Students

ACCG7027 – Current Issues in Accounting and Corporate Governance

2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Johannes Dumay
Professor
Grant Richardson
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ACCG8127
Unit description Unit description

This is an advanced Master of Research unit in financial accounting and corporate governance which examines accounting theories and their relationship to a broad range of issues of current concern to both the accounting profession and accounting information users. Given the current focus and importance of global harmonisation, and the convergence of accounting and corporate governance, students are required to examine current issues and problems in complex contexts using social, ethical, economic, political and global perspectives. Students will also be required to analyse relevant scholarly research papers. The objective of the unit is for students to critically evaluate accounting theories, governance policies and procedures. Students will use critical analysis skills to evaluate, synthesise and judge through research and essay writing. Research findings are used to underpin all theories. Students will be challenged to question the foundations of accounting and corporate governance and to think critically about current issues in accounting and accountability.

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:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate an advanced level of theoretical accounting knowledge, including knowledge in financial and management accounting and corporate governance, and critically apply knowledge in a range of contexts.
  • ULO2: Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting.
  • ULO3: Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate communication skills in accordance with academic and disciplinary research conventions.
  • ULO5: Appreciate the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical thinking in research.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Qualitative Analysis Task 15% No Weeks 3-6
Final Exam 30% No Exam period
Research Essay 30% No Week 8
Written Quiz 10% No Week 7
Quantitative analysis task 15% No Weeks 8-12

Qualitative Analysis Task

Assessment Type 1: Qualitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 3-6
Weighting: 15%

 

Individual Critical Reflections (15%) You will produce three written individual critical reflections of 250 words on allocated lectures. This assessment is designed to introduce you to different contemporary accounting and corporate governance issues and how to apply theoretical concepts to real-world cases.

 


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, and critically apply knowledge in a range of contexts.
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting.
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems.
  • Demonstrate communication skills in accordance with academic and disciplinary research conventions.

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 30%

A 2 hour closed book exam will be held during the University Examination Period. The final exam is designed to allow you to demonstrate knowledge and skills attained in the previous assessments.


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, and critically apply knowledge in a range of contexts.
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting.
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems.
  • Appreciate the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical thinking in research.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%

The purpose of the research essay is to allow you to put accounting and corporate governance research into practice and to allow you to demonstrate research and writing skills. The assignment and the research 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. World limit 2000.


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, and critically apply knowledge in a range of contexts.
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting.
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems.
  • Demonstrate communication skills in accordance with academic and disciplinary research conventions.
  • Appreciate the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical thinking in research.

Written Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 10%

The class quiz is a one hour diagnostic assessment designed to allow you to demonstrate knowledge and skills attained.


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, and critically apply knowledge in a range of contexts.
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting.
  • Conduct independent research to recommend appropriate solutions to complex business problems.

Quantitative analysis task

Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 8-12
Weighting: 15%

 

Group Presentations (15%) You will participate in a group case studies based on analysing and critiquing quantitative accounting research critiques and will be required to make a presentation on your analysis. This assessment is designed to help you and your group to develop skills in working together with critical thinking, quantitative analysis and presentation skills.

 


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, and critically apply knowledge in a range of contexts.
  • Evaluate relevant quantitative research methods and principles applicable to accounting.
  • Demonstrate communication skills in accordance with academic and disciplinary research conventions.
  • Appreciate the need for corporate social responsibility and ethical thinking in research.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

there is no prescribed text for this course as we will use case studies and material that link to current and unfolding accounting and corporate governance issues. However, students can refer to the current edition of Rankin M., Ferlauto K., McGowan S. and Stanton P. (2018) Contemporary Issues In Accounting (Second Edition) John Wiley and Sons, Milton, Qld. ISBN 9780730343530. Please do not use the first edition as there have been substantial updates.

Unit Schedule

Session 1 - Critical Thinking and an Introduction to IDEALS
Video Lecture: Introduction to critical thinking
Workshop: Critical thinking in action
Review of assessments and how to write a critical reflection
Session 2 - Research Skills
Video Lecture: Using Endnote and Factiva
Workshop Part 1: Installing Endnote and creating your first document
Workshop Part 2: Finding research resources
Session 3 - An Introduction to Accounting Theories
Video Lecture: An Introduction to Accounting Theories
Workshop Part 1: Review critical reflections
Workshop Part 2: Group case study
Session 4 - Corporate Reporting in Australia
Video Lecture: Corporate Reporting in Australia
Workshop Part 1: Review critical reflections
Workshop Part 2: Group case study
Session 5 - Corporate Governance in Australia
Video Lecture: Corporate Governance in Australia
Workshop Part 1: Review critical reflections
Workshop Part 2: Group case study
Session 6 - Quantitative Research Methods
Video Lectures: LinkedIn Learning Statistics Foundations 1 & 2
Workshop Part 1: Review critical reflections
Workshop Part 2: Group case study
Session 7 - Quiz and Essay Writing Workshop
Video Lecture: Review for Quiz
Quiz
Workshop Part 1: Essay Writing Skills
Session 8 - Quantitative Research Methods
Video Lectures: LinkedIn Learning Statistics Foundations 3 & Excel Statistics Essential Training: 1
 
Session 9 - Climate Change and Financial Risk
Video Lecture: Climate Change and Financial Risk
Workshop Part 1: Group presentations 
Workshop Part 2: Topic Review
Session 10 - Sustainability Accounting and Reporting
Video Lecture: Sustainability Accounting and Reporting
Workshop Part 1: Group presentations 
Workshop Part 2: Topic Review
Session 11 - Integrated Reporting
Video Lecture: Integrated Reporting
Workshop Part 1: Group presentations 
Workshop Part 2: Topic Review
Session 12 - Final Presentations and Essay Feedback Workshop
Video Lecture: Essay Feedback
Workshop Part 1: Group presentations 
Workshop Part 2: Topic Review
Session 13 - Review
Video Lecture: Exam structure and topic review
Workshop: Exam review

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.

Changes from Previous Offering

In this year's offering there will be more emphasis on understanding and applying quantitative research methodologies. 


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook