Students

ACCG8035 – International Accounting

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Parmod Chand
parmod.chand@mq.edu.au
Grant Richardson
grant.richardson@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACCG611 or ACCG6011 or MGNT603 or ACCG6003 or ACCG8121 or ACCG8126 and admission to MCom or MAccg or MAdvProfAcc
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 harmonisation.
  • ULO2: Identify and describe why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting around the world and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • ULO3: Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • ULO4: Evaluate relevant statistical techniques used in international accounting research.

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. Unless an application for Special Consideration 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, and/or scheduled practical assessments/ labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

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
Final Examination 40% No University examination period
Class Tests 30% No Week 4 and 7
Research Report 30% No Week's 9-12

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: University examination period
Weighting: 40%

 

A two-hour examination 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 harmonisation.
  • Identify and describe why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting around the world and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.
  • Evaluate relevant statistical techniques used in international accounting research.

Class Tests

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

 

Two class tests (worth 15% each) will be conducted during class time.

 
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 harmonisation.
  • Identify and describe why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting around the world and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.

Research Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week's 9-12
Weighting: 30%

 

Research topics will be assigned and are designed to effectively enhance research skills and help students learn to synthesise, analyse and interpret information using appropriate disciplinary content and methodology.

 
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 harmonisation.
  • Identify and describe why ethical behaviour is fundamental to the practice of accounting around the world and critically apply moral theories and ethical frameworks to resolve real-world ethical issues confronting accountants.
  • Apply research skills to investigate and propose well-reasoned and justified solutions to problems facing international companies in organising, managing, planning, controlling and evaluating, their global operations.

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

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.

· 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 3 hour seminar (lecture and tutorial).

Required and Recommended texts and/or materials

 

ACCG835 International Accounting by Dr Parmod Chand, 5th edition, 2018, 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 eReserve. 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 8035 PROGRAM: SESSION 2 - 2024

 

 

Week

Commencing

Topic

 

1

July 22

Introduction to international accounting and research methods.

 

2

July 29

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

 

3

Aug 5

Ethical behaviour in accounting.

 

4

Aug 12

Management planning and control (In class test).

 

5

Aug 19

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

 

6

Aug 26

External reporting in an international context: similarities and differences.

 

7

Sep 2

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

8

Sep 9

Basic data collection, analysis and interpretation of results.

 

 

 

Sept 16th  to 29th: MID-SESSION BREAK (2 Weeks Break)

 

9

Sep 30

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — USA.

 

10

Oct 7

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — Japan and China.

 

11

Oct 14

Corporate reporting regulation: understanding differences — The Netherlands, France and Germany.

 

12

Oct 21

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

                                                  

13

Oct 28

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 connect.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.

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:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.03 of the Handbook