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ACCG727 – Current Issues in Accounting and Corporate Governance

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr. Charles Koh
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E4A Level 2 East Wing
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Lecturer
A/Prof. Elaine Evans
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E4A 331
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Lecturer
Dr. Sammy Ying
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E4A Level 2 East Wing
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Moderator
A/Prof. Rahat Munir
Rahat Munir
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit focuses on special topics in financial accounting and corporate governance. Topics include sustainability reporting, integrated reporting, intellectual capital, and models of corporate governance. Emphasis is placed on the importance of global harmonisation and the convergence of accounting and corporate governance. Students are encouraged to explore current issues and problems in complex contexts using social, ethical, economic, political and global perspectives, and to develop skills in analysis and investigation that are required to undertake more advanced research. A sound understanding of how to analyse relevant scholarly research papers, to critically evaluate accounting theories, governance policies and procedures, and to understand the implications of research findings. This unit provides students with essential research 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:

  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Demonstrate awareness of the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour

General Assessment Information

 

Activities Hours
Sessional seminars 39
Assessed coursework (Preparation for Presentations and Class quiz) 18
Essay  40
Final exam 20
Readings/self-study 33
Total 150

 

Research and Practice, Global and Sustainability

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 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.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Presentation 30% No Weekly x 8
Essay 30% No 1st May 2017 9 am
Class quiz 10% No Week 6 Class session
Final exam 30% No During examination period

Presentation

Due: Weekly x 8
Weighting: 30%

●     Task Description

This assessment has two parts. First, for 8 of the 13 weeks you will be given two chapters and/or articles to read, and a case study or quantitative research critique. You are asked to provide a written individual critical reflection of 250 words about the readings and argue how they apply to the case company for the first six of the 8 presentations (up to and including Presentation 6). The assessment is designed to introduce you to different contemporary accounting and corporate governance issues and how to apply them to real world cases. These form the basis of the material to be covered in the individual essay and as source material for the exam. The critical reflections allow you to develop writing skills and the ability to express your knowledge about the course content. This part of the assessment is graded individually in class using peer feedback and assessment. This is to contributes 50% of your grade for this assessment. The first assessment in Week 3 will not count towards your grade as it is a trial assessment. However, it is still compulsory.

In the second part, you will participate in four group case studies and four quantitative research critiques which are designed to help you and your group to develop skills for working together as you might in a work situation. The case studies are formative assessments that engage you directly with the concepts covered in the weekly readings and with a real life accounting and corporate governance situation. It allows you to develop skills to work together to analyse a real life accounting or corporate governance situation and argue for taking a particular course of action.  The quantitative research critiques are formative assessments that allows you to appreciate the valuable insights provided by quantitative methods.  The group will receive a grade and the group grade contributes 50% towards your grade for this assessment. The first assessments in Weeks 3 and 5 will not count towards your grade as they are trial assessments.

●     Assessment Criteria

1. Presentation, communication & style (written)

2. Use of literature/ Knowledge of theory

3. Data/information gathering/processing

4. Conclusions

5. Critical reasoning / critical thinking

6. Time management/self management

7. Interactive and group skills (include. Teamwork, Negotiation/micro-politics & empathy)

8. Presentation / communication (oral)

●     Other Information

The group case study will be assessed by the lecturer using the following criteria:

  • How the argument and critique shows a good appreciation of the weekly readings.
  • Shows evidence of an overall integrative view how the issues raised in the readings are used and applied to the case study with some reflection on past.
  • Evidence that the group has participated as a whole and no one member dominates.

 

Extensions

There are no extensions for this assessment. Students must be present in Class when the presentation is prepared and given or else they will receive a zero grade and the group members present will only receive a grade.

Penalties

Students not attending the class to prepare the presentation will be given a 0 grade. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment

Essay

Due: 1st May 2017 9 am
Weighting: 30%

●     Task Description

The purpose of the individual essay is to allow you to put accounting and corporate governance concepts into practice in a real life setting and allow you to demonstrate your research and writing skills on an individual basis. The assignment and the arguments you develop should help you reflect on your learning and link accounting theory to practice. This is a formative assessment designed to prepare you for the final exam. 

●     Assessment Criteria

  • Conforming with instructions (e.g. word length, font, other instructions)
  • Clarity of expression (including grammar, spelling, referencing)
  • Presentation, communication & structure
  • Use of literature/ Knowledge of theory
  • Analysis / critical reasoning / evaluation
  • Problem solving / synthesis or evaluation / reflection

Extensions

No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline.  

Penalties

There will be a deduction of 20% 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 – 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Demonstrate awareness of the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour

Class quiz

Due: Week 6 Class session
Weighting: 10%

●     Task Description

The class quiz is a one hour diagnostic summative assessment designed to let you demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have attained in the first formative assessment, Presentation.

●     Assessment Criteria

  • Use of literature/ Knowledge of theory
  • Conclusions
  • Conceptualisation

Extensions

There are no extensions for this assessment. Students must be present in Class to sit for the class quiz.

Penalties

Students not attending the class quiz will be given a 0 grade. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance

Final exam

Due: During examination period
Weighting: 30%

●     Task Description

The final exam is summative assessment designed to let you demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have attained in the previous three formative assessments.

●     Assessment Criteria

  • Conforming with instructions (e.g. word length, font, other instructions)
  • Presentation, communication & style (written)
  • Clarity of expression (incl. accuracy, spelling, grammar, punctuation)
  • Use of literature/ Knowledge of theory
  • Conclusions
  • Conceptualisation

 

A two hour final examination for this unit will be held during the University Examination period.  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.

http://exams.mq.edu.au/ 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. The University’s policy on Disruption to Studies is available at

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Disruption to Studies 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.

The Macquarie university examination policy details the principles and conduct of examinations at the University.  The policy is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/examination/policy.htm Further details about the final exam for this unit will be available in the final week of classes and also on the unit web page (iLearn).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance
  • Demonstrate awareness of the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour

Delivery and Resources

The text book for ACCG927 is Contemporary Issues In Accounting (First Edition) by Rankin et. al. (http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-EHEP002337.html). The book is available in the Co-op bookshop on campus and at other Co-op locations. It is essential that all students purchase a hard copy of the text as it will be used as a learning resource in and out of the classroom on a weekly basis. Failure to bring the book and or copies of assigned readings to class will demonstrate that you are not prepared to participate in your weekly group work and will cause your group to lose marks. Individual students not coming to class prepared to participate in group work will not be able to share in the group mark for that week.

 

Unit Schedule

 

Week 1

Introduction to Critical Thinking (Lecture)

27/02/2017

The ABC of a Corporate Collapse videoclips

   

Week 2

Research skills (Topic)

06/03/2017

End note and referencing (Handout) Library Databases (Handout) Essay structuring (Handout) Critical thinking reflection - Intro

 

Academic writing and argumentation

Review of common quantitative methods in research

   

Week 3

CH1: Contemporary issues in accounting (pp. 1-22)

13/03/2017

CH5: Theories in Accounting (pp. 131-158)

 

Presentation 1- Case Study

   

Week 4

CH6: Products of the financial reporting process (pp. 159-184)

20/03/2017

CH14: Special reporting issues (pp. 383-394 only)

 

Presentation 2 - Case Study

   

Week 5

CH7: Corporate Governance (pp. 185-222)

27/03/2017

Christensen et al (2010)

 

Presentation 3 - Quantitative Research Critique

   

Week 6

CH13: Corporate Failure (pp. 363-382)

03/04/2017

Carnegie & O'Connell (2014)

 

Class Quiz

   

Week 7 

CH8: Capital market research and accounting (pp. 223-252)

10/04/2017 

Jordan and Clarke (2015)

 

Presentation 4 - Quantitative Research Critique

 

 

Semester break

Work on Essay (14/04/2017 to 30/04/2017).

 

Essay  due 1st May 2017,  9 am

 

 

Week 8

CH10: Fair value accounting (pp. 275-313)

01/05/2017

Cairns et al (2011)

 

Presentation 5 - Quantitative Research Critique

   

Week 9

CH12: International accounting (341-362)

08/05/2017

Hellman et al (2015)

  Presentation 6 - Quantitative Research Critique

 

 

Week 10

Essay feedback workshop

15/05/2017

Exam structure

   

Week 11

CH11: Sustainability and environmental accounting (pp. 313-340)

22/05/2017

Milne & Gray (2014) & GRI Guidelines

 

Presentation 7 - Case Study

   

Week 12

Integrated reporting (Topic)

29/05/2017

Dumay et al. (2016) & Integrated Reporting Framework 2013

 

Presentation 8 - Case Study

   

Week 13

Exam preparation and review

05/06/2017

Essay revision and critical reflection

   

 

 

 

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 outcome

  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance

Assessment task

  • Final exam

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

  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems
  • Demonstrate awareness of the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Essay
  • Class quiz
  • Final exam

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

  • Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting, and corporate governance
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
  • Demonstrate awareness of the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical behaviour

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Essay
  • Class quiz

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems
  • Demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment

Assessment tasks

  • Presentation
  • Essay
  • Class quiz
  • Final exam

Changes from Previous Offering

As in S3 2016, a class quiz is added as a diagnostic summative assessment. Students are asked to submit an written individual critical reflection of 250 words about the readings and argue how they apply to the case company for the first six (up to and including Presentation 6) but not all of the eight (nine in S2 2016) sessions.  Essay Part 1 (now termed as Essay) has been increased to 30% from 20%.

 

In line with the revised Competence Areas 2015, the unit has embedded quantitative methods in its Learning Outcome 2 covering the following competence areas: explain the role of statistical analysis for decision making, review statistical data including hypothesis testing, and interpret the results of data analysis.