Students
ACCG8150 – Contemporary Accounting Practice
2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Andreas Hellmann
Contact via Email
Building 4ER, Room 310
See iLearn for details.
Moderator
Dale Tweedie
Lecturer
Johannes Dumay
See iLearn for details.
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp in ACCG or ACST or AFIN or BUS or ECON or MGMT or MKTG units at 8000 level
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit aims to consolidate learning across postgraduate studies in accounting, preparing students for employment in complex business environments. Leadership and entrepreneurship are discussed as well as the importance of risk management in business decision making. Using real life case studies, reviews of industry reports and research as well as presentations by industry leaders and student alumni, this unit develops the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a professional accountant. This unit requires students to think critically, ethically and strategically in solving business problems whilst integrating technical knowledge and professional skills. |
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: Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
- ULO2: Identify and reflect on knowledge and skills obtained by completing a postgraduate accounting qualification and evaluate how these have helped prepare for a transition to employment as an accountant.
- ULO3: Critically evaluate the relationship between accounting and technology, including how accounting and business strategies determine information systems decisions.
- ULO4: Apply professionally critical judgement and problem-solving capabilities to recommend justified solutions.
- ULO5: Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.
- ULO6: Explain the components of an organisation’s governance framework, internal control procedures, and risk management framework.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Planning | 35% | No | Week 5 |
| Sustainability Report | 30% | No | Week 8 |
| Risk Management and Information Systems | 35% | No | Week 13 |
Career Planning
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 35%
Students are required to write a critical reflection describing their plan(s) for their future career, articulating how their future plans follow the employment trends in the changing world, identifying and recognising knowledge and skills gained and evaluating how these knowledge and skills will assist them to achieve their career goals.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
- Identify and reflect on knowledge and skills obtained by completing a postgraduate accounting qualification and evaluate how these have helped prepare for a transition to employment as an accountant.
- Critically evaluate the relationship between accounting and technology, including how accounting and business strategies determine information systems decisions.
- Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.
Sustainability Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
Students are required to analyse the sustainability report of a listed company that adopted the Global Reporting Initiative standards. Drawing on publications in leading academic and professional journals, students are required to identify adopted impression management strategies and develop specific recommendations on how to improve corporate communication.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
- Apply professionally critical judgement and problem-solving capabilities to recommend justified solutions.
- Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.
Risk Management and Information Systems
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 35%
Students are required to research issues related to the recent Wirecard AG collapse in the context of risk management. Students are required to identify and analyse the main features of the fraud and suggest risk management strategies to avoid such frauds in the future. It is essential that students refer to the latest available technology to support their analysis and recommendations.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills relating to the core disciplines of professional accounting (and critically analyse the application and impact of these concepts, theories and methods to contemporary accounting challenges).
- Identify and reflect on knowledge and skills obtained by completing a postgraduate accounting qualification and evaluate how these have helped prepare for a transition to employment as an accountant.
- Critically evaluate the relationship between accounting and technology, including how accounting and business strategies determine information systems decisions.
- Apply professionally critical judgement and problem-solving capabilities to recommend justified solutions.
- Form and articulate an opinion on emerging social, environmental, ethical, regulatory, political and technological aspects relevant to an accounting practitioner.
- Explain the components of an organisation’s governance framework, internal control procedures, and risk management framework.
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
Please see iLearn for details of delivery.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Topic |
|
1 |
Future of the accounting profession and reflective practice |
|
2 |
International accounting in a globalized world |
|
3 |
Factors influencing professional judgments |
|
4 |
Current issues in sustainability reporting |
|
5 |
Sustainability reporting in the context of impression management |
|
6 |
Accounting scandals, fraud, ethics, and the accounting profession |
|
7 |
Behavioural auditing and computer-assisted audit tools |
|
8 |
Governance and risk management framework |
|
9 |
Information systems decisions and processes |
|
10 |
Information systems planning and development: Cyber security |
|
11 |
Current and future trends in information system: Big data and blockchain |
|
12 |
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in accounting |
|
13 |
Understanding the importance and limitations of emerging issues in contemporary accounting practice |
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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 2023.04 of the Handbook