Students

ACCG399 – Accounting in Context

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr Andreas Hellmann
accg399@mq.edu.au
Contact via accg399@mq.edu.au
E4A 233
For consultation hours please see iLearn
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(42cp at 100 level or above) including ACCG315
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This capstone unit brings together the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the accounting program and looks forward to professional work or study. The unit's research and practice-based topics will equip students to enter into the accounting programs offered by CPA Australia and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), or to undertake postgraduate studies. The objective of the unit is to critically evaluate accounting information and accounting standards through an understanding of the different theoretical and philosophical approaches to accounting. It assists in developing students' professional judgement and reflective capacity and develops graduate capabilities, particularly analytical, critical and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, the various assessment tasks of this unit will enable students to reflect on the development of the graduate capabilities and how these have been achieved throughout their degree.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate effectively and influence people from diverse business backgrounds.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.
  • Collaborate and contribute knowledge and skills to team efforts towards meeting objectives.
  • Critically reflect on experiences and prior learning for personal and professional development.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
In-Class Tests 20% No Weeks 4 & 9
Reflective Tasks 30% No See description
Business Simulation 50% No See description

In-Class Tests

Due: Weeks 4 & 9
Weighting: 20%

Two in-class tests (10% each) will be conducted during class in Week 4 and Week 9. For each test, students are required to write an article for the Australian Financial Review. Details on the topics and preparation guides are provided on iLearn.

Submission

The in-class test will be held in Week 4 (10%) and Week 9 (10%). Students MUST attend their registered tutorial class to take the class test. 

Extension and penalties

No extension will be granted. If you are sick or unable to attend your registered tutorial in the test week, you will need to apply for Disruption to Studies and if approved, you will sit for a supplementary test or an alternative assessment will be given accordingly.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate effectively and influence people from diverse business backgrounds.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.

Reflective Tasks

Due: See description
Weighting: 30%

There are three reflective tasks (10% each) and the associated learning activities are to be completed by and in your registered classes in Weeks 3, 6 and 7. For each task students are required to write a pre-class reflection, participate in in-class activities and write a post-class reflection. Details for the reflective tasks are provided in ACCG399's iLearn.

Submission

You are required to submit your reflective piece online in Weeks 3, 6 and 7 respectively. Each reflective task carries a weighting of 10%.

Extension and penalties

If you are absent on any of the submission weeks you will a receive zero mark for that week. If you have an approved Disruption to Studies, an extension, or alternative assessment, will be given accordingly. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate effectively and influence people from diverse business backgrounds.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.
  • Collaborate and contribute knowledge and skills to team efforts towards meeting objectives.
  • Critically reflect on experiences and prior learning for personal and professional development.

Business Simulation

Due: See description
Weighting: 50%

The Business Simulation assessment task has three components, individual marks will be awarded for two components and a group mark will be awarded for the third component. These three components, including 'submission' and 'extension and penalties' information, are as follows:

1) In-class participation

Students must complete pre-class preparatory work for submission and participate in class activities in their registered class in Week 5. This component is worth 30% of this assessment task and an individual mark will be awarded. If you are absent you will get a zero mark. If you have an approved Disruption to Studies an extension, or alternative assessment, will be given accordingly.

2) Oral presentation

Students will give a presentation in their registered tutorial class. Presentations will rostered for Weeks 10, 11 and 12. This component is worth 20% of this assessment task and an individual mark will be awarded. If you are absent you will get a zero mark. If you have an approved Disruption to Studies you will be given another time for your presentation or alternative assessment will be given accordingly.

3) Report

A written submission by each group is due no later than 4pm on 13 November 2017 via Turnitin. This component is worth 50% of this assessment task and a group mark will be awarded. 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.

Further details on the Business Simulation assessment task is available on iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate effectively and influence people from diverse business backgrounds.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.
  • Collaborate and contribute knowledge and skills to team efforts towards meeting objectives.

Delivery and Resources

There is no required textbook for ACCG399. Relevant reading and learning materials will be recommended on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Week Class Type and Duration Details
1

Lecture

Class duration: 

2 x 50 minutes
  • Outline of the unit
  • Critiquing current accounting practice
2

Lecture

Class duration:  

2 x 50 minutes
  • Regulatory and political influence on accounting practice (Part 1)
2

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Learning activity: Impression management in annual reports
3

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Regulatory and political influence on accounting practice (Part 2)
3

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Reflective Task 1: See iLearn for details
  • Complete pre-class preparatory work
  • Dynamic in-class group learning and leadership
4

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Business Simulation assessment
  • Systems of Insights and Big Data analytics
4

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes

 

  • Class Test 1: See iLearn for details
5

Lecture

Class duration: 

2 x 50 minutes
  • International accounting convergence in a globalised world
5

Tutorial

Class duration: 50 minutes
  • Business Simulation assessment (see iLearn for details)
6

Lecture

Class duration:

 2 x 50 minutes
  • Sustainability reporting

 

 
6

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Reflective Task 2: See iLearn for details
  • Complete pre-class preparatory work
  • Dynamic in-class group learning and leadership
7

Lecture:

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Information systems and technological advancements (Part 1)
7

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes

 

  • Reflective Task 3: See iLearn for details
  • Complete pre-class preparatory work
  • Dynamic in-class group learning and leadership
8

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Information systems and technological advancements (Part 2)
8

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes

 

  • Business Simulation assessment (See iLearn for details)
9

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Contemporary issues in management accounting (Part 1)
9

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Class Test 2: See iLearn for details
10

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Contemporary issues in management accounting (Part 2)
10

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Business Simulation assessment: Presentations
11

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Current issues in accounting (Part 1)
11

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Business Simulation assessment: Presentations
12

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Current issues in accounting (Part 2)
12

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Business Simulation assessment: Presentations
13

Lecture

Class duration:

2 x 50 minutes
  • Presentation of best groups and certificates
13

Tutorial

Class duration:

50 minutes
  • Business Simulation assessment: Finalising submission

 

Policies and Procedures

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

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate effectively and influence people from diverse business backgrounds.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.
  • Critically reflect on experiences and prior learning for personal and professional development.

Assessment task

  • Reflective Tasks

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • In-Class Tests
  • Business Simulation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.
  • Collaborate and contribute knowledge and skills to team efforts towards meeting objectives.
  • Critically reflect on experiences and prior learning for personal and professional development.

Assessment tasks

  • In-Class Tests
  • Reflective Tasks
  • Business Simulation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Analyse and critique social, ethical, regulatory and sustainability issues relevant to accounting practice and business.
  • Collaborate and contribute knowledge and skills to team efforts towards meeting objectives.

Assessment tasks

  • In-Class Tests
  • Reflective Tasks
  • Business Simulation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Research, critically analyse and apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to make judgement and solve problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate effectively and influence people from diverse business backgrounds.
  • Collaborate and contribute knowledge and skills to team efforts towards meeting objectives.

Assessment tasks

  • In-Class Tests
  • Reflective Tasks
  • Business Simulation

Changes from Previous Offering

There are changes made to the delivery and class structures. See the weekly schedule and iLearn for details.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

This unit supports the development of program learning outcomes (PLO) for degree(s) delivered by the Faculty of Business and Economics. PLOs describe the educational outcomes of a degree and what you should be able to know, understand and do by the end of your degree.

Unit learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 and the In-Class Test and Business Simulation assessments contribute to the following PLOs:

PLO2 Critical Thinking

PLO3 Problem Solving

PLO4.1b & d Communication

PLO4.2 Global Citizens

PLO4.3 Teamwork