Students

ACCG7035 – International Accounting

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

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 Unit Convenor
Parmod Chand
Moderator
John Dumay
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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, and problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating their global operations are examined. 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:

  • ULO1: Explain how the cultural, economic, political and historical factors are the reasons for the differences and similarities in accounting practices and regulation across nations and evaluate how these factors influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • ULO2: Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of international accounting.
  • ULO3: Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • ULO4: Utilise relevant statistical techniques to collect data, analyse and present the results of the data analysis.

General Assessment Information

Class Test and Research Report

Submission: Attendance is compulsory.

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

Penalties: Zero mark for non-submission. For the Research Report 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. See iLearn for further penalties regarding plagiarism.

Final Exam

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 Special Consideration 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 Special Consideration 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 Special Consideration Policy the examination will be scheduled as per the Supplementary Examination timetable of the Business School. Please note that the supplementary examination will be of the similar format as the final examination.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Report 30% No Week 11
Class Test 20% No Week 4 and 7
Online Final Exam 50% No University Examination period

Research Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 30%

 

Student’s will work on the research topic assigned to them where they will be required to critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of international accounting. Research topics are designed to effectively enhance research skills and help students learn to synthesize, analyse and interpret information using appropriate disciplinary content and methodology. Student’s will produce a 2500-word written report outlining their research findings and recommendations.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cultural, economic, political and historical factors are the reasons for the differences and similarities in accounting practices and regulation across nations and evaluate how these factors influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of international accounting.
  • Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.

Class Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 4 and 7
Weighting: 20%

 

Two short tests (worth 10% each) will be conducted during class time. The first test will be held early in the session and serves an early diagnostic assessment of student performance in topics covered over the first few weeks. The second test will be held mid-session and serves to help students measure their performance in topics covered during the second quarter of the session. Each test will comprise of short essay questions and will gauge student’s ability to critically evaluate the issues covered in the relevant topics, case studies and associated readings.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cultural, economic, political and historical factors are the reasons for the differences and similarities in accounting practices and regulation across nations and evaluate how these factors influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of international accounting.
  • Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.

Online Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: University Examination period
Weighting: 50%

 

A two-hour online examination (open book) will be held during the University Examination period.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain how the cultural, economic, political and historical factors are the reasons for the differences and similarities in accounting practices and regulation across nations and evaluate how these factors influence the move towards international harmonization.
  • Critically explore and evaluate the state of contemporary and professional research in the area of international accounting.
  • Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organizing, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Utilise relevant statistical techniques to collect data, analyse and present the results of the data analysis.

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

Teaching staff

Unit convenor:

Associate Professor Parmod Chand

Telephone:

9850 6137

E-mail:

parmod.chand@mq.edu.au

Contacting staff

 

  • Consultation times

Consultation times Staff will be available for consultation; these times will be posted to unit homepage by Week 1 of the session. You are encouraged to seek help at a time that is convenient to you from staff on this unit during their specified consultation hours. In special circumstances, an appointment may be made outside regular consultation hours. Staff will not conduct any consultations by e-mail. You may, however, phone staff during their consultation hours. In order to gain access to staff located at levels 1 and 2 of building 4ER during their consultation hours please ring the staff member from the phones available in the lobby (phone numbers of relevant staff members will be provided on iLearn and are available next to the phones).

  • Other ways of 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 3 hours of contact for learning per week consisting of 1 x 1-hour lecture and 1 x 2-hour seminar. The 1-hour lecture is a pre-recorded lecture that will be available on iLearn on a weekly basis. Students are expected to have listened to weekly pre-recorded lectures before attending the associated seminar. In the seminar, students will discuss issues and questions arising from the lectures and prescribed readings. 
  • There are three classes in Session 1/2021.  
    • Class_01 Monday 6pm-9pm Classes are online (consult iLearn for further detail)
    • Class_02 Tuesday 1pm-4pm in 17 Wallys Walk T1 Theatre     
    • Class_03 Thursday 3pm-6pm Classes are online (consult iLearn for further detail)

 

  • In order to avoid confusion and issues with overcrowding, which can raise serious occupational health and safety issues, students must attend their registered class each week to be recorded as present. Students will not be allowed to attend or be recorded as attending other classes in the unit.
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/  

 

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 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).

 

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 7035 PROGRAM: SESSION 1 - 2021

 

Week

Commencing

Topic

 

1

Feb 22

Introduction to international accounting and research methods.

 

2

March 1

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

 

3

March 8

Ethical behaviour in accounting.

 

4

March 15

Management planning and control (In class test).

 

5

March 22

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

 

6

March 29

External reporting in an international context: similarities and differences.

 

 

 

 

April 5th  to 18th: MID-SESSION BREAK (2 Weeks Break)

 

7

April 19

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

8

April 26

Basic data collection, analysis and interpretation of results.

9

May 3

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — USA.

 

10

May 10

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — Japan and China. 

 

11

May 17

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — The Netherlands, France and Germany (Research reports).

 

12

May 24

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

                                                

13

May 31

Week 13 is a revision week

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.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook