Students

ACCG941 – Governance, Risk and Ethics

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Charles Koh
charles.koh@mq.edu.au
Contact via iLearn via Dialogues
E4a
See iLearn
Moderator
James Hazelton
james.hazelton@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACCG926
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines governance within an organisation in the broad context of the agency relationship. This unit focuses on the respective roles and responsibilities of directors and officers to organisational stakeholders and of accounting and auditing as a support and control functions. The topics addressed include internal review, control and feedback, compliance issues relating to decision-making and the decision support function as well as risk controls. In addition, the unit critically examines personal and professional ethical issues, ethical frameworks and professional values as applied in the context of the accountants’ duties and as a guide to appropriate professional behaviour and conduct in a variety of situations.

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:

  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.
  • Explain the role of accountant in identifying, assessing, controlling and mitigating risk.
  • Apply professional values and judgements through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and the profession.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessed Coursework 10% No Throughout
Class Test 15% No Session 5
Assignment 20% No See iLearn
Exam 55% No See iLearn

Assessed Coursework

Due: Throughout
Weighting: 10%

Homework exercises form a critical part in the study process, as they serve to reinforce concepts that are covered in class or online. Students have often failed a unit as they do not follow a disciplined approach over the session. To this end, students will be required to attend seminars with their attempts. The teaching staff will check during class time that these are satisfactorily attempted.

Lecturer will collect exercises on five (5) occasions at the beginning of the class, without prior notice. Marks are awarded for the completeness and evidence that corrections are made as appropriate during class-time.

The homework component will be worth 7.5%, with each submission counting for 1.5%. The remaining 2.5% will be based on your seminar participation, which may include your engagement and input in class. For example, this may involve providing constructive comments to your peers' presentations and how you interact with your peers by participating in open discussions on relevant issues during the informal part of the seminar.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.
  • Explain the role of accountant in identifying, assessing, controlling and mitigating risk.
  • Apply professional values and judgements through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and the profession.

Class Test

Due: Session 5
Weighting: 15%

The class test is a one hour diagnostic summative assessment designed to let you demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have attained in the first four sessions.

Extensions

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

Penalties

Students not attending the class test 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:
  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.

Assignment

Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 20%

The purpose of the assignment is to allow you to put governance and risk 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 governance and risk concepts to professional practice. This is a formative assessment designed to prepare you for the final exam. 

 

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 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 special consideration is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.
  • Explain the role of accountant in identifying, assessing, controlling and mitigating risk.

Exam

Due: See iLearn
Weighting: 55%

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

A three hour examination for this unit will be held at a time and place to be advised on iLearn. 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).

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 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.
  • Explain the role of accountant in identifying, assessing, controlling and mitigating risk.
  • Apply professional values and judgements through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and the profession.

Delivery and Resources

Classes    

  • This unit includes eight seminars and a number of activities as detailed in this unit guide. 
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
  • Seminar attendance for this unit is compulsory.
  • Students are required to get involved in seminar discussion.

Student workload

150 hours

Activities Hours
Sessional seminars 24

Assessed sessional coursework

(Preparation for Homework and Class Test)

 33
Assignment  40
Final exam 20
Readings/self-study 33
Total 150

 

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Prescribed textbooks:​

The prescribed text for this unit will be provided by Macquarie University. Additional materials will be provided at the beginning of the unit and under each of the sessional headings in ilearn.

You must read the relevant materials before coming to class and in completing the assessment tasks as well as undertake your own further research. Direction will be provided by the unit convenor on additional research materials.

Unit Web Page  

You are required to access a computer and the internet at various times in completing this unit, to download course material available on the learning management system (ilearn) and to complete assessment tasks. 

Unit Schedule

Week Topics

1

2

 

Scope of Governance and Responsibility;

Agency Relationships and Theory.

Seminar on Mar 4.

3

4

 

Board of Directors and their Remunerations;

Approaches to Corporate Governance.

Seminar on Mar 18.

5

6

 

Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility;

Management Control Systems in Corporate Governance.

Seminar on Apr 1.

7

8

 

Categories of Risk and Risk Management;

Identification, Assessment and Measurement of Risk.

Seminar on Apr 8.

9

 

Controlling and Managing Risk.

Seminar and Class Test on Apr 29.

10

11

 

Internal Control, Audit and Compliance;

Internal Control and Reporting.

Seminar on May 13.

12

 

 

Professional Values and Ethics;

Social and Environmental Issues in the Conduct of Business and Ethical Behaviour.

Seminar on May 20.

13

 

Revision

Seminar on May 27.

 

 

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 - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.
  • Explain the role of accountant in identifying, assessing, controlling and mitigating risk.
  • Apply professional values and judgements through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and the profession.

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

  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the agency relationship in a business context.
  • Evaluate the professional accountant's role in internal control, review and compliance.
  • Explain the role of accountant in identifying, assessing, controlling and mitigating risk.
  • Apply professional values and judgements through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and the profession.

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Show an understanding of governance, risks and ethics in accounting.
  • Apply professional values and judgements through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and the profession.

Changes from Previous Offering

Not previously offered.

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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
24/02/2017 Change in Moderator.