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. In the case of a late submission, feedback on the assessment task may not occur within two weeks.
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
Students must pass the final examination to achieve a pass (P) grade or higher in ACCG728.
A written final examination provides assurance that: 1) the product belongs to the student, 2) the student has attained the knowledge and skills (i.e. Graduate Capabilities) tested in the exam, 3) the student has achieved the learning outcomes associated with this assessment, and 4) documents the level of student achievement on the final examination which contributes to the final grade and mark. Feedback is not provided on final examinations.
The final examination is 2 (two) hours in duration with 10 minutes reading time. The final examination is a closed book examination, that is no notes, textbook or other prescribed materials are permitted
40 (Forty) dedicated hours of continuous learning (including seminar engagement activities, see Seminars in the section titled 'Learning and Teaching Activities') from Weeks 1 to 13 where additional hours may be available during the examination period from 14th November 2016 to 2 December 2016; these hours may also be shared with the other assessments.
The final exam will be marked in accordance with a moderated marking guide prepared by the Unit Convenor.
Second Half Examination. Period: from 14 November 2016 to 2 December 2016.
You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations. https://timetables.mq.edu.au/exam
Hence, submission of your examination occurs at the end of the scheduled examination day and time.
The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for disruption to studies.
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the disruption to studies process, the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. The Faculty of Business and Economics releases a schedule of Supplementary Examinations for the individual units. The scheduled time for supplementary exams are yet to be prescribed by the Faculty of Business and Economics; students will be notified by an announcment on iLearn. Please note that the supplementary examination will be of the similar format as the final examination.
Students who do not present themselves for the final examination and who do not submit a special consideration application to support their absence from the final examination will receive a mark of zero for this assessment task.
Seminars
This course comprises a maximum of 12 seminars comprising of 3 hours face to face teaching per week held from weeks 1 to 13, including the two week study period; Seminar 11 (26 October 2016) is a self-study seminar and students are not required to attend a seminar in this week. The total workload for seminars is 39 hours over thirteen weeks.
As seminars constitute a critical learning experience of this unit, attendance of the entire 3-hour seminar is a compulsory requirement of this unit. Engaging in the nine(9) seminar engagement activities outlined in 'Learning and Teaching Activities' are essential in supporting students to be successful in their research-based case study, final examination, to achieve the learning outcomes of the unit, and develop the graduate capabilities. Workload related to activities constituting seminar engagement has been incorporated into the workload for Assessment 1 and 3. A highly participatory teaching strategy with inclusive practice is adopted, where students can engage with their fellow students and the Unit Convenor.
The timetable for seminars can be found on the University website at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au
Satisfactory Completion of the Unit
To satisfactorily complete this unit, students are required to: 1) achieve 50% of the available coursework marks, and 2) pass the final examination.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Required textbook: Merchant, K.A. & Van der Stede, W.A. (2012) Management Control Systems (Prentice-Hall, 3rd edition). Relevant chapters and cases from the textbook can be accessed electronically through the library. Therefore, whilst purchasing the textbook from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop is encouraged, it is also optional. Other required readings, such as academic papers are all available electronically through the library. The unit schedule contains a summary of the required chapters, cases and academic papers. Please note that whilst the Unit Convenor monitors the availability of learning materials available from the library, accessibility of these materials is directly under the control of the University library.
Additional materials:
Additional readings and other materials are available on iLearn, including power point slides for each topic (if applicable).
Unit Web Page
1. Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn).
2. The web page for this unit can be found at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
3. Consult the web page for this unit frequently. You will find administrative updates (announcements), lecture notes, seminar activities and the assessment guide posted there.
4. If you are unable to access the website because you are not aware of or have forgotten your username and password, please see the URL http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/ on how to obtain assistance from the IT helpdesk. The IT helpdesk will also be able to assist you with using iLearn. You may also refer to the help feature in iLearn.
5. Please remember to log out when you have finished using iLearn. Failure to do so could result in unauthorised access to your iLearn account.
Technology Used and Required
Students are required to use information technology in this unit.
Students will need to use:
Date |
Topic |
Textbook ChaptersReadings |
Assessments/ Activities |
Week 1 3 Aug. |
The Nature of Management Control Systems (MCS)
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Chapter 1 Management and Control Reading: Langfield-Smith (2007),pp.754-755
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None |
Week 2 10 Aug. |
A Typology of Management Controls |
Chapter 2 Results Control Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.214-215) Case Study: Atlanta Home Loan |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 3 17 Aug. |
A Typology of Management Controls |
Chapter 3 Action, Personnel, Cultural Controls Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.210-214) Case Study: Atlanta Home Loan |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 4 24 Aug. |
Designing and Evaluating MCS |
Chapter 4 Control System Tightness Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.215-217) Case Study: PCL |
Seminar Engagement Learning Diagnostic (Self Study) |
Week 5 31 Aug. |
Designing and Evaluating MCS |
Chapter 5 Control System Costs Chapter 6 MCS Design (pp.217-218) Case Study: Philip Anderson |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 6 7 Sept. |
A Contingent Framework for MCS Design: An Introduction |
Strategy: Langfield-Smith (2007: pp.755-757); Chenhall (2003:pp.150-152) Environment: Chenhall (2003: pp.137-139) Structure: Chenhall (2003: pp.144-147); Lee and Yang (2011: pp.86-87) Technology: (Chenhall, 2003: pp.139 - 143) Case Study: PCL |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 7 14 Sept |
Strategy and MCS |
A Contingent Framework for MCS Design (Week 7 to Week 12) Reading: Harlez and Malagueño (2015) Reading: See Week 6 |
Seminar Engagement |
19 Sept to 2 Oct
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Mid-Session Recess from Seminars |
Self-Study Activity on Team Research Case Study and Assignment |
See iLearn |
Week 8 5 Oct. |
Environment and MCS |
Reading: Janke, Mahlendorf & Weber (2014) Reading: See Week 6 |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 9 12 Oct. |
Environment, Size, Structure and MCS |
Reading: King, Clarkson & Wallace (2010) Reading: See Week 6 |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 10 19 Oct. |
Structure, Competition and Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) |
Reading: Lee & Yang (2011) Reading: See Week 6 |
Seminar Engagement |
Week 11 26 Oct. |
Organisational Culture and MCS Self-Study Activity (No Seminar in Week 11) |
Reading: Henri (2006) |
Online Work Case Study |
Week 12 2 Nov. |
Technology and MCS |
Reading: Ylinen and Gullkvist (2012) Reading: Chiesa et al. (2009) Reading: See Week 6 |
Seminar Engagement Assignment |
Week 13 9 Nov. |
Issues in ACCG728 |
Exam Preparation and General Revision |
The readings are available on the unit website.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
There are three changes from the previous offering of ACCG728.
1) One learning outcome specifically related to Team Work has been included. This learning outcome is aligned with the Case Study Assessment undertaken in teams.
2) Two readings used in this ACCG728 (see Week 12) were changed to reflect current research in Management Control Systems.
3) In the Learner Evaluation of the Unit (LEU) students requested the option to increase the number of words permitted to write their individual student reflections to articulate their thoughts and experience in greater detail. Accordingly, the maximum number of words permitted was increased from 1,200 to 1,500 words.
Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:
HD - High Distinction
D - Distinction
CR - Credit
P - Pass
F - Fail
Grade Descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/grading/policy.html.
All final grades in the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
The final grade and mark awarded to a student reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.
Please also refer to the relevant pages in the Handbook of Postgraduate Studies.
If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script, please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.
This unit addresses global and sustainability issues as direct areas of study and as necessary implications arising from the materials, assessment and academic discussion and debate in classes/seminars. We promote sustainability by developing ability in students to research and locate information within the management accounting discipline. We aim to provide students with an opportunity to obtain skills which will benefit them throughout their career.
The unit materials have a reference list at the end of each chapter/module/text containing all references cited by the author. These provide some guidance to references that could be used to research particular issues.
This unit draws on current published research to examine the influence of contingent factors on the design of Management Control Systems. This supports students in devising an effective management control package based on research, and to apply and synthesise conceptual knowledge to recognise and solve problems.