Students

ACCG835 – International Accounting

2017 – S2 External

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Parmod Chand
Contact via parmod.chand@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Stephen Haswell
Contact via stephen.haswell@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Pranil Prasad
Contact via pranil.prasad@mq.edu.au
Moderator
Chris Patel
Contact via chris.patel@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACCG611 or (admission to MAdvProfAcc or MBkgFin)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit focuses on topics concerned with issues in both financial and management accounting in international contexts. Particular attention is given to the impact of national culture and to how an understanding of cultural differences provides insights into cross-national differences in financial reporting practices and management behaviour. Current issues in accounting standard-setting in an international context, including the debate on international accounting convergence, are also examined. With respect to management accounting, the unit examines issues and problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating their global operations. A solid understanding of cultural influences on international accounting practices is a requirement for any advanced study of accounting theory. This unit provides students with essential internationally contextualised accounting experiences that develop the concepts and skills necessary for advanced research in accounting and Corporate Governance.

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:

  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

General Assessment Information

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. 

Multiple submissions may be possible 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 task.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class Participation 10% No Weeks 1-10
Class Test 20% No Week 4 and 7
Research Report 20% No Weeks 9-12
Final Examination 50% No University Examination Period

Class Participation

Due: Weeks 1-10
Weighting: 10%

Students need to post their individual comments on each of the Discussion Forum Questions. There are 5 discussion forum questions and your comments on each of the question will account for 2% of your overall assessment. Further details are provided in the Assessment Guide on iLearn. 

Submission: Comments to be posted on the Discussion Forum on iLearn.

Extension: No extension is available.

Penalties: All the discussion forum posts needs to be completed by the end of Week 10. After this the Discussion Forum will be closed for comments. See iLearn for further penalties regarding plagiarism.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Class Test

Due: Week 4 and 7
Weighting: 20%

During Week 4 (covering Weeks 1-3) and Week 7 (covering Weeks 4-6) short tests will be conducted online. Each test will account for 10% of your overall assessment. The test will comprise of short essay questions and will gauge students ability to critically evaluate the issues covered in the relevant topics, case studies and associated readings. The first test in Week 4 is an early diagnostic assessment, the results of which will be indicative of the student’s application to achieving the learning outcomes of the unit.

Submission: Attendance is compulsory.

Extension: No extension will be granted unless an application is approved under the Disruption to Studies Policy in accordance with the University rules.

Penalties: Zero mark for non-submission.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Research Report

Due: Weeks 9-12
Weighting: 20%

Students will work individually for this assignment. The research topic is designed to effectively enhance research skills and help students learn to synthesize, analyse and interpret information using appropriate disciplinary content and methodology. Further details are provided on iLearn.

Submission: Soft copy of the report to be submitted on iLearn (Turnitin).

Extension: No extension is available.

Penalties: 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. See iLearn for further penalties regarding plagiarism.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Final Examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%

The final exam is of three hours and ten minutes duration. The final exam is designed to test you against the learning objectives of the unit.  Students in ACCG835 for 2017 will be required to do a final exam that tests them on all the material covered during the session. The University Examination period in the Second Half Year 2017 is from 13 November to 1 December. 

Submission: Attendance is compulsory

Extension: 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 in accordance with the University rules.

Penalties: Students who miss this exam will score zero marks. If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Disruption to Studies Policy the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period.

To pass the unit students must achieve an overall passing grade in their overall assessment as per the University policy. 

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Disruption to Studies Policy the examination will be scheduled as per the Supplementary Examination timetable of the Faculty. Please note that the supplementary examination will be of the similar format as the final examination.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Delivery and Resources

 

Teaching staff

            Unit convenor:

 

Associate Professor Parmod Chand

Telephone:

+61 2 9850 6137

E-mail:

parmod.chand@mq.edu.au

             

  Stephen Haswell

Telephone:

+61 2 9850 8542

E-mail:

stephen.haswell@mq.edu.au

 

  Pranil Prasad

Telephone:

TBA

E-mail:

pranil.prasad@mq.edu.au

 

Contacting staff

 

The most effective way for students to contact staff is via email.

 Students experiencing significant difficulties with any topic in the unit are strongly encouraged to seek assistance immediately.

 

Classes

There are no face-to-face classes held. Students need to listen to the weekly lecture recordings available on iLearn and complete the weekly assigned tasks.

 

Required and Recommended texts and/or materials

ACCG835 International Accounting by Dr Parmod Chand, 5th edition, 2017 Pearson Australia, ISBN 9781488617775. 

This text is a composite book made of selected chapters from four different texts published by Pearson Education Australia. By using a composite text we can focus only on chapters that are suited to this unit, which is cost-effective to the student.

This text is available for online purchase from the Co-op book shop at Macquarie University. Two copies of the custom publication are available in the reserve section of the library.

 

 No changes in the text since the last offering of this unit

 

Technology Used and Required

You will need basic skills with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. The research report e-copy can be submitted in Word or PDF.

You will also be required to access the Internet in order to conduct research and Macquarie University’s iLearn teaching facility (refer to the detail contained below in Unit Web Page).

 

Research and Practice

This unit gives you opportunities to conduct research with regard to discussion forums and research report. Further information on these research-based assessments are provided in the Assessment guide. 

 

UNIT WEB PAGE

The university’s on-line learning site “iLearn” is used to provide announcements, forms, some course materials (including weekly lecture notes) and to submit e-copies of the assignment. Login at http://learn.mq.edu.au/

Reading material for this unit is all available on the Library’s e-Reserve. Access to the e-Reserve is made using the student number and password supplied to you by the Library. A link will also be provided on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

SUMMARY OF ACCG 835 PROGRAM: SESSION 2 - 2017

 

Week

Commencing

Topic

 

1

July 31

Introduction to international accounting and research methods.

 

2

August 7

The concept of culture and its relevance to international accounting diversity.

 

3

August 14

Ethical behaviour in accounting.

 

4

August 21

Management planning and control (Online test).

 

5

August 28

Management planning and control in an international context: performance evaluation Case study - Del Norte Paper Company (A).

 

6

September 4

External reporting in an international context: similarities and differences.

 

7

September 11

External reporting in an international context: preparing and adjusting financial statements for international accounting standards: Kookaburra Pty Limited case study (Online test).

 

 

 

September 18th  to October 1st: MID-SESSION BREAK (2 Weeks Break)

 

8

October 2

Basic data collection, analysis and interpretation of results.

9

October 9

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — USA.

 

10

October 16

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — Japan and China.

 

11

October 23

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — The Netherlands, France and Germany.

 

12

October 30

International convergence of accounting: historical background, benefits and problems, global players, recent developments and controversies.

                                                

13

November 6

Week 13 is a revision week

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

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Class Test
  • Research Report
  • Final Examination

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Demonstrate research skills to articulate well-reasoned solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Assessment tasks

  • Class Participation
  • Class Test
  • Research Report
  • Final Examination

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Recognise the cultural, economic, political and historical factors that help explain differences and similarities in patterns of accounting and regulation across nations, and how these factors may influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Identify why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Apply commonly used statistical techniques for data collection and analysis, including hypothesis testing and interpreting the results of data analysis.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of International Accounting.

Assessment task

  • Research Report

Research and Practice, Global and Sustainability

This unit gives you opportunities to conduct research with regard to discussion forums and research report. Further information on these research-based assessments are provided in the Assessment guide. 

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. We promote sustainability by developing ability in students to research and locate information within 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.